By Michelle Fuseyamore Howse, Esq., 4th Episcopal District
Philippians 1:6 says, “I am confident of this, that the one who began a good work among you will bring it to completion by the day of Jesus Christ,” This is what Pastor Cindy Carr Rudolph told her congregation at Smith Chapel AME Church as they celebrated the Church’s 94 years of service to the Lord in Inkster, Michigan.
Like many other cities in Detroit’s metropolitan area, Inkster grew from and—in recent years—struggled with the auto industry. Many left the small predominantly-Black community of Inkster; yet, Smith Chapel has a faithful core who stayed and are eager to help their church and community thrive again. After her appointment to Smith Chapel in August 2017, Pastor Rudolph recognized that a strong church community is integral to the restoration of the once vibrant City of Inkster.
Pastor Rudolph knew it would take something radical to inspire and grow this great church so she started the Wednesday Soul Food Service and Lunch. This is a full worship service in about 40 minutes, followed by a free hot lunch prepared by volunteers in the Church’s kitchen, which is certified by the state health department. Much of the food is donated by local organizations and attendees are often able to take home canned goods and fresh produce. The Wednesday service has grown into an ancillary congregation of people who come seeking mid-week renewal during their lunch hour from work, seniors, and folks from the community who need a message of hope. Many of them are members of other churches but also enjoy attending Smith Chapel’s Wednesday service.
In keeping with the AME tradition to serve those in need, the Wednesday service is part of Pastor Rudolph’s overall vision for community outreach. She established the Living Bread Outreach Ministry, which fosters partnerships with government, faith-based, educational, and community-based organizations in an effort to collectively address the needs of the Inkster community. For example, last summer, these partnerships led to a Smith Chapel Community Garden—planted and tended by church members and children who attended the Summer Youth Café, a program which offers recreation, meals, and character development for youth. Lunch for the Youth Café was provided by a local social service organization under the auspices of the USDA Meet Up and Eat Up program.
Pastor Rudolph’s goal is to keep Smith Chapel relevant in the community by having a visible public presence outside the walls of the church. She believes Smith Chapel cannot survive if it ignores the realities faced by its’ people when they exit the church doors. Pastor Rudolph is on a mission to ensure that the community knows God’s Word is life-giving and indeed, a guidepost, to help them navigate those realities.
Michelle Fuseyamore Howse, Esq., is the Director of Outreach for Smith Chapel AME Church in Inkster, Michigan.
