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New Era Detroit, an activist group, recently stormed the church of a successful African-American
Detroit leader, accusing him of neglecting to help the community.
Now, Bishop Wayne T. Jackson, pastor of Great Faith Ministries International, the target of the Motor
City group’s protest that turned into an all-out brawl less than a week ago, says he wants the leader of
the demonstration arrested.
"How dare you come into a place where there are children where there's elderly and widows and
grandmothers and do such a thing! It's wrong and you can't justify it," said the Founder of the Impact
Network in a Fox 2 Detroit interview, sharing strong words of reprimand aimed at the leader, who
simply goes by Zeek.
Here’s what happened.
During a birthday celebration service at Jackson’s ministry, Zeek and members of New Era Detroit
staged a demonstration as part of its “Church Accountability Effort,” which organizes protests of the
black churches its leaders feel neglect the black community.
Unfortunately, things went left. What started out peacefully, became a rowdy and chaotic scuffle,
which Bishop Jackson, a registered Democrat who recently hosted Republican presidential candidate
Donald Trump on his network, said was out of line.
But Zeek argues that New Era Detroit’s actions were justified in light of the fact that Jackson is well-off,
drives a Rolls Royce and lives in a mansion while the surrounding neighborhood remains in poverty.
"The situation is bigger than just Wayne T. Jackson," Zeek told Fox 2 Detroit. "This is about black
churches and black pastors who live a lavish life on behalf of the people and they are not giving back
to their community."
Zeek, who was there for the collection of the offering complained, “They started the offering at a
thousand dollars. And then they said if you don't have $1,000 then do $300. If you don't have cash,
then we got ATM machines.”
Jackson, however, clarified that the lump sums of money collected in that particular service came from
those who wanted to honor him on his birthday and does not accurately depict regular offering
protocols.
“I have several pastors in this city that are my spiritual sons," Jackson told reporters, while denying
the ministry has on-site ATM machines. "They came to celebrate my birthday. They have churches.
They were bringing a thousand-dollar love gift for my birthday."
Jackson, who says he has a heart for the community with actions to back it up, added, "I have bought
washers and dryers for elderly people. We have taken and had dinners at my home for school
children for dinners at my home for school children.”
He continued, “I have people living in my home right now that were homeless and they're not paying
me a dime.”
A woman named Juanita Kinney is among those who attest to Bishop Jackson’s big-heartedness and
helpfulness.
"When he found out I didn't have anywhere to live, within an hour he was calling me and telling me to
go look at an apartment," said Kinney. "And because of that, and the love of him and his wife, I now
have my own place."
Despite the well-known faith leader’s efforts to detail some of the ways in which he has made the lives
of the less fortunate better during his 30 years of service in ministry, Zeek is not impressed.
"This guy has networks, churches, fancy cars, million dollar houses," Zeek said. "And there's babies in
this community that doesn't have food at night. Somebody has to be frustrated about this enough to
do something that will get people's attention and that's what New Era Detroit did."
Bishop Keith Farmer of Great Faith Ministries also chimed in saying, "Here's the thing, pick up the
phone. Call. I want to talk to you.”
Vouching for Jackson and advocating for a sit-down, Farmer said, “The Apostle is a very fair man. He
would meet with you and talk to you. What's your issue? But to do it that way (by disrupting a church
service), that is so disrespectful."
In February, New Era Detroit made headlines for showing up at a local City Council meeting
demanding answers about fatal police shootings of black men in Detroit.
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