Source: Marcus Ingram / Getty
Faith leader Bishop T.D. Jakes suffered a “medical emergency” while delivering a sermon at his church over the weekend.
On Sunday (Nov. 24), Bishop T.D. Jakes was delivering his weekly sermon at The Potter’s House Church in Dallas, Texas, when he fell ill due to suffering an apparent “medical emergency.” The pastor was on stage finishing the sermon, which was also being livestreamed to viewers. “Oh Lord, my strength, my redeemer, let them go in peace,” he said just before dropping his microphone and shaking before going silent.
The livestream video was cut off, but images from the stream, which were later posted on social media, captured church members rushing on stage to help Jakes. “Back up, back up, give him some space,” someone was overheard saying. The Potter’s House Church would issue a statement in a post on X, formerly Twitter, shortly afterward. “Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a slight health incident and received immediate medical attention following his powerful hour-long message. Bishop Jakes is stable and under the care of medical professionals. The entire Potter’s House family is grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from the community,” the statement read.
A Statement From The Potter’s House of Dallas
November 24, 2024 pic.twitter.com/68vvYWKNSt
— The Potter’s House (@TPHDallas) November 24, 2024
The 67-year-old faith leader, born Thomas Dexter Jakes, has been pastor at The Potter’s Church since its founding in 1996. The “non-denominational, multicultural church” reportedly boasts a membership of 30,000. According to the church’s website, Jakes spoke at former President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration and has also served as an advisor to three presidential administrations. On Sunday evening, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband, Touré Roberts, shared an update on Jakes’ condition with the public through Facebook.
“Today could have been a tragic day, but it wasn’t by the mercy of God, by the grace of God. Bishop is doing well, he’s recovering well. He’s getting medical care,” Roberts said. They also said jokingly that they’re working on getting him to slow down with his schedule, but emphasized that this is a good time to consider what’s important. “People are asking, ‘What can we do?’ Keep praying. Keep encouraging. It means a lot to our family,” they said.
