*Gospel star Marvin Sapp recently spoke with the Associated Press to discuss how the rug was pulled out from under him seven months ago with the death of his wife.
“Every day is a new day,” Sapp said in a phone interview. “There are days when I get up and I cry, thinking of her. There are days thinking of her and I smile. There are days when I’m angry. Days that I’m not. … We miss her.”
Last year, Sapp’s latest album “Here I Am” debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top 200 albums chart, making it the highest ranking gospel album in the chart’s 54-year history of tracking album sales. His eighth album was led by single “The Best in Me.”
But about seven months after the release of his record-breaking album, his world was rocked when his wife MaLinda Sapp died in September 2010 after a nearly 18-month fight with colon cancer. He and his 43-year-old wife had three children together — a 17-year-old boy and two girls at the age of 14 and 12.
Sapp says his wife played an integral part of his crossover success into the gospel secular realm, saying she encouraged him to release the inspirational “Never Would Have Made It,” which ended up being a hit in 2007. Along with managing his career, she was also the administrative pastor of his Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Grand Rapids, Mich.
Marvin and MaLinda Sapp
The 44-year-old Sapp says he still finds it hard to imagine not having his wife around.
“She was a wife that I planned on having for life,” says Sapp, who had three children with his wife of 20 years. “It’s still a process. It’ll probably be a life-long process. No matter what happens in my future. Some things you just don’t get over.”
After his wife’s death, Sapp took 25 days off within a four-month span to grieve. He returned to preaching and music in January, despite some advising him not to rush back.
But Sapp says he couldn’t keep away from his career, realizing the preaching and singing is a therapeutic outlet for him to express his feelings. He hopes his music can bring some more solace to himself and other who are dealing with the death of their mate.
“It can be a testimony to others about how God can keep you in a difficult time,” he says.
Since Sapp’s return, he already claimed four awards, including artist of the year at the Stellar Awards this year. He’s also received four nominations the Dove Awards, which will be taped on April 20. The show will be aired on April 24 on the Gospel Music Channel.
If Sapp is able to come away with any awards — which includes his nomination for artist of the year — he’ll dedicate it to the memory of his wife.
“I think it’ll be some icing on the cake on my career and that we accomplished something together,” he says. “Even though she’s not here, I know she’ll be there in my mind and spirit. We left our mark musically on the world. We showed it’s all about family.”
I know this was & is really tough on him and his children. She was a very beautiful lady. But God will keep them together & she’ll always be with them in spirit.
Let’s keep Pastor Sapp and his family in our prayers. It is hard losing your soulmate who has been with you through tough times and trying times. God bless you and yours. http://webupon.com/security/highly-offensive-obama-monkey-family-email-circulated-by-orange-county-political-official/
It’s heartwarming to hear a man express his feelings about his wife…..Stay strong brother.
Yes it is:)
His wife was a beautiful person inside, out. She also carried a powerful ministry for women in their local Grand Rapid area and always tended to the needs of people who needed help. This sista was very well loves and admired and just down to earth like her husband. Losing a life partner is a difficult transition and I wish him the best with raising his children and being committed to ministry.