Bishop T.D. Jakes has officially handed over leadership of his megachurch, The Potter’s House, to his daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and his son-in-law, Touré Roberts, who will now serve as the co-senior pastors of the Dallas congregation. The transition comes months after the start of a major scandal and significant health issues for Jakes.
For background, on Sunday, July 6, 2025, The Potter’s House held a four-hour confirmation service for the daughter and son-in-law of Bishop T.D. Jakes, who will now serve as the co-senior pastors of the massive congregation. During the service, Cindy Trimm, founder of Cindy Trimm Ministries International, delivered a sermon titled “The Last Sermon: Leadership Redefined,” praising Bishop Jakes for his decades of leadership.
Preaching the sermon for the July 6 service, Trimm said that the installation of Jakes Roberts and her husband was a “history-making moment” and a “defining moment,” going on to describe Touré Roberts as a “builder of nations.” Following the sermon, the new pastors received a blessing from Jakes, who said, “Remember always that Jesus came not to be served, but to serve.”
The official installation of his daughter and son-in-law came several months after Bishop Jakes announced in April 2025 that he was stepping down, saying, “For nearly 50 years, I’ve had the honor of connecting with and serving the local and global community as a pastor, global faith leader and unwavering truth teller.” He added, “As I enter my 50th year in the public spotlight, I recognize the urgent need to address more challenges of our time, particularly the looming threat of a disappearing middle class, social unrest, and closing opportunity gaps.”
Continuing his announcement, Bishop Jakes explained that it was time for him to “focus on a legacy of economic empowerment,” and that he was dedicating his time to “serving as a bridge between community, culture, and corporate alliances to help position our nation for a stronger future.” He added, “Elevating Pastor Touré and Pastor Sarah as the new senior pastors of The Potter’s House, we will honor our rich history while embracing a future that demands innovative ministry for the coming age.”
Moreover, the announcement followed a major lawsuit against Jakes filed by ex-pastor Duane Youngblood in late 2024. Youngblood accused Jakes of engaging in inappropriate conduct with him decades before, and the bishop responded with a lawsuit of his own against Youngblood, whom he accused of defamation.
In Jakes’s lawsuit, his lawyers accused Youngblood of “a carefully planned effort by a convicted criminal,” referring to Youngblood’s status as a registered sex offender, adding that Youngblood was attempting to “rewrite history in order to deflect blame and accountability for his own reprehensible and criminal conduct and to publicly smear a renowned and eminently respected religious leader in a blatant and explicit attempt to extort him for millions of dollars.”
Furthermore, in November 2024, Bishop Jakes reportedly suffered a “massive heart attack” on stage while preaching, explaining in an interview, “I didn’t really realize what was happening to me onstage until I got to the hospital in an ambulance,” adding, “And the doctor leaned over in my ear and said, ‘You’ve had a massive heart attack.”
Featured image credit: Bishop T.D. Jakes via X