Lord of Lords Ministries installs solar panels and EV chargers in Detroit

Lord of Lords Ministries in Detroit has installed solar panels, electric vehicle charging stations, and air quality monitoring equipment. Rev. Dr. Calvin Glass stated that the church made these investments to advocate for a healthier environment and better serve the local population.

Glass has served the same Detroit community since 1990. He noted that when he arrived, the neighborhood was filled with working families employed by Chrysler, Ford, and General Motors. Block clubs were active, and recreation centers were busy. A shared belief persisted that hard work and mutual support would keep the community moving forward.

Over the years, that foundation shifted. Manufacturing jobs disappeared, major businesses left, and supermarkets closed. Families moved away to find opportunity. As those supports vanished, the church began responding to growing needs, including food insecurity, health care challenges, and the daily struggles of families trying to stay afloat.

Glass identified rising energy costs as a new burden on Detroit families. He said utility bills have become a source of stress and uncertainty. Seniors on fixed incomes are stretching every dollar, while working parents balance energy costs against rent, groceries, transportation, and medical expenses. Families are making difficult decisions about what can wait until next month.

The church decided that caring for the community meant finding practical ways to reduce costs and improve resilience. Over the years, the congregation installed battery backup systems, energy-efficient upgrades, and other improvements to use energy more wisely. Glass said the church did not make these investments because they were fashionable.

“We did not make these investments because they were fashionable. We made them because they helped us advocate for a healthier environment and better serve people,” Glass said. The improvements have strengthened the church's ability to operate during outages, reduced waste, and lowered energy bills. They also created opportunities to educate others about solutions that can benefit their own homes, businesses, and organizations.

Glass said cleaner and more affordable energy solutions are already helping communities today. He is encouraged by efforts to expand access to practical energy solutions, such as community solar and energy-efficiency improvements. He stated that no single policy will solve every challenge facing Detroit, but leaders should be willing to explore every tool that helps people keep more money in their pockets.

Glass described the effort as a matter of fairness and community transformation rather than politics. He cited Hebrews 10:23-24, urging leaders to listen and communities to work together. The church aims to ensure that energy decisions reflect the needs of the people who live with the consequences every day.