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Yahoo
01-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Marvin Sapp Says He Received Death Threats After Viral $40K Donation Demand
Marvin Sapp claims that the backlash to a viral video has entered dangerous territory. Speaking on The Rickey Smiley Morning Show on Monday (March 31), the Gospel musician asserted that he has received death threats in reaction to a clip where he demanded church attendees donate a total of $40,000. Within the conversation, the 58-year-old reflected on the moment — which originally occurred in August 2023 — and admitted that he might share a little blame for the negative response to the video. The event was held at a national church conference in Baltimore — not his local church — and he claims that the funds were directed toward the conference budget. 'People took issue with my tone, and looking at the video, maybe I was a little more assertive than I should have been, and I can apologize for that,' the Bishop explained, denying claims that the church doors were locked. He continued to detail how the entire ordeal has impacted his life, his church, and his children. 'People have called my church and cussed me out. My staff are afraid because I've received death threats,' Sapp elaborated. 'People have come to our campus. They have come to my church to try to cause problems, issues, (and) challenges.' The 'Praise Him In Advance Singer' also elaborated, 'Why run with the truth when a lie is way more entertaining?' as he is convinced the entire controversy is a misunderstanding. Last month, the video of Sapp requesting online and in-person attendees at the aforementioned conference sparked conversation across social media regarding the integrity of the Gospel musician's ministry. The video was shared with claims that the congregation was locked in the church as $40,000 was demanded in offerings. 'The truth is, when finances are being received in any worship gathering, it is one of the most vulnerable and exposed times for both the finance and security teams,' explained Sapp in a statement. 'Movement during this sacred exchange can be distracting and, at times, even risky. My directive was not about control it was about creating a safe, focused, and reverent environment for those choosing to give and for those handling the resources.' More from Marvin Sapp Responds To Viral Video Demanding $40K From Congregation Marvin Sapp Instructs Ushers To Close Church Doors Until Congregation Ponies Up $40K Marvin Sapp Takes NPR 'Tiny Desk' To Church With Gospel Medley
USA Today
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- USA Today
Gospel star Marvin Sapp says he received threats after viral 'close the doors' video resurfaced
Gospel star Marvin Sapp says he received threats after viral 'close the doors' video resurfaced Bishop Marvin Sapp says he has received death threats as a result of the resurfaced viral clip where he ordered ushers to close the doors at an international church convention while rallying for the congregation to donate $40,000. During an interview on "The Rickey Smiley Morning Show" on Monday, the Grammy-nominated gospel artist called the situation a "misunderstanding," but said he was "little more assertive than I should have been" while raising funds for the convention. He added that the reaction to the video has led to safety concerns. "People have called my church and cussed me out. My staff are afraid because I've received death threats," he said. "People have come to our campus. They have come to my church to try to cause problems, issues, (and) challenges." Sapp serves as the Senior Pastor of The Chosen Vessel Church, which is based in Fort Worth, Texas. He explained that the threats have been a burden on his children. "I'm their only parent. I'm a widower. They're afraid for my safety, so now we have to update and increase security," he continued. Previously: Gospel star Marvin Sapp responds to criticism over donation request, order to close doors 'Close the doors': A resurfaced clip from 2024 sparked social media discourse The controversy stems from a viral video in which Sapp speaks in front of the congregation at the 109th Pentecostal Assemblies for the World Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, last July. In the video, Sapp called on churchgoers in the building − and those watching online − to help raise $40,000 by giving $20 each. "Ushers close the doors," the "Praise Him In Advance" singer said repeatedly. "There's 1,000 of you tonight, and ... it's 1,000 watching online. This is a small seed." Additionally, he asked preachers standing beside him to give a $100 contribution: "Giving is worship," he said. It sparked plenty of interest online, with memes, parodies, and criticism abounding on social media. Some people argued that he held the congregation hostage. In a statement on his Facebook page last Wednesday, Sapp provided additional context behind his request for money. He said that as a minister, fundraising was part of his job at the international convention, calling it "stewardship" rather than "manipulation." "Some have taken issue with a particular moment when I instructed the ushers, rather firmly, to close the doors during the offering," Sapp wrote. "To those unfamiliar with the church context or who may not regularly attend worship gatherings this has been misinterpreted as holding people hostage as well as offensive. That was never my intent." On "The Rickey Smiley Show," Sapp shared his perspective on the now-viral request he made to ushers. "I never said lock the doors. I said shut the doors," Sapp emphasized. "Shutting doors mean that people still have the ability to go in and out. They've taken issue with my tone and I can honestly say looking at the video maybe I was a little more assertive than I should have been. I can apologize for that. " Sapp said he didn't receive 'a dime' of the money raised Sapp doubled down on his stance that the whole dilemma was a "misunderstanding" and clarified that although it is unclear how much money was raised for the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., he didn't receive any of it: "Not a dime of that money came to me," he said. Sapp added, "This organization is a church organization I grew up in. These people gave me a platform, and the reason I'm known today is because of the opportunities that this organization gave me." The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. issued a statement Saturday apologizing "to those who may have been offended by the manner of receiving donations." "It is never our intent for our proceedings to be an offense or hinderance for anyone," the statement reads. "Fundraising is a critical component to the success of our non-profit organization, and the funds raised are utilized to support not just this event, but our extensive international missions work, auxiliary programming, educational endeavors and more." The "Best In Me" singer called the ongoing discourse a "church hurting situation" and urged people to do more research. "I did something for the church, but I'm taking abuse because of it," Sapp continued. "I just want people to understand that this is something that we shouldn't do. Make sure you do your due diligence. Make sure you check out everything first. Make sure that you examine the information with clarity and context before you begin to share it." Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@
Yahoo
31-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gospel star Marvin Sapp says he received threats after viral 'close the doors' video resurfaced
Bishop Marvin Sapp says he has received death threats as a result of the resurfaced viral clip where he ordered ushers to close the doors at an international church convention while rallying for the congregation to donate $40,000. During an interview on "The Rickey Smiley Morning Show" on Monday, the Grammy-nominated gospel artist called the situation a "misunderstanding," but said he was "little more assertive than I should have been" while raising funds for the convention. He added that the reaction to the video has led to safety concerns. "People have called my church and cussed me out. My staff are afraid because I've received death threats," he said. "People have come to our campus. They have come to my church to try to cause problems, issues, (and) challenges." Sapp serves as the Senior Pastor of The Chosen Vessel Church, which is based in Fort Worth, Texas. He explained that the threats have been a burden on his children. "I'm their only parent. I'm a widower. They're afraid for my safety, so now we have to update and increase security," he continued. Previously: Gospel star Marvin Sapp responds to criticism over donation request, order to close doors The controversy stems from a viral video in which Sapp speaks in front of the congregation at the 109th Pentecostal Assemblies for the World Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, last July. In the video, Sapp called on churchgoers in the building − and those watching online − to help raise $40,000 by giving $20 each. "Ushers close the doors," the "Praise Him In Advance" singer said repeatedly. "There's 1,000 of you tonight, and ... it's 1,000 watching online. This is a small seed." Additionally, he asked preachers standing beside him to give a $100 contribution: "Giving is worship," he said. It sparked plenty of interest online, with memes, parodies, and criticism abounding on social media. Some people argued that he held the congregation hostage. In a statement on his Facebook page last Wednesday, Sapp provided additional context behind his request for money. He said that as a minister, fundraising was part of his job at the international convention, calling it "stewardship" rather than "manipulation." "Some have taken issue with a particular moment when I instructed the ushers, rather firmly, to close the doors during the offering," Sapp wrote. "To those unfamiliar with the church context or who may not regularly attend worship gatherings this has been misinterpreted as holding people hostage as well as offensive. That was never my intent." On "The Rickey Smiley Show," Sapp shared his perspective on the now-viral request he made to ushers. "I never said lock the doors. I said shut the doors," Sapp emphasized. "Shutting doors mean that people still have the ability to go in and out. They've taken issue with my tone and I can honestly say looking at the video maybe I was a little more assertive than I should have been. I can apologize for that. " Sapp doubled down on his stance that the whole dilemma was a "misunderstanding" and clarified that although it is unclear how much money was raised for the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc., he didn't receive any of it: "Not a dime of that money came to me," he said. Sapp added, "This organization is a church organization I grew up in. These people gave me a platform, and the reason I'm known today is because of the opportunities that this organization gave me." The Pentecostal Assemblies of the World, Inc. issued a statement Saturday apologizing "to those who may have been offended by the manner of receiving donations." "It is never our intent for our proceedings to be an offense or hinderance for anyone," the statement reads. "Fundraising is a critical component to the success of our non-profit organization, and the funds raised are utilized to support not just this event, but our extensive international missions work, auxiliary programming, educational endeavors and more." The "Best In Me" singer called the ongoing discourse a "church hurting situation" and urged people to do more research. "I did something for the church, but I'm taking abuse because of it," Sapp continued. "I just want people to understand that this is something that we shouldn't do. Make sure you do your due diligence. Make sure you check out everything first. Make sure that you examine the information with clarity and context before you begin to share it." Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Marvin Sapp receives threats after 'close the doors' clip resurfaces
Yahoo
28-03-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Gospel star Marvin Sapp responds to criticism over donation request, order to close doors
Renowned gospel artist Marvin Sapp is responding to criticism over a resurfaced clip that shows him telling church ushers to close the doors while asking for donations in what some say was an overly aggressive move. The controversy stems from a viral video in which Sapp speaks in front of the congregation at the 109th Pentecostal Assemblies for the World Convention in Baltimore, Maryland, in July. In the video, he called on churchgoers in the building −and those watching online − to help raise $40,000 by giving $20 each. "Ushers close the doors," the "Praise Him In Advance" singer said repeatedly. "There's 1,000 of you tonight, and ... it's 1,000 watching online. This is a small seed." Additionally, he asked preachers standing beside him to give a $100 contribution: "Giving is worship," he said. Sapp is responding to criticism over the hard sell, arguing that it's been taken out of context. Here's what you need to know about the controversy. Although collecting donations, or tithes, has long been a tradition in Black churches, the video has sparked plenty of interest, with memes, parodies, and criticism abounding on social media. "Marvin Sapp would be getting Marvin SLAPPED if he held me hostage for money when he could go in the studio and make my annual salary in a couple months.," one X user joked. "That ain't the work of the Lord." "NEVER WOULD'VE PAAAAAAAAID IT," another user wrote, referencing the Grammy-nominated singer's popular song, "Never Would Have Made It." Comedian KevOnStage made a skit of an usher shaking him down for cash before leaving the building. In a statement on his Facebook page on Wednesday, Sapp provided additional context behind his request for money. He said that as a minister, fundraising was part of his job at the international convention, calling it "stewardship" rather than "manipulation." "Some have taken issue with a particular moment when I instructed the ushers, rather firmly, to close the doors during the offering," Sapp wrote. "To those unfamiliar with the church context or who may not regularly attend worship gatherings this has been misinterpreted as holding people hostage as well as offensive. That was never my intent." He continued to say that "finances are being received in any worship gathering" and that "it is one of the most vulnerable and exposed times for both the finance and security teams." "Movement during this sacred exchange can be distracting and, at times, even risky," he said. "My directive was not about control it was about creating a safe, focused, and reverent environment for those choosing to give, and for those handling the resources." Ushers at Marvin Sapp's church — Kevín (@KevOnStage) March 27, 2025 Marvin Sapp: that'll be $40,000The congregation: Forty thousand?!?! — Belly Rowland (@YourboyDonell) March 27, 2025 Marvin Sapp: *Locs us in church to "raise" $40k"Me: *Calls 911* *Stands up in the crowd talking over Marvin Sapp* "Yes, Police? Marvin Sapp is holding 3,000 ppl hostage at this church for $40k. Send help." — The Rama Don (@Sufi_Cuhz) March 27, 2025 Marvin Sapp ' Usher close those doors'Me — B Easy (@GetEmEasy) March 27, 2025 So you mean to tell me at Marvin Sapp's church they locked the congregation in until they collectively tithed $40,000???! — Muted. Argue with yourself. (@___inCANdescent) March 28, 2025 Marvin Sapp: If you are watching online I need you to give 20 dollarsMe: — (@nostalgia_lite) March 27, 2025 Me if the usher at Marvin Sapp church won't move away from the door when I try to leave — 🏁Saint Travail 🇵🇦 (@WavyHardaway) March 27, 2025 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. — 🪩 MADAM THIQUE & COZY 🪩 (@ABitOfKwansLife) March 27, 2025 Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at tardrey@ This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Gospel star Marvin Sapp responds to backlash over $40,000 fund request
