Singer Marvin Sapp, now a pastor, has come under fire on social media after a video surfaced of him asking people at his church to donate $40,000 or else he would not let them leave.
Sapp’s actions, at 58 years old, were labeled as extortion by both churchgoers and internet users. Over the course of his singing career, he amassed a substantial fortune. Here’s what his net worth is.
What is Marvin Sapp’s net worth?
Since his beginnings as a church singer, Marvin Louis Sapp has built a successful career that has helped him achieve a net worth of $4 million.
Sapp lives in Grand Rapids, Michigan, where he serves as a pastor at Lighthouse Full Life Center Church. His real estate portfolio includes various properties in Michigan, including a luxury mansion in Byron Center and a vacation home in Hart, with a total value of approximately $1 million.
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What are Marvin Sapp’s income sources?
Sapp has made his fortune thanks to his success as a singer. His career began with the release of his first album, titled “Number 7,” in 1991. Three years later, in 1994, he released “Matters of the Heart,” a work produced by the renowned Fred Hammond.
His album “Thirsty” achieved impressive success, with the hit song “Never Would Have Made It” standing out. This single reached number 14 on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs chart in the U.S., number 82 on the Billboard Hot 100, and number one on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart.
“Thirsty” debuted on the Billboard 200 at number 28, while it reached number 4 on the Billboard Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums and number 1 on the Billboard Top Gospel Albums. The album was certified Gold by the RIAA after selling over 500,000 copies, making it the best-selling album of the artist’s career.
In addition to his albums, Sapp also has a biographical film titled “Never Would’ve Made It: The Marvin Sapp Story.” The film was announced in 2022 and is likely to generate additional income for him.
Marvin Sapp demands $40,000 donation from congregation
Marvin Sapp is facing harsh criticism online after being exposed in a video where he orders ushers at his church to close the doors and prevent parishioners from leaving until they raise a donation of $40,000.
The video of the pastor is not new; it actually dates back to July 2024, but it has resurfaced on social media and gone viral. The event took place during the 109th Convention of the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World in Baltimore, Maryland.
There, Sapp tells attendees that he must pay $2,000 to renew his ordination and license. After sharing his story, he asks the ushers to close the doors and challenges the 1,000 people present, as well as the 1,000 online, to donate $20 each to raise $40,000. After this, many claim that the pastor went too far.
Here is the video:
Marvin Sapp is clearly HUSTLING his congregation for 40k— and using God’s name to do it.
he’s calling for the doors to be locked? that’s not faith, that’s a shakedown and a false prophet.
someone had a bill to pay, and it wasn’t to the church. https://t.co/MtBRENSb0t pic.twitter.com/SqLtOwRrSW
— Boochie is the Name (@stoppfeenin) March 26, 2025
Who is Marvin Sapp?
Marvin Louis Sapp was born on January 28, 1967, in Grand Rapids, Michigan. From a very young age, at just four years old, he began singing in his church, which opened doors for him to continue in this career.
In 1992, he married MaLinda Prince, a childhood friend who also became his manager, and they had three children. In 2010, tragedy struck when MaLinda was diagnosed with advanced colon cancer. Her passing left a deep impact on the singer’s life. Despite the loss, her memory continues to serve as a great source of inspiration as he honors her legacy through music and the church.
