Pastor Devanta R. Scruggs
Leading the People of God
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 continued on to pursue an education at Alabama State University (ASU). Pastor Scruggs is currently attending the College of Biblical Studies where he is finishing his Bachelor of Science degree in Biblical Studies and Pastoral Counseling.
In April 2007 at the age of 10, Pastor Scruggs formally accepted his call to the ministry. Pastor Scruggs was licensed to preach in January 2015 and ordained in December 2016 under Pastor Vionnta T. Traylor. Pastor Scruggs was the founder and Senior Pastor of Word Up Church at ASU. Word Up opened its doors to the ASU and Montgomery, AL community on October 9, 2016. Since conception, the Lord has allowed the ministry to experience significant growth with over half of the congregation being college students. The membership grew from 60 to 300 attendees and discipled 30 newcomers in its first year of existence. During his tenure, Word Up Church was able to launch an outreach ministry that provided tuition assistance for students living on the campus of ASU. Pastor Scruggs served as Senior Pastor for over 3 years.
In March 2018, Pastor Scruggs accepted the call to full-time ministry at Eastern Star Church in Indianapolis, IN as Teen Pastor. Pastor Scruggs was responsible for all Teen Ministry functions and activities across the church’s three campuses. In his first 3 months, Pastor Scruggs launched Eastern Star Church's Ignite Teen Ministry. Pastor Scruggs grew Teen Church engagement from 100 to over 1,500 students. Pastor Scruggs launched a weekly community night for students who lived in the surrounding area of the main campus, which is the highest crime area in Indianapolis. The weekly community night offered tutoring, college prep courses and vocational training. In December 2018, Pastor Scruggs and Eastern Star Church leadership announced the Children & Teen Center. This is a facility designed to minister to the needs of our young people in the church, community and adopted schools.
Upon his departure as Teen Pastor at Eastern Star Church, Pastor Scruggs returned to his home church, serving as Associate Pastor of Good Samaritan Baptist Church in Indianapolis, IN. Pastor Scruggs provided support for the Senior Pastor. He also developed ministry staff and volunteers. Additionally, he played a vital role in boosting congregation morale. Pastor Scruggs served as Associate Pastor until he transitioned into the Juvenile Justice Ministry (JJM) Director, Central Indiana Youth for Christ (CIYFC). This role led to some amazing work to grow programming in detention centers, youth on probation and community at-risk youth. The JJM Youth Intervention Project was an avenue to create authentic Christ-sharing relationships with high-risk youth in the city of Indianapolis. During the summer months, CIYFC JJM Youth Intervention Program reduced and prevented 15 high risk youth on the near Westside of Indianapolis from youth violence and becoming repeat offenders. JJM Summer Intervention Program employed 15 students at a stipend of $100.00 a week over the course of 6 weeks. Over 7 of those 15 students gave their lives to Christ for the first time. Pastor Scruggs served with CIYFC until being promoted to work with the Office of Public Health and Safety as a “Peace Maker” for the City of Indianapolis in January 2022.
On the third Sunday of May in 2022, Rev. Devanta Rashad Scruggs was elected Senior Pastor of New Mount Zion Baptist Church in Shelbyville, Ky. Pastor Scruggs is the proud husband of Lady. Cenaisha Scruggs, and they are awaiting the arrival of their first-born son, who is due January 4th, 2023. Pastor Scruggs is a uniquely gifted and anointed vessel of God. Out of all his accomplishments, Pastor Scruggs remains humble in the fact that God graciously decided to use him as a humble servant.
