- FMBC Baptist Church
- May 9, 2024
Share your condolences and thoughts with the Scruggs Family. In times of loss and grief, words can provide comfort and solace to those mourning. Through heartfelt messages, shared stories, and words of empathy, we aim to honor the memories of Pastor Emeritus Scruggs. Join us in this space of remembrance and compassion as we journey through our grief together.
Precious Pastor Scruggs,
I will always remember and cherish you Precious Pastor Scruggs, I owe you my life. In March 2000, after a very long, busy and tiring day at work, you called your secretary and asked if you had any members in hospital and she told you Sister Lawrence was still at Crestwood Hospital but was scheduled to be discharged later that night. Even though you were tired and pulling into your home driveway, you turned around and came to my side. We share conversation and prayers, you even took the time to go down the hall and pray for a younglady who was screaming with pain. I recall when my dinner was brought to me you asked if you could have a cracker package because you had a slight headache from not eating lunch earlier. Before leaving you helped me to set up in my bed, pulled my dinner plate towards me and removed the lid, then you proceeded to bless the food and pray with me. After seeing the very large cheese burger that was delivered to me for my first solid meal, you encouraged me to not eat it because it was too heavy for a first meal. After not being allowed to eat a solid meal for the past three days, I gave you a " Pastor, you got to be kidding," glance and you stated, I am not sick and I would not eat that! I decided to be obedient and you called the nurse to let her know I needed something lighter because this was my first meal. Once confirming a new plate was on the way, you kissed me on the forehead, wished me a good night's rest and told me you would check on me the next day. What you did not know, Sweet Pastor Scruggs, after you left and the new meal arrived, which consisted of cream potatoes, shaved ice and a fruit cup, I started to eat the food in memory of the hamburger that was sent back. Unknown to you Precious Pastor Scruggs, this is when you saved my life. Immediately after eating the cream potatoes, fruit cup and shaved ice a tightening started in my stomach and my intestine started to rupture. I pulled the emergency cord and several medial personnel rushed into my room and started performing procedures on me that are normally done when a person is unconscious. After being stabilized and undergoing test, my discharged papers were cancelled, I was required to undergo major surgery that extended my hospital stay for an additional four weeks. The Dear Lord used you, Precious Pastor Scruggs, to visit me late one night and prevent me from eating that hamburger, which would have undoubtedly taken my life. You were tired...but you were there, you were hungry, but you were there, you were a Pastor after God's own heart and for your members, community, city, state and nation....You Were There. Thank You and God Bless You Sir, Continue to rest in the loving arms of our Excellent Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. Blessings & Love, Sister Sherley Lawrence. I am here today, because, through your obedience, GOD LED YOU TO VISIT ME, AND YOU WERE THERE! IN JESUS NAME, AMEN!
Greetings,
I'm giving away my late husband's Yamaha Baby Grand Piano GC1 to any student, school, church. Do you know of anyone that might be interested? Please share this email with them. Thanks for sharing. God bless you.
Regards,
Alice Gilliam
Too bad white people aren't welcome there. If you want to receive a cold shoulder and be shunned, then be white and try to visit.
Through my Military Service, I was allowed to gain more training in my MOS and left my home station in Fairbanks, Alaska, and traveled to the Red Stone Arsenal in Huntsville, Alabama. Upon arriving in Huntsville and getting settled for my 6 weeks of training, I immediately asked the Staff at Red Stone, "Where is a good Church for me to attend on Sunday", to which a nice middle-aged man told me, "You want to go to First Missionary Baptist Church on Blue Spring Road." It was from that experience that I met Dr. Julius R. Scruggs. From that moment, he became my Ministry Mentor as a Young Man and Minister. That was in the Spring of 1988. We remained very close friends until Dr. Scruggs answered his beloved Lord's call for Heavenly Rewards. I loved Dr. Scruggs and next to my own Father, I respected no man as highly as I did Dr. Scruggs. I have been made better as a husband, father, grandfather, and Pastor because I spent time with Dr. Scruggs through the years. May our Lord Jesus continue to honor Dr. Julius R. Scruggs's faithful service for many years until we meet in Heaven someday. I Love You, Dr. Scruggs! Coop Pastor Wayne C. Cooper Pasadena, California
First Missionary Baptist Church has suffered a huge loss. Pastor Scruggs was well respected in the church community and the community as a whole. He served the office as pastor with the up most respect, integrity, and honor. He will be greatly missed.
To Everyone who has passed along condolences and kind words of love and remembrance of Dad, we say Thank You. Always remember God CAN be trusted in ALL things.
Jennifer J. Scruggs on behalf of our entire Family. 💜
Beautiful are the feet of those who spread the gospel. I pause today to celebrate one of God's generals in the army of the Lord Jesus Christ! Rest in peace Pastor Julius Scruggs! And to my sisters and brothers of First Missionary Baptist Church, Huntsville, AL, I mourn with you and I declare today "the Lord bless you. The Lord keep you. The Lord cause HIS face to shine upon you and give you peace." This is my prayer for you... and it comes with much love.
Elder Pamela Calhoun
New Birth Missionary Baptist Church,
Atlanta, GA
Deeply saddened today as we say farewell to Pastor Scruggs.
Pastor Scruggs baptized me when I 6 years old while attending the Dr. Julius R. Scruggs Child Development Center & Academy. What I admired most about Pastor Scruggs was his ability to love while holding you accountable. Seeing his face was always a reminder to strive to be a better Christian everyday.
I was raised in this church from birth. I was baptized by Dr. Scruggs in 1974 during vacation Bible school . No matter where I lived, First Baptist was always my home. Singing in the sunbeam choir with Jennifer, Valarie, Sophia, and Jocelyn was the beginning of a lifelong friendship. Dr Scruggs was a man of integrity, and high moral standing. He believed in the future for us as children, as well as the compassion and concern for every member in our congregation. I thank God for my grandmother, the late Rebecca Jones Russell, for bringing me to this church. Your legacy can't be summed up in one service, but I do know it will live on forever. Ride on King Jesus, and we will see you in the morning Pastor Scruggs 🙏🏾🕊
RESOLUTION
FRIDAY, MAY 17, 2024
“And I heard a voice from heaven saying unto me, Write, Blessed are the dead which die in the Lord from henceforth: Yea, saith the Spirit, that they may rest from their labours; and their works do follow them.” Revelation 14:13.
WHEREAS: It has pleased Almighty God to call the soul of our beloved brother,
DR. JULIUS R. SCRUGGS., Pastor Emeritus, First Missionary Baptist Church and Past President, National Baptist Convention, USA, Inc on to his reward where he will join that great cloud of witnesses in heaven.
AND WHEREAS: Our beloved brother was a reverent man of prayer who loved the Lord and was committed to the word of God. Dr. Scruggs’ devotion represents a servant of God who served joyously in the vineyard and knew “life is fleeting and only God’s eternal Kingdom stands forever”.
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED: That his passing has left you with a broken heart; be encouraged and consoled for he hath said, “I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee”.
BE IT RESOLVED: That President, Dr. J. Benjamin Hardwick, the officers and members of the Western Baptist State Convention of California, Inc., extend our heartfelt sympathy and love to Sister Josephine Scruggs and the entire Scruggs family; and the First Missionary Baptist Church, assuring you that our thoughts and prayers are with you during this time.
BE IT FINALLY RESOLVED: That a copy of this resolution is placed in the permanent records of the Western Baptist State Convention of California, Inc. and one submitted to the family. Done by the order of the President of the Western Baptist State Convention of California, Inc., this Seventeenth Day of May, in the year of our Lord Two Thousand Twenty-Four.
Dr. J. Benjamin Hardwick
President