By Alex Swoyer
Donald Trump joined
Great Faith Ministries International, an African American church located in
Detroit, on Saturday where he spoke to the community about the importance
of faith helping to heal a divided nation.
“For centuries, the African American church has been the
conscience of our country,” Trump told the congregation as he spoke briefly
during the service.
The Republican nominee said African American churches
have “lifted up the soul of our nation” and led the civil rights movement.
He said he wants leaders to help heal the nation by
providing “a greater platform to the black churches and church goers.”
“I will always support your church — always — and defend
your right to worship,” he added. “I hope my presence here will also help your
voice to reach new audiences in our country and many of these audiences
desperately need your spirit and your thought.”
Dr. Ben Carson joined Trump at the church.
“Today, I just want to let you know I am here to listen
to you and I am doing that,” Trump promised, adding that as a leader he wants
to “step into the community and learn what is going on.”
“I’m here today to learn so we can together remedy
injustice in any form and so we can also remedy economics so that the African
American community can benefit economically thought jobs and income,” he added.
“I believe we need a civil rights agenda for our time.”
He said he wants an America that ensures a right for
everyone to a great education and to live in safety and peace.
Trump added that there are still “many wrongs that must
be made right” in the African American community and that his prayer is that
“the America of tomorrow will be one of unity.”
Prior to his brief remarks, Trump took photos with church
goers, holding a baby.
The Republican nominee quoted the Bible during his
speech, reading, “No one has ever seen God, but if we love one another God
lives in us and his love is made complete in us.”
“And that’s so true,” he added.
Bishop Wayne T. Jackson and his wife gave Trump a prayer
shawl from Israel that Jackson had personally fasted and prayed over, wrapping
it around Trump. “With this prayer shawl, whenever you’re flying in from coast
to coast … there is an anointing is the power of God,” Jackson explained.
Jackson also gave Trump a Bible and a pin to wear for
prayer and protection.
Trump put the pin on his suit and said, “I feel better
already.”
Jackson interviewed the Republican nominee for roughly
half an hour, which will be aired in a week on the Impact Network, an African
American owned and operated Christian broadcast network.