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(In photo) The Rev. Marvin Sapp and his children at the 30th Ann. Giants Awards & Banquet held at DeVos Place.

Grand Rapids, Michigan — Many know the Rev. Marvin Sapp as an award-winning gospel singer or pastor of Lighthouse Full Life Center Church in Southeast Grand Rapids. But longtime friend Derrick Franklin knows the 44-year-old minister in another light.

Sapp and his wife of 18 years, MaLinda, who died in 2010 of colon cancer, were confidants who relied on each other to make Grand Rapids a city of hope and healing.

“When the Bible speaks of becoming one, they were best of friends,” said Franklin, who has known Marvin Sapp since they were members of a gospel group in junior high.

“When I see so many marriages fall apart, it was a great inspiration to see how they lived and how they treated each other.”

It was Sapp’s inspiration that took center stage Saturday night when he received the Giant Among Giants award, the top honor at the 30th annual Giants Awards and Banquet, at the DeVos Place.

MaLinda Sapp also was posthumously given the Ethel Coe Humanities Award.

Despite several gospel music awards and five Grammy Nominations, Sapp doesn’t have a smug bone in his body, said his older brother, Danny Sapp.

“What you see is pretty much what you get,” said Danny Sapp. “I think that’s what I love about him. Success hasn’t changed him. He’s as genuine as what you’re going to get. He practices what he preaches. He and his wife were great examples of walking out their faith seven days a week and not just on Sundays.”

Sapp’s faith isn’t of the Pollyanna variety, said Franklin. His growing-up years included smoking marijuana by age 12 and drinking and popping pills by 16. He quit cold turkey and committed his life to Christ at age 18.

“He’ll tell you his growing up years weren’t always doing the right thing,” said Franklin. “Knowing that helps my faith because of just the kind of guy he is. A lot of people may not want to admit to that when you’re at a high time in your life and singing about Jesus Christ the Lord, but it speaks volumes without saying a word.”

Losing MaLinda to cancer remains painful for his brother, said Danny Sapp.

“I know it was very difficult,” he said. “But he just stays the same, takes care of what he can take of and lets God do the rest.”

Courtesy of www.thebellereport.net    http://www.twitter.com/thebellereport