Pastor’s Corner – Jalen Seawright

Jalen Seawright’s journey is a testament to resilience and the power of faith. He is a pastor, community activist, and justice advocate. He and his wife Keyonna reside in the Metro-Detroit area and have three beautiful daughters (ages eight, six, and three). Jalen is an experienced musician influenced by the sounds of Motown and Detroit Gospel. Jalen’s journey began in Pontiac, Michigan, where he was raised alongside his two younger sisters. His father served as a juvenile probation officer in Oakland County, a role that brought the family both pride and challenges. When concerns regarding their safety arose—stemming from the visibility of Jalen’s father’s profession—the family made the decision to relocate to Oxford, Michigan, when Jalen was just 13 years old. This move placed them in an environment that was markedly less diverse; Jalen found himself as one of only six African American students at his school. Navigating experiences of overt racism and feeling like an outsider was a real struggle. He grappled with his identity and felt pressure to conform. Yet within this struggle, he discovered the transformative power of creativity and music—gifts that would later serve as cornerstones for his ministry.

Jalen stepped into leadership as the worship director at a large mega church in the Metro Detroit area. He initially found love and acceptance among peers who cherished his talents. But speaking out against injustices, such as those witnessed in Charlottesville and the tragic death of George Floyd, revealed a stark truth: not everyone was ready to hear uncomfortable truths. Jalen faced backlash that manifested in threats directed at both him and his family—a betrayal from those who should have stood beside him. The emotional toll was heavy; feeling traumatized by these experiences led Jalen to resign from his position at the church. Despite grappling with imperfections within the church community, its people, and some theological interpretations—he NEVER found any imperfections with Jesus.

After dedicating time to solely immerse himself in music, he eventually met Alan Tumpkin; lead pastor at LifeChurch Southfield and the Great Lakes Conference Church Planting Director. Their relationship flourished into a collaboration leading worship at LifeChurch Southfield. This relationship rekindled hope and purpose within him. Now embarking on a church plant residency at LifeChurch Southfield with plans to establish a new LifeChurch in Troy sometime in 2026, Jalen embodies perseverance fueled by passion for Christ’s message.

In recent years, Jalen has traveled throughout the country teaching and training churches and organizations how to leverage art to serve the mission of justice in their communities. Jalen shares his journey not just as a reflection on his past but as encouragement. Faith can guide us through life’s most challenging moments, and Jalen’s life exemplifies this. A reminder to us that even amidst trials—and perhaps because of them—we can emerge stronger than ever before, ready to inspire others along their own paths toward healing and hope.