The Florida Annual Conference appointed Rev. William B. Caldwell, pastor of Southwest Church on June 17, 1965. On July 4, 1965 the first worship service was held at Forest Hill Elementary School with 47 people attending. On July 18, 1965 the church was named Good Shepherd United Methodist Church. The District Board of Church Location paid $32,000 for 4.3 acres on Military Trail July 20, 1965. The church was officially organized October 24.1965. Ground breaking for the first Sanctuary (Fellowship Hall) was May 21, 1966. Rev. Robert F. Blackburn was appointed to Good Shepherd in June 1968. Herikofer Hall (Youth Education Center) was acquired in August 1969.

Rev. Frank E. Edwards came to Good Shepherd in June, 1975. On March 11, 1979 the first worship service was held in the second Sanctuary (The Chapel). Bishop Joel McDavid and District Superintendent Dr. Marvin Sweat presided at the consecration of the new Sanctuary on September 30, 1979. Rev. Tom Ruehl entered the ministry of the church in 1980, after serving as Lay Visitor. Dr. Willard Schiele has been Minister of Visitation since September 1981. Dr. Arnold Prater, who is now home with the Lord, was Evangelist in Residence for Good Shepherd since August 1983. On October 27, 1986 ground breaking for the third sanctuary took place. The church had 2,000 members.

Rev. Kenneth Roughton and Rev. Nick Thompson were appointed to Good Shepherd in June 1988. The new Sanctuary was completed in April 1990. Dr. David L. Brazelton became Senior Minister at Good Shepherd in September 1992. Rev. Larry Krewson became Associate Minister in June 1993. Rev. Jorge Hernandez joined the church staff January 1994, to Pastor our Hispanic Ministry. Pastor Samuel Gonzalez and Emilio Gonzalez became pastors over the last four years. Rev. Bill Corristan was appointed Senior Minister in September 1995. Pastor Steve Ruegg became Senior Minister, effective July 1, 2001. Rev. Oliver Conkle also became Assistant to the Senior Pastor over Adult Ministries in 2001.

Under the direction of Pastor Steve a vision plan was developed, "Together with God, the Vision Continues." Through much prayer and God's guidance, we have a renewed vision of becoming more fully a community church. Outreach is our main focus as we attempt to build bridges into the surrounding area.  The old motto of Good Shepherd, "Lighthouse" still applies! We are committed to becoming more flexible in order to meet the needs of a changing community.  

We thank God for the foundation of the past!  However, we are more thankful about the future than ever before in our history!  May the Lord's purpose continue to unfold in this His church.