Megachurch founder Bishop T.D. Jakes announced on Sunday that he will step down as pastor of his 30,000-member Dallas-based church, The Potter’s House, and his daughter and son-in-law will assume the helm.
For almost 50 years, Jakes, who will turn 68 in June, has served the local and global community as a pastor, global faith leader, and author.
According to a statement on the church’s website, senior pastoral duties for pastors Touré Roberts, 51, and Sarah Jakes Roberts, 36, .
Jakes’ announcement and presentation of couple to the congregation met with applause and a long, standing ovation.
While choking back tears, Jakes spent about 30 minutes outlining the progression of the transition and the spiritual weight of him letting go of the church and Robertses accepting the assignment.
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Jakes embraced the couple with a quote from Romans 8, “If God is for you, who can be against you?”
Pastors Touré and Sarah Roberts released a statement saying,” Preparing for this announcement over the past several years has allowed us as a family and a global church family to carefully balance the needs of our community worldwide and the pace at which we performed each step of our plan.”
In 2022, the couple relocated from Los Angeles to Dallas, and in 2023 were installed as assistant pastors of The Potter’s House.
The couple’s backgrounds are described as “visionary leader, entrepreneur and founder of ONE | A Potter’s House Church” and “New York Times bestselling author, media influencer and founder of Woman Evolve.”
“We are committed to building a ministry that carries the heart of Bishop Jakes into a future that is both faithful and forward-thinking,” the statement quotes Touré as saying.
Pastor Sarah added, “This is not just a call to serve. It’s a mandate to lead with compassion, clarity, and courage.”
The promotion of Pastor Touré and Pastor Sarah is “not a departure but a rebirth,” the statement reads. “We are not only passing a mantle but multiplying impact. Leadership is not static; it is dynamic. It demands the courage to evolve,” according to the statement.
Founded in 1996, The Potter’s House is one of the world’s most influential and innovative ministries. Its founder, Jakes, will remain board chairman spiritual overseer of The Potter’s House.
Sunday’s announcement follows a season of profound transition for Jakes, including a widely publicized health scare, a defamation lawsuit, and a Sean “Diddy” Combs lawsuit, as reported by The Roys Report (TRR).
The statement indicates Jakes recognizes “the urgent need to address more challenges of our time, particularly the looming threat of a disappearing middle class, social unrest, and closing opportunity gaps.”
Jakes said he plans to leave a legacy of economic empowerment as a bridge between community, culture, and corporate alliances to help position the United States for a stronger future.
Ministry Obligations
While transitioning daily pastoral duties, Jakes will expand his global footprint and continue his work as chairing the T.D. Jakes Group, which consists of T.D. Jakes Real Estate Ventures, T.D. Jakes Enterprises and the T.D. Jakes Foundation.
Jakes will lead the Good Soil Forum for entrepreneurs in Dallas this June, which will be co-hosted by philanthropist and media mogul Oprah Winfrey.
He plans to launch his own slate of shows with iHeartPodcasts, starting with his new podcast, “My Next Chapter.”
Sheila Stogsdill is a freelance print journalist and digital reporter, primarily covering crime issues for KSN/KODE.
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15 Responses
Finally TD Jake’s took the big hint to step down and step away from ministry. Hallelujah.
Why is his unfit daughter that was pregnant as a teenager and a divorcee on her second marriage taking charge? Doesn’t TDJakes have any competent, god fearing son?
How is this not nepotism? A church should be a church and not a family business. The money must be awfully good.
Trying to find the name Jesus or the gospel on the press release.
Stepping aside from involvement in the Potter’s House (at least on a full-time level) at this time seems to be fortuitous timing given not just T.D.’s health scare but the sexual assault allegations and the issue of his being an attendee at one of Diddy’s parties.
Hmmm not ONE single word about spreading the GOSPEL of Jesus Christ by either party. That’s pretty telling of this “ ministry”
What is the real difference in the Jake’s?? They are ALL fleecing people out of their money, deceiving people and no one stops it! Too many allowing Jake’s, Daystar, Morris, the Young’s, etc., etc., etc.!!!! It’s a disgrace !!
Based just on the excerpts from Pastors Touré and Sarah Roberts’ released statement, there are a lot of big and potentially challenging changes coming under their leadership after Founding Pastor Jakes has completely exited the church stage. While “courage to lead” and “courage to evolve” initiatives of new pastors historically meet with a lot of institutional resistance from church members (especially those who provide substantial financial support) and existing church staff in similarly situated church-leadership transitions in other megachurches, I’ll have my popcorn out and be watching whether or not Pastors Touré and Sarah Roberts’ style of “forward thinking” leadership can be an exception to that institutional inertia.
If the Roys Report played a role in whacking this mole, please let me know so I can make a donation. In the meantime, keep whacking massively! Thank you.
Thank you Brian. “Whacking this mole” made my day. Actually a laugh-out-loud. I love it. I think we are mutually attuned. Thanks.
Nepotism is pretty much an absolute in church business. I remember our youth pastor back in the 80’s who served diligently for about 8 years. Senior Pastor’s son left to start his own church, leaving open the associate pastor position. Our youth pastor requested consideration. Senior pastor’s other son who didn’t reside in our town or attended our church needed a job. Pastor gave the job to his son. Our youth pastor left and became a landscaper. Many thought it was not right, but often that is the way the game is played.
Leaving a legacy of economic empowerment? Incredible that he has manipulated minds to poor millions into his bank accounts and now he is going to empower? Crazy salesmen.
Obviously the House of Jakes needs to ensure that their kingdom and the Iron Throne remain in the family’s hands. Marrying off a daughter to a loyal son-in-law has been the standard MO for kings and emperors throughout history.
The Bible lovingly describes us as sheep, because sheep, by nature, need the guidance and protection of a shepherd.
Sheep are also very sociable. If people “flock” to a “church” merely for social reasons, then discernment is unnecessary and unwanted.
Hear what you’re saying Debra. In relation to scripture, specifically Jesus’ life and teachings, shepherds are supposed to protect and provide, not fleece! And humanity being created in the image of God, people need to utilise aspects of this creation through their ability to think and discern for themselves as to what entails a true Christian Pastor who lives a selfless life, and what entails a true Christian Church that represents Christ’s life on earth.
As you may be aware, the word ‘church,’ namely ekklesia, though sometimes used in the context of a faith group or religious assembly, is not specifically a religious word or term to describe a Christian community. These assemblies, gatherings, or communities are distinguished as being “of God,” and further as, “in Christ Jesus.” The key question the ‘sheep’ (who are created in Gods image) need to ask is, does this “church” and its “pastor” seek to live and move and have their being in Him?
I expected this mostly due to Jakes’s health scare. I don’t want to be gleeful about that – or about any sort of scandal – nor do I want his daughter and son-in-law to fail and subsequently cause more damage to the flock and the reputation of the church (as in, the body of Christ).
I do pray this transition invites in the Holy Spirit to clean house and refocus on the true purpose of the church.