After nearly three decades of leadership, Bishop T.D. Jakes announced on Sunday that he will step aside as senior pastor of The Potter’s House, the influential Dallas-based megachurch he founded in 1996. He named his daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband, Pastor Touré Roberts, as his successors.
The announcement marks a historic generational shift for the church, which boasts more than 30,000 members across campuses in Dallas, Fort Worth, North Dallas, and Denver. The leadership transition is set to take effect in July 2025.
Speaking candidly during the Sunday service, the 67-year-old bishop referenced his recent health scare—a “massive heart attack” he suffered in November—as a major factor in his decision.
“I have seen too many men build something and stay so long that they kill what they built,” Jakes said to his congregation. “I cannot afford, especially after November, to risk something happening to me and you be sheep without a shepherd.”
Despite stepping down from day-to-day pastoral duties, Jakes will remain on the church’s board of directors and continue overseeing the T.D. Jakes Group, which includes real estate holdings, social impact initiatives, and his namesake foundation.
Next Generation Leadership
Sarah Jakes Roberts, a prominent speaker, author, and pastor in her own right, has been serving alongside her husband in ministry through ONE Church in Los Angeles and Denver. She addressed the congregation with emotion and vision:
“I believe that, collectively, we can turn this city upside down and right side up,” she said.
The couple is expected to guide The Potter’s House into its next chapter, focusing on youth outreach, spiritual growth, and innovation in church leadership.
Legacy and Vision
Bishop T.D. Jakes is widely recognized as one of the most influential religious leaders of the 21st century. Known for his dynamic preaching style, bestselling books, and entrepreneurial ventures, he has played a major role in shaping modern faith-based communities.
His decision to step down is being praised as a proactive move to ensure continuity and relevance for the church in a changing cultural landscape.
