In an emotional and visionary announcement during Sunday service, renowned pastor and spiritual leader Bishop T.D. Jakes declared that he will be stepping aside from active leadership at The Potter’s House, the globally recognized megachurch he founded, entrusting the mantle of leadership to his daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband, Pastor Touré Roberts.
The handover follows a challenging season for Bishop Jakes, marked by a health scare—a heart attack in November—and an ongoing legal battle involving a defamation suit. Speaking candidly to his congregation, Jakes emphasized the importance of strategic succession and his concern for the continued well-being of the ministry.
“I have seen too many men build something and stay so long that they kill what they built,” Jakes told the congregation. “I cannot afford, especially after November, to risk something happening to me and you be sheep without a shepherd.”
Acknowledging the passage of time and the urgency to focus on broader societal contributions, Jakes shared his desire to engage more directly in community development efforts while preserving the legacy of his nearly 50-year ministry.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The announcement, though anticipated by some, marked a major milestone in the life of the Dallas-based church and the broader Christian community. It also symbolized a generational shift, rooted not in family ties alone, but in spiritual preparation and proven leadership.
Jakes affirmed that this transition is not a departure but a renewal of purpose.
“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.”
Reflecting on his 50 years of public ministry, Jakes also highlighted his growing focus on national issues such as economic inequality and social unrest.
“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.”
Fighting back tears, Sarah Jakes Roberts responded with humility and hope, sharing her vision for the next chapter of the church’s journey.
“I think we can all agree that this isn’t how I saw my legacy play out,” she said. “I believe that, collectively, we can turn this city upside down and right side up.”
While the formal transition is expected to be completed in time for the church’s upcoming anniversary celebration, Bishop Jakes will continue to serve in an executive role as Chairman of the T.D. Jakes Group, overseeing various ventures, including real estate, social impact work, and his foundation.
