Bishop T.D Jakes, after decades of leading one of the most influential churches in America, has officially announced he is stepping down as the senior pastor of The Potter’s House in Dallas. The emotional announcement was made during a special service on Sunday, marking a new chapter for Bishop Jakes and the ministry he founded nearly 30 years ago.
In a moment filled with reflection and vision, Bishop T.D Jakes shared that his daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, along with her husband, Touré Roberts, will step into church leadership starting this July. The announcement comes just months after Bishop Jakes experienced a serious health scare, a massive heart attack that doctors later told him could have been fatal if he had arrived at the hospital just five minutes later.
Despite stepping down from daily pastoral duties, Bishop Jakes will remain closely connected to the ministry. He will continue to serve as Chairman of the Board and as a spiritual overseer, guiding while also expanding his broader ministry work, including the launch of a new podcast with iHeartMedia.
Founded in 1996, The Potter’s House has grown to a global movement, with over 30,000 members across multiple campuses in Dallas, Fort Worth, and Denver. Passing the mantle to the next generation signals not just a change in leadership, but a multiplying of the church’s impact. “Leadership is not static; it is dynamic,” Bishop Jakes shared. “It demands the courage to evolve.”
The congregation responded with a mix of gratitude and hope, grateful for Bishop Jakes’ decades of faithfulness, and hopeful for the future under Sarah and Touré’s leadership. As the legacy continues, Bishop Jakes’ life and ministry remain a powerful reminder that true leadership is about preparing others to carry the vision even further.
As one chapter closes, another begins, and through it all, the impact of Bishop T.D. Jakes’ ministry continues to echo across generations.
