First Pentecostal Church of Sardis

With a great burden for saving souls and a strong desire to reach new communities with the Gospel of Jesus Christ, Brother Steve Cannon, pastor of First United Pentecostal Church in Batesville, launched a daughter work ten miles north in Sardis. The daughter work began on Pentecost Sunday, June 4, 1995, in an old biology room in the basement of the former Sardis High School. Brother Cannon, along with several ministers from the Batesville church, took turns preaching at the new work. Sunday afternoon services were held at 2:00 p.m., and Bible studies met at 7:00 p.m. on Thursdays. For five years, the daughter work was nurtured and supported by the Batesville church ministerial team.

In January 2000, Brother and Sister Jim Scruggs became the pastors of Sardis First United Pentecostal Church (FUPC). At that time, the church remained in the biology room of the old high school, where it continued for sixteen years. In 2006, the church purchased 1.6 acres of land near Interstate 55. In 2009, the church received grants from Sheaves for Christ and Christmas for Christ, which helped pour a foundation slab for a new building. In April 2010, a 40x80 steel building was erected, and with the help of neighboring pastors and saints, the walls were raised. The first service in the new building was held on December 5, 2010. During this time, the daughter work, as well as the established church, experienced slow but steady growth.

In 2012, Sardis FUPC launched a preaching point in Charleston, approximately 35 miles south of Sardis. While growth there has been gradual, results are being seen. By 2020, the first 40x80 building had been fully paid for six years, and plans were drawn for a second phase of growth—a 70x100 metal building. The church continues to save toward this next step.

Over the past 25 years, Sardis FUPC has built a strong foundation of relationships that will bear fruit in a great harvest of souls in Sardis and surrounding communities. Brother Jim and Sister Debbie Scruggs, along with their daughters Dianna and Deborah Sharon, have worked diligently to see the church established, growing, and reaching this community. The church stands on the promise given to Paul in Acts 18:9-10: “Be not afraid… for I have much people in this city.” The seed has been planted, and more will continue to be sown. The church continues to reach out, witness, fast, pray, and believe God for greater things.

Pastor Scruggs aims to establish preaching points and daughter works as resources allow, helping to replicate the model that Brother Steve Cannon began in 1995. The ministry team of Sardis FUPC, alongside its devoted saints, remains united in reaching lost souls locally and in nearby towns. After 20 years of pastoring, the church is reminded of I Corinthians 15:58: “Therefore, my beloved brethren, be ye steadfast, unmovable, always abounding in the work of the Lord, forasmuch as ye know that your labour is not in vain in the Lord.”