Marvin Sapp’s Next Project In Sight

Marvin Sapp (2nd from right) and children Marvin II, Mikaila and Madisson at the 2018 Grammy Awards Grand Rapids native and former local pastor Marvin Sapp is recording his next album at his new church home.

The Chosen Vessel Cathedral in Ft. Worth, Texas will be the site for the project, which is aiming for a Feb. 21, 2020 recording session.

"This recording is special to me because I'm doing it in my new home – literally and figuratively," said Sapp, 52, in an earlier interview.

Last year Sapp left Lighthouse Full Life Center Church on Madison St. SE in Grand Rapids to become senior pastor at Chosen Vessel, formerly pastored by family friend Bishop Richard E. Young.

Sapp co-founded the Lighthouse church with his wife MaLinda in 2003. She passed away more than nine years ago. Lighthouse's new pastor is Rory Marshall.

For the new album, Sapp is once again working with his long time producer (Aaron Lindsey) and vocal director (Myron Butler). It has the working title "Chosen Vessel."

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The new effort will be Sapp's 12th solo album and his first in three years. His last live recording came in 2011 and was titled "I Win."

At least two of his earlier albums were recorded live in the Grand Rapids area. "Here I Am" was tracked during a concert at Resurrection Life Church in suburban Wyoming.

His last five albums have debuted No. 1 on gospel music charts.

HIS WELL-TRAVELED ROAD

The Ottawa Hills High School graduate began singing in church as a youngster and came under the spiritual tutelage of the late Bishop William C. Abney, longtime pastor at Bethel Pentecostal Church.

Sapp joined the contemporary gospel group Commissioned in 1990 before releasing his first solo album six years later.

Among Sapp's best known songs are the ballads "Never Would Have Made It" and "The Best In Me." Those and several other of his songs reached the top of gospel music charts and have won him numerous awards, including Stellar, Dove, Soul Train and BET. He has multiple Grammy nominations.

His compilation/greatest hits album ("The Very Best of Marvin Sapp") was one of Billboard's top 10 gospel albums of 2019.

He's been welcomed by mainstream as well as gospel music fans.

Late last year, for example, he was invited to perform at rapper/producer Sean "Diddy" Combs 50th birthday party attended by music celebrities such as Mary J Blige. "I'm told he listens to 'My Testimony' and 'Never Would Have Made It,'" Sapp tweeted the next day of Diddy's interest.

Sapp often refers to his ministry position as "globally assigned, locally focused." He continues to travel internationally for his singing and preaching assignments. And he retains his role as Metropolitan Bishop with Global United Fellowship, one of a group of bishops which oversees churches in various geographical areas.

Sapp's three children, Marvin II, Mikaila and Madisson - all now in their 20s – are graduates of NorthPointe Christian High School.

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