BIO FOR PASTOR TONY RAY BATTS

Tony Ray Batts was born and raised in Rocky Mount, North Carolina, on September 12, 1973. After graduating from high school the same, he entered the workforce. In 1993, he joined The United States Army. He would serve for 13 years before being honorably discharged under medical conditions.

After relocating from Fort Campbell, Kentucky, back to Rocky Mount, he and his wife, Stephanie (who is from Reynoldsburg, Ohio) and their five children (T.J., Jasmine, Kayla, Maria and Isaiah) would live in Rocky Mount until 2017.

After relocating to Reynoldsburg, Tony and his family began attending Reynoldsburg United Methodist Church (now known as Reynoldsburg Community Church) and became faithful disciples. Stephanie went on her Emmaus Walk in June of 2018. Tony went on his Emmaus Walk in October of 2018. During his walk, he sensed God calling him to be set apart for ministry. He would wrestle with this call until March of 2022. He preached his first sermon on Good Friday, April 7, 2023.

Tony and his family serve in various ministries at Reynoldsburg Community Church. Tony and Stephanie are Wesley Group leaders, and their teenagers, Kayla, Maria, and Isaiah, volunteer with the church’s children’s ministries. In addition, Tony works as a Resolution Specialist for DLA (Defense Logistics Agency) Land and Maritime, Columbus, Ohio. Tony is also enrolled in online classes at United Theological Seminary, working on his Certificate for Theology and Ministry to meet the ordination requirements to become a Deacon in the Global Methodist Church.

Tony’s hobbies are fun conversations about pro-wrestling and Star Wars (especially his favorite character, Anakin Skywalker/Darth Vader) and being on Uber Dad to two of his three teenagers!

Stephanie and Tony celebrated 20 years of marriage on June 20, 2025!

After preaching for several months in the summer and fall of 2025, Tony met with the lay leadership of Wagram Community Church to interview for their vacant pastor position. After much prayer and consideration from both sides, Wagram said “yes” and Tony said “yes”.

Tony became the interim pastor of Wagram Community Church on December 1, 2025.