Marvin Winans

Life and career

Early life

Winans was born in Detroit, Michigan, the fourth of ten children of Delores () and David Glenn Winans Sr., who recorded together as "Mom and Pop Winans". His siblings David II, Carvin (Marvin's fraternal twin), Benjamin (BeBe), Daniel, Michael, Ronald, Priscilla (CeCe), Deborah (Debbie), and Angelique (Angie) also have careers in the music industry as singers, writers and producers.

Musical career

Winans sang in the 1970s with his brothers Ronald, Carvin, and Michael as the Testimonial Singers. The group also included others. Their first performance was at a high school talent show. In 1975, the group's name was changed to The Winans. Their musical careers spanned from the 1980s to the 1990s. The Winans, who were discovered by Andrae Crouch, released their first album under the new group's name, entitled Introducing The Winans, in 1981.

The Winans were greatly influenced by Albertina Walker and her group The Caravans. An organist and pianist, Marvin also wrote songs and produced for The Winans records, for solo projects from family members, and on other gospel releases. For his vocals on the 1985 song "Bring Back the Days of Yea and Nay", Winans was awarded a Grammy for Best Male Soul Gospel Performance.

He founded The Perfecting Church in Detroit, Michigan, in 1989. He released an album featuring the church's choir in 1992 entitled Introducing Perfected Praise.

In 1997, he founded the Marvin L. Winans Academy of Performing Arts (WAPA). In 2007, Winans released his first solo recording, Alone, But Not Alone, which was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Contemporary R&B Gospel Album. His fourth album, entitled Marvin L. Winans presents The Praise + Worship Experience, was released on June 26, 2012, and recorded at his church through MLW Productions. The album features: Don Moen, Marvin Sapp, Donnie McClurkin, Mary Mary, Mom Winans, Roderick Dixon, and Bishop Paul S. Morton, amongst others.

On Saturday, February 18, 2012, Winans delivered the eulogy at Whitney Houston's funeral at New Hope Baptist Church in Newark, New Jersey. He and several of his siblings and family members sang The Winans' "Tomorrow" at the service.

On July 11, 2025, Winans appeared on Justin Bieber's album Swag with his song "Forgiveness", a rendition of the 1989 song "Lord, I Lift Your Name on High" by Rick Founds. With 163,000 sales and 3.8 million digital streams in the US, the song debuted at number 1 on the Billboard Hot Gospel Songs chart and number 3 on the Hot Christian Songs.

Personal life

Winans was married to gospel singer Vickie Winans () for 16 years until their divorce in 1995. His sons Marvin Jr. (Coconut) and Josiah, and stepson Mario Winans are in the music business. Mario is a producer and R&B singer. Josiah is a producer featured on Marvin Jr.'s first solo project. Marvin Jr., once a member of Winans Phase 2, is a solo artist, producer, and pastor of Perfecting Home Church. Winans married Deneen Carter in April 2022.

On October 20th, 2025, a video of Winans appearing to publicly shame one of his followers, Roberta McCoy, for donating $1,235 to his church instead of the $2,000 he had requested was posted on X (formerly Twitter) by an account named The Daily Loud. Winans garnered criticism and national media scrutiny following the post's disclosure.

Following the backlash from the video, Winans would go on to publicly defend his actions, stating that this event had been part of Perfecting Church’s “Day of Giving”, in which donations were being requested to help finish a new sanctuary in Detroit. He asserted that he had instructed his followers to come to the front in order of largest donations to the smallest, $2000 reportedly being the largest and $1.62 being the smallest amount and said that his reasoning was to maintain order and prevent the elderly from standing for extended periods of time.

He claimed this to be the reason for chastising McCoy, as allegedly, she had failed to adhere to this instruction. McCoy would also defend the pastor’s actions, noting that she had also been the victim of online attacks following the public release of the footage, further remarking that she had been a long standing member of the church and would continue to make contributions going forward.

Discography

Studio albums

Charted songs

Notes

References

References

1. (2008-03-21). "Flying solo". The Detroit News.
2. Sisario, Ben. (2009-04-10). "David Winans, Gospel Patriarch, Dies at 74". The New York Times.
3. [{{AllMusic
4. WI, [https://www.washingtoninformer.com/pastor-marvin-l-winans-perfecting-church-mark-30th-year/ Pastor Marvin L. Winans, Perfecting Church Mark 30th Year], washingtoninformer.com, USA, October 9, 2019
5. Barry Carter, [https://www.washingtonpost.com/national/on-faith/marvin-winans-to-lead-private-funeral-for-whitney-houston/2012/02/15/gIQA2QhKGR_story.html Marvin Winans to lead private funeral for Whitney Houston], washingtonpost.com, USA, February 15, 2012
6. Yap, Timothy. (2025-07-22). "Marvin Winans Joins Justin Bieber on Surprise Album SWAG".
7. Asker, Jim. (2025-07-23). "Marvin Winans' 'Forgiveness,' From Justin Bieber's 'SWAG,' Debuts at No. 1 on Hot Gospel Songs Chart".
8. Kassahun, Tomas. (2025-10-20). "Marvin Winans Criticized Online For Scolding Churchgoer For Giving $1.2K Instead Of $2K".
9. (2025-10-21). "Bishop Winans clarifies viral video showing church member during donation event".
10. (2025-10-21). "Bishop Winans clarifies viral video showing church member during donation event".
11. (2007-10-13). "''Billboard'' 200: Week of October 13, 2007".
12. (2008-02-16). "Top R&B/Hip-Hop Albums: Week of February 16, 2008".
13. (2012-04-28). "Gospel Digital Song Sales: Week of April 28, 2012".
14. (2011-04-16). "Gospel Digital Song Sales: Week of April 16, 2011".
15. (2022-05-21). "Gospel Digital Song Sales: Week of May 21, 2022".