Roommates, it looks like Marvin Sapp is milking a moment that had the innanet DRAGGING him just a few weeks ago! The musician-turned-pastor previously went viral for demanding a $40,000 donation at a church conference.
A viral video of his request showed him instructing ushers to “close the door” of the venue. Now, after backlash and alleged death threats, he’s turning the controversial phrase into a song!
Marvin Sapp Teases “Close The Door” Track
On Wednesday (April 16), Marvin Sapp shared a lil’ taste of his upcoming new music. It appears that his viral donation request inspired him to hop in the booth. On Instagram, he shared the cover art and a sample of the vocals on ‘Close The Door.’
According to the pastor’s caption, the record is a reflection of the last few weeks and a celebration of survivors.
“The last few weeks have been tough. Misunderstood, misrepresented, misinterpreted, and even maligned. But I’ve learned that when life hands you lemons, you don’t just make lemonade… you build the lemonade company.
And that’s exactly what I’ve done,” Marvin Sapp wrote. He added, “‘Close the Door’ isn’t just a song, it’s a soundtrack for survival.”
The song is set to be released on Good Friday (April 18). Why? This is what Marvin wrote, “Just like [Jesus Christ] closed the door on death, Hell, and the grave, I’m closing the door on the noise, the pain, and everything that tried to break me.” Additionally, he said ‘Close The Door’ is a song that will “bless” listeners.
“I believe that with everything in me. My assignment in this season through this song is to help you close the door too,” the gospel singer wrote.
As far as the song itself, it appears Marvin sampled the viral video of him speaking to the ushers at the 2024 PAW Convention in Baltimore. Though the conference happened in July, the video of Sapp didn’t surface until late March 2025. Take a listen below!
Social Media Sounds OFF Over Song
Over 3,000 written comments in TSR’s comment section showed mixed reactions to Marvin’s latest move. Some cracked jokes, others slammed the follow-up move, and a few supported the shift in direction.
@darealtariq wrote, “No accountability, straight let’s profit from my wrongdoings. Gotcha.”
“He said y’all tried to cancel him but he stronger…wiser… better much better…😂😂😂😂😂😂😂,” @khemistrymusic page said.
@whoisadiv added, “We live in the most unserious times.”
“He gone get that offering money, one way or another,” @paidbynasa wrote.
“This message is bought to you by the good folks at PrayPal,” @queenshavon joked.
@detroit.kavi dropped a word with: “Y’all gone keep playin with God until he start playing with y’all”
“I know that’s right! Make a message outta ya mess Marvin! Praise Him,” @imjeronelle said.
“To me this makes is worse…it’s still about the money and not the word,” @theeplantgirl added.
“Marvin said he going to leave here with something,” @doctordaniigee commented.
@natasha_nubian said, “He made lemonade out of them lemons.”
“This just proves our point, Marvin,” @ammortalvibrations wrote.
“Mannnnnn it’s giving opportunist if I ever seen one it’s him! God step in and show out for his congregation please,” @savannahs.mom added.
“Not A Blasphemous Bop,” @poochofficial joked.
What Happened To The Donations Marvin Demanded?
As seen, some social media users are calling ‘Close The Door’ another money grab. However, it’s worth noting that Marvin Sapp has already clarified what happened to the donations he demanded from the congregation, clergy, and choir at the conference.
On March 31, he pulled up to the ‘Rickey Smiley Morning Show’ to clear up the online narratives. Sapp shut down talks of him locking the venue doors, saying he only directed the ushers to shut them.
Additionally, Sapp claimed that the money that the congregation and others donated at his request went back to the church and its conference budget. He said he didn’t pocket any money following the viral moment, emphasizing that his career has been successful enough on its own.
“I’m not walking around here trying to be a pimp. I’m not trying to take advantage of people. That’s never been my passion. I’m serious about ministry,” Marvin Sapp explained on the morning show.
At the time, Sapp also alleged that he had been receiving death threats, disturbances at his church, and that his family was worried for his life.