If I walk into my 14 yr old niece’s bedroom, first thing in the morning while she is still lying in bed, and she is listening to her favorite CD, why not Thirsty?  If a song is destined to remain on the charts week after week after week, why not be a spirit lifting, help me make it through, encouraging gospel powerhouse Never Would Have Made It?  If a singer of epic proportions is going to delight the airwaves and be one of the most played gospel artists of 2008, why not Pastor Marvin Sapp!

Marvin Sapp was born and raised in Grand Rapids, Michigan and began singing in church at age four. He spent his teenage years singing with a number of Gospel groups and ensembles before being invited by Gospel singer Fred Hammond to sing with Commissioned.  Sapp debuted with Commissioned in the early ’90s after Keith Staten left for solo work.  He recorded the Commissioned albums Number 7 and Matters of the Heart with members Fred Hammond, Mitchell Jones, Mike Williams and Karl Reid.  After Hammond and Williams left as well, Sapp recorded the group’s final album, 1996′s Irreplaceable Love.  By that time Sapp had signed a solo contract too, and March 1996 saw the release of his self-titled debut on Word Records.  The album reunited him with former Commissioned mate Fred Hammond (who produced the LP), and featured the gospel hits “Calling Me” and “In His Presence.” Sapp’s sophomore effort, Grace & Mercy, appeared in May 1997, followed two years later by Nothing Else Matters. After a short absence from the music scene, he reappeared under contract at Versity Records and released the song “I Believe” on the Wow Gospel 2002 album. ~ John Bush, All Music

Marvin Sapp is Founder and Senior pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church, located in Grand Rapids, Michigan.  According to marvinsapp.com, as senior pastor and leader, Pastor Sapp is a passionate orator and biblical teacher, whose desire is to be a living epistle glorifying our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ both in word and in deed.  Many say his voice is instantly recognizable.  Characteristically raspy ringing with power and authority as he masterfully illustrates with excellence the word of God.  Not only is his delivery exemplary, his knowledge of the historical text brings to life the message of hope and healing.  Pastor Sapp has been described as:  Not a singer that happens to preach but a Preacher called by God who is gifted to sing.

Pastor Sapp has shared the stage with many gospel notables and his gift is celebrated across music genres.  While he has enjoyed a decorated music ministry receiving Stellar Awards, Gospel Music Excellence Award, as well as Grammy, Soul Train Music and Dove Award nominations, he has also been honored in his hometown of Grand Rapids Michigan.

Recognized for his professional and philanthropic efforts, he has received the city’s highest African American honor, a Giants Award, as well as the Frederick Douglas award from the National Association of Negro and Professional Women’s Club.

Not  complacent, yet pressing towards the mark, Sapp pastors one of the fastest growing churches in Western Michigan:  Lighthouse Full Life Center Church.  He is innovative in his approach to winning the lost and edifying the believer.  As a native of Grand Rapids, Michigan, Pastor Marvin is committed to his community and enjoys taking the message to the masses.  In his inaugural year, the ministry has initiated a Full Life approach with an emphasis of addressing the spiritual, physical, and mental needs of the body.

Sapp is married to Malinda Sapp, a local college professor, psychologist, and who serves as the Administrative Pastor at Lighthouse Full Life Center Church. They have three children: Marvin II, Mikaila, and Madisson.

Pastor Sapp’s solo albums include:
• 1996: Marvin Sapp
• 1997: Grace and Mercy
• 1999: Nothing Else Matter
• 2001: I Believe
• 2003: Diary of Psalmist
• 2005: Be Exalted
• 2007: Thirsty

Sapp has recorded seven albums. Recently, Sapp has achieved crossover fame with the release of “Never Would Have Made It” from the album Thirsty. It has peaked at #14 on the on the Billboard Hot R&B/Hip-Hop Songs and #82 on the U.S. Billboard Hot 100.

I don’t know about you, but I feel blessed every time I hear so many of Pastor Sapp’s songs.  Although I have only heard him deliver brief words of encourage and testimony, I have heard his preaching is as awesome as his singing!  I must admit, until Thirsty, I haven’t been as addicted to Pastor Sapp as others I know.  My sisters are avid Marvin Sapp junkies.  I think they own every album he has recorded.  As I close, I implore you, if you don’t own any of Pastor Sapp’s CDs, please run quick and at least buy Thirsty.  My favorites songs are (in this order):  Never Would Have Made It, Thirsty, Rivers Flow, Worshipper In Me, Place of Worship, Praise Him in Advance.  Shoot!  I love ‘em all!  Tell me your favorites and what you think about Pastor Marvin Sapp!

What, and I mean what, would our Sundays be without Bobby Jones Gospel? It doesn’t matter where you are, or who you are, if you have ever turned on your TV on Sundays, you gotta know Dr. Bobby Jones! There are times when I turn on my TV on Sundays with every intention of not watching Dr. Bobby Jones, and lo and behold, I get stuck there! There is something about the way he talks that makes you keep listening, and there is always the chance he will be showcasing somebody really good this Sunday. Bobby Jones Gospel is the first and only nationally syndicated black gospel television show; and Video Gospel, which debuted in 1989, is the only national television outlet gospel artists have to show their videos. But who is Dr. Bobby Jones and how did he make his way to our TV every Sunday?

Dr. Jones was born in Henry County, Tenn., and always dreamt of a career in music. He excelled academically throughout school, graduating from high school at 15 and Tennessee State University at 19 with a bachelor’s degree in elementary education. Jones continued his education by pursuing a master’s degree at Tennessee State and a doctorate from Vanderbilt. While pursuing his master’s, Jones taught elementary school in the Missouri and Tennessee education systems.

In his teaching days, Jones helped develop the idea for a Black Expo in Nashville, Tenn. (Black Expo is a fair held in cities across the country which focuses on the contributions African Americans have made to their communities.) During the effort, Jones introduced the pilot for what is now Bobby Jones Gospel to WSMV-TV in Nashville. WSMV-TV picked up the show that Jones created, produced and hosted. It ran in Nashville from 1976 until it was picked up by BET for national syndication in 1980.

During this period, Jones also created, produced and hosted Bobby Jones World, a magazine-style show that incorporated gospel music with world-renowned authors, entertainers and national leaders. Bobby Jones World ran from 1978-1984. Jones has extended his talents into the television and movie arena. In 1982, Jones made his television movie debut in NBC’s Sisters, Sisters starring Diahann Carroll, Paul Winfield and Irene Cara. In 1980 he wrote and performed in Make A Joyful Noise, a black gospel opera which aired on PBS; and in 1983, he was a guest on country music star Ronnie Milsap’s television special, In Celebration.

In 1980, Jones received The Gabriel Award and an International Film Festival Award for writing and performing Make A Joyful Noise. He and his group, New Life, were nominated for a Grammy Award in 1982 for “Best Performance by a Black Contemporary Gospel Group” for the album Soul Set Free. In 1984, he received the Gospel Music Association’s (GMA) Dove Award for Black Contemporary Album of the Year, a Grammy Award for “Best Vocal Duo for a Soul/Gospel Performance” for the single, I’m So Glad I’m Standing Here Today performed with country music star Barbara Mandrell, and an NAACP Image Award. In 1990 he received the GMA’s Commonwealth Award for Outstanding Contribution to Gospel Music. In 1994, Jones was nominated for the CableACE Award. He resides in Nashville, Tenn. http://www.bobbyjonesgospel.com/About.asp

One thing that warms my heart when I watch Bobby Jones is knowing, many, many years ago, when I was a member of the Indiana State Mass Choir, I too sang on that very stage and experienced the joy of being part of Bobby Jones Gospel. Whether you like him or not, we gotta give props where props are due! I must admit, Dr. Jones has kept us entertained on Sundays for the last 28 years he has been in our homes. I can sit here and visualize the countless Sunday mornings I have gotten dressed to Bobby Jones Gospel. And how many times have I been running late for church because, when I should have been putting on my pantyhose, I was standing there watching Shirley Caesar singing and walking across that stage, or Fred Hammond saying “put your hands together one time!” all courtesy of Bobby Jones Gospel! Wouldn’t you agree, he is a staple of our Sunday morning viewing pleasure?

Hey, what time is it right now wherever you are reading this? If it is not too late, hurry, go turn on your television and enjoy the incomparable, Dr. Bobby Jones!