NOMBC Saved - Pastor Sylvester Rutledge Gives Thanks

distributing marketing materials offering the campus for sale.

Responding to Kaplan’s offer to collaborate with HNU to save the campus for educational purposes, Hawk replied, “At this point it is unclear to HNU how the City of Oakland can assist with the process of achieving the objectives of obtaining the highest and best use of the HNU property for public good.”.

“Nevertheless, if the city is aware of any interested acquirer or successor entity, please provide that information to Mike Taquino

Family and members gather outside North Oakland Missionary Baptist Church. Front row, from left to right: Timothy Rutledge Jr., grandson of Pastor Sylvester Rutledge; his daughter, J.M. Hale; First Lady Audrey Golden Rutledge, and Pastor Rutledge. Back row from left to right: church members Chavonne Robinson, Clarence Wells

By Carla Thomas

Dr. Sylvester Rutledge, pastor of North Oakland Missionary Baptist Church (NOMBC) expressed his thanks for the outpouring of support from his peers, pastors of different denominations and elected officials in the community.

“My family, my wife, and congregation are so grateful,” said Rutledge who has pastored the church for over 40 years. “We understand the old saying that a closed mouth doesn’t get fed. If you need help, you need not be embarrassed.

“Thanks to the pastors and elected officials and churches who have gathered to help us. Now we’re able to continue on with our programming and partner with other churches. It’s also been amazing to have support sent from Congresswoman Barbara Lee and

Alameda County Supervisors

Nate Miley and Keith Carson.” Pastor Rutledge and NOMBC have been providing space free of charge to families unable to pay for funeral services and has often guided younger pastors in the city.

“It’s kind of like in life, if you do good for somebody, at some point somebody will do good for you and apparently it came around, it was my turn.”

By Ken Epstein

Leaving many students, faculty and Oakland residents feeling betrayed, Holy Names University’s leadership is aggressively moving ahead with plans to sell the 60acre campus in the Oakland hills for high-end private residences and have not been willing to work with city leaders and other universities that are reaching out to save