Marvin Sapp shares how taking a ‘step of faith’ to pursue full-time ministry has been a blessing

Article By Rebecca Johnson // EEW Magazine

Grammy-nominated Gospel singer and faith leader, Bishop Marvin Sapp, says leaving a steady gig to go after his divinely inspired musical dream has been a great blessing.

Nearly 30 years ago, at just 22 years of age, he said, “I walked away from my job to totally commit myself to full time ministry. It was not just a step of faith but a leap.”

Now, at 51, the Michigan-based pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church, who was elevated to the office of Bishop under Bishop Neil C. Ellis, presiding prelate of Gulf United Fellowship (GUF), wrote on social media, “Even though I wrote the vision and made it plain, never in my wildest dreams did I think that He would use my gifts globally as He has.”

Full-time ministry can be a financial struggle for many, as resources are sometimes scarce and open doors are even scarcer. But not for Sapp. Over the past three decades, he has garnered major hits like “Never Would Have Made It” and “Best In Me,” and preached the gospel on numerous platforms.

Sapp, who stays booked and busy and lives life “without lack,” doesn’t take the credit for it.

“For this I give God praise and honor. I tell people all the time that I’m not the most gifted, neither am I the smartest, but where I fall short, I ask God for wisdom which he gives freely and liberally,” he said.

Though admittedly materially blessed and privileged, Sapp also admits it has not been all happiness and roses along the way.

The widower, who lost his wife of 20 years, MaLinda Sapp, to colon cancer in 2010, added, “My life has had many highs and lows but through it all, God remained faithful and consistent. Reflecting, yes there are things I would change about my journey.”

He ended by saying, “However what has happened has taught me that I’m strong in faith and with Him, moving forward, I’m gonna be living my best life.”