Trump to parishioners at black Detroit church: ‘I’m here to listen’. Receives standing ovation. By  John Wisely.

Donald Trump stuck to a prepared script during a service held Saturday at Great Faith Ministries Church in Detroit before a predominately African American congregation.

As the service began, Trump could be seen near the front of the church swaying to  “What a Mighty God We Serve.”

“This has been an amazing day for me,” Trump said after taking the stage. He called the African American Christian community “one of God’s greatest gifts to America” and said he was attending the religious service “to listen to your message — and I hope my presence here today will help your message reach new voices.”

The GOP presidential candidate appeared at Great Faith Ministries with former Apprentice contestant Omarosa Manigualt and former Republican presidential candidate Ben Carson, a Detroit native.

Trump didn’t sidestep the question of race in his remarks. He said presently America sidelines “young black men with tremendous potential” and “our entire country misses out when we are unable to harness the potential and energy of these folks.”

Outside, protesters chanted: “What do you have to lose?” … “Everything.”

Trump claims ‘Party of Lincoln’ mantle in speech at black church, by Jessie Hellman.

Donald Trump on Saturday delivered a message of unity to a predominantly black church in Detroit, promising to carry on Abraham Lincoln’s legacy if elected president.

“Becoming the nominee of the party of Abraham Lincoln … has been the greatest honor of my life,” Trump told churchgoers at Great Faith Ministries, marking his first appearance at an African-American church.