In a moment that marks the end of an era and the dawn of a new chapter, Bishop T.D. Jakes, one of America’s most influential and recognizable pastors, announced he will step down from the pulpit of his Dallas megachurch, The Potter’s House, later this year. During an emotional service on April 27, 2025, the 67-year-old Jakes revealed that his daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband, Pastor Touré Roberts, will take over as senior pastors.
The 30,000-member nondenominational congregation, which Jakes founded nearly three decades ago, erupted in emotion as he shared the news. The decision comes just months after Jakes suffered a heart attack while preaching last November — an event that underscored the urgency of succession plans that, he revealed, had been quietly underway for several years.
“I cannot afford, especially after November, to risk something happening to me,” Jakes told his congregation with visible emotion, “and that you be sheep without a shepherd.”
The formal transition will take place in July during the church’s anniversary celebrations, though Jakes explained that the Roberts duo has been handling leadership behind the scenes since late last year.
“This Is Legacy”
“This is legacy,” Jakes emphasized, “not because they’re kin but because … they’ve immersed themselves into the DNA of this church for years.”
Jakes’s impact extends far beyond the walls of The Potter’s House. His ministry became a beacon in the televangelism age, inspiring countless churches and ministries to model his blend of powerful preaching, cultural relevance, and business-savvy ventures. His relationships with figures like Oprah Winfrey and Tyler Perry, his film productions like Miracles from Heaven, and his efforts in real estate and community development have all amplified his national and global reach.
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