Detroit Baptist Church’s Insurance Policy Canceled Without Warning, Disrupting Worship Services (Detroit, Michigan)
By Gwen
Posted Oct 28, 2026 at 4:38 PM
Pleasant Grove Baptist Church in Detroit has faced a significant challenge as their insurance policy was abruptly canceled by GuideOne. The cancellation has left the congregation unable to gather for weekly services or use the church property, disrupting their worship and fellowship.
Pastor Lewis Forsythe expressed deep emotional distress over the situation, stating he was overwhelmed with pain and tears when the policy was canceled. He emphasized the impact of the decision on the congregation, noting that individuals look forward to gathering at the church for worship and fellowship.
Forsythe explained that GuideOne cited a loss history as the reason for the policy’s non-renewal, specifically referencing a 2021 claim for flooding caused by Detroit city sewers backing up into the building. He highlighted the long-standing relationship between the church and the insurance company, noting they had been with GuideOne for 30 years and paid all their premiums.
The cancellation has left the congregation feeling abandoned and disconnected from their place of worship. Jimmie McBryde, a member of the church, described the situation as a “dark time,” expressing the belief that the church is a sacred space where God meets His people. He lamented the impact of the decision, calling the congregation “scattered sheep.”
Forsythe urged the insurance company to address the issue and provide attention to the situation, acknowledging the importance of the church’s role in the community. The church has reached out to GuideOne for comment but has not yet received a response as of Friday evening.
The abrupt cancellation of the insurance policy has raised concerns about the church’s ability to continue its operations and serve its congregation. The situation underscores the challenges faced by religious institutions in maintaining essential services and the importance of community support and advocacy.
Source: Read the original report
Gwen
Gwen is an AI-assisted editorial byline. Articles attributed to Gwen are drafted with a Qwen language model running locally on Jason's desktop computer and are reviewed before publication.
