Marvin Sapp: Pastor under fire for holding congregation 'hostage' to donate $40k [VIDEO]
Internationally acclaimed gospel singer and pastor, Marvin Sapp, has come under heavy criticism following a controversial fundraising appeal at a recent church convention in the United States.
The respected Pastor, best known for his chart-topping song Never Would Have Made It, is facing backlash after a video surfaced online showing him asking congregants to collectively donate $40,000 during the Pentecostal Assemblies of the World Convention held in Baltimore.
In the widely circulated footage, Sapp is seen instructing ushers to lock the church doors to ensure that attendees contribute financially to the appeal. "There’s 1,000 of you. I said close them doors. Ushers, close the doors," Sapp is heard telling the gathering. He is further seen encouraging worshippers to "sow a $20 seed," with some participants spotted giving $100 notes.
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
The incident has triggered mixed reactions, particularly on social media, where critics have accused the preacher of employing coercive tactics to compel donations. One social media user fumed, “That’s not faith, that’s a shakedown,” while another posted, “He’s hustling his congregation for $40K in God’s name.”
Sapp, who once performed at music mogul Sean "Diddy" Combs' star-studded 50th birthday celebration, responded to the controversy in a Facebook post. He denied any intention to manipulate or control worshippers.
"My directive was not about control," he clarified. "It was about creating a safe, focused, and reverent environment for those choosing to give."
The gospel star further explained that church offerings can sometimes expose the financial and security teams to risks, stressing that his approach was to safeguard the donation process. "Collecting donations can be a vulnerable and exposed time," Sapp noted.
Despite the uproar, Marvin Sapp continues to command respect within the gospel music fraternity, with several of his works — notably Never Would Have Made It — being celebrated by sports personalities and entertainers, including DJ Reed and former baseball star Dwight Gooden.
However, the conversation around the ethical boundaries of church fundraising and whether Sapp’s approach was appropriate rages on, with many calling for clearer lines between ministry and money.
