Gospel legend and Bishop Marvin Sapp has officially announced his engagement to Dr. La’Boris Cole, marking a new chapter after 16 years as a widower. The news, which broke on February 23, 2026, revealed a surprise proposal that was actually a family affair orchestrated by Sapp’s three adult children.
According to reports from BET and Essence, the Sapp family organized a gathering under the guise of a birthday celebration. Upon arrival, Sapp dropped to one knee in front of family and friends to propose to Cole with a diamond ring. Sapp has been vocal for years about his journey through grief following the 2010 passing of his wife, MaLinda Prince Sapp, previously stating he intended to wait until his children were “grown and healed” before seriously pursuing a new marriage.
Cole is a licensed therapist and the CEO of Cole Associates & Counselors of Texas, a multi-site behavioral health practice. She is also the founder of the Born 2 Danz Worship Arts Conference. The couple reportedly had been close friends for over a decade before their relationship turned romantic, and they chose to keep their courtship private until they were certain of their future together.
While a wedding date has not yet been announced, the engagement has been met with celebration across the gospel community. Sapp continues to serve as the senior pastor of The Chosen Vessel Church in Fort Worth, Texas.
