Not complacent, yet pressing towards the mark currently as Founder and Senior Pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church, one of the fastest growing churches in Western Michigan, Marvin 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 its inaugural year, the ministry has initiated a Full Life approach with an emphasis of addressing the spiritual, physical and mental needs of the body. By no means is Pastor Marvin and the Lighthouse family resting on its laurels or taking credit for the well-rounded and effective ministry approach. In fact, with humility, they acknowledge they have found the formula for a successful ministry based on the Bible and cultivated through an intimate relationship with God.
Pastor Marvin is united in covenant to(Late) First Lady MaLinda Sapp, a gifted speaker, local
college professor and Limited Licensed Psychologist, who also serves as Administrative Pastor. They have three wonderful children; Marvin II, Mikaila and Madisson.
(2) Recruited for the legendary gospel group Commissioned while still a relative unknown, Marvin Sapp recorded with the group until its dissolution in 1995, and then began his own solo career with a self-titled album the following year. Born and raised in Grand Rapids, MI (where he has based his JOY Ministries outreach), 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, followed by the album I Believe later in 2002. Diary of a Psalmist appeared in 2003, Be Exalted in 2005, and Thirsty in 2007. Here I Am, which debuted higher in the Billboard charts than any gospel album in 50 years, arrived in 2010. I Win followed in 2012. ~ John Bush, Rovi
One Thing
Marvin Sapp Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Marvin Sapp's song One Thing is a musical adaptation of Psalm 27:4-6, which expresses the psalmist's desire to remain in the presence of God forever. The song begins with the lyrics "One thing I desire, one thing I seek, to gaze upon Your beauty, Your majesty" which mirror the opening line of the psalm. Sapp's version infuses a gospel flair to the psalm, making it more contemporary while staying true to the original message.
The lyrics go on to declare that the Lord is a refuge in times of trouble and that he will provide protection and safety under his pavilion. The promise of protection is a source of strength and hope for the psalmist, giving him the confidence to face his enemies. This confidence is captured in Sapp's song through the lyrics "I will sing, I will sing praises" which reflect the psalmist's joyful response to the Lord's protection.
Overall, the message of this song is one of devotion and trust in the Lord. The psalmist's desire to dwell in the house of the Lord and to behold his beauty is a reminder to us that it is only by setting our eyes on him that we can be sustained in life.
Line by Line Meaning
One thing have I desired from the LORD, that will I seek after:
I have only one thing that I ask of the Lord, and that is what I will seek after with all of my heart.
that I may dwell in the house of the Lord all the days of my life, to behold the beauty of the LORD, and to enquire in His temple.
I desire to live in the presence of the Lord for my entire life, so that I may experience His beauty and seek His wisdom in His holy temple.
For in the time of trouble He shall hide me in his pavilion: in the secret of His tabernacle shall He hide me; He shall set me up upon a Rock.
When I am faced with trouble, the Lord will protect me within His shelter and keep me safe in the security of His dwelling place, where I will stand firmly on a foundation of faith.
And now shall mine head be lifted up above mine enemies round about me:
I will be victorious over my enemies, and my head will be lifted up high in triumph.
Therefore will I offer in His tabernacle sacrifices of joy.
As a symbol of my gratitude and happiness, I will offer joyful sacrifices within His holy dwelling place.
I will sing, yea I will sing praises unto the Lord.
To express my love and adoration for the Lord, I will sing songs of praise and worship to Him.
Contributed by Carson L. Suggest a correction in the comments below.