Marcus has been married 4 times as of January 2022
Marriage #1
Marcus entered the Army in 2005. Shortly after he married his first wife, Erin. They had three children. They divorced around 2010. Marcus states that their marriage failed due to their immaturity, stress of multiple deployments overseas and his infidelity. He claims to have been a “backslidden” believer at this time. At the time of the divorce, they had been living at Fort Eustis in Virginia. According to Facebook posts by Erin’s sister, Erin left him due to his adultery and abusive behavior. She returned to family in Illinois and gave birth to their son there. Marcus was not present. The sister claims Marcus initiated the divorce by going to a distant county in Virginia and claiming Erin had abandoned him and he could not locate her. You can read these posts here.
Marriage #2
Marcus admits that his second wife, Lavern was a mistress during his first marriage. They were married shortly after his divorce was final by the same pastor, JR Arango, that married him and Erin 5 years earlier. Marcus and Lavern had 2 boys. They divorced around 2014 or early 2015. Although Marcus sometimes claims he was still backslidden at this time, he also tells the dramatic story of recommitting his life to Christ in 2013 or 2014, and began posting Christian rap and testimonies on Facebook at this time.
His re-marriage and divorce from second wife (2016-2017)
When Marcus began his Facebook “ministry” in 2015 he listed his status as “single” After several brief posts about a budding dating relationship (above left), in early 2016, out of seemingly nowhere, Marcus posted about how God told him that he needed to reconcile with his wife and that their relationship had some complicated unresolved issues, one being that their divorce wasn’t legitimate. Lavern had been married again and divorced, so it’s not clear if the marriage between Marcus and Lavern was legally dissolved or if it was more of a church governance issue. He referred to their UPCI church elders being concerned that regardless of legal status, their divorce was not legitimate in the eyes of their church, and that they were adamant that their future participation in the church depended on remaining married and providing a stable home for their children.
He posted the above “proposal” on Facebook. His profile listed his status as “In a relationship” after the proposal. There were no posts about vow renewals or anything like that, but for a few months, Marcus posted regularly about how hard he and his wife were working to improve their marriage, the post of them embracing is one of many. Most of those posts and videos have been deleted.
In October 2017, he announced his divorce from Lavern Neely even though apparently she had filed for child support much sooner, in July of 2016 (Pic above) (source: Cook county civil court records)
What really happened-
Lavern took the children and left after a severe beating from Marcus (not the first) in August or September, 2017. Marcus was given a second court martial and put on QMP leave (out-processing) because of this incident. More about that here.
The divorce was final by December 2017. In July 2018, Marcus went public with his dating relationship with his future wife #3. They met through Facebook. They were married in August 2019.
Mrs Rogers 3.0 – Marriage #4
originally posted August 9, 2019
It’s time, again, for those wedding bells. Marcus is still well under 35 years old, but here comes his next bride, Jazmin, Mrs. Rogers #3, making this his 4th round of “I do’s”. Many new followers are (rightly) confused, having seen all his pics of his 5 kids. If you are new to this crazy Mr. Rogers’ neighborhood or if you have lost track, here’s the history.
Erin Rogers, married and divorced – 3 children
LaVern Rogers, married and divorced twice- 2 children
LaVern- had 3 more kids from another relationship, between the 2 Marcus nuptials, which accounts for the 8 kids shown in some of his pics during his second brief marriage to LaVern.
Marcus claims to have been an unbeliever, or backslidden believer before his second marriage to Lavern in early 2016. At that time he wrote repeatedly that God called him to repair his marriage and be the father to his kids that he needed to be and that both of them were committed to honoring God in their marriage. In October 2017, he announced his divorce, claiming that they were spiritually incompatible, clearly meaning LaVern was the one whose faith was in question, and that his ministry was suffering from his unequally yoked marriage. More info on his marriage/divorce here and here
Now, less than 2 years later, he claims to be ready for a new start. Apparently, 2 years is plenty of time to wait for God to move and bring you and your spouse to repentance and reconciliation. His kids can now abandon all hope for a united family.
Marcus met his new bride on Facebook. She was a long time follower of his. Their relationship was public by July, 2018. More info here.
Even a generous reading of Scripture would in no way support this scenario. Again, please pray for God’s conviction to fall as needed.
Update: 8/20/19
Rogers posted a video on Facebook entitled “The Engagement is Off“.(now deleted) Turns out this was just an attention-grabbing clickbait title. It started with a dramatized “argument” where his fiance breaks off the engagement. Turns out that was just a lead into his latest rap video about love. On 8/20, he posted a response on Facebook and You tube about all the negative feedback. He called out those who criticized the clickbait ruse to promote his music, saying “Christians love drama”. The Youtube video has been deleted. Commenters were not impressed with the clickbait tactic, and also often indicated the video seems to show the two of them- still engaged- on a vacation together.
Update:
Marcus posted this video with a clip from his wedding. Jazmin walked the aisle with an older woman, not her mother (her mother died years ago). She had no bridesmaids standing with her. No man to give her away. Marcus is her world now. Praying for you, girl.
Alternate Wedding pics?
In February 2021 Marcus posted a series of pics with no commentary, showing him and Jazmin in their wedding attire outdoors on a clearly winter day.
