About Us
Here at the Connection our vision is to
Connect Hearts Through Christ
Our Beginnings
With immense enthusiasm, we celebrate over 100 years of the opening of our doors! Come along as we embark on an exhilarating journey to uncover the amazing adventures that have led us the extraordinary place we are today!
Founded in true Pentecostal tradition, 1918
In the fall of 1918, the Lord sent Brother I. J. Bolton and Brother Aaron Smith with a great tent meeting to Tampa, Florida. The revival was held near the location of the 50th Street property where the church once stood. After a most wonderful revival where many souls were saved and filled with the Holy Spirit, it was decided to form a church. The tent meeting was one of the greatest tent revivals in Tampa, Florida. The church record states, "Men's and women's hearts were stirred for God and the salvation of lost souls."
After a glorious revival, in the spring of 1919, it was decided to form a church. The first location was on 7th Avenue and 32nd Street in a rented building. The church was known as a little mission. Brother and Sister J. A. Giddens, Brother and Sister W. G. Campbell, Sister Lina Johnson, Sister Sarah Bryan, Brother and Sister J. L. Webb, Brother and Sister D. B. Wiggins, Sister J. H. Bryan, Brother D. C. Tyner and family and other dear ones were pioneers of the great work. The Lord blessed in a wonderful way. After a few years, the building was sold. The pioneers felt the burden for the Oak Park community.
In the beginning, 1919
Pentecostal tradition moved and stirred the
Oak Park community, 1922
"In the early history of the Oak Park Holiness Church, one of the greatest revivals known in the Tampa area took place. People were slain under the mighty power of the Holy Spirit. The Lord called eighteen of the church's young people into the ministry.
Praise God!"
On July 2, 1922, the Oak Park Holiness Church was dedicated by Brother J. A. Giddens and Brother Aaron Smith. Special all-day services were held including dinner served on the grounds. Located in 2015, 50th Street the church building cost $5,600.00 and the parsonage cost $1,743.29. On July 30, 1925, every debt was paid and the note was burned.
The members of the Oak Park Holiness Church decided that they would like to be officially recognized with the Assembly of God in full fellowship with the General Council of the Assemblies of God at Springfield, MO. On November 18, 1924, the Oak Park Church received a letter from Springfield stating that this church had been accepted in full fellowship as one of the local Assemblies of God. In 1924 the church became known as the Oak Park Assembly of God.
Officially recognized with the Assemblies of God
Going forward in Pentecost to a new location
In 1974 the Oak Park Assembly of God relocated to 2910 Orient Road in East Tampa. The church became known as the Orient Park Assembly of God. Located on over 10 acres the Rev. John Jorden served as pastor. Rev. Jorden led the church through several building programs and with a new sanctuary in 1976. In 1976 the Orient Road Assembly of God became known as the Tampa First Assembly of God.
On February of 1987, under the leadership of Rev. James D. Raley, a new multifunctional facility was constructed behind the current sanctuary. The present building houses the sanctuary, Sunday school rooms, administrative offices, etc. There were still several phases including the balcony, choir room, upper room, and additional classrooms to be completed. Once the balcony was completed the sanctuary it sat approximately 800. This is the current building where we congregate.
A vision towards the future.
21st Century Regeneration
In the fall of 2010, we underwent a significant transformation, embracing a new identity that reflects our evolving vision. The rebranding marked a pivotal moment, as we changed our name to "The Connection" to better resonate with our audience and convey our core values. This fresh start has allowed us to connect more deeply with our community and continue to innovate in our field.
Because of the faithfulness of Sister Annie Jane Lightfoot, Brother A. M. Gutherie, Sister J. T. Bradberry, Brother S. E. Johnson, Sister Sarah E. Bryan, Dr. J. A. Giddens, Mrs. Flossie A. Tyner and so many other faithful saints of God, we now have a rich Pentecostal heritage. Shall we never forget the price paid and sacrifices made to the Lord for this work we now call, "The Connection". Because of the pioneers giving and faith in God we now have a Pentecostal heritage and Pentecostal tradition.
God Bless our pioneers, we now have a Pentecostal heritage
Rev. Aaron Smith ............................................................................. 1919
Rev. J. L. Webb ..................................................................... 1919-1920
Rev. I. J. Bolton ..................................................................... 1920-1928
Rev. Clowers .......................................................................... 1928-1930
Rev. Howard Bush ............................................................... 1930-1938
Rev. Voight ............................................................................. 1938-1942
Rev. Brumback ...................................................................... 1942-1945
Rev. Sam Allen ................................................................................. 1945
Rev. E. Corbin ........................................................................ 1945-1949
Rev. Dan Norton .................................................................. 1949-1950
Rev. Rass .................................................................................. 1951-1955
Rev. C. W. Marshall ............................................................... 1955-1961
Rev. J. R. Purvis ..................................................................... 1961-1965
Rev. J. R. Elliott ....................................................................... 1965-1971
Rev. John Jorden .................................................................. 1971-1985
Rev. H. Wallace ................................................................................ 1985
Rev. James D. Raley .......................................................... 1985-1998
Rev. Max Docusen Jr. ...................................................... 1998-2002
Rev. Dani Cortese ............................................................ 2003-2005
Rev. Mike Cayson .............................................................. 2005-2017
Rev. Samuel Nieves ..................................................... 2017-present