Our Pastor

The Reverend Cindy Rudolph

With a passion to proclaim and a heart for ministry, Rev. Cindy Rudolph has been serving the people of God since 2000. Rev. Rudolph is committed to offering life-transforming ministry for people from all walks of life. She considers herself especially blessed to serve as the Senior Pastor of Oak Grove AME Church in Detroit, Michigan. As the first female pastor in the over one-hundred-year history of Oak Grove, Rev. Rudolph has increased the Church’s impact in the areas of outreach, youth and young adult programming and technology.

Pastor Rudolph previously served at Smith Chapel AME Church in Inkster, Michigan, where she started a Wednesday service (followed by a free lunch), led extensive renovation and repair initiatives, established several new ministries, and grew the church tremendously. Rev. Rudolph also served as Senior Pastor at Mt. Zoar AME Church in Conowingo, Maryland and Bethel AME Church in Reading, Pennsylvania, respectively. During her tenure, she launched new ministries, expanded outreach, established children’s programming and significantly reduced debt.

A native of Guyana, South America, Rev. Rudolph spent most of her life in Newark, NJ, where she would later serve as Minister to Youth at St. James AME Church, under the tutelage of Rev. Dr. William D. Watley. She also served at Mt. Calvary AME Church, under the leadership of Rev. Dr. Ann Lightner-Fuller. Rev. Rudolph is a graduate of Rutgers University in New Brunswick New Jersey, where she received a Bachelor of Arts degree in Communication. After working in mass media and corporate venues, Rev. Rudolph answered God’s calling on her life by enrolling in seminary at Drew University in Madison, NJ. After studying at both Drew and The Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Rev. Rudolph received a Master of Divinity degree from Drew, graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors.

A prolific writer, Pastor Rudolph authored and self-published The Changing Table, A Guide to Healing and Transformation. She branched out into the realm of gospel music by writing and co-producing the song Help My Unbelief. She also serves in various AME leadership roles beyond her local church, including Chair of the Finance Committee for the Michigan Annual Conference, Vice Chair of the Michigan Conference Trustees and Chair of the Ministerial Efficiency Committee for the Michigan Annual Conference of the AME Church.

Pastor Cindy has earned many accolades and distinctions, including the Rev. Florence Spearing Randolph award for a pioneering spirit, the Mary Watson Stewart award for preaching and numerous civic commendations. Rev. Rudolph was ordained by the African Methodist Episcopal Church in April 2002. She is married to Dr. Lawrence Rudolph, and they are the proud parents of one daughter, McKenna. Rev. Rudolph comes from a large family; she has five brothers and hundreds of extended family members. She loves the Lord and travels the world proclaiming God’s Word. It is her hope to inspire people to reach their highest potential in God.