Renowned American preacher and founder of The Potter’s House, Bishop T.D. Jakes, has announced he is stepping down as senior pastor of the iconic megachurch after 30 transformative years. The leadership mantle will now pass to his daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband, Touré Roberts, starting July 2025.
The emotional announcement was made during a Sunday service at The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, where Bishop Jakes, 67, spoke from the heart, visibly moved as he addressed thousands of congregants. With tears in his eyes, he praised the faithfulness of the church and expressed gratitude for their loyalty through decades of ministry.
“You have remained loyal to God, and you have remained loyal to me,” Jakes said, his voice trembling with emotion, as reported by NBC DFW.
Although stepping down from day-to-day pastoral duties, Bishop Jakes will remain an influential force behind the scenes, continuing to serve on the church’s Board of Directors to guide the transition and offer strategic counsel. His decision comes five months after he suffered a near-fatal heart attack in November 2024, which forced him to reassess his pace and prioritize his health.
“I cannot afford, especially after November, to risk something happening to me and leave you without a shepherd,” he told the congregation, reflecting on the life-threatening experience.
In a March 2025 interview on NBC’s Today Show, Jakes revealed he had collapsed during a sermon without realizing the severity of the situation. Doctors later confirmed he had suffered a major heart attack, with the right side of his heart completely blocked. “I felt fine while preaching,” he said. “But once I sat down and the adrenaline wore off, it became clear that I had just preached with half of my heart not working.” He credited his survival to divine intervention and swift medical action, calling his recovery a miracle.
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Now, with the torch passing to Sarah and Touré, both accomplished pastors in their own right, The Potter’s House enters a new phase of leadership. Sarah Jakes Roberts, a bestselling author and powerhouse speaker, has already built a strong following through her ministry to millennial and Gen Z women. Together with her husband, Touré, they are expected to lead the church into a dynamic new season that blends tradition with innovation.
Bishop Jakes also announced a renewed focus on national impact through the T.D. Jakes Group, which will expand its mission to promote job creation, build 21st-century workforce readiness, and invest in community development across the United States. “As Pastors Touré and Sarah embrace their pastoral roles at The Potter’s House of Dallas,” he said on social media, “our group’s work to transform communities from the margins to the center will accelerate with even greater urgency.”
Founded in 1996, The Potter’s House has grown into one of the largest and most influential non-denominational churches in the world, boasting over 30,000 members and campuses in North Dallas, Fort Worth, and Denver. Known for blending powerful sermons with social action, Bishop Jakes turned the church into a global spiritual and philanthropic force.
Now, with the next generation at the helm, The Potter’s House is poised to expand its legacy while embracing a fresh vision for the future. The world will be watching as Sarah and Touré Roberts officially step into their new leadership roles—and a new chapter in church history begins.
