Bishop TD Jakes passes church leadership to daughter, son-in-law
Bishop T.D. Jakes, Senior Pastor of The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, announced on Sunday that he is stepping down from leading the megachurch and passing the mantle to his daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband, Touré Roberts.
The transition comes months after Jakes suffered a heart attack in November and amid ongoing legal battles, including a defamation lawsuit he filed against a former minister who accused him of misconduct.
Addressing the congregation, Jakes said the leadership handover marks a new chapter for the church and expressed confidence in the couple’s ability to carry the ministry forward.
According to Christian Post, while making the announcement, Jakes told his congregants “I have seen too many men build something and stay so long that they kill what they built. I cannot afford, especially after November, to risk something happening to me and you be sheep without a shepherd.
“There’s some things I want to do in the community before I get too old to do it, and the clock is ticking. I cannot afford to let all the work of all the saints, living and dead, to hold this so tight so long that I wither away. So I’m suggesting to you, I’m recommending to you, that you receive Pastor Touré and Pastor Sarah.
“Not because they’re kin but because … they’ve immersed themselves into the DNA of this church for years. Sat quiet, preached… What you didn’t know from November forward, they’ve been running the church anyway,” he added.
“Elevating Pastor Touré and Pastor Sarah as the new senior pastors of The Potter’s House, we will honor our rich history while embracing a future that demands innovative ministry for the coming age.
“This elevation is not a departure but a rebirth. I will never stop preaching and will continue to minister. This moment isn’t an ending, it’s an expansion. We are not only passing a mantle we are multiplying impact. Leadership is not static, it is dynamic. It demands the courage to evolve.
“As I enter my 50th year in the public spotlight, I recognize 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.
“This pivotal moment calls me to focus on a legacy of economic empowerment, serving as a bridge between community, culture, and corporate alliances to help position our nation for a stronger future.”
The veteran pastor, who has served in ministry for nearly five decades, clarified that his daughter and son-in-law are not stepping in to replace him, but rather to continue the vision he began.
He expressed confidence that under their leadership, the church could grow even further, saying, “They may carry it beyond where I’ve taken it.”
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