Bishop T.D. Jakes, the influential founder of The Potter’s House in Dallas, experienced a health scare during his sermon on November 24.
After delivering a powerful hour-long message to his congregation, he paused, sat down, and began trembling. People quickly surrounded him, and the service’s livestream cut out.
What happened to T.D Jakes?
It was a shocking moment for everyone watching when Bishop T.D. Jakes, the renowned pastor of The Potter’s House in Dallas, was rushed offstage mid-sermon.
As he was speaking, the popular bishop began to shake and had to sit down. Video footage shared on social media showed him lowering his microphone before the shaking started.
”Back up, back up, give him some space,” someone said before the stream ended.
The 67-year-old Dallas preacher was rushed to hospital and over the past few days, many have rallied in prayer for Bishop T.D. Jakes.
Following the dramatic images that circulated, many speculated that he had suffered a stroke. However, on Wednesday afternoon, as T.D Jakes was seen leaving a medical facility, the preacher offered a reassuring update on his health.
T.D Jakes health update
He clarified that he had not experienced a stroke. But the 67-year-old acknowledged the seriousness of the situation and claimed that God saved him.
”I give thanks unto the Lord that I did not have a stroke, however the event could’ve been fatal if it weren’t for God’s intervention,” he writes on X.
Thankfully, it seems Bishop T.D. Jakes is now back home, surrounded by his loved ones and focusing on his recovery. As he left the medical facility, he expressed heartfelt gratitude to those who supported him during his health scare.
”I’m so grateful to y’all,” he said, acknowledging the care of his nurses and the outpouring of love and prayers he received. ”Grateful to all the people who prayed and all the people who texted, all the people who had prayer vigils, all the people who were concerned and sent love and sent notes. I’m just grateful.”
Founded his church in 1996
T.D. Jakes has earned a profound and widespread influence, with over 30,000 members at his non-denominational church, The Potter’s House. The megachurch was founded in 1996 and nowadays, thousands are tuning into his Sunday services each week.
As of 2008, Outreach magazine ranked it as the 10th largest church in the nation, with a weekly attendance of 17,000 and a seating capacity of about 8,000.
Jakes’s impact goes far beyond his congregation. He has advised U.S. presidents and even delivering a powerful address at President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration.
His ability to connect with people, offer guidance, and inspire change has made him not just a preacher but a respected leader whose impact is felt both in the church and the broader community.
What is T. D. Jakes’ Net Worth?
T.D. Jakes has an estimated net worth of around $20 million. Much of his wealth comes from his work as the founder and pastor of The Potter’s House.
Additionally, Jakes is a best-selling author and has earned income through various television programs, including a sermon series aired on Revolt Media, as well as his ventures in filmmaking.
Where T.D. Jakes comes from
T.D. Jakes was born on June 9, 1957, in South Charleston, West Virginia, and grew up in the Vandalia neighborhood of Charleston. Interestingly, there’s even a street in his hometown bearing his last name.
Jakes’ heritage is also deeply connected to the Igbo people of Nigeria, a link discovered through DNA analysis on the PBS program African American Lives, adding a rich cultural layer to his story.
T.D Jakes wife
T.D. Jakes has been married to Serita Jakes since 1982. The couple first met when Jakes returned to West Virginia to visit Serita’s home church in Beckley.
Serita, the daughter of a coal miner, was captivated by Jakes’ preaching and began secretly sending him notes. After some time, they finally met in person, and just six months later, they were married.
“I was smitten with him,” Serita told The Dallas Morning News in 1997, reflecting on the early days of their relationship.
Today, Serita is deeply involved in the church, sometimes referred to as the ”First Lady” of The Potter’s House. Serita Jakes has played a significant role at The Potter’s House, serving as the Human Resources Director, where she managed a team of 100 staff members.
While Serita has been a strong presence at The Potter’s House, she has not publicly commented on her husband’s health following the November 24 incident that caused widespread concern about his well-being.
T.D Jakes children
T.D. Jakes and his wife, Serita, are proud parents to five children: Thomas Jr., Sarah, Cora, Jermaine, and Jamar.
It’s said that T.D. Jakes and his wife, Serita, frequently open their home to a bustling group of their children’s friends. The couple has a reputation for being warm and welcoming hosts. T.D. Jakes himself has humorously joked that he could “feed an army” with what’s in his refrigerator. Cooking seems to be a beloved family activity, but when it’s T.D. Jakes who’s in the kitchen, it’s an event that no one wants to miss.
T.D. Jakes’ daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband, Touré Roberts, took charge and shared an update regarding Jakes’ condition when he felt ill on November 24th. Early on, they reassured the public that T.D Jakes was beginning to show signs of improvement following the incident.
T.D Jakes and P Diddy
Before the health scare on November 24, T.D. Jakes, the pastor of The Potter’s House in Dallas, had been mentioned in a lawsuit linked to Sean “P. Diddy” Combs.
The lawsuit involving Sean “P. Diddy” Combs references “irrefutable evidence” of Combs allegedly discussing how he planned to leverage his relationship with Bishop T.D. Jakes to help soften the impact of the lawsuit filed by Cassie Ventura.
The document suggests that Combs considered using his connection with Jakes as a way to manage his public image during a sensitive time, particularly in relation to the legal issues surrounding Ventura’s lawsuit.
However, it is crucial to note that Jakes was not named as a defendant in the case.
Alleged sex parties
Another controversy began with unverified reports on social media in December 2023, which accused Jakes of being involved in alleged sex parties hosted by Combs.
In response to the cruel rumors, Jakes addressed the situation during a Christmas Eve service at The Potter’s House, publicly refuting the accusations.
“The worst that could happen, if everything was true, all I got to do is repent sincerely, from my heart,” Jakes said. “There’s enough power in the blood to cover all kinds of sin. I don’t care what it is, the blood would fix it. But I ain’t got to repent about this.”
As we continue to send well-wishes to T.D. Jakes for a smooth and speedy recovery, let’s take a moment to reach out to our loved ones, offering them the warmth, care, and appreciation they deserve.
