TD Jakes: From Humble Beginnings to a Mega Church Legacy

For many aspiring leaders, the path to success is often blocked by two critical factors: access to capital and meaningful connections.

Few embody this journey more vividly than Thomas Dexter “TD” Jakes, the pastor, entrepreneur, and author whose life story spans decades of triumphs, challenges, and faith-driven innovation.

Recently, Jakes made headlines when he handed over leadership of America’s largest church, The Potter’s House, to his daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts.

While some might focus on Sarah’s personal journey—she became a teen mother at 14—the story encompasses far more than that singular moment.

Jakes’ life has been marked by dramatic highs and lows.

Legal controversies, billion-dollar deals, and near-death experiences have all intersected with his ministry.

Yet the story of TD Jakes is not only about headline-making events—it is also a testament to faith, perseverance, and strategic vision that transformed a small storefront church into a global movement.

Early Life and Formative Years

TD Jakes was born on June 9, 1957, in South Charleston, West Virginia.

His father, Ernest Jakes Sr.

, ran a small janitorial business, while his mother, Odith, was a teacher.

The family faced significant economic hardship, and the young Thomas grew up in a predominantly Black neighborhood where racism and daily struggles were the norm.

As the youngest of three children, he learned early the value of hard work and resilience.

As a child, Thomas had a pronounced lisp, which led many to doubt his potential as a preacher.

Undeterred, he practiced relentlessly, preaching to stuffed animals in his bedroom and to trees in his backyard.

His classmates teased him, and some adults dismissed his efforts, yet he persisted.

Known affectionately as “Bible Boy,” Thomas honed not only his speech but also his ability to inspire and move people with his words—a skill that would define his future ministry.

At age ten, tragedy struck when his father suffered kidney failure, a condition with limited treatment options for Black families in West Virginia at the time.

Young Thomas became a caregiver for his father while balancing chores, school, and the care of his siblings.

The experience forced him to mature quickly, instilling in him a deep sense of responsibility and empathy.

Three years later, in 1973, Thomas’ father passed away, leaving the family emotionally and financially devastated.

Despite working part-time jobs, including at the Union Carbide Plant, Thomas continued to preach at small churches, driven by a calling he could not ignore.

By 1976, at the age of 19, he delivered his first official sermon, and by 1979, he was ordained—a young man whose personal hardships lent credibility and depth to every word he spoke.

Marriage and Partnership

In 1981, Thomas met Serita Anne Jameson at a church revival in Beckley, West Virginia.

Serita, born in 1955, had endured personal tragedies, including family loss and abuse, yet she had already dedicated herself to ministry work.

The connection was immediate, and six months later, they married.

Their early years together were challenging, marked by financial instability and a severe car accident that left Serita with serious injuries.

Together, they navigated recovery, poverty, and the demands of ministry, forging a partnership that became central to the growth of their ministry.

Serita’s role evolved from supportive spouse to ministry leader.

While balancing recovery and family responsibilities, she led women’s groups and authored books, complementing Jakes’ expanding outreach.

In 1980, at just 23, Jakes opened his first church, Temple of Faith in Montgomery, West Virginia, with only ten members.

It was a modest beginning, but it laid the groundwork for what would eventually become The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas.

Building a Ministry

Jakes balanced his preaching with labor-intensive jobs, including welding and chemical plant work, which helped sustain his young family.

Despite financial struggles—including temporary unemployment and limited access to utilities—he persisted in preaching, holding services wherever possible, and steadily attracting a following.

In 1982, he assumed leadership of Greater Emanuel Temple of Faith in Smithers, West Virginia, also with only ten members, demonstrating his ability to transform small congregations into thriving communities.

In 1983, Jakes launched his first church conference, Back to the Bible, which drew 80 attendees—eight times the size of his congregation.

That same year, he invested in a 30-minute radio slot for $45, creating a program also called Back to the Bible.

This risk expanded his reach beyond local communities, connecting him with listeners in towns and homes that had previously been inaccessible.

Jakes’ voice, full of empathy and conviction, began resonating far and wide.

By 1988, he joined the Pentecostal denomination Higher Ground, Always Abounding Assemblies, led by Bishop Sherman Watkins, a mentor who guided Jakes’ growth and helped provide resources, a network, and support for his expanding ministry.

Strategic relocations followed, first to South Charleston, then to Cross Lanes, West Virginia, where his church grew dramatically and became racially diverse—an uncommon feat for a Black Pentecostal pastor in a predominantly white suburb.

Rise to Prominence

Ordained as a bishop in 1987, Jakes’ recognition allowed him to oversee multiple churches and further expand his ministry.

In 1993, he launched The Potter’s Touch, a television broadcast on the Trinity Broadcasting Network, exponentially increasing his audience.

By 1994, he had moved to Dallas, Texas, and partnered with Black Entertainment Television, further cementing his influence among Black audiences nationally and internationally.

The same year, he launched the Manpower Conference for men, offering a space for vulnerability, healing, and personal development.

Thousands attended, and the event continued growing, eventually hosting over 150,000 men worldwide by 2011.

In 1995, he launched TDJ Enterprises, producing films, music, and books that collectively sold over 20 million copies.

Through his media ventures and real estate developments, Jakes demonstrated the integration of faith, entrepreneurship, and social impact.

The Potter’s House

In 1996, Jakes relocated 50 staff members and their families to Dallas to establish The Potter’s House on a 34-acre campus.

Initially serving 1,000 members, the church grew rapidly, ultimately housing over 30,000 congregants and offering online access to millions more.

The facility expanded with a 191,000-square-foot sanctuary, seating over 7,600, fully paid for within four years.

The Potter’s House became more than a church—it became a movement, inclusive of all social classes and backgrounds.

Jakes’ influence extended beyond the pulpit.

He engaged in disaster relief, advising Presidents George W.

Bush and Barack Obama on matters of faith and community.

He launched the Metroplex Economic Development Corporation and the Clay Academy, both focusing on housing, education, and economic uplift.

Legacy and Leadership Transition

Jakes’ family also emerged as an integral part of the ministry.

He and Serita raised five children, all active in ministry.

Sarah Jakes Roberts, despite becoming a mother at 14, became a prominent preacher and author, later leading Woman Evolve, a global movement empowering women.

On April 27, 2025, Jakes officially transitioned The Potter’s House leadership to Sarah and her husband, Té Roberts, marking a historic generational handover in mega-church leadership.

Kora Jakes, another daughter, overcame personal challenges, including polycystic ovary syndrome, to lead the children’s ministry and provide community support.

Together, the family embodies Jakes’ vision of intergenerational ministry and holistic empowerment.

Financial and Social Impact

In April 2025, Jakes partnered with Wells Fargo in a ten-year, $1 billion initiative to support underserved communities across America.

The collaboration included grants to colleges, housing projects, and organizations addressing food insecurity, clean energy, and entrepreneurship.

The TD Jakes Foundation, TDJ Enterprises, and TD Jakes Real Estate Ventures combined resources to maximize impact, reflecting Jakes’ long-standing commitment to financial empowerment as an extension of ministry.

Challenges and Controversies

Despite enormous success, Jakes has faced controversy.

In 2024, his name surfaced in a lawsuit involving producer Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones and Diddy, attracting media speculation.

Shortly thereafter, accusations emerged from Pastor Dwayne Youngblood, claiming misconduct dating back to the 1980s.

Jakes’ legal team responded, labeling the claims as extortion and defamation, culminating in a federal lawsuit filed in November 2024.

These challenges coincided with a personal health crisis.

On November 24, 2024, Jakes suffered a massive heart attack live during a sermon at The Potter’s House, narrowly surviving a near-death experience.

Reflecting on the incident, Jakes described profound clarity and spiritual insight, reinforcing his focus on what truly matters in life and ministry.

Ongoing Influence

TD Jakes’ story demonstrates the intersection of faith, resilience, and strategic thinking.

From preaching to stuffed animals in West Virginia to leading one of the largest churches in the United States, his life illustrates the power of perseverance, vision, and collaboration.

Under his guidance, The Potter’s House has expanded globally, addressing spiritual, social, and economic needs.

The transition to Sarah Jakes Roberts and Té Roberts ensures the continuity of his legacy while embracing a new generation of leadership.

Jakes continues to preach, mentor, and influence at a national and international level, demonstrating that leadership is both a personal journey and a shared mission.

Conclusion

TD Jakes’ life exemplifies how faith, hard work, and strategic partnerships can transform adversity into opportunity.

From a lisping child in a struggling West Virginia neighborhood to a global faith leader, media mogul, and social influencer, Jakes’ journey underscores the importance of vision, resilience, and legacy.

His handover of The Potter’s House to his daughter Sarah marks not an end, but a new chapter—one that honors past struggles while embracing future possibilities.

Through ministry, entrepreneurship, and advocacy, TD Jakes continues to shape communities, influence global audiences, and demonstrate the enduring power of faith in action.