Bishop Neil C. Ellis, presiding prelate of Global United Fellowship, has promoted recording artist, pastor and Bishop Marvin Sapp to metropolitan bishop.
In this position, he will oversee more than 100 churches in Kentucky, Louisiana, Michigan, Oklahoma, Ohio and Texas. Previously, Sapp oversaw the North Central Province that encompasses 75 churches in 10 states.
“Bishop Ellis is a visionary, a caster of vision and a motivator. This is a wonderful opportunity for me because I am a servant at heart. Though people see me on stage, my heartbeat is serving others and, in particular, helping to empower other pastors. It is not only my responsibility but my great honor to encourage and build pastors and help to make them better and stronger, which helps to make our local churches better and stronger,” said Sapp.
Bishop Ellis made the announcement on July 15 during Global United Fellowship’s third annual gathering held in Baltimore, Maryland. Other leaders appointed metropolitan bishops included Sir Walter Mack of Winston-Salem, NC, Craig Johnson of Riverside, CA and Jeffrey Reeds of Petersburg, VA. Bishop Brian Moore of Charlotte, NC, was elevated from metropolitan bishop to senior metropolitan bishop.
During the weeklong gathering, Sapp participated in daily instructional sessions and leadership meetings. He was also part of the Thursday evening praise and worship team and the special guest psalmist on Friday night.
Marvin Sapp is a multiple Grammy and Billboard Award nominee, a two-time BET Award winner and a multiple Stellar Award recipient. He was recently named Billboard’s Top Male Gospel Artist. His current project, “You Shall Live,” is Sapp’s 10th album and his fourth consecutive #1 debut.