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By Eileen Holliday
Editor, Live News
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Michigan pastor Lorenzo Sewell electrified the Republican National Convention on Thursday with a powerful speech delivered as if he was standing at his pulpit in church.
"To my friends back in Detroit who are Democrats, I want to ask you just one simple question: You can't deny the power of God on this man's life, that God protected him," the pastor of 180 Church in Detroit told the thousands inside Fiserv Forum. "You cannot deny that it was a millimeter miracle that was able to save this man's life. Could it be that Jesus Christ preserved him for such a time as this?"
With beads of sweat on his forehead during his riveting speech which almost felt like a Sunday sermon, Lorenzo talked about how Trump visited the "hood."
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"President Donald Trump, he came [to Detroit] during his birthday. What would you do for your birthday if you were worth $6.7 billion? Would you consider Detroit? Would you come into the hood? He came to the hood because he cares about average, everyday Americans."
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Who is Lorenzo Sewell?
Sewell, a native of Detroit, grew up in a challenging environment marked by physical and verbal abuse, according to the church website. His high school years were particularly difficult, with his father incarcerated and his younger brother tragically killed. These hardships led Sewell into a life of drugs and gang leadership. But his path took a dramatic turn on April 18, 1999, during his senior year at Fraser High School, when he experienced a profound spiritual awakening.
Fast forward 20 years later. In January 2019, Sewell became the Lead Servant of Evangel Ministries in Detroit, an urban congregation dedicated to gospel-centered service and discipleship. Prior to this role, he was the lead pastor at Woodside Bible Church's Pontiac Campus and served as the Director of the Dream Center of Pontiac.
Sewell is recognized for his ability to forge strategic partnerships with organizations and leaders to support sustainable initiatives in the region. His leadership has fostered high-performance teams that undertake impactful projects, including:
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- Growing the Pontiac Campus from 30 attendees in 2013 to over 500 weekly.
- Launching a kitchen remodel project to feed the community three times a week, aiming to serve over 600 families.
- Establishing a computer lab for adult literacy classes, computer training, and free internet access.
- Organizing clothing donations for community members affected by fires, robbery, or evictions.
- Collaborating with Pam Good and the Beyond Basics program to provide tutoring and mentoring for Pontiac area students.
Sewell's work is driven by his belief that if an initiative doesn't make disciples, it doesn't make sense. He is deeply committed to serving Detroit alongside his wife, Molly, and their three children: Isabella, Elijah, and Naomi.
Follow Newseek's live coverage of the RNC Day 4 here.
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