TD Jakes in TT for conference

A preacher of great international influence, Thomas Dexter “TD” Jakes entered the ministry in 1979 when he and a congregation of ten people founded the Greater Emmanuel Temple of Faith in West Virginia.

More than 25 years later, Christianity Today magazine called Bishop Jakes’ church in Dallas, The Potter’s House, “one of America’s fastest-growing megachurches.” In 2001, a TIME magazine cover asked, “Is This Man the Next Billy Graham?” Multiracial and nondenominational, the Potter’s House has 50-plus active outreach ministries, more than 30,000 members, and a full-time staff of 300.

Bishop Jakes was born in South Charleston, West Virginia, on June 9, 1957, the youngest of three children. His father, Ernest Jakes, Sr., was an entrepreneur; his mother, Odith Jakes, was an educator. Both parents’ commitment to the community influenced their son, who was 14 when his father died of kidney failure.

His church services and evangelistic sermons are broadcast on The Potter’s Touch, which airs on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. Other aspects of Jakes’ ministry include an annual revival called “MegaFest” (which draws more than 100,000 people during that period of time), an annual women’s conference called “Woman Thou Art Loosed”, and gospel music recordings.

Jakes has five children - Jamar, Jermaine, Cora, Sarah, and Thomas Jakes Jr. His wife’s name is Serita Ann Jakes. He is a strong advocate of abstinence and has made appearances on shows ranging from Good Morning America to Dr Phil.

For the 2006 PBS programme African American Lives, Jakes had his DNA analysed; his Y chromosome showed that he is descended from the Yoruba people of what is now Nigeria. According to his family history, it was also suggested that he was descended from the Igbo people through his paternal grandmother.

The movie Woman Thou Art Loosed is based on Jakes’ novel of the same name. Not Easily Broken is another movie being made that is based on another novel by Jakes.