Marvin Sapp Listening Praise Party @ Greater Centennial [VIDEO]

It may not have been Sunday morning, but church was in session and the spirit was high, Thursday Evening at Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church where Marvin Sapp performed and promoted his new CD. Greater Centennial, one of Mount Vernon’s bigger churches that still manages to have the personal touch of a small church, located at 312 South Eighth Avenue, on the corner of East Fourth Street was standing room only, literally. Some coming as early as 5pm to purchase a copy of the new CD and make sure they got in to see the Grammy nominated gospel singer perform selection from his 10th solo CD, ‘You Shall Live.’

After doing an interview for Essence Magazine earlier in the day, when Marvin Sapp arrived around 7pm, traveling north on South Ninth Street, he noticed the long line of those who weren’t able to get in. The line stretched down Fourth Street from the front of the church to Ninth Avenue and wrapped around and went down South Ninth Avenue. Sapp got out his car at the end of the line and walked through the entire line to greet everyone and personally thank those who came and couldn’t get in for coming out to support him. He shook hands, posed for a few pictures and signed autographs for those outside, before making his way to the South Eighth Avenue entrance of Centennial.

Inside GC’s praise team played opening act and warmed up those who arrived early enough to get a good seat. After Scripture reading by Rev. Simon Ajose and an opening prayer by Rev. Keisha Agard, Pastor Rev. Dr. Stephen W. Pogue played MC and set off an atmosphere of praise in the building before introducing Marvin Sapp. As expected Sapp did not disappoint. He sang a few selections from his new CD including ‘Live,’ and ‘Beloved’, as well as a few favorites like ‘Best Of Me.’ Sapp entertained and ministered to the crowd, even performing one selection for the first time that he hadn’t rehearsed. He ended his performance with an extended version of his hit single, everyone came to hear him sing, ‘Never Would Have Made It.’

While many may have just come to hear some good music, Marvin Sapp ministered to the masses through music. Afterward all those who had purchased his CD and those who wanted to buy a copy, were welcomed to meet Sapp downstairs where he stayed and personally autographed each copy. The performance was also live streamed through GC’s website for those who couldn’t make it so they could share in the experience. If you missed the evening or just want to see the entire evening again on video below.

Follow Greater Centennial A.M.E. Zion Church on Facebook and Twitter
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Click the link to purchase Marvin Sapp’s new CD ‘You Shall Live‘

AJ Woodson

AJ Woodson is the Editor-In-Chief of Black Westchester and Co-Owner of Urban Soul Media Group, the parent company, Host & Producer of the People Before Politics Radio Show. AJ is a Father, Brother, An Author, Journalism Fellow (Craig Newmark Graduate School of Journalism), Hip-Hop Artist - one third of the legendary underground rap group JVC FORCE known for the single Strong Island, Radio Personality, Hip-Hop Historian, Documentarian, Activist, Criminal Justice Advocate and Freelance Journalist whose byline has appeared in several print publications and online sites including The Source, Vibe, the Village Voice, Upscale, Sonicnet.com, Launch.com, Rolling Out Newspaper, Daily Challenge Newspaper, Spiritual Minded Magazine, Word Up! Magazine, On The Go Magazine and several others.