A Detroit pastor stood by his decision to host President Donald Trump at his church, saying the visit gives marginalized community members a voice in national politics.

Community Outreach in a Struggling Neighborhood

Reverend Lorenzo Sewell of 180 Church initially thought the Trump campaign’s invitation was a prank call. His nondenominational church sits on Detroit’s west side near Grand River and Interstate 96, serving an area plagued by mental illness, drug addiction, and poverty. The congregation operates a methadone clinic with hundreds of patients, whom Trump campaign officials expressed interest in meeting. Sewell saw the Saturday roundtable as an opportunity for disenfranchised residents to participate in political discourse rather than being overlooked.

The church, formerly known as Evangel Church, has served Detroit for 55 years. During the COVID-19 pandemic, leaders renamed it 180 Church to symbolize people turning their lives around. Sewell emphasized that campaign officials specifically wanted to speak with ordinary citizens rather than high-profile community leaders. He made clear that hosting the event does not constitute an endorsement of any candidate.

Political Context and Electoral Strategy

This marked Trump’s first Detroit church visit since September 2016, when he spoke at Great Faith Ministries International. Trump received only 5 percent of Detroit’s vote in 2020, compared to Biden’s 94 percent, though this represented a slight improvement from his 3 percent showing in 2016. Sewell acknowledged the visit’s strategic importance, noting that overperforming in Wayne County helped Trump win Michigan and the presidency.

Faith Over Politics Focus

Despite the political implications, Sewell emphasized his spiritual motivations for hosting the event. He cited biblical principles about praying for leaders in authority and the historical relationship between political and spiritual leaders. The pastor has previously praised Democratic officials, including Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris, for infrastructure investments. His church operates computer labs and offers adult literacy, computer training, and resume-writing classes to serve the community’s educational needs.