Marvin Sapp

About Marvin Sapp

Marvin Sapp is an American Gospel music singer, recording with the group Commissioned during the 1990s before beginning a solo career and becoming the pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.

Singing in church since the tender age of four, Marvin has lived a life of music. Gospel greats from D.J. Rogers and the Winans mixed with the mainstream sounds of Stevie Wonder, Donny Hathaway and Teddy Pendergrass were influences as the young Marvin forged his own unique vocal style. When challenged by his mother at a young age to choose either Gospel or the music of the world. Marvin chose to sing for the Lord and has not looked back since. Marvin spent his teenage years singing with a number of Gospel groups and ensembles before accepting a call to a ministry of evangelism in 1988. Two years later, Gospel kingpin Fred Hammond was on the phone offering Marvin a job singing with Commissioned. Today much of a Marvin Sapp concert is given to preaching as well a powerful music delivered with special attention to first-rate production and entertainment values. Marvin is always quick to point out that he sees himself first and foremost as a preacher also gifted and called to sing. And his unique combination in concert of spoken word and music ministry has clearly touched the hearts of the many thousands of people who come to hear him each year. Marvin Sapp – preacher, singer, evangelist – and his community outreach ministry, JOY continue to flourish in God’s work. Marvin, meanwhile, is humbled but ready for whatever may be in store. “I’ve held a vision for this for some time,” he concluded, “but I’m still astounded to see the Lord at work and to see things moving even more quickly than I would ever have thought. God has opened one door after another. I’m amazed, but I’m prepared for wherever he wants to take us.”

After spending six years with the multi-award winning group Commissioned and Fred Hammond, Marvin has since established himself as a contemporary gospel mainstay in his own right. His self-titled solo debut and his follow up, Grace and Mercy, received overwhelming critical acclaim. And in 1998, Marvin Sapp toured with the largest and most extensive gospel tour ever, "Walt Baby Love's Power '98" Tour. Featuring Hezekiah Walker and Love Fellowship, Fred Hammond and Radical for Christ, Dottie Peoples and others, the tour drew over a half million people in 70 cities.