Meet Our Pastors
Pastor Skip Wachsmann
Rev. Adolph A. “Skip” Wachsmann is the Co-Pastor of Genesis Lutheran Church, at the corner of Mack and East Grand Boulevard, in Detroit, Michigan on the City’s lower Eastside. He has served as the Pastor of Genesis Church since it was formed in October of 1983.
Pastor Skip, born and raised in a small farming community twenty miles north of Houston, Texas, came to Detroit in September 1976. Having completed his undergraduate work at Valparaiso University with a Bachelor’s Degree in Theology (1972) and his seminary education at Concordia Seminary-in-Exile, St. Louis, MO with a Masters of Divinity (1976), he was called to serve as the Pastor of St. Mark’s Lutheran Church, Detroit. In 1982, Rev. Wachsmann began serving as the Pastor of Grace, St. Luke and St. Mark’s Lutheran Churches as the three congregations worked toward merger and the creation of Genesis. He served as Interim Assistant to the Bishop (part-time) from 1999-2004 under Bishop Robert Rimbo and Dean of Cluster 12 for many years. Pastor Skip celebrated the 32nd Anniversary of his ordination on September 12, 2008.
Genesis Lutheran Church prides itself in being a neighborhood ministry as well as one that is active in the community. As Pastor of Genesis, Rev. Wachsmann represents the church as he is involved in numerous community activities and groups:
- The Skillman Foundation Faith-Based Initiative
- Steering Committee Member of the Governor’s State-Wide Faith-Based Initiative
- Member of Governor’s Advisory Council – Southeast Michigan
- Steering Committee Member of Mayor’s Faith-Based Initiative
- Mack Alive Community Organization Board of Directors
- Empowerment Zone Coalition Inc. Board of Directors
- Federation of Youth Services Wraparound Community Team Member
- Metro Detroit Quality of Life Improvement Association, Vice President – Board of Directors
- Member of the Southeast Detroit Planning Team of the Primary Care Network Council
- Genesis H.O.P.E. (CDC), Vice President – Board of Directors
Pastor Skip Wachsmann has received several special awards of which he is most proud: the Mack Alive “Imani Award” on November 17, 1995; the Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago “Distinguished Alumni Award” on February 5, 1996; South Africa 12th Freedom Day Anniversary Celebration Honoree, April 27, 2006; Honoree of the Michigan Chronicle’s First Annual Salute to Pastors, August 25, 2007.
Rev. Wachsmann has participated in a number of continuing education study trips:
- Mexico, Guatemala, & Nicaragua in 1987
- Zimbabwe, Tanzania & Kenya in 1991, 1992, & 1993
- Conference of International Black Lutherans, Sao Paulo, Brazil 2005
Rev. Wachsmann, his wife Felicia and their son Clayton, continue to live in the Mack & East Grand Boulevard community in Detroit, Michigan.
Pastor Kimberly Vaughn
Rev. Kimberly A. Vaughn is the Co-Pastor of Genesis Lutheran Church, at the corner of Mack and East Grand Boulevard, in Detroit, Michigan on the City’s lower Eastside. She has served as the Co-Pastor of Genesis Church since January 1, 2009.
Pastor Kimberly, born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, came to Detroit in July 2008. She has served various congregations and camps across Ohio in the areas of Christian Education, Youth Ministry and Outdoor Ministries. She also worked six years as a legal secretary at Baker & Hostetler LLP in Cleveland, Ohio. Having completed her undergraduate work at Cleveland State University with a Bachelor’s Degree in U.S. History (2003) and her seminary education at The Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC) with a Masters of Divinity and Certification in Urban Ministry (2008). She was called to serve as the Co-Pastor of Genesis Lutheran Church in January 2009, and was ordained on January 31, 2009. Pastor Kimberly has also served on the staff of the Southeast Michigan Synod as Director of Youth Ministry and as part-time pastor at Cross Lutheran Church in Clinton Township, Michigan.
Genesis Lutheran Church prides itself in being a neighborhood ministry as well as one that is active in the community. As Co-Pastor of Genesis, Pastor Kimberly represents the church as she is involved in community activities and groups, such as the Board of Directors of Genesis H.O.P.E.
Pastor Kimberly lives in the West Village community in Detroit, Michigan.
Staff
 Kimberly Reaves |
 David Billy |
 Anthony Pryor |
