T. D. Jakes

Early life

Thomas Dexter Jakes was born on June 9, 1957, in South Charleston, West Virginia, and grew up in the Vandalia neighborhood in Charleston, West Virginia.

Career

In 1982, at age 25, Jakes became the pastor of Greater Emanuel Temple of Faith, a storefront church in Smithers, West Virginia, with ten members. In 1988, he joined the denomination Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies founded by Bishop Sherman Watkins. In 1990, Jakes moved to South Charleston, West Virginia, and his congregation grew again, to 300 members. In 1993 he moved to Cross Lanes, West Virginia.

In 1995, he founded "TDJ Enterprises" which publishes his books and produces his films. From 1995 to 1996, Jakes hosted "Get Ready," a weekly radio and television show with national distribution through syndication. In 1996, Jakes, founded The Potter's House in Dallas, Texas, a non-denominational church. Located on a 34-acre hilltop campus, the Potter's House features a 5,000-seat auditorium, as well as offices for employees and staff.

In 2005, Jakes accompanied President George W. Bush on his visit to the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina. On January 20, 2009, Jakes led the early morning prayer service for President Barack Obama at St. John's Church in Washington, D.C.

In 2009, Jakes partnered with Phil McGraw, Jay McGraw, and CBS Television Distribution to launch a syndicated, secular talk show; however, due to economic issues within the syndicated television market, the program never premiered.

In July 2015, Tegna, Inc. and Debmar-Mercury announced that a new secular talk show hosted by Jakes called T. D. Jakes would air a test run on Tegna stations in Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, and Minneapolis from August 17 to September 11, 2015. On May 10, 2016, Tegna announced that it would begin airing Jakes's show September 12 in over 50 markets across the country. On March 15, 2017, the talk show was cancelled due to poor ratings and low clearances.

On April 27, 2025, Jakes announced that he was passing on the leadership of the Potter's House Church to his daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Jakes Roberts and Touré Roberts.

Beliefs

Although Jakes was converted and ordained within Oneness Pentecostalism, he revealed in an interview with Mark Driscoll in 2012 that he affirms the Trinity, although Jakes did not affirm the eternality of the individual persons of the Trinity, which is denied by Oneness churches.

Jakes is an advocate of sexual abstinence and has made appearances advocating it on Good Morning America and Dr. Phil.

In 2015, Jakes stated that his views on homosexuality and LGBT rights are evolving. However, Jakes stated that his words were misinterpreted and that while he does not support same-sex marriage, he "respect[s] the rights that this country affords those that disagree".

Media

Discography

• Woman Thou Art Loosed (1997)
• Live from the Potter's House (1998)
• The Storm Is Over (2001)

As featured artist

• Steve Angello - "Rejoice" (2017) (from the album Human)

Selected writings

• Before You Do: Making Great Decisions That You Won't Regret, 2008, Atria Books
• The Memory Quilt: A Christmas Story for Our Times, 2009
• Let It Go: Forgive So You Can Be Forgiven, 2012
• Instinct: The Power to Unleash Your Inborn Drive, 2014, Hachette Book Group
• Destiny: Step into Your Purpose, August 2015, Hachette Book Group
• Soar!: Build Your Vision from the Ground Up, 2017, FaithWords
• Crushing: God Turns Pressure into Power, April 2019, Hachette Book Group
• Disruptive Thinking, May 2023, FaithWords

Filmography

• 2004: Woman Thou Art Loosed — As himself (based on Jakes's novel of the same name){{cite web | access-date = December 23, 2007}}
• 2009: Not Easily Broken — Allen (based on another Jakes novel){{cite web | access-date = December 23, 2007}}
• 2011: Jumping the Broom — Reverend James
• 2010: Munya — Reverend Brian
• 2012: Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day – As himself
• 2012: Sparkle – Producer
• 2014: Heaven Is for Real – Producer
• 2014: Winnie Mandela – Producer
• 2016: Miracles from Heaven – Producer
• 2018: Faith Under Fire – Executive Producer
• 2021: Seven Deadly Sins – Executive Producer

Legacy and honors

PBS Religion and Ethics Newsweekly have named Jakes among America's "Top 10 Religious Leaders." Time magazine featured Jakes on the cover of its September 17, 2001, issue with the provocative question, "Is This Man the Next Billy Graham?"

In 2003, Jakes' album A Wing and a Prayer won the "Best Gospel or Chorus Album" at the 46th Grammy Awards. He has also received Grammy and Dove Award nominations for the gospel album Live at The Potter's House. In 2004, he received the NAACP's President's Award. Jakes was selected in Oprah's SuperSoul100 list of visionaries and influential leaders in 2016.

Personal life

On the PBS program African American Lives, Jakes had his DNA analyzed; his Y chromosome showed that he is descended from the Igbo people of Nigeria. According to his family history, it was suggested that he is also descended from them through his grandmother.

In November 2024, Jakes suffered a health emergency during a church service while delivering a sermon. However, he was later said to be "stable and under the care of medical professionals".

References

References

1. "Amazon.com : TD Jakes books".
2. S. Torriano Berry, Venise T. Berry, ''Historical Dictionary of African American Cinema'', Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2015, p. 239
3. Randall Herbert Balmer, ''Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition'', Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 300
4. Shayne Lee, ''T.D. Jakes: America's New Preacher'', NYU Press, USA, 2007, p. 22
5. Hughes Oliphant Old, ''The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian Church: The biblical period'', Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, USA, 1998, p. 386
6. Paul A. Djupe, Laura R. Olson, ''Encyclopedia of American Religion and Politics'', Infobase Publishing, USA, 2014, p. 225
7. Randall Herbert Balmer, ''Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition'', Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 360
8. Elisabeth Bumiller, [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/19/politics/stern-words-from-the-preacher-at-the-presidents-side.html Stern Words From the Preacher at the President's Side], nytimes.com, USA, September 19, 2005
9. Laurie Goodstein, [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/us/politics/15pastor.html Without a Pastor of His Own, Obama Turns to Five], nytimes.com, USA, March 14, 2009
10. (10 January 2009). "Troubled Syndie Market Takes Its Toll".
11. (9 July 2015). "T.D. Jakes Talk Show Gets Summer Test Run in Heartland Markets".
12. (9 July 2015). "Tegna, Debmar-Mercury to Test Talker Starring T.D. Jakes".
13. Pedersen, Erik. (May 10, 2016). "'T.D. Jakes' Syndie Talker Gets Launch Date".
14. TEGNA. "New T.D. Jakes TV show premieres Sept. 12".
15. [http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/distribution/exclusive-tegna-s-bold-replace-td-jakes/164112 "Exclusive: Tegna’s ‘BOLD’ to Replace ’T.D. Jakes’"] from ''Broadcasting & Cable'' (March 15, 2017)
16. Gomez, Julia. (April 28, 2025). "Bishop T.D. Jakes steps down from megachurch Potter's House".
17. Foust, Michael. (January 27, 2012). "T.D. Jakes Embraces Doctrine of the Trinity, Moves Away from 'Oneness' View". [[Christianity Today]].
18. Menzie, Nicola. (January 26, 2012). "TD Jakes Breaks Down the Trinity, Addresses Being Called a 'Heretic'". [[Christian Post]].
19. (3 March 2008). "Dr. Phil.com — Shows — Teens and Sex with the Bishop". drphil.com.
20. Cheryl Wetzstein. (August 10, 2015). "T.D. Jakes clarifies his comments on 'evolving' on gay rights". The Washington Times.
21. "Christ Notes". christnotes.org.
22. (12 November 2009). "Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music". Abc-Clio.
23. (2006-11-05). "African American News&Issues".
24. (August 1, 2016). "Meet the SuperSoul100: The World's Biggest Trailblazers in One Room". O Magazine.
25. "T.D. Jakes, D.Min., Alumnus". Friends International Christian University.
26. "EthnicLoft — Sharing and celebrating the treasures of our heritage and culture".
27. "Unknown Forum". websitetoolbox.com.
28. Ryan, Suzanne C.. (February 1, 2006). "New PBS Show Explores African-American Heritage In a New Way".
29. Ogedegbe, Isaiah. "Church services get disrupted as Bishop T.D. Jakes suffers health emergency during sermon". NewsExpress Nigeria.