Dallas, TX — After 30 years of leadership, Bishop T.D. Jakes has officially passed the mantle of senior pastor at The Potter’s House to his daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband, Pastor Touré Roberts.
The announcement was made during Sunday’s service, with Jakes and his wife Serita by his side. The couple will formally assume leadership in July, while Bishop Jakes will remain on the Board of Directors of the church.
Through tears, Sarah Jakes Roberts addressed the congregation:
“As your pastor-elect, co-senior pastor elect, I’m grateful, I’m honored — as your daughter.”
This transition comes months after Bishop Jakes suffered a heart attack in November 2024 during a live service, prompting questions about his health and long-term leadership.
“I cannot afford, especially after November, to risk something happening to me, and you be sheep without a shepherd,” Jakes said during the announcement.
In a heartfelt family letter shared after the announcement, the Jakes family emphasized that this transition had been carefully planned over several years. They referenced key milestones like the end of Woman, Thou Art Loosed in 2022 and the rise of Woman Evolve, along with the appointment of assistant pastors in 2023.
The letter framed the shift as part of a larger mission:
“We can’t afford to squander the potential of our youth or the elders who have paved the way.”
While Sarah and Touré step into daily pastoral duties, Bishop Jakes will focus on expanding the T.D. Jakes Group, which supports job creation, workforce readiness, and community development across the U.S.
“Together, we shall unite for the betterment of this generation and the ones that follow,” the letter concluded.
