NEW MT. ZION BAPTIST CHURCH OF SHELBYVILLE
Helping people experience life transformation through Jesus Christ.
We are a transparent and transformative ministry that builds and equips people through biblical preaching and teaching while providing a practical blueprint of what Faith in Jesus Christ looks like in the life of a believer.
Our Core Values
Applying Biblical Truth: We don’t stray away from the word. Regardless of if we are on the pulpit or in small groups, we are actively teaching the truth of God’s word.
Spiritual Fullness in Christ: Jesus is the connection between humans and God. It is through our relationship with Jesus that we can live a life that is whole and complete. When you’re Spiritually full in Christ, you don’t have room for false philosophies and traditions.
Genuine Relationships: God did not create us to be alone. Discipleship happens best in a relationship. Growing in your faith requires more than just attending Sunday worship services. Connecting people to people is one of the most important things we do here.
Evangelism & Discipleship: Jesus gave the Great Commission to his disciples and told them to evangelize to make more disciples. We catch the lost, clean the lost and give them the tools to go get more people.
Pastor Devanta R. Scruggs is a native of Indianapolis, Indiana who grew up in the Washington Township community. He attended local area public schools and is a graduate of North Central High School. Pastor Scruggs went on to pursue an education at Alabama State University (ASU). Pastor Scruggs is currently attending College of Biblical Studies where he is finishing his Bachelor of Science degree in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Counseling.
Pastor Devanta R. Scruggs
Leading the People of God
Our History
In the year 1880, under the leadership of the late Rev. Tibbs, with officers and trustees, organized a church in Clay Village, Kentucky, on US 60. After a while, members began to move away. The membership got so scarce that the church decided to move, this time to Benson, Kentucky about 1.5 miles from Waddy. Rev. George Butler and the Rev. Thomas Butler helped with the service. People joined the church, but later left. The members again got scattered and the church was forced to move again.
This time there was no ground to build on so Bro. Claude Wade talked to Mr. Tom Waddy and he donated to the church a spot of ground measuring about one acre. The church location was moved to Waddy, Kentucky. A tent was put up to facilitate services and the first Basket meeting was served in 1906.
This spot of ground was on Waddy Road near the railroad by Jepta Creek. A lot of work was involved in building the church at Waddy. Lumber had to be hauled from the church in Benson to help with the building. After the building was finished, Rev. Owens worked with the people, and they were added to the church.
Through the decades, 12 shepherds were called to New Mt Zion and on June 6, 1975, Rev. Edward Bryant started us on a mission. Under his pastorate, 31 members joined. While he was with us, he helped us to have faith in God and to tithe. We came a long way under Pastor Bryant. In April of 1977, we moved from Waddy to where we are now.
When Rev. Bryant died, it was a sad day but we remain united as the Zion church family. Rev. Samuel Mack took over as interim pastor until Rev. Derrick Span was called to serve from 1983 to 1985. Rev. Span started the Nurses Guild and the Orientation Seminary to familiarize members with the doctrine, Teachings of Faith.
Rev. Kilen Gray was installed on September 29, 1985, and under his pastorate, he reorganized the Youth Department, Community Outreach, and purchased a new church bus. Under his guidance, a spiritual awakening began resulting in the implementation of an additional service beginning at 8 am in 2004.
On July 22, 1990, NMZ returned home to Waddy, KY (Sonrise Valley Church) for their Homecoming & Family Day. Rev. H.M. Humphrey Jr., of Shiloh Baptist Church, was the guest of honor. Also, on Easter Sunday, 1991, the church’s lower level renovation was completed and the baptismal pool was raised.
The NMZ church family purchased 10 acres of land on Harrington Mill Road and paid it off on March 21, 1996. On April 6, 1997, the church adopted a 5 Year Strategic Plan. On April 15, 1997, NMZ signed a contract with Whitaker Construction to begin a Master Plan to develop the 10 acres of land. This plan was designed to enable us to build a brand-new church home in the near future.
In 1996, NMZ established a 501(c)(3) non-profit community development corporation named GGT, Inc. (Growing in Grace Together), through which the church fulfills its community outreach and missions work. Through GGT, Inc., NMZ has developed successful programs in the areas of Tutoring/mentoring, dropout prevention, summer education/art enrichment, home-ownership/finance, chemical dependency prevention and job skills/training.
On June 6, 1999, Sis. Thosha Alexander was the first female to deliver a trial sermon. During the fall of 1999, NMZ was blessed to purchase the historical Mulberry Building (NMZ Community Development Center) located at 701 Main Street.In 2004, NMZ developed C.R.U.N.K.fest (Christ Raising Up New Kids), a youth conference that had rapidly grown into, and become recognized across the nation as a radical youth movement aimed at reaching the youth of the 21st century.
Over 500 youth attend annually to receive spiritual, health, education, and motivational resources to impact family life. NMZ has developed other noted conferences such as the Prayer & Intercessors’ Gathering, “Beauty For Ashes” Women’s Conference, “Seasons of Love” Marriage Conference, Men’s Conference, and Family conferences.
On July 31, 2010, the church hosted a Ground-Breaking Ceremony on Harrington Mill RoadProperty with members, friends, former members, and city and county officials. A year later and still no progress, members were stumped because things were not progressing according to our plan. Nonetheless, we serve an Awesome God and His Plan is truly unfolding in time.
We soon realized that our Harrington Mill Road property was not enough for His Plan. On July 9, 2012, New Mt. Zion acquired an additional 12.53 acres from Shelby County Parks, increasing our territory to 22.5 acres. This future site on Harrington Mill Road will be our new campus, housing a worship center.
We will have the needed space to continue our core mission in addition to providing community ministries such as daycare, after-school care, seniors’ care and support, enhanced youth educational/mentoring support, entrepreneurial incubation, re-entry programs for those released from incarceration, family economic development, family counseling & therapeutic support, community conference & meeting space and spiritual development programs.
In September 2019, Rev. Dr. Kilen Gray announced his retirement in 2020. During this transition, like many worship houses across the Nation, NMZ was impacted by COVID-19. Resulting in social
Distance regulations and limited seating capacity. Therefore, the church focused on a strong social media presence. And during this time, the Rev. Damon Armstead began serving as interim pastor.
New Mt. Zion, we’ve come this far by faith and still have a long way to go, but “With God All Things Are Possible”. On Sunday, May 15, 2022, New Mt Zion Baptist Church elected Rev. Devanta Scruggs as the church's 13th Senior Pastor. Rev. Scruggs was installed as Senior Pastor on Sunday, September 11, 2022.
With the help of God, Rev. Scruggs will lead New Mt. Zion into the promise that God has for our congregation. We are excited about the members who have begun to come back to worship since his arrival. The consistency of tithing has increased and the church has made necessary upgrades to be able to serve the needs of those in this post-pandemic area. We ask that you continue to pray for New Mt Zion as we continue to follow God during this season.
What We Believe
I. The Scriptures.
We believe that the Holy Bible was written by men divinely inspired, and is a perfect treasure of heavenly instruction; that it has God for its author, salvation for its end, and truth without any mixture of error for its matter; that it reveals the principles by which God will judge us, and therefore is, and shall remain to the end of the world, the true center of Christian union, and the supreme standard by which all human conduct, creeds, and opinions shall be tried.
II. The True God.
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is one, and only one, living and true God, an infinite, intelligent Spirit, whose name is Jehovah, the Maker and Supreme Ruler of heaven and earth; inexpressibly glorious in holiness, and worthy of all possible honor confidence and love; that in the unity of the Godhead there are three persons, the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost; equal in every divine perfection, and executing distinct but harmonious offices in the great work of redemption.
III. The Fall of Man.
We believe the Scriptures teach that Man was created in holiness, under the law of his Maker; but by voluntary transgressions fell from that holy and happy state; in consequence of which all mankind are now sinners, not by constraint but choice; being by nature utterly void of that holiness required by the law of God, positively inclined to evil; and therefore under just condemnation to eternal ruin, without defense or excuse.
IV. The Way of Salvation.
We believe that the Scriptures teach that the salvation of sinners is wholly of grace; through the mediatorial offices of the Son of God; who by the appointment of the Father, freely took upon him our nature, yet without sin; honored the divine law by his personal obedience, and by his death made a full atonement for our sins; that having risen from the dead, he is now enthroned in heaven; and uniting in his wonderful person the tenderest sympathies with divine perfections, he is in every way qualified to be a suitable, a compassionate, and an all-sufficient Savior.
V. Justification.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the great Gospel blessing which Christ secures to such as believe in him is justification; that justification includes the pardon of sin, and the promise of eternal life on principles of righteousness; that it is bestowed, not in consideration of any works of righteousness which we have done, but solely through faith in the Redeemer's blood; by virtue of which faith his perfect righteousness is freely imputed to us of God; that it brings us into a state of most blessed peace and favor with God, and secures every other blessing needful for time and eternity.
VI. The Freeness of Salvation.
We believe that the Scriptures teach that the blessings of salvation are made free to all by the Gospel; that it is the immediate duty of all to accept them by cordial, penitent and obedient faith; and that nothing prevents the salvation of the greatest sinner on earth, but his own determined depravity and voluntary rejection of the Gospel; which rejection involves him in an aggravated condemnation.
VII. Regeneration.
We believe that the Scriptures teach that in order to be saved, sinners must be regenerated, or born again; that regeneration consists in giving a holy disposition to the mind that it is effected in a manner above our comprehension by the power of the Holy Spirit in connection with divine truth, so as to secure our voluntary obedience to the Gospel; and that its proper evidence appears in the holy fruits of repentance and faith, and newness of life.
VIII. Repentance and Faith.
We believe the Scriptures teach that repentance and faith are sacred duties, and also inseparable graces, wrought in our souls by the regenerating Spirit of God; whereby being deeply convinced of our guilt, danger and helplessness and of the way of salvation by Christ, we turn to God with unfeigned contrition, confession, and supplication for mercy; at the same time heartily receiving the Lord Jesus Christ as our prophet, priest and king, and relying on him alone as the only and all-sufficient Savior.
IX. God's Purpose of Grace.
We believe the Scriptures teach that election is the eternal purpose of God, according to which he graciously regenerates, sanctifies and saves sinners; that being perfectly consistent with the free agency of man, it comprehends all the means in connection with the end; that it is a most glorious display of God's sovereign goodness, being infinitely free, wise, holy and unchangeable; that it utterly excludes boasting and promotes humility, love, prayer, praise, trust in God, and active imitation of his free mercy; that it encourages the use of means in the highest degree; that it may be ascertained by its effects in all who truly believe the Gospel; that it is the foundation of Christian assurance; and that to ascertain it with regard to ourselves demands and deserves the utmost diligence.
X. Sanctification.
We believe the Scriptures teach that Sanctification is the process by which, according to the will of God, we are made partakers of his holiness; that it is a progressive work; that it is begun in regeneration; and that it is carried on in the hearts of believers by the presence and power of the Holy Spirit, the Sealer and Comforter, in the continual use of the appointed means especially the word of God, self-examination, self-denial, watchfulness, and prayer.
XI. Perseverance of the Saints.
We believe the Scriptures teach that such only are real believers as endure to the end; that their persevering attachment to Christ is the grand mark which distinguishes them from superficial professors; that a special Providence watches over their welfare; and they are kept by the power of God through faith unto salvation.
XII. The Law and Gospel.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the Law of God is the eternal and unchangeable rule of his moral government; that it is holy, just and good; and that the inability which the Scriptures ascribe to fallen men to fulfill its precepts, arise entirely from their love of sin; to deliver them from which, and to restore them through a Mediator to unfeigned obedience to the holy Law, is one great end of the Gospel, and of the Means of Grace connected with the establishment of the visible church.
XIII. A Gospel Church.
We believe the Scriptures teach that a visible church of Christ is a congregation of baptized believers, associated by covenant in the faith and fellowship of the Gospel; observing the ordinances of Christ; governed by his laws; and exercising the gifts, rights, and privileges invested in them by His Word; that its only scriptural officers are Bishops or Pastors, and Deacons whose Qualifications, claims and duties are defined in the Epistles to Timothy and Titus.
XIV. Baptism and the Lord's Supper.
We believe the Scriptures teach that Christian baptism is the immersion in water of a believer, into the name of the Father, and Son, and Holy Ghost; to show forth in a solemn and beautiful emblem, our faith in the crucified, buried, and risen Savior, with its effect, in our death to sin and resurrection to a new life; that it is prerequisite to the privileges of a church relation; and to the Lord's Supper, in which the members of the church, by the sacred use of bread and wine, are to commemorate together the dying love of Christ; preceded always by solemn self- examination.
XV. The Christian Sabbath.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the first day of the week is the Lord's Day, or Christian Sabbath, and is to be kept sacred to religious purposes, by abstaining from all secular labor and sinful recreations, by the devout observance of all the means of grace, both private and public, and by preparation for that rest that remaineth for the people of God.
XVI. Civil Government.
We believe the Scriptures teach that civil government is of divine appointment, for the interest and good order of human society; and that magistrates are to be prayed for, conscientiously honored and obeyed; except only in things opposed to the will of our Lord Jesus Christ, who is the only Lord of the conscience, and the Prince of the Kings of the earth.
XVII. Righteous and Wicked.
We believe the Scriptures teach that there is a radical and essential difference between the righteous and the wicked; that such only as through faith are justified in the name of the Lord Jesus, and sanctified by the Spirit of our God, are truly righteous in his esteem; while all such as continue in impenitence and unbelief are in his sight wicked, and under the curse; and this distinction holds among men both in and after death.
XVIII. The World to Come.
We believe the Scriptures teach that the end of the world is approaching; that at the last day, Christ will descend from heaven, and raise the dead from the grave for final retribution; that a solemn separation will then take place; that the wicked will be adjudged to endless punishment, and the righteous to endless joy; and that this judgment will fix forever the final state of men in heaven or hell, on principles of righteousness.