Bishop Samuel L. Carruth, an anointed man of faith and vision, has been instrumental in sharing the gifts of the Deliverance ministry with this Hampton Roads area. Because of his undying love and commitment to the work of God, thousands upon thousands have escaped the power of darkness and embraced the newness of life with Christ.

As the eleventh of thirteen children, Bishop Carruth now recognizes that the hand of God was upon his life at a very early age. It was prophesied at the age of seven that he would preach the Gospel to many, and be a deliverer just Moses to the children of Israel. However, for many of his adolescent years, he neglected the voice of God, aspiring to be an FBI Agent.

Later, he moved to Philadelphia, PA where he furthered his education at Benjamin Franklin High School and Temple University. Additionally, he served for two years as Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army. There, he witnessed an unusual visitation from God. He was attacked by a band of soldiers; when miraculously the hand of God picked him up, cradled him in mid-air, and sat him at roadside a mile away, safe from all harm.

After his discharge from the Army, he was stricken and hospitalized with tuberculosis in both lungs. The physician's report was grim as the young deliverer's body suffered much weight loss and pain. There, at the point of death, in East Orange, NJ, Bishop Carruth heard the voice of the Lord, humbled himself, surrendered to God, and was healed instantly from all symptoms of tuberculosis and sin. James 5:16 states, "The effectual, fervent prayer of the righteous availeth much." By his side to support and encourage him throughout this ordeal was Mary James; whom he married weeks later in a private ceremony.

Bishop Carruth heeded to the call of ministry; and met Reverend Benjamin Smith. Together, they founded Deliverance Evangelistic Church in Philadelphia, PA. He served as Assistant Pastor in that ministry and in the field of evangelism faithfully for six years. He also successfully completed his Christian education at Jamison Bible University where he received a Doctorate of Divinity.

Again, Bishop Carruth heard the voice of the Lord; this time speaking words that would change his entire life. God commissioned him to pastor a church in Portsmouth, VA. He recalls the agony of the struggle to move, and give God another "YES". It meant saying, "YES" to leaving his dear relatives and lovely home, "YES" to departing such an energetic city to move to a rural one, and "YES" to parting his church with its membership of 3,000 that he loved immensely, only to begin with a handful. However, being mindful of the promises made on his deathbed, he gave God another YES!

So in 1967, fully persuaded and totally obedient, Bishop Samuel L. Carruth and family moved to Portsmouth to pastor Holy Light Church of Deliverance, with a humble membership of 13 people. God ordained a Prayer Revival lasting a phenomenal eight weeks. In six months, Holy Light Church was an overflowing powerhouse on Fifth & Race Streets. Souls were coming to Christ, addicts were freeing their addictions, homes and communities were being mended. All of Portsmouth and surrounding areas knew that God had sent "a deliverer".

Bishop Carruth has been preaching and teaching, telling and compelling. No arena could contain the number of souls that have been saved and impacted through this dynamic ministry. In 1978, a prophetic word inspired by God through Apostle Richard D. Henton of Chicago, IL proclaimed, "that Bishop Carruth and Holy Light Church had been anointed to take the city". Certainly, the power of God has confirmed that prophecy and enabled Holy Light to earn the highest esteem among local and state governments alike.

As a notable contributor to the community, Bishop Carruth has spared no expense or effort to minister to the needs of the people. He was inspired by God to launch, "Picnic in the Park", an outreach ministry that takes the Word into low-income housing developments and Area wide Crusades that reach beyond the walls of the physical church. Other community programs include:

He has also served as:

Obedience to God has wrought bountiful blessings upon Bishop Carruth. He has been blessed with a wonderful family who are all faithful to the ministry: his beautiful wife of 53 years, First Lady Mary C. Carruth, four lovely daughters: Linda, Fayette, Dorene, and Shorron; two dedicated sons-in-law, seven delightful grandchildren, a special niece and nephew-in-law and their children who work in the ministry.