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.
In addition to her Pastoral duties at Oak Grove, Rev. Rudolph is currently the Chairman
of the Conference Trustees for the Michigan Annual Conference, member of the Board
of Examiners, Ministerial Efficiency Committee and Finance Committee.
Beyond the AME Church, she has been appointed by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer to the
Children Trust Michigan Board of Directors. She also serves on the UNCF Michigan
Leadership Council, Black Church in Detroit Advisory Council, and the ICare4Children
Steering Committee.
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 University and The
Interdenominational Theological Center in Atlanta, Rev. Rudolph received a Master of
Divinity degree from Drew University, 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.
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.