Gospel artist Bishop Marvin Sapp has responded to criticism that he pressured people to give $40,000 during a worship service where he instructed ushers to close the doors and not to let anyone leave. Sapp took those actions at a Pentecostal Assemblies of the World conference last July, and a clip of Sapp at the convention recently went viral.

“Recently, a clip has gone viral of me challenging 2,000 individuals(virtually and in person) to plant a seed of $20 during an international gathering held at a convention center, with over 4,000 people in attendance that evening plus virtual viewers,” Sapp said in a March 26 Facebook post titled “Let’s Add Context to the Clip on Social Media.” 

“In that same moment, I also challenged leadership to lead by example by sowing $100. That evening, I personally gave much more,” he said.

“Some have taken issue with a particular moment when I instructed the ushers, rather firmly, to close the doors during the offering,” Sapp continued. “To those unfamiliar with the church context or who may not regularly attend worship gatherings this has been misinterpreted as holding people hostage as well as offensive. That was never my intent.”

Marvin Sapp Challenges Worshipers To Give $20 ‘Seed,’ Leaders To Give $100

Marvin Sapp began his career with the group Commissioned before branching out as a solo gospel artist. He has been nominated for 11 Grammy Awards and is a Dove Award-winner and nominee. His other awards include BET Awards, Stellar Awards, and Soul Train Music Awards.

According to Sapp’s website, he is cofounder of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan; the senior pastor of The Chosen Vessel Cathedral in Fort Worth, Texas; and the suffragan bishop-senior advisor to the presiding bishop of the Global United Fellowship.

In July 2024, Sapp led an evening worship session at the 109th convention held by Pentecostal Assemblies of the World in Baltimore. Before concluding his time in front of attendees, Sapp said, “Listen. Close the doors for me for a quick moment. I want everybody to remain standing quickly. I have to do something. I’m well over time, but I have to do something quickly.”

Sapp then asked worshipers to raise their hands if they had “received something from the Word of the Lord tonight.” He explained that “whenever God did something in the lives of the patriarchs of old…they would set up an altar, and they would offer a sacrifice.”

“Because of your acknowledgement of what God did in Word, there is an obligation that is attached to that acknowledgement,” said Sapp. In the Bible, he said, people offered the “currency” of livestock and grain.

Actor, author, producer, and evangelist Kirk Cameron has launched a new faith-filled, Bible-friendly children’s show titled “Iggy and Mr. Kirk.”

The show is based on the Brave Books character Iggy, an adorable little green iguana, that Mr. Kirk raises in his backyard treehouse.

Cameron told ChurchLeaders in an interview that this “whole new children’s TV show that we’re releasing really followed the outcry of parents like me and grandparents all over who are sick and tired of kids being indoctrinated with garbage that twists their minds and makes their attention span freak out [where] they can’t sit still [and] can’t listen.”

Cameron believes that too much of today’s children’s programming consists of “flashing lights, jump cuts every two to three seconds, and non-diegetic sounds.” He then explained that “studies show that nine minutes of that garbage negatively impacts their little brains as they’re developing.”

RELATED: Kirk Cameron’s Indianapolis Library Book Reading, After Initially Being Denied, Results in Overwhelming Turnout

“So I wanted to be a part of books and TV shows for kids that actually do more than just suck their time, but actually build their character and inspire their trust in God and in God’s Word,” Cameron shared. “And so I want to give parents a tool in their toolbox to reinforce the values while their kids are having a great time watching a fun TV show.”

Cameron shared how his team “wanted to find a creative way to bring these books to life since so many families are loving them.” So, they came up with an idea for a TV show that, Cameron said, “not only entertains kids, but builds their character, something that parents can finally trust.”

Candace Cameron Bure acts, directs, and produces but had never sung for an audience—until this week’s “The Masked Singer.” The entertainer, an outspoken Christian, performed in the March 26 episode of Fox’s popular reality competition.

Donning a pink Cherry Blossom costume, Bure sang “Let’s Get Loud” by Jennifer Lopez. No one on the celebrity panel—including Bure’s one-time “crush,” Robin Thicke—correctly identified the “Full House” star.

RELATED: Dog the Bounty Hunter Brings Judges to Tears Singing ‘Amazing Grace’ on ‘The Masked Singer’

Bure, 48, described her “Masked Singer” appearance as “the scariest thing I’ve ever done.” But afterward she posted that the experience was “SO. MUCH. FUN.” The actor also admitted being “super bummed out” to be the first singer eliminated from her contestant group.

SECRET’S OUT!!🎤🌸 #CherryBlossom, here 👋🏼 and wow, that was SO. MUCH. FUN.🤩 Did you watch #TheMaskedSinger? Did you know it was me??🫣 pic.twitter.com/MdXhfg08VJ

— Candace Cameron Bure (@candacecbure) March 27, 2025

Candace Cameron Bure Finally Said Yes to ‘The Masked Singer’

After her performance, Bure revealed she had turned down three previous requests to appear on the show. Finally, she decided she just needed to “get it over with,” she said. “It’s kind of like when someone keeps knocking at the door, and you keep turning them away. You finally open it up to kind of get rid of them!”

Bure had been reluctant to try “The Masked Singer” because she has “more of a perfectionist personality,” she said. “So I know if I’m not very good at something, I don’t want to do it.” However, her family kept encouraging her to give it a try.

“I always tell my kids that if…they have an opportunity but it scares them that they should do it, because it’s a learning opportunity and you can build confidence from it,” said the married mother of three. “I think I needed to take my own advice, so I finally said yes.”

Looking back on her performance, Bure said, “I was brave to do it, and I’m proud of myself for that very reason.” The actor admitted that “competitiveness kicks in once you’re on the show,” and she wishes her time on it had lasted “a bit longer.”

Cherry Blossom Character ‘Represents Rebirth’

Bure, a former co-host on “The View,” is chief creative officer for Great American Family. In a voiceover on “The Masked Singer,” she explained that her Cherry Blossom character “represents rebirth, a changing of seasons, which is why it’s perfect for me.” She added, “It’s important for this Cherry Blossom to branch out and have a little fun.”

John Crist, a Christian comedian who’s been rebuilding his life after making “a lot of poor choices,” told Sadie Robertson Huff he clung to hope during his darkest time. Though Crist felt like an “outcast” whose story was over, God gave him another chance.

In 2019, the comedian faced allegations of sexual misconduct and harassment from five women, leading to his tour being canceled. Crist also struggled with addiction but has been sober for five years now. After completing rehab and returning to social media in summer 2020, he said he felt an “unbelievable amount of love” and “undeserved” support.

During an episode of Huff’s podcast titled “From Rock Bottom to Recovery,” Crist told listeners he’s “had to sit with the consequences” of his poor choices. “I don’t want to skirt responsibility,” he added, without going into detail.

The comedian, whose YouTube show “Emotional Support” has been viewed more than 2 million times since Feb. 18, said his performances are now “a thousand times more sincere.”

Amid Darkness, John Crist Dared To Hope

John Crist, 41, grew up in a large family in Atlanta, with a pastor father and a homeschooling mother. During the 2010s, his comedy career took off, and he eventually moved to Nashville.

RELATED: ‘This Generation Needs Fathers’—Michael W. Smith and John Crist Talk Faith, Deconstruction, and Smith’s Prodigal Son Moment

As he has mentioned before, Crist said he was in a “very dark place” in 2019 and “wanted to end my life.” He told Huff he saw no way forward and no future. But gradually he allowed himself to take baby steps of hope, thinking about simple pleasures such as eating Chick-fil-A and playing golf.

Although Crist didn’t think he’d ever return to the stage, he knew he could at least be alive. He compared the situation to that of a prisoner of war. Just hearing that someone will eventually come to your rescue can help you “endure an unimaginable amount of pain and suffering,” Crist said.

Quoting Hebrews 12:2, Huff pointed out that “Jesus endured the pain of the cross for the hope of heaven, and that we would get to join him.” Even if our circumstances don’t improve here on earth, she said, “There is a hope of heaven and that the Holy Spirit is going to help me right now. He will be the strength in my weakness.”

John Crist: Life Is ‘So Much Better’ With Jesus

Receiving grace after his public failures “kind of flipped my whole faith,” John Crist admitted. It was a contrast to the works- and performance-based teachings he had grown up with, where churches banished people for getting divorced and youth groups banished teens for getting pregnant. “Everybody knew everything about me, and they were like, ‘We love you,’” Crist recalled in amazement.

Shahar Isaac, who portrays Simon Peter in the hit show “The Chosen,” recently spoke in solidarity with the remaining hostages whom Hamas has not returned to Israel amid the ongoing war.

The current military conflict between Israel and Hamas began on Oct. 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched surprise attacks on Israeli civilians, committing horrific acts of violence and killing more than 1,200 people.

During the attacks, Hamas took 251 hostages and is still holding 59 hostages, 35 of whom are believed dead, according to the Associated Press. 

Isaac, known for his role as Simon Peter, is an Israeli citizen. Prior to being cast in “The Chosen,” he served in the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) as is required of all citizens. Last year, Isaac was called into reserve duty for the IDF, causing him to miss the Los Angeles premiere of Season 4 of “The Chosen.”

RELATED: ‘We Are the Church’—Palestinian Pastor Calls for Unity Among Christians Amid Israel-Hamas War

During a recent press event for “The Chosen,” Isaac was wearing a yellow ribbon, which he said “represents the fact that we still have hostages—that we are waiting for a solution.”

“These guys are—a-year-and-a-half underground,” Isaac said. “We know that they’re treated in a way that’s beyond any humane capture. We know [what] they’ve gone through. The horrors that they’ve gone through, to be honest, it’s hard to talk about, because it’s a dagger in our heart, and the wound is still open.”

Referring to the hostages, Isaac said, “Some of them are definitely alive and in a condition that needs to be—every day that goes by…every day can save another life.”

“Whatever can be done needs to be done,” Isaac said. “We are now in the U.S., so whatever pressure this country can put on all the parties involved, it’s something we will be grateful for, something that needs to happen today.”

Since the conflict between Israel and Hamas began nearly 18 months ago, more than 49,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s health authorities. Much of the Gaza region has been reduced to rubble. 

RELATED: I Went to Israel Looking for Moral Clarity. Here Is What I Found.

Hamas and Israel entered into a ceasefire agreement earlier this year and have engaged in several prisoner-for-hostage swaps. 

A pastor in Duluth, Minnesota, has stepped down from his position at Revive City Church of Duluth following public outcry after it became widely known that he is a convicted sex offender. Ronald Allen, 59, was convicted of three counts of sexual misconduct for engaging in sexual acts with two 13-year-old girls from 2000-2001 while he was the youth pastor of a different church.

Allen and his wife, October, gave an interview to Fox 21 News that was published Thursday, March 20. In it, they defended Allen holding the role of a pastor, arguing that he committed his crimes over 20 years ago and that God has redeemed him.

“As a matter of fact,” Ronald Allen told Fox 21, “when I was coming into ministry, I even asked that question: Can I do this? Should I do this? You know, and there’s a number of pastors locally that said that God is a God of restoration.”

Editor’s note: This article refers to reports of child sex abuse, which some readers might find triggering and/or disturbing. Links in this article contain language some might find offensive.

Ronald Allen Steps Down as Pastor Following Tumultuous Week

Prior to stepping down from his position of church leadership, Allen was the pastor of Revive City Church of Duluth, which he and October founded in 2021. The couple, who each have been incarcerated in the past, have focused their ministry on helping people who struggle with addictions.

The church hosts a Celebrate Recovery group, and October runs the organization Grace Place, which provides housing and recovery support for people experiencing homelessness and dealing with addiction.

RELATED: Former Pastor at Church Founded by Jerry Falwell Sr. Convicted of Stalking Former Church Member

“Truth and transparency and authenticity are number one,” said October. “I think that’s what’s made Ron the people’s pastor.”

Court documents published by Fox 21 describe two victims, each 13 years old, who had sexual contact with Allen while he was 35 years old and serving as a youth pastor at Calvary Worship Center in Minnetonka. One girl was a babysitter for Allen’s family from 2000 to 2001, and the other girl was her friend. Allen was the youth pastor of the babysitter.

In January 2001, the babysitter’s friend reported that Allen touched her breasts and genital area for a period of about 45 minutes at Allen’s townhouse after the friends had finished watching Allen’s children. Allen admitted to these allegations in a non-custodial interview and “demonstrated knowledge” that the girl was 13.