Christian Television Network Founder To Speak on Mackinac Island Friday
By Sean Ely

The Reverend Glenn Plummer will give a sermon after the 7:30 p.m. Jewish service Friday, August 3, in the social hall next to Trinity Church. The Christian minister speaks on topics that both Christians and Jews can relate to. (Photograph courtesy of Ambassadors of Christ Church)

The Reverend Glenn Plummer of Detroit, who will preach here Friday, August 3 is the founder of the Christian Television Network, owned and operated by three independent television stations in Detroit and New Orleans, and has produced and hosted the daily CTN Live! show, seen nationally, and renamed Glenn Plummer Live!

He is the senior Pastor of Ambassadors for Christ Church in Detroit and is on the Board of Advisors of El Al Israel Airlines and the board of the National Religious Broadcasters, where he served for more than three years as president and chief executive. He has also testified before Congress, prayed with President George W. Bush, and led Holy Land tours to Israel, where he has received the country's Ambassador of Tourism Award.

From a religious standpoint, there are only few things that Rev. Plummer has not done, and preaching to both Jews and Christians on Mackinac Island is one of them.

On Friday, August 3, he will speak after the 7:30 p.m. Jewish service at Kehillat Hatzav Hagadol, which is Hebrew for "Congregation of the Great Turtle." It is in the social hall next to Trinity Episcopal Church. He was invited here by summer resident Robert Spitzer.

"To be invited to be the main speaker at a Jewish synagogue is highly unusual," Rev. Plummer said. "For that synagogue to be on Mackinac Island is even more unusual. And something making it even more unusual than all of that is the fact that I am an African American."

Educated at Northern Michigan University in Marquette, Rev. Plummer said he is returning to the Straits as a bridgebuilder between the two faiths, Christianity and Judaism.

"Christianity would not exist without Judaism," he said. "We cannot say that statement the other way around. Our Lord was a Jew, the Apostles were Jewish, the early church was Jewish, and would not exist without Judaism. It's a consideration that many Jews have not heard Christian pastors say."

Rev. Plummer notes that the history of Jewish people is filled with atrocities in the name of Christianity, leading to a mistrust of Christians. Recently, however, he believes a stronger relationship is forming between Christians and Jews.

Dr. Spitzer and his wife, Dr. Ann Silverman, are promoting interfaith and cross-cultural understanding and were recently invited to teach at the Island's Vacation Bible School.

"I think our ability to enhance mutual understanding at that time was a great opportunity for everyone," Dr. Spitzer said. "Over the years, we have invited members of the community to our Passover Seders and to our Sukkah for the Feast of Tabernacles in the fall. We feel that better understanding leads to greater peace in the world."

Rev. Plummer's sermon is open to Christians and Jews, because he said his message relates to both.

"We have found that there are many on the Island who have openly welcomed our congregation," Dr. Spitzer said. "Pastor Plummer is a powerful speaker and we don't actually know the subject of his sermon, but we feel it will invigorate the local Jewish community and help further promote interfaith communication and understanding."

On the east coast, said Island shop owner Jack Landres, the Christian and Jewish communities have begun to work together.

"In my temple in Virginia, we invite local churches to our services, and they invite us to theirs. We all believe in the same God, why shouldn't we get along?

"The Christian community on the Island has welcomed us with open arms, including us in anything that requires thoughts and prayers. . . We, in turn, are willing to help out the Christian community with anything they might need. Having Pastor Plummer come to speak is nice because we have some mutual ideas on supporting Israel against it's enemies, and so having him speak regarding some of that is nice to hear."

Rev. Plummer notes that the idea of a black Christian pastor preaching at a Jewish service can lead to skepticism, but said he can overcome that.

"Sometimes, after groups hear me speak, they have left either exhilarated, or some in good tears," he said. "It has really been a wonderful experience in the Jewish community."