By Lucy Ominyi Happy
T.D. Jakes Hands Over Leadership of The Potter’s House to Daughter and Son-in-Law in Emotional Sunday Service
In a moving and deeply personal announcement during Sunday service at The Potter’s House in Dallas, Senior Pastor Thomas Dexter Jakes, widely known as T.D. Jakes, revealed he is stepping down from the pulpit of the megachurch he founded and led for nearly 30 years. The leadership mantle will be passed to his daughter, Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband, Pastor Touré Roberts.
The announcement follows a challenging season for the renowned preacher. In November, Jakes suffered a heart attack — a sobering event that forced him to re-evaluate his life’s pace and priorities. Shortly after, he filed a defamation lawsuit against an individual who publicly accused him of sexual assault, charges he has categorically denied.
Standing before a packed congregation on April 27, Jakes spoke with a blend of clarity, humility, and foresight.
“I have seen too many men build something and stay so long that they kill what they built,” he said. “I cannot afford, especially after November, to risk something happening to me and you be sheep without a shepherd.”
The 67-year-old spiritual leader emphasized that the decision was not born of weakness but of wisdom — a vision to protect the legacy of the church while embracing the future. He praised his daughter and son-in-law not only for their familial ties but for their unwavering commitment and years of service behind the scenes.
“Not because they’re kin,” he told the congregation, “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.”
As the couple walked to the stage, Jakes embraced them both. “I know the crown is heavy,” he told them, “but I also know that if God is for you, who can be against you?”
Pastor Sarah, visibly emotional, addressed the congregation through tears. “I think we can all agree that this isn’t how I saw my legacy play out,” she said. “But I believe that, collectively, we can turn this city upside down and right side up.”
Pastor Touré Roberts stood quietly beside her, his arm around her shoulder, as the weight of the moment settled over the room.
While stepping aside from day-to-day pastoral duties, Jakes made it clear he is not retiring. He will continue to preach and minister, and he will remain Chairman of the T.D. Jakes Group — a multifaceted organization encompassing real estate, social impact initiatives, and the T.D. Jakes Foundation.
“This moment isn’t an ending, it’s an expansion,” he said. “We are not only passing a mantle; we are multiplying impact.”
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Jakes also revealed that the official leadership transition is expected to be formalized later this year, ideally aligning with the church’s anniversary celebrations. This will allow him to focus on broader community initiatives, particularly in economic empowerment and bridging social and cultural divides.
“As I enter my 50th year in the public spotlight,” he said, “I recognize the urgent need to address the disappearing middle class, social unrest, and the closing opportunity gaps.”
As the service closed, it was clear that the moment was not just historic, but sacred, a generational shift marked by grace, courage, and vision.
The Potter’s House, founded by Jakes in 1996, has grown into one of the largest and most influential churches in the United States. With this transition, it now enters a new chapter, one led by a daughter shaped by the ministry, and a father still shaping the mission.