“This is what I feel led of God to do now, and this is what God is saying for at least 1,000 of you in the building. And this is simple,” Sapp said. “I know that there’s 1,000 individuals under the sound of my voice that can do what I’m about to challenge you all to do.”
Sapp then challenged 1,000 people to give $20 each for a total of $20,000. He called on the leaders standing behind him on the dais to give $100 each. “I’m a strong believer that leaders lead not only in time, not only in talent, but also in treasure,” he said. “Leaders lead in time, talent and treasure. I was taught a long time ago that it cost to sit up here.”
“Y’all don’t like me,” he said. “Y’all don’t like me.”
“I’m telling ya’ll it costs,” said the bishop. Sapp shared that that day he had had to pay $2,000 to renew his ordination license, which he had been two years late on. “How in the world I’m going to preach up here and not lead by example?” he asked.
“Leadership [leads] and they understand the cost that is involved. There’s 1,000 of you—I said close them doors,” Sapp interrupted himself. “Ushers, close the doors.”
“Close the doors,” he repeated. “Close the doors. We all gonna leave together. Y’all ain’t going no place but to the restaurant.”
“There’s 1,000 of you tonight, and those that are watching, it’s 1,000 that’s watching online,” Sapp said. “This is a small seed. If I get 1,000 online to give this, if I get 1,000 in the sanctuary to give this, that’s $40,000 tonight. I’m challenging each of you all down here to give a $20 seed.”
Later, Sapp said, “I need to see 1,000 people moving. Bring them baskets. Bring—I want the baskets up here. I want to see the folk. Y’all start moving. Y’all can bring it right now.”
“This is an easy miracle,” said Sapp. “We should be able to raise $40,000 tonight just from ya’ll giving.”
Marvin Sapp Responds to Criticism
Christian hip hop artist Lecrae commented on an Instagram reel of Sapp’s words that was posted by TMZ Thursday. Lecrae recommended three churches in the Atlanta area for people to try and said, “Deacons don’t lock doors over there.”
