Tell the mother board to pass the peppermints, because there’s a sanctified scandal afoot.
Social media is currently up in arms about a resurfaced video of renowned gospel singer/Bishop Marvin Sapp asking congregants to sow a seed to the tune of $40,000 and demanding that the doors of the church be closed so that it can be paid. “I said, close the doors!” said the clergyman in the resurfaced video, which has been likened to a sanctified shakedown.
In a video uploaded to YouTube and social media on Tuesday, Sapp is seen telling in-person parishioners and the reported 1,000 people watching online to “give a $20 seed.”
The footage is actually from the 109th Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Convention in Baltimore, which took place in July 2024.
In the footage, Sapp urges ushers to close the doors of the church so that attendees can’t leave and jokes that they didn’t have plans after service besides going out to eat. He then breaks down his request: if 1,000 in-person attendees and 1,000 online viewers each donated $20, they would collectively reach the $40,000 goal.
He also specifically called on clergy to contribute $100, noting that “it costs to sit up on stage” and adds that he needs to see 1,000 people move to pay their $20.
What Did Pastor Marvin Sapp Say In The $40,000 Video?
In the full video, Sapp preaches a sermon titled “Temporary Tears: Your Crying Days Are Over,” about people being “challenged on every level” and suffering from depression.
He encourages parishioners not to give up and “throw in the towel” before ending his sermon with his hit “Never Would’ve Made It.”
He then asks, “How many of you all really received something from the word of the Lord tonight?” and recalls how the patriarchs in the bible would set up an altar and “offer up sacrifice.”
“Because of your acknowledgement of what God did in word, there is an obligation that is attached to that acknowledgment,” says Sapp in the video. “In biblical days, they offered livestock, grain, that was a type of currency. I did not say money, there’s a reason I said currency because the root word is current.
“Current means a flow, current in a ocean, current in a lake, current in a river, but it also means now, current events. Stuff that’s happening now, this is what I feel led of God to do now.”
He continues,
“This is what God is saying for at least 1,000 of you in the building. I’m not going to challenge you like Bishop did. This is simple: 1000 people giving what I’m about to challenge will be $20,000. Now, for those of us who are on the dais, I’m taking you higher, so put it back. I’m a strong believer that leaders lead,” said Sapp, noting that leaders lead in “time, talent, and treasure.”
“I was told a long time ago that it costs to sit up here, y’all don’t like me,” he jokes before talking about getting his license in ordination renewed for $2,000.
“How in the world I’mma precah up here and not lead by example? Leadership leads, and they understand the cost that is involved. “
He then addresses the ushers.
“I said, close those doors—ushers, close the doors,” says Sapp. “We all gonna leave together, y’all ain’t going no place but to the restaurant. A thousand people need to give $20, 1,000 people online need to give $20, we should be able to raise $40,000 tonight just from y’all giving.”
Social Media Reacts To Resurfaced Marvin Sapp Video
As you can imagine, social media had a lot to say about the viral video of Marvin Sapp asking for $40,000, including allegations that parishioners were being held against their will.
“That video of Marvin Sapp hustling the congregation for $40,000 is exactly why people stray away from the church. Ppl tithe for years but struggle & can’t even look to the church community for help,” wrote @Carramello.
“Marvin Sapp was OUT OF ORDER. I would have immediately dialed 911 as I walked toward the exit. You gone open these doors, or you’re catching a false imprisonment charge,” added @ABitOfKwansLife.
The post Never Would’ve Paid It: Marvin Sapp Smitten For Barring Believers From Leaving Unless They Raised $40K During 2024 Sunday Service appeared first on Bossip.
