Detroit Churches Launch “Pews to the Polls” Initiative with Shirley Murdock Concert Series
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A grassroots campaign is leveraging the power of gospel music and faith communities to drive voter turnout in Detroit ahead of Tuesday’s general election.
Detroit’s faith leaders are joining forces with celebrated singer Shirley Murdock to mobilize voters through a weekend of concerts and civic engagement events. The “Lift Every Voice & Vote Detroit” campaign aims to encourage congregants to participate in the upcoming election, with a particular focus on ensuring mail-in ballots are properly submitted.
Harnessing the Power of Faith and Music
Organizers say Detroit’s Black churchgoers have historically demonstrated high levels of voter participation, consistently outpacing the rest of the city’s population. This initiative seeks to build on that momentum and maintain a strong showing at the polls. According to a press release, the weekend will be a time of “celebration, service, and soul-stirring musical performances.”
“We are hoping to keep that momentum going,” a senior official stated. “This is about empowering our community and ensuring every voice is heard.”
Concert Schedule and Community Outreach
Shirley Murdock, known for her hits “As We Lay” and her collaboration on Zapp and Roger’s “Computer Love” – both released in 1986 – will perform at multiple churches throughout the weekend.
The schedule is as follows:
- Saturday: Great Faith Ministries at noon, followed by a gathering of faith partners and volunteers at 2 p.m. at Midtown Social Detroit, located on Woodward Avenue. Attendees are encouraged to donate perishable food items to support local community needs.
- Sunday: Hartford Memorial Baptist at 7:30 a.m., Citadel of Praise at 9 a.m., Second Ebenezer Baptist Church at 10 a.m., Greater Grace Temple at 10:30 a.m., Martin Evers Baptist Church at 11:55 a.m., and Nazarene Missionary Baptist Church at 1:15 p.m.
The campaign is also actively encouraging voters to hand-deliver their mail-in ballots directly to designated voting boxes following church services.
Mayoral Candidates Invited to Participate
Detroit’s mayoral candidates, City Council President Mary Sheffield and the Rev. Solomon Kinloch Jr., have been invited to attend the events and engage with voters. Their presence would underscore the importance of civic participation and provide an opportunity for dialogue with the community.
The “Lift Every Voice & Vote Detroit” campaign represents a strategic effort to leverage the influence of faith-based organizations and the appeal of gospel music to maximize voter turnout and shape the outcome of Tuesday’s election.
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