Gospel Singer Marvin Sapp Faces Backlash After Shutting Church Doors And Asking Congregation To Raise $40,000

Gospel singer Marvin Sapp is under fire after a viral video captured him urging his congregation to raise $40,000.

The footage also shows him instructing ushers to close the church doors, preventing anyone from leaving.

During the service, Sapp is seen challenging members to contribute, noting that approximately a thousand people were present in the church, with another thousand watching online. He expressed confidence that together, they could reach the $40,000 goal.

“This is a small seed,” he said to his congregation as he begged them to donate.

“I’m challenging each of you all down here to give a twenty dollar seed,” he added, while explaining that if the 1,000 present members and 1,000 online give $20 each, they would easily raise the $40,000 target.

He added, “Because, again, it costs to sit up here.”

He further stated that $20 is not a significant amount, recalling how he used to spend that much on dates with his late wife.

Additionally, he urged those seated near the stage to contribute $100 each.

The video has sparked outrage.

Watch below:

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