T.D. Jakes Biography: Life, Ministry & Net Worth (2025)
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Bishop Thomas Dexter Jakes Jr.—known worldwide as T.D. Jakes—is an American pastor, author, filmmaker, and motivational speaker. Best known as the founder and senior pastor of The Potter’s House, Jakes has significantly influenced both religious and secular spheres.
Early Life & Education
T.D. Jakes was born on June 9, 1957, in South Charleston, West Virginia. His father, Ernest Jakes Sr., ran a cleaning business, and his mother, Odith, was a schoolteacher iliketodabble.com+15thecityceleb.com+15iliketodabble.com+15. As a child he attended West Virginia State College, studying psychology before leaving to answer a spiritual calling, founding his first church at age 25 thecityceleb.com.
Founding The Potter’s House
From starting as a storefront church in 1982, Jakes relocated to Dallas in 1996 and launched The Potter’s House, a non-denominational megachurch now with multiple campuses and an average attendance of around 30,000 yen.com.gh+6people.com+6thecityceleb.com+6. His ministry, widely respected for inclusivity and social outreach, has shaped countless lives.
Ministry & Media Outreach
Jakes is best known for blending faith and practical living. His televised sermons and the renowned MegaFest conference attract tens of thousands, offering worship, education, and entertainment thistradinglife.com+15otakukart.com+15iliketodabble.com+15. Additionally, he ran the daytime talk show T.D. Jakes (2016–2017) briefly before transitioning to more spiritually focused platforms elstree-museum.co.uk+13en.wikipedia.org+13fr.wikipedia.org+13.
Books, Music & Film
A prolific author and media figure, Jakes writes bestsellers such as Woman, Thou Art Loosed (1997), Before You Do (2008), Instinct (2014), Soar! (2017), and Disruptive Thinking (2023) fr.wikipedia.org+2en.wikipedia.org+2de.wikipedia.org+2.
He also oversees TDJ Enterprises, producing films like Woman Thou Art Loosed (2004), Miracles from Heaven (2014), and Jumping the Broom (2011), in addition to earning a Grammy for A Wing and a Prayer album houstonchronicle.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4de.wikipedia.org+4.
Personal Life
Jakes married Serita Jamison in 1982; they have five children: Sarah, Jermaine, Cora, Jamar, and Thomas Jr. Sarah Jakes Roberts, a pastor and author, has now taken over co-leadership responsibilities worthnvalue.com+15thecityceleb.com+15pennbookcenter.com+15.
Leadership Transition & Health
In November 2024, Jakes suffered a heart attack during a sermon, prompting him to step down as senior pastor in April 2025. Leadership transitioned to his daughter Sarah and son-in-law Touré Roberts; Jakes will remain on the church board thecityceleb.com+5mysanantonio.com+5houstonchronicle.com+5.
Awards & Influence
He’s appeared on Time’s cover as a top religious leader, received a Grammy, Dove and NAACP President’s awards, and was featured on Oprah’s SuperSoul100 list en.wikipedia.org. He led prayers at President Obama’s inauguration in 2009, a testament to his national impact .
Social Media & Digital Reach
Jakes is active online, engaging global audiences through:
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Instagram: @bishopjakes
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Twitter/X: @BishopJakes
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Facebook: T.D. Jakes Ministries
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YouTube: The Potter’s House official channel iliketodabble.com+14thecityceleb.com+14yen.com.gh+14.
Estimated Net Worth (2025)
Estimates vary widely:
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OtakuKart and CelebrityNetWorth peg it around $50 million, supported by book sales, media ventures, and real estate elstree-museum.co.uk+11celebritynetworth.com+11iliketodabble.com+11pennbookcenter.com+6otakukart.com+6celebritynetworth.com+6.
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Other sources like WorthnValue and ILikeToDabble suggest figures between $35 million and $200 million, depending on whether they include projected media and business income worthnvalue.com+2iliketodabble.com+2iliketodabble.com+2.
A credible estimate positions his net worth between $50–$100 million in 2025.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: When was T.D. Jakes born?
A: June 9, 1957, in South Charleston, West Virginia verzuztvshow.com+3iliketodabble.com+3pennbookcenter.com+3pennbookcenter.com+4en.wikipedia.org+4thecityceleb.com+4.
Q: What is The Potter’s House?
A: A Dallas megachurch founded in 1996 by Jakes, now with about 30,000 members and multiple campuses elstree-museum.co.uk+15en.wikipedia.org+15mysanantonio.com+15.
Q: Did he write books?
A: Yes—titles include Woman, Thou Art Loosed, Instinct, Soar!, and Disruptive Thinking blavity.com+3en.wikipedia.org+3de.wikipedia.org+3.
Q: What films has he produced?
A: Woman Thou Art Loosed, Not Easily Broken, Jumping the Broom, Miracles from Heaven and others houstonchronicle.com+2en.wikipedia.org+2de.wikipedia.org+2.
Q: Is T.D. Jakes stepping down?
A: Yes; after a November 2024 heart attack he passed pastoral leadership to daughter Sarah and Touré Roberts in April 2025 thecityceleb.com+5people.com+5mysanantonio.com+5.
Q: What’s his net worth in 2025?
A: Likely around $50 to $100 million, combining ministry, media, writing, and real estate .
From a humble storefront pastor to a globally recognized faith leader and entrepreneur, T.D. Jakes has shaped generations through the pulpit, print, and the silver screen. His transition in 2025 marks a new chapter in an influential legacy that continues to inspire.
