In the spring of 2005, God spoke to Rev. Marilynn instructing her to do a church plant. She received prophetic words of confirmation and in obedience to the call of God began to embark upon this new journey.
Rev. Marilynn planted her first church in the Pittsburgh area. Shekinah Tabernacle was the name given by God to the church, accompanied by the slogan, “A Place Where the Presence of God Dwells.” Services began at the Holiday Inn on Brinton Road. Twelve people were in attendance at that first service.
During the first year, the ruling leadership was put into place. The mission statement was formulated, and outreach began. In the following year, the vision was developed, policies and procedures, and core values were outlined, and training began for leadership.
From the Holiday Inn, the church moved temporarily to two more locations before a facility was finally purchased in the year 2011 at 3535 Foster Road, White Oak, PA.
Rev. Marilynn who served as Senior Pastor of Shekinah Tabernacle, credited Pastor Gary Mitrik, of Greater Works Outreach where she was a member for 23 years as one who was for her a good example of how a true shepherd functions. She was commissioned to the office of Apostle in May 2012 by a Presbytery of apostles and prophets from the United States and Africa.
Pastor Patty Rucker accepted the call to become Senior Pastor of Shekinah Tabernacle in the fall of 2024 after her beloved mentor and friend was called Home to be with the Lord on June 4, 2024..