Most people still associate Marvin Sapp with Grand Rapids. It makes sense. He spent over 50 years in Michigan, built a massive ministry there, and basically became the face of the city’s spiritual landscape. But if you’ve been looking for the pastor marvin sapp church lately, you won’t find him at the Lighthouse Full Life Center—at least not in the way you used to.
In a move that caught a lot of people off guard a few years back, the "Never Would Have Made It" singer packed up and headed for the Lone Star State. Specifically, Fort Worth. It wasn't just a guest appearance or a temporary gig. He took over one of the most historic pulpits in Texas.
The Shift to Chosen Vessel Cathedral
The current home for Marvin Sapp is The Chosen Vessel Cathedral in Fort Worth. If you're wondering why a guy with a multi-platinum music career and a thriving church in Michigan would just walk away, the answer is kind of personal.
Honestly, it wasn't about the money. Sapp has been pretty vocal about the fact that when he arrived at Chosen Vessel in late 2019, the church was actually facing some serious uphill battles. We're talking about $3 million in debt and an active membership that had dwindled to around 100 people, most of whom were over the age of 70.
Why take that on?
Basically, it was a legacy thing. The previous leader, Bishop Richard Young, was like family to Sapp. He was a brother to Sapp’s own spiritual father, the late Bishop William C. Abney. When Young decided to retire, he personally called Marvin and asked him to take the reins. Sapp says he prayed on it, and despite the "sweetheart deals" people assumed he was getting elsewhere, he felt led to Texas.
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What’s different about his new ministry?
Life at Chosen Vessel looks a lot different than the Lighthouse days. For one, the church itself has a massive history, dating back to 1920. It was the first Afro-American apostolic church in Fort Worth.
Coming into a 100-year-old institution as a "new" pastor is tricky. You've got the tradition of the elders clashing with the modern energy of a global gospel star. But Sapp didn't just come to sing; he came to build. He’s been focused on shifting the culture of the church to reach a younger demographic while still honoring the "Silver Saints" who stayed through the lean years.
You can see the influence of his brand everywhere now. They’ve got a heavy digital presence—"Chosen Vessel Everywhere"—and he’s integrated his media company, Elev8 Entertainment, into the mix. It's not just a Sunday morning service; it's a full-scale media operation.
What happened to the church in Grand Rapids?
A lot of fans were worried that he just abandoned Lighthouse Full Life Center. He didn't.
He’s still the Chairman of the Board there. He provides "spiritual oversight," which is basically church-speak for being the boss who doesn't have to be in the office every day. The church in Grand Rapids was left debt-free and under the care of a hand-picked leadership team. It was a clean handoff.
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It’s actually a pretty rare move in the mega-church world. Usually, these transitions are messy or happen because of a scandal. This was just a guy saying, "My season here is done."
The transition timeline:
- August 2017: Sapp says he first felt the "nudge" from God that a change was coming.
- 2018: He receives multiple "prophecies" about moving, which he says he initially rejected because, well, Michigan was home.
- June 2019: The official announcement is made to his Michigan congregation.
- September 2019: He preaches his final sermon at Lighthouse and his first as Senior Pastor at Chosen Vessel.
- 2020-2026: He navigates the pandemic and post-pandemic growth, essentially "re-planting" the Fort Worth ministry.
Why people get the "Marvin Sapp Church" details wrong
If you Google him, you'll still see "Lighthouse" pop up first in a lot of old snippets. That’s just the internet being slow to catch up. People also assume he’s retired from music to focus on the church.
Not even close.
He’s actually using the church as a hub for new music. In 2020, he released the album Chosen Vessel (fitting title, right?) which was recorded right there at the church. He’s shown that you can be a Bishop over 100 congregations and still drop a #1 gospel hit. He’s basically balancing the roles of a CEO, a spiritual father, and a touring artist all at once.
Actionable Insights for Church Leaders and Fans
If you’re following Sapp’s journey or trying to learn from his leadership style, there are a few real-world takeaways here.
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First, understand the power of seasons. Sapp often says that every relationship outside of God is seasonal. This mindset allowed him to leave a church he founded without feeling like a failure or a traitor. It’s a lesson in healthy detachment.
Second, look at his debt-free model. He made sure his first church was financially stable before he left, and he made tackling the $3 million debt at the new church a priority. For anyone in ministry or business, that focus on fiscal health is what creates the "freedom" to move when the timing is right.
Finally, if you’re planning to visit, the church is located at 4650 Campus Drive in Fort Worth. They run services at 9 AM and 11 AM. Just don't expect a concert every Sunday. He’s a preacher first, and he’s pretty adamant about that distinction. He’s there to handle the Word, even if he does have one of the most recognizable voices in the history of the genre.
To stay updated on his current itinerary or watch the live streams from Texas, your best bet is the official Chosen Vessel website or his "Chosen Vessel Everywhere" social channels. This ensures you're getting the most current service times, as he frequently travels for speaking engagements and "Global United Fellowship" events.