Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Julius R. Scruggs
Julius Richard Scruggs was born in Elkton, Tennessee to the Reverend and Mrs. Earl Scruggs, Sr. and reared in Toney, Alabama. He is a graduate of Council Training High School in Huntsville, Alabama. After earning the Bachelor of Arts degree at American Baptist College in Nashville, Tennessee, he also completed requirements for the Master of Divinity (M. Div.) and Doctor of Ministry (D. Min.) degrees at Vanderbilt University School of Divinity in Nashville. On December 9, 2011, he received the honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters from Alabama Agricultural and Mechanical University, Normal, Alabama.
​
His pastoral experience began at age 18 at Pine Grove Missionary Baptist Church (Harvest, AL) where he served 1960-1965. From 1965-1972 he pastored the Mt. Ararat Baptist Church (Nashville, TN). He continued to follow the Holy Spirit’s call and pastored the Antioch Baptist Church (East Chicago, IN) from 1972 to 1977. Since January, 1977 he has been the shepherd of God’s people at First Missionary Baptist Church in Huntsville, Alabama.
He is a man of deep social consciousness, which is apparent in his contributions to religious and community causes. He is a member of the Board of Trustees at American Baptist College, a member of the National Board of Directors, NAACP, a former board member of Selma University and a former President of the Alabama State Missionary Baptist Convention (President Emeritus). Locally, he is a member of the Huntsville Human Relations Commission; member and former president of the Greater Huntsville Interdenominational Ministerial Fellowship (GHIMF); Sigma Pi Phi Fraternity, Inc., Epsilon Kappa Boule’ and provides advisory support to a wide range of community movements.
​
On September 9, 1999, Dr. Scruggs was elected Vice President-At-Large of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. As a part of the leadership team, he helped to bring vision, integrity, structure, and accountability to the most prominent Black church organization in the nation.
His accomplishments have been recognized in “Who’s Who in Religion,” “Outstanding Young Men in America,” and “Personalities in America Hall of Fame.” Additionally, he is the 1998 recipient of the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Award presented by GHIMF.
​
Dr. Scruggs is much sought after for his biblically-based, doctrinally sound, and life-centered preaching and teaching. His servant-leadership style and his personal integrity have molded and shaped the thrust of First Missionary Baptist Church’s Christian Education emphasis, outreach ministry, stewardship commitment, physical growth and spiritual maturity.
​
During his more than forty-one (41) years in the pastorate at First Baptist, the church has initiated witnessing/evangelism teams, jail ministry teams, scholarship funds, and health fitness and recreation ministries. The Christian Education ministry has been enhanced with weekly Bible study for all ages, and a licensed Child Development Center and Academy serving children ages 2-1/2 through fifth grade. The church property consists of a twelve-acre lot on which the church and parsonage are located and the four-phases (Sanctuary, Educational Complex, Family Life Center and Administration/Educational Wing) have been constructed. In 2009, Pastor led the church in starting the FMBC Foundation, a mission and education foundation made possible by gifts of 2 million dollars by two families in the church.
​
More than 4743 new members have united with the church during Dr. Scruggs’ tenure. He has led the church in giving to Home and Foreign Mission causes annually. The church has built and paid for 20 houses in partnership with Habitat for Humanity, allocated funds annually to the program, and members of the church have assisted in building fourteen other Habitat homes.
​
On September 10, 2009 in Memphis, Tennessee, Pastor Scruggs was overwhelmingly elected as the 17th President of the National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc. However, more significant than Dr. Scruggs’ many pastoral accomplishments and academic credentials, is his genuine love for the people of God. He is a “tender shepherd” who takes his calling seriously.
​
He is married to the former Josephine Stewart Tipton.
Pastor and Sister Scruggs are the proud parents of a daughter, Jennifer Juliette Scruggs and a son, Morris Errol Tipton, II. They have three grandchildren: Morris E. Tipton, III, Morgan Taylor Tipton, and Elizabeth Francina Scruggs.
Josephine Scruggs is the daughter of the late Reverend Troy D. and Bettie Stewart. She is the wife of the Reverend Dr. Julius R. Scruggs. Together they are the proud parents of a son, the Reverend Morris (Marty) Tipton, Jr. (Melody) and a daughter, Jennifer Scruggs. They also rejoice in their grandchildren, Morris (Tre’) Tipton III, Morgan Tipton, and Elizabeth Scruggs.
​
Sister Scruggs served as the Administrator for the First Baptist Church Child Development Center & Academy. Prior to that position, she served as the Assistant Administrator for the CDCA. Between the two, she served in that ministry for 12+ years. She taught in the Metropolitan Public Schools in Nashville, Tennessee for twenty-five years. She also served as a teacher for the Tennessee Baptist Youth Encampment Program and Youth Director for ten years.
Lady Josephine Scruggs
Sister Scruggs is a graduate of Morristown College High School in Morristown, Tennessee. She then earned her AA in Mathematics from Morristown Junior College. She continued her education, earning her BS and MA in Health, Physical Education and Recreation from Tennessee State University.
​
She is affiliated with the following professional organizations, community boards and committees: MNEA; NEA; TEA; Retired Teacher Association; YMCA CITY PROGRAM; Phi Delta Kappa; NAACP; Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Inc.; Partnership for a Drug-Free Community; Board Member of Girl Scouts of America; Madison County Day Care Board; Rotarian Club; Co-Chaired the drafting and the implementation of the Family Life and AIDS Education Curriculum for the State of Tennessee; one of three persons in the video on AIDS Education in the Workplace; Teacher of the Year 1980; HOSPICE Volunteer (patient care); and serves as a facilitator for children ages three thru eighteen at the Caring House and First Missionary Baptist Church (helps children that are going thru the death of a loved one).
​
She has served as a presenter for the following seminars/workshops: Christian Charm (girls 12-18), Image/Health Tips, Image of a Christian Young Lady, North East Wing-Deacons & Trustee’s Wives; The Black Church Meeting the College Students Needs; Women’s Day Speaker in Alabama, Tennessee, and Michigan; Clues/Tips on Being a Pastors/Ministers Wife Today; Inspirational Speaker for the 4-H Club (Alabama A&M University); Speaker for the Induction Ceremony into the Jr. Honor Society (Davis Hills Middle School and Stone Middle School); Black History Speaker at local city and county elementary schools; AIDS Education and Drug Education presenter; Parenting Classes at the Seminole Service Center; Image Consultant (Making a First Impression); Wedding Consultant/Director (the Ultimate Event); Coached basketball, track and golf for twenty years and started the first Band Boosters Club at Whites Creek High School and Tennessee State University.
​
Josephine is the recipient of several awards, but the one’s she is most proud of are the teacher of the year, her work with underprivileged children, and her dedicated support of Sickle Cell. She is at her best when helping others.
With all of the above she still has time for attending the various activities of her grandchildren, reading, cross-stitching, collecting “All God’s Children,” word search puzzles, and visiting the sick and shut-in.