Detroit Pastor Tapped for Donald Trump’s Inauguration

A Detroit pastor who preaches a prosperity gospel will deliver the benediction at inauguration ceremonies for President-elect Donald Trump. Bishop Wayne T. Johnson, who hosted Trump at his Great Faith Ministries International in September, is among six high-profile members of the faith community invited to take part in the president-elect’s swearing-in ceremony on Jan. 20.

Trump’s inauguration committee made the announcement Wednesday. Other faith leaders taking part include Cardinal Timothy Dolan, the Catholic archbishop of New York; the Rev. Franklin Graham, a son of Billy Graham, of Samaritan’s Purse and the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association; the Rev. Samuel Rodriguez, of the National Hispanic Christian Leadership Conference; Pastor Paula White, of the New Destiny Christian Center; and Rabbi Marvin Hier, dean and founder of the Simon Wiesenthal Center.

Tom Barrack, the chairman of Trump’s inauguration committee, said faith leaders have been an important part of the swearing-in ceremonies throughout history.

“Since the first inaugural ceremony, our leaders have paid tribute to the blessings of liberty that have been bestowed upon our country and its people,” Barrack said in a statement. “I am pleased to announce that a diverse set of faith leaders will offer readings and prayers at the swearing-in of President-elect Trump and honor the vital role religious faith plays in our multicultural, vibrant nation.”

Jackson said the invitation to deliver the benediction is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “It is a mind blowing experience to be giving the benediction after everything is said and done‚ I'm pretty much the last voice,” Jackson told WDIV-TV.

The benediction has been written, he said, and will be a message of “love, unity, togetherness and healing.”

Jackson invited Trump to his church on Sept. 3 during a swing through Detroit that was aimed at shoring up support among black voters. It was then-candidate Trump’s first direct appeal to African-American voters.

• See Also: Livestream: Donald Trump Appeals to Black Voters at Detroit Church

Jackson, who owns Impact Network, which has been said to be the largest African-American Christian TV network owned by an African-American, also interviewed Trump. He faced a harsh backlash from other African-American faith leaders for inviting Trump, who had been criticized for making negative remarks about minorities.

But Jackson defended his decision to invite Trump, telling the Detroit Free Press: “It’s not about being a Judas to my people. I love my people. I feel that we should be better off than what we are. This is not an endorsement. This is engagement, for him to tell us what he wants to do.”

During his speech at the church, Trump called the African-American Christian community “one of God’s greatest gifts to America” and said the nation was too racially divided for meaningful discourse.

“We’re all brothers and sisters,” he said. “We must love each other and support each other and we are all in this together.”

He also said America is sidelining “young black men with tremendous potential,” noting the economic depression in the area surrounding the Grand River Avenue church and the number of people he saw sitting on the street.

“Our entire country misses out when we are unable to harness the potential energy of these folks,” Trump said at the time. “We’re going to turn it around. We’re going to turn it around, Pastor.”

Also as part of the inaugural activities, a National Prayer Service will be held on Saturday, Jan 21, at the Washington National Cathedral, the inauguration committee said. It will include representatives of all religious faiths for a time of prayer and fellowship. Further details about this event will be released in the coming weeks.

Screenshot of Bishop Wayne T. Jackson and Donald Trump via YouTube