Pastor Rufus Bradley, Sr.

Rev. Dr. Rufus Bradley, Sr. departed this life after completing his earthly assignment on Thursday, October 12, 2017. Age 65 years. He was born July 12, 1952 in Hickory Plains, Arkansas to Raymond and Bessie Bradley.

Pastor Bradley is the founding pastor of New Life Ministries, where he served for thirty- two years, and is the founder of Mission In The City (M.I.T.C), a community-development organization that has existed since 2006. Pastor Bradley was a graduate of the United Bible Institute of Flint, Michigan, an extension of United Theological Seminary in Monroe, Louisiana, where he earned a Bachelor’s degree in religious education. He received an Honorary Doctorate of Divinity from the Union Baptist Seminary, Inc., in Birmingham, Alabama, in July of 2012 for his insight and commitment to the rehabilitation and sustainability of the community. He has received numerous recognitions and awards for his work in the community. In 2013, Pastor Bradley became a published author of “From Death to Life” Discovering Life Through Failure and Pain, a story about a church that was once thriving and figuratively died due to lack of vision.

Pastor Bradley was a man after God’s own heart, and this was shown through his unwavering commitment to people and community. One of his favorite scriptures was Luke 2:52 (NIV), “And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man.” This scripture gave birth to his vision to change the city and its people. Some of Pastor’s passions included golfing, fishing and watching “The Voice.” Pastor was great at using life events and relating them to God’s Word to get the best out of people. He will be sincerely missed by all whom he came in contact with and by those who will live out their dreams because of the vision he leaves behind.

He leaves to cherish his memories: his gracious wife of 42 years, Relinda Bradley; daughter, June (Corey) Alston; son, Rufus (Catherine) Bradley Jr.; five grandchildren, Summer Alston, Corey Alston, Jr., Kenyon Alston, Christian Bradley, and Julian Bradley; three brothers, Eloskia (Shirley) Bradley, Wendell (Shirley) Bradley, and Denver Bradley of Saginaw, Michigan; five sisters, Josephine (Jessie) Lairy, Camilla (James) Henderson, both of North Little Rock, Arkansas, Thressia M. Taylor, Jacksonville, Arkansas, Malinda (Walter) Hutchinson, Sherwood, Arkansas, and Constance Dodson, England, Arkansas; a host of aunts, uncles, relatives, friends and his New Life Ministries church family.

Pastor Rufus Bradley, Sr. was preceded in death by his parents, Raymond and Bessie Bradley; one sister, Vernita Rainey; and one brother, Preston Bradley.


In lieu of flowers, please make donations to "Mission In The City", 1401 Janes Street, Saginaw, MI 48601