Meet our
Pastor
Bishop Marvin L. Sapp is a passionate orator and biblical teacher, who desires to be a living epistle glorifying our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ both in word and in deed who is the Co-Founder of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan and the Senior Pastor of The Chosen Vessel Cathedral in Fort Worth, Texas as well as a Metropolitan Bishop that oversees more than 100 churches in the Central Deanery of Global United Fellowship. Many say his voice is instantly recognizable with a characteristically raspy ringing with power and authority as he masterfully illustrates with excellence the Word of God. Not only is his delivery exemplary, but his knowledge of the historical text brings to life the message of hope and healing.
“Not a singer that happens to preach, but a Preacher called by God who is gifted to sing”
Singing since age four he has shared the stage with many gospel notables and his gift is celebrated across musical genres. He began singing with the gospel group Commissioned in 1990. In 1996, God led him to go solo. He released his first CD “Marvin Sapp”, then Grace and Mercy”, then his CDs were as follows: “Nothing Else Matters”, “I Believe”, “Diary Of A Psalmist”, “Be Exalted”, “Thirsty”, “Here I Am”, “I Win” and in 2013 he released his Christmas Card CD that featured his three children. The backdrop for the CD “I Win” came from him mitigating the pain of the loss of his wife through conversations with God. The title “Here I Am” for gospel star Marvin Sapp is more than a little ironic when one considers that, “Never Would Have Made It” from his 2007 release “Thirsty” has been among the most ubiquitous gospel and R&B songs. According to Billboard, Marvin Sapp single “Best In Me” matched the 2008 peak of his seminal “Never Would Have Made It.” The mega-selling “Never Would Have Made It” held the #1 slot on Gospel and R&B radio for over a full year; topped the Urban AC chart (the first to do so since Yolanda Adams’ “Open My Heart”) and has the top selling ringtone and ring back (2 million sales), and propelled “Thirsty” to the top of the gospel charts for 28 weeks. But for the 11-time Grammy Award nominee and celebrated pastor, Marvin Sapp, being dragged to the depths of his grief and drowning was never an option. Following the loss of his beloved wife of 18 years to cancer, preceded by the untimely deaths of his biological father, spiritual father, and musical mentor; Sapp still had three children (Marvin II, MiKaila, and Madisson) to raise, an influential church to run, entrepreneurial ventures and a thriving musical career to maintain. He poured his swirling emotions into his craft, crediting the cathartic creative process with the release of his stunning revelatory decree You Shall Live. You Shall Live, featuring the hit radio single Yes You Can, was released on June 2, 2015. His eleventh album Close was released on September 29, 2017.
He has enjoyed a decorated music career receiving 11 Grammy nominations, 24 Stellar Awards, 2 Soul Train Music Awards, 2 BET Awards, 3 Dove Awards, and 8 BMI songwriter’s awards for sales along with many other accolades and honors from national, regional, and local institutions.
“Not Complacent, yet pressing towards the mark”
Bishop Sapp has been honored and recognized for his professional and philanthropic efforts in his home city, Grand Rapids, Michigan. He received the city’s highest African American honor, Giant of Giants Award, as well as the Frederick Douglas Award from the National Association of Negro and Professional Women’s Club. He is an established author of eight books. The seventh book is titled “Recreation” and the eighth book is titled “Suitable” which were both released July 2018. He is also an entrepreneur illustrating success in various areas of business.