Photo Credit: Sophia Beausoleil
Bishop T.D. Jakes, the influential founder of The Potter’s House megachurch in Dallas, Texas, has announced his decision to step down as senior pastor, marking the end of a remarkable era in American religious leadership. The announcement, made during anemotional Sunday service on April 27, 2025, follows a massive heart attack Jakes suffered while preaching in November 2024—a health scare that prompted deep reflection on his legacy and the future of the church.
During Sunday service, the preacher revealed to the congregation that he would be passing the leadership to his daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts and son – in – law, Toure Roberts. At 67, Jakes has led The Potter’s House since its founding in 1996, transforming it from a small congregation into a global ministry with over 30,000 members and campuses in Dallas, Fort Worth, Denver, and Los Angeles. Under his leadership, the church became known for its dynamic worship, expansive community outreach including literacy programs, aid for the homeless, and economic empowerment initiatives and its influence in both faith and cultural spheres.
Jakes emphasized that this transition is not a retirement but a strategic expansion of his impact. He will remain Chairman of the Board and spiritual overseer of The Potter’s House, while focusing on broader initiatives through the T.D. Jakes Group. These include real estate ventures, a foundation, social impact organizations, and a forthcoming podcast with iHeartMedia. His decision also aligns with a desire to address pressing societal challenges, such as economic disparities and the weakening middle class.
Reflecting on his health crisis, Jakes shared that he was unaware of the severity of his heart attack until doctors informed him he would have died had he arrived at the hospital five minutes later. He expressed profound gratitude for the prayers and support from his congregation and the wider community, calling his survival a miracle.
“Today we shared with the world our long held plans of purposeful evolution for the Potter’s house and our global church family. Preparing for this announcement over the past several years has allowed us as a family to carefully balance the needs of our community worldwide and the pace at which we performed each of our plan,” the preacher further expressed on his social media page.
