A friend of mine said something powerful at his grandfather's funeral. He said that the greatest lesson from his grandfather's life was that he died empty, because he accomplished everything he wanted, with no regrets. I think that, along with leaving a legacy, would be the greatest sign of success.
— Marvin Sapp
I'm just a hometown boy from Grand Rapids, Michigan - where I still live - who is trying do what he feels that he's been called to do.
I think people are transient. Back in the early church, there was a 'stick and stay' mentality. In this day and time, people have a fast food mentality of ministry. If it doesn't fit them or if it doesn't fit in their schedule, they'll move on to something else. That's a norm in today's time.
My assignment is to take my situation and to use it to help others who feel hopeless and/or helpless because of loss.
In the African-American community, we struggle with a lot of health problems that have a lot to do with our diet.
The best way to honor someone who has passed is to live.
The worse thing in the world is for an individual to live, breath and exist and leave this earth, die, and not make impact.
Marvin's Motivational Moments actually started as something that was actually therapeutic for me. I would sit up late at night after my wife passed trying to adjust to being alone.
Being a pastor is pressure because we have to counsel people.
When my wife got sick, I didn't understand why God was doing what he was doing.
Some men don't have the opportunity to be the type of father they need to be, and I hope my example teaches them to step up.
Whether looking at pop music, hip-hop or R&B, it's rare to find an artist who hasn't been touched or affected by the power and soul of gospel music. In fact, many of today's popular artists such as Whitney Houston, John Legend, and Katy Perry started their careers in the church choir.
Success is difficult to define.
Now we have so many different genres of music, it's amazing to me. Even in the gospel music arena, you've got hip-hop, you got contemporary, urban contemporary, you got traditional, you got neo-soul gospel, you've got all of these different things.
Our job in gospel is not going away. It's a sustainable genre. It sells - without question.
My wife was a licensed psychologist by profession and a college professor of psychology.
My church has a health and fitness ministry to encourage our members to take care of spiritually and physically; how could I not?
I chose to sing in the church, and have never regretted it.
I have to prioritize: father first, and then a pastor and a recording artist and entrepreneur. I try to put everything in proper perspective, and then the proper priority.
I tell people all the time, 'As long as my kids are doing good, I'm gonna be alright.'
Keep doing what you do, and people that enjoy what you do are gonna buy your music and love on you.
I want people to understand that tragedy and trial does not necessarily mean that you are a victim.
I understand now that God trusts me enough to give me three kids - Marvin Jr., Mikaila and Madisson - who totally depend on me. They know I'm going to be there for them no matter what.
I have been singing gospel music since I was four years old.
Sometimes I still wonder what my fans look like, but if I had to describe them, I'd say that they are everyday people with everyday needs who need a supernatural message to help them though their natural walk.
We as preachers/teachers/pastors have to figure out things to do in order to garner the attention of individuals and also keep them at our churches by making sure that we reinvent ourselves on a consistent basis.
One thing I don't personally like is not having that privacy I used to have. Being able to do whatever I wanted to do without people recognizing me. That makes me watch what I'm doing more carefully. I'm not going to be acting no fool.
My father was a singer. So it just kind of happened that one Sunday while my dad was singing, I just walked out and stood next to him, and I started singing the song that he was leading, and I sang it in perfect pitch.
Throughout my career, my family and I have fallen victim to inappropriate attempts to contact me by several unknown individuals.
Some things you just don't get over.
I just believe that whatever I post should be my content.
Entertainment and information work well together.
D.C. is one my largest audiences. They buy tons of records of mine in Washington, D.C.
The Bible tells us that we're supposed to leave an inheritance for children.
We live in a world full of people who are ready to be uplifted.
Gospel music allows us to become closer to God and closer to each other.
