Shiloh Church Hosts Reload Youth Rally

Published

13 years ago

January 9, 2014

The youth ministry at Shiloh Church in Oakland will host its first Reload Youth Rally on Wednesday, Jan. 15, open to young people from grades 6-12.

The event is designed to bring young people from all walks of life together and will open with a hip-hop gospel performance by Christian rap artist CJ Emulous.

“We felt like our students needed to be recharged mentally and spiritually,” said Pastor Jules Moore. He and his wife Lani have been the youth pastors at Shiloh for the past three years.

“This youth rally is just the beginning. Our primary goal is to jumpstart the three-day youth conference we’re doing later on this year,” he said.

“We wanted a grassroots approach to gather the youth and youth workers of the Bay to seek God. We believe in change in our city, and we know [that] begins with the young people.”

As a native of Oakland, Moore feels he can relate to issues that young people face today, and he wants to encourage churches to work together for a safer community.

“We try to really bring a wide range to meet the students where they’re at,” Moore said.

“There’s all this violence, there’s a lack of fathers. Something has to be done differently. We want to step out and be that bridge in the city.”

“We felt like we needed to be the ones to get out there and connect with other churches,” he said. “If we’re going to change this city, we’re going to have to work together.”

The event is free and starts at 6 p.m. at Shiloh Church, 3295 School St. in Oakland. For more information, call (510) 261-2052 or visit www.shilohchurch.com.

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Related Topics:City of Oakland CJ Emulous Jules Moore Oakland Pastor Jules Moore Reload Youth Rally Shiloh Church Vallejo Youth Rally

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Agricultural Engineer Effie Gant Plans Bay Area Farmers Market Initiative

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2 weeks ago

July 18, 2026

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Agricultural Engineer Effie Gant displays watermelons from her Sacramento farm at the Temescal Festival in Oakland. Photo by Carla Thomas.

In her 80s and still actively working as an agricultural engineer, Effie Gant continues to break barriers in urban farming and community leadership.

The certified USDA grower and respected urban farmer, based in South Sacramento, was recently spotted vending at the Freedom Farmers’ Market by the Temescal Street Fair on Saturday, July 11, where she proudly displayed dozens of sweet, juicy watermelons.

Festivalgoers gathered not only to purchase her produce but also to enjoy activities like the popular watermelon-eating contest. Yet beyond the festive atmosphere, Gant has a larger vision.

Gant is now setting her sights on the Bay Area, where she plans to launch a farmers’ market to increase access to fresh, locally grown food.

Known for her leadership in sustainable agriculture and food justice, she brings decades of hands-on experience and community advocacy to regions where food access remains inconsistent.

She has built a strong reputation through her work with Meadowview Urban Farm and the Yisrael Family Urban Farm, cultivating crops such as watermelons, honeydew melons, and collard greens. Her approach emphasizes sustainability, education, and empowering residents to grow their own food, even in small urban spaces.

As a USDA-certified grower, Gant blends technical expertise with grassroots engagement to combat food insecurity.

Beyond farming, Gant serves as CEO and President of Highways to Hedges, a nonprofit focused on environmental justice and community development. She is also president of the Hampton Station Neighborhood Association and board chairman for HHCORE, where she advocates for safety, equity, and economic opportunity.

Her proposed farmers market will connect small-scale farmers with urban communities while elevating Black farmers and other underrepresented growers.

“I want to teach the next generation about farming and how lucrative it can be,” Gant said. “You don’t need hundreds of acres. You can start with one acre or even your backyard.”Gant also noted her involvement in a collective of farmers who supply produce through government-supported programs.

“We operate as a team, and we all benefit,” she said.

Through workshops, speaking engagements, and hands-on training, Gant and her organization continue to educate communities about agriculture and food justice. Her market initiative will emphasize affordability, cultural relevance, and nutrition education.

Her broader work includes creating edible forests in partnership with Soil Born Farms, planting fruit trees directly in neighborhoods to expand food access. As a mentor with the Center of Expertise on Food Justice and Health Equity, Gant remains a leading voice in building sustainable and resilient food systems.

Gant says she welcomes the community to join her in creating a new farmer’s market.

“Farming is essential to life,” she said. “I want to train as many people as I can to use food and farming as a tool for empowerment, health, and long-term change.”