T. D. Jakes

Author

Birthday June 9, 1957

Birth Sign Gemini

Birthplace South Charleston, West Virginia, U.S.

Age 66 years old

Nationality United States

#11502 Most Popular

1957

Thomas Dexter Jakes (born June 9, 1957) is an American non-denominational Christian preacher.

He is the senior pastor of The Potter's House, a non-denominational American megachurch.

Jakes's church services and Evangelistic sermons are broadcast on The Potter's Touch.

He is the author of many books and also produces films.

Thomas Dexter Jakes was born on June 9, 1957, in South Charleston, West Virginia, and grew up in the Vandalia neighborhood in Charleston, West Virginia, where there is a street bearing his last name.

1982

In 1982, at age 25, Jakes became the pastor of Greater Emanuel Temple of Faith, a storefront church in Smithers, West Virginia, with ten members.

1988

In 1988, he joined the denomination Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies founded by Bishop Sherman Watkins.

1990

In 1990, Jakes moved to South Charleston, West Virginia, and his congregation grew again, to 300 members.

1993

In 1993 he moved to Cross Lanes, West Virginia.

1995

In 1995, he founded "TDJ Enterprises" which publishes his books and produces his films.

From 1995 to 1996, Jakes hosted "Get Ready," a weekly radio and television show with national distribution through syndication.

1996

In 1996, Jakes, founded The Potter's House in Dallas, Texas, a non-denominational church.

Located on a 34-acre hilltop campus, the Potter's House features a 5,000-seat auditorium, as well as offices for employees and staff.

2001

Time magazine featured Jakes on the cover of its September 17, 2001, issue with the

provocative question, "Is This Man the Next Billy Graham?"

2003

In 2003, Jakes' album A Wing and a Prayer won the "Best Gospel or Chorus Album" at the 46th Grammy Awards.

He has also received Grammy and Dove Award nominations for the gospel album Live at The Potter's House.

2004

In 2004, he received the NAACP's President's Award.

2005

In 2005, Jakes accompanied President George W. Bush on his visit to the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina.

2009

On January 20, 2009, Jakes led the early morning prayer service for President Barack Obama at St. John's Church in Washington, D.C.

In 2009, Jakes partnered with Phil McGraw, Jay McGraw, and CBS Television Distribution to launch a syndicated, secular talk show; however, due to economic issues within the syndicated television market, the program never premiered.

2012

Although Jakes was converted and ordained within Oneness Pentecostalism, he revealed in an interview with Mark Driscoll in 2012 that he affirms the Trinity, although Jakes did not affirm the eternality of the individual persons of the Trinity, which is denied by Oneness churches.

Jakes is an advocate of sexual abstinence and has made appearances advocating it on Good Morning America and Dr. Phil.

2015

In 2015, Jakes stated that his views on homosexuality and LGBT rights are evolving.

However, Jakes stated that his words were misinterpreted and that while he does not support same-sex marriage, he "respect[s] the rights that this country affords those that disagree".

In July 2015, Tegna, Inc. and Debmar-Mercury announced that a new secular talk show hosted by Jakes called T. D. Jakes would air a test run on Tegna stations in Atlanta, Cleveland, Dallas, and Minneapolis from August 17 to September 11, 2015.

2016

On May 10, 2016, Tegna announced that it would begin airing Jakes's show September 12 in over 50 markets across the country.

Jakes was selected in Oprah's SuperSoul100 list of visionaries and influential leaders in 2016.

On the PBS program African American Lives, Jakes had his DNA analyzed; his Y chromosome showed that he is descended from the Igbo people of Nigeria.

According to his family history, it was suggested that he is also descended from them through his grandmother.

2017

On March 15, 2017, the talk show was cancelled due to poor ratings and low clearances.

T. D. Jakes is also featured on Swedish DJ Steve Angello's dance/electronic track Rejoice.

PBS Religion and Ethics Newsweekly have named Jakes among America's "Top 10 Religious Leaders."