Thomas Dexter Jakes Biography

T. D. Jakes is an American bishop, author, and filmmaker. He is the bishop of The Potter’s House, a non-denominational American megachurch. He is also the CEO of TDJ Enterprises, LLP; founder and senior pastor of The Potter’s House of Dallas, Inc. The Potter’s House of Dallas, Inc. has over 30,000 members and the services and Evangelistic sermons are broadcast on The Potter’s Touch. In addition, he is the author of the New York Times bestselling Making Great Decisions and Reposition Yourself.

Thomas Dexter Jakes Age

Jakes is 66 years old as of 2023. He was born (Thomas Dexter Jakes) on June 9, 1957, in South Charleston, West Virginia, United States. Jakes celebrates his birthday on the 9th of June every year.

Thomas Dexter Jakes Height

Jakes stands at an approximate height of 6 feet 1 inch.

Thomas Dexter Jakes Family

Jakes was born in South Charleston, West Virginia, and grew up in Vandalia, West Virginia. He was named after his paternal grandfather, Thomas Dexter Jakes. Jakes was brought up by his father Odith Jakes and his mother Ernest Jakes. Furthermore, he is a cousin to Tavis Smiley and James Wheaton.

Thomas Dexter Jakes Wife

Jakes is married to his better half Serita Jamison. The two tied the knot in 1982. They are proud parents of their five children, Sarah Jakes Roberts, Cora Jakes-Coleman, Thomas Jakes Jr, Jermaine Jakes, and Jamar Jakes. In addition to that, he has grandchildren, Jason Coleman, Amauri Noelle Coleman, Malachi Jakes, Ren Taylor Roberts, and Ella Roberts.

Thomas Dexter Jakes Net Worth

Jakes has an estimated net worth ranging between $10 Million – $30 Million which he has earned from his successful career as a bishop, author, and filmmaker.

Thomas Dexter Jakes Beliefs

Jakes was converted and ordained within Oneness Pentecostalism. One time in an interview with Mark Driscoll in 2012, he revealed that he affirms the Trinity. He never affirmed the eternality of the individual persons of the Trinity, which is denied by Oneness churches. He is an advocate of sexual abstinence. In addition to that, he has made appearances advocating it on Good Morning America and Dr. Phil.

In 2015, he 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 “respects the rights that this country affords those that disagree”.

Thomas Dexter Jakes Ministry

Jakes became the pastor of Greater Emanuel Temple of Faith, a storefront church in Smithers, West Virginia, with ten members in 1982. By then, he was 25 years old. He later joined the denomination Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies founded by Bishop Sherman Watkins in 1988. After some time, he moved to Charleston, West Virginia in 1990, and his congregation grew again to 300 members. Three years later, in 1993, he headed to Cross Lanes, West Virginia.

He founded “TDJ Enterprises” in 1995. TDJ Enterprises publishes his books and produces his films. Jakes hosted a weekly radio and television show with national distribution through syndication, “Get Ready” from 1995 to 1996. He later founded The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, a non-denominational church in 1996. It is located on a 34-acre hilltop campus, Potter’s House features a 5,000-seat auditorium, as well as offices for employees and staff. During President George W. Bush’s visit to the areas devastated by Hurricane Katrina in 2005, he accompanied him. According to NBC News, Jakes led the early morning prayer service for President Barack Obama at St. John’s Church in Washington, D.C on January 20, 2009.

Jakes partnered with CBS Television Distribution, Jay McGraw, and Dr. Phil McGraw to launch a syndicated, secular talk show. Due to economic issues within the syndicated television market, the program never premiered. Tegna, Inc. and Debmar-Mercury in July 2015 announced that a new secular talk show hosted by Jakes called T. D. Jakes would air a test run on Tegna stations in Minneapolis, Dallas, Cleveland, and Atlanta from August 17 to September 11, 2015.

Thomas Dexter Jakes Awards and Honors

Jakes was named among America’s “Top 10 Religious Leaders” by PBS Religion and Ethics Newsweekly. He was also featured on the cover of its September 17, 2001, Time magazine, an issue with the provocative question, “Is This Man the Next Billy Graham?” Jakes’ album A Wing and a Prayer won the “Best Gospel or Chorus Album” at the 46th Grammy Awards in 2003.

In addition to that, he won Grammy and Dove Award nominations for the gospel album Live at The Potter’s House. In 2016, he was selected in Oprah’s SuperSoul100 list of visionaries and influential leaders. He also received the NAACP’s President’s Award in 2004.

Thomas Dexter Jakes Filmmaker

Jakes is a producer and actor. He is known for casting in Jumping the Broom (2011), Miracles from Heaven (2016), and Heaven Is for Real (2014). The following are his films;

• 2004: Woman Thou Art Loosed — As himself (based on Jakes’s novel of the same name)
• 2009: Not Easily Broken — Allen (based on another Jakes novel)[20]
• 2011: Jumping the Broom — Reverend James
• 2010: Munya — Reverend Brian
• 2012: Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day – As himself
• 2012: Sparkle – Producer
• 2014: Heaven Is for Real – Producer
• 2014: Winnie Mandela – Producer
• 2016: Miracles from Heaven – Producer
• 2018: Faith Under Fire – Executive Producer
• 2019: A Dog’s Way Home – Executive Producer