In a significant announcement that marks a new era for The Potter's House in Dallas, Texas, Bishop T.D. Jakes has revealed his decision to step down and pass the church's leadership to his daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts and her husband, Touré Roberts.

Bishop Jakes’ decision to pass on leadership roles came after a severe health scare and aims to focus more on global and community issues, The Christian Post reported.

Bishop T.D. Jake, a prominent figure in global ministry, made this announcement on a special Sunday at the church, setting the stage for a major transitional moment for the congregation and the broader religious community.

The announcement followed a deeply personal and critical event in Jake’s life. On November 24, 2024, while he was preaching, Bishop Jakes suffered what he initially downplayed as a slight health incident, but which was a massive heart attack, a revelation made clear to him only upon reaching the hospital.

This near-death experience was a pivot point for Jakes, who has served in ministry for almost five decades. It made him reconsider his role and the future stewardship of The Potter’s House.

A Heartfelt Decision Rooted in Personal Crisis

Reflecting on his health crisis, Jakes shared with his congregation the stark reality of his condition during that fateful day. "I didn't realize what was happening to me on stage until I got to the hospital," he explained, revealing the seriousness of the attack without prior symptoms.

The severity of this incident propelled him to think about the church's future without him, stressing the necessity of prepared leadership. "I cannot afford, especially after November, to risk something happening to me and you be sheep without a shepherd," Jakes conveyed, highlighting the urgency and his protective feelings toward his community.

His reflections led him to choose his daughter and son-in-law as successors, a decision based not only on familial ties but on their proven dedication and integration into the church's life. “They have immersed themselves into the DNA of this church for years,” Jakes noted, affirming their readiness to lead.

Passing the Torch to a New Generation

The choice of Sarah and Touré as the new senior pastors was articulated by Bishop Jakes as a move towards ensuring the church’s continuing relevance and dynamism in changing times. “Elevating Pastor Touré and Pastor Sarah… we will honor our rich history while embracing a future that demands innovative ministry for the coming age,” he stated.

This leadership transition is planned to be formalized by the church’s anniversary later this year, promising a seamless changeover. Jakes emphasized that this was not an ending but an expansion and rebirth of the church’s mission under new guidance.

While stepping back from day-to-day preaching duties, Bishop Jakes is not retiring from public life or ministry. Instead, he plans to focus more on societal issues, such as the economic challenges and social unrest facing communities today. He expressed a strong desire to address these broader concerns personally, beyond the confines of the pulpit.

New Beginnings in Ministry and Community Impact

“There are things I want to do in the community before I get too old to do it, and the clock is ticking,” Bishop Jakes shared, expressing a heartfelt urgency to engage more directly in community empowerment and bridge-building endeavors.

His future role will involve leading the T.D. Jakes Group and continuing to act as a global faith leader and community advocate, focusing on economic empowerment and tackling the pressing issues of our time. This marks a strategic shift from pulpit preaching to expansive community involvement.

As Jakes prepares to mark half a century in ministry, his pivot towards these new challenges underscores a legacy of adaptability and commitment to both spiritual leadership and tangible societal change.

A Legacy of Leadership and Vision for the Future

In his speech, Jakes highlighted the dynamic nature of leadership that necessitates evolution and the courage to adapt and grow with the times. This leadership transition signifies a significant moment not just for The Potter’s House but also for the wider community it serves.

The announcement has thus set a new path for The Potter's House, as it gears up to continue its mission under new leadership, while its founding leader takes on new roles to address more global and community-focused challenges.

It's a change that promises to multiply the impact and reach of one of the most influential churches in America, spearheaded by a man whose near-death experience gave him a renewed vision for his life’s work. As Bishop Jakes reiterated, “This moment isn’t an ending, it’s an expansion.”