Bishop TD Jakes to hand over Potter’s House to daughter, son-in-law
Bishop T.D. Jakes announced at church on Sunday that he's handing over the leadership of The Potter's House megachurch in Dallas, Texas, to his daughter Sarah Jakes Roberts and son-in-law Touré Roberts.
“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. So I'm suggesting to you, I'm recommending to you, that you receive Pastor Touré and Pastor Sarah,” he said to cheers and applause while noting that the move is a continuation of “legacy.”
“Not because they're kin but because ... they've immersed themselves into the DNA of this church for years. Sat quiet, preached,” he explained. “What you didn't know from November forward, they've been running the church anyway.”
Jakes’ announcement to the 80,000-member congregation comes a month after he revealed that the "slight health incident" he suffered on stage while preaching on Nov. 24, 2024, was a heart attack.
Last month, Jakes told NBC's "Today" show that when his heart stopped, he found himself in a "cloud-enveloped space" during the near-death experience.
"You know, I didn't really realize what was happening to me on stage until I got to the hospital in an ambulance. And [I was] fussing that it happened on stage, by the way, because I didn't want it to happen," Jakes said.
"The doctor leaned over in my ear and said, 'You had a massive heart attack.' And the reason I didn't realize it is I had no symptoms [of a heart attack]: no numbness, no sharp pain, no anything. I just kind of drifted off to sleep. I didn't know what it was, but I almost died," Jakes explained.
On Sunday, Jakes told churchgoers that while his daughter and son-in-law are not meant to replace him, he believes if they take over the leadership of the church “they may extend me.”
Jakes said he hopes to have the leadership transition formalized by the time the church celebrates its anniversary later this year so he can focus on other things.
“There's some things I want to do in the community before I get too old to do it, and the clock is ticking,” he said.
“There's some ways that I want to prepare us for the days ahead that I can't do it completely from the pulpit. Every now and then I think they'll let me preach, but there's some work in the vineyard that needs to be done.”
Jakes, who has been in ministry for nearly 50 years, is expected to continue as chairman of the T.D. Jakes Group where he also made the announcement in a news release.
“For nearly 50 years, I’ve had the honor of connecting with and serving the local and global community as a pastor, global faith leader and unwavering truth teller,” Jakes said in that statement.
“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,” he added.
“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.”
Russell Brand granted bail during London court hearing as he’s accused of ‘dragging’ woman to male restroom
Russell Brand has been granted bail after he arrived at London’s Westminster Magistrates’ Court on Friday.
The comedian-turned-wellness guru, 49, was last month hit with charges of rape, indecent assault, oral rape and two counts of sexual assault, according to the Metropolitan Police.
On Friday, he stood in court for the 12-minute hearing which came after he was accused of dragging another woman towards a male restroom and touching another woman’s breasts without consent, according to new court documents.
The alleged offenses are tied to four separate women and took place between 1999 and 2005, cops said.
Brand’s next court appearance is slated for May 30 at the Central Criminal Court at Old Bailey in London.
At Friday’s hearing, Brand said he understood his bail conditions.
Cops opened a sex crimes investigation into Brand in September 2023 – just weeks after The Sunday Times and Channel 4 TV’s documentary show “Dispatches” reported that four women had accused Brand of sexual assault – including one rape that allegedly occurred at his Los Angeles home in 2012 at the height of his Hollywood fame.
Brand, who has been living in the US since February, was also served with a court summons.
Ahead of his court appearance, Brand said in a social media video Wednesday that he was “heading to the UK for what I am assured will be a simple formality.”
“I am absolutely open to and welcome the opportunity to defend myself because my innocence is indefatigable,” he said, adding that “fingers crossed” he would be back in time to stream his daily show on Monday.
In court documents, the “Forgetting Sarah Marshall” actor is accused of assaulting a woman in 2001 by “grabbing her arm and dragging her towards a male toilet.”
He is also accused of sexually assaulting another woman in Westminster, London, in 2004, by touching her breasts without her consent. Police said he is also responsible for the alleged oral rape that took place that same year.
Brand allegedly raped another woman Bournemouth in 1999 and assaulting a then-16-year-old girl by forcing her to perform oral sex during a three-month-long relationship.
The then-teen claimed she had to punch the “Get Him to the Greek” actor in the stomach to make him stop, the report alleged.
Another woman, cited in the initial media report, alleged that he sexually assaulted her at his West Hollywood residence after the two met at an Alcoholics Anonymous meeting.
In a video shared on social media last month, Brand — who was previously married to pop star Katy Perry — denied the allegations and said he was “never” a rapist.
“I was a fool before I lived in the light of the Lord. I was a drug addict, a sex addict and an imbecile, but what I never was was a rapist,” he said in a video.
“I’ve never engaged in non-consensual activity. I pray that you can see that by looking in my eyes.”
“I’m now going to have the opportunity to defend these charges in court and I’m incredibly grateful for that,” he added.
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