STONECREST, GEORGIA - APRIL 15: T.D. Jakes speaks onstage during New Birth Missionary Baptist Church ‘The Return’ Good Friday Service at New Birth Missionary Baptist Church on April 15, 2022 in Stonecrest, Georgia. The Easter weekend event kicked off on April 15, welcoming back church goers with an in-person church worship after a 2 year hiatus because of the ongoing global COVID-19 pandemic.
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Born In West Virginia
The beautiful capitol building in Charleston, West Virginia as seen across the Kanawha River. Taken in the fall, this picture shows the colorful hills behind the capitol. Photo: Getty Images Photo by Mike Kline (notkalvin)
Thomas Dexter Jakes was born in South Charleston, West Virginia in 1957 to Odith and Ernest Jakes sr.
Early Life
Photo: Getty Images FangXiaNuo
Jakes was the youngest of three children and grew up in West Virginia. According to WV Public Broadcasting, he developed an interest in religion at a young age, and would preach to an imaginary audience as a child.
First Church
UNITED STATES - AUGUST 12: Bishop Thomas (TD) Jakes speaks at Good News New York gospel crusade at Madison Square Garden. Photo: Getty Images Clarence Davis/NY Daily News Archive
In his twenties, Jakes founded his first church the Greater Emmanuel Temple of Faith in West Virginia. He served as pastor of the 10 member congregation.
Marriage
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK - APRIL 3: Serita Jakes and Bishop T.D Jakes attend ‘Julius Caesar’ Opening Night on Broadway - Arrivals at The Belasco Theater & Gotham Hall on April 3, 2005 in New York City. Photo: Getty Images Erik T. Kaiser/Patrick McMullan
In 1982, Jakes married his wife, Serita Jakes, an author and speaker. She serves as executive director of women and children’s affairs at their megachurch.
Children
IMAGE DISTRIBUTED FOR T.D. JAKES MINISTRIES - Bishop T.D. Jakes (L-R), Sarah Jakes Roberts and Touré Roberts stand together during the conclusion of Woman, Thou Art Loosed! The Grand Finale on September 24th, 2022. Photo: AP Rita Harper
Jakes and his wife, Serita Jakes, have five children Sarah Jakes, Cora Jakes-Coleman, Thomas Jakes, Jr., Jermaine Jakes, and Jamar Jakes.
Woman Thou Art Loosed
DALLAS, TX - JULY 01: Bishop T.D. Jakes speaks during the MegaFest “Women Thou Art Loosed” closing session at Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center on July 1, 2017 in Dallas, Texas. ( Photo: Getty Images Cooper Neill
Jakes gained notoriety with the publication of his first book, Woman Thou Art Loosed, which purports to provide spiritual guidance for women. It later became a film.
Potter’s House
Bishop T.D. Jakes tells his congregation Sunday, Sept. 16, 2001, at The Potter’s House in Dallas, to not stereotype all American Muslims as terrorists following Tuesday’s attacks. Photo: AP Fort Worth Star-Telegram, Jen Friedberg
In 1996, Jakes founded the Potter’s House, a non-denominational multi-racial megachurch located in Dallas, Texas, with tens of thousands of members.
America’s Best Preacher
NEW YORK CITY, NY - APRIL 19: Christopher T.D. Jakes and Serita Jakes attend A Celebration for Time Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People Issue at Jazz at Lincoln Center on April 19, 2005 in New York City. Photo: Getty Images Patrick McMullan/Patrick McMullan
DALLAS, TX - AUGUST 29: Bishop T.D. Jakes speaks during a live taping of “Oprah’s Lifeclass” with Oprah Winfrey during MegaFest at the American Airlines Center on August 29, 2013 in Dallas, Texas. Photo: Getty Images Cooper Neill
In 2004, Jakes launched MegaFest a popular religious conference series that he still hosts alongside his wife. Oprah has participated in the event.
T.D. Jakes and Hurricane Katrina
Evacuees of Hurricane Katrina board a bus to leave New Orleans. Photo: Getty Images Steven Clevenger/Corbis
In 2005, Jakes visited New Orleans, LA., after Hurricane Katrina alongside former President George W. Bush. He urged the then-President to take action.
T.D. Jakes and Obama
President Barack Obama, center, and others, lower their heads during a Easter Prayer breakfast with Christian leaders in the East Room of the White House, Tuesday, April 19, 2011. Seated to the right of Obama is Texas-based evangelist Bishop T.D. Jakes. Photo: AP Pablo Martinez Monsivais
Jakes was a featured speaker at former President Barack Obama’s inauguration in 2009. He also participated in Obama’s Easter Prayer Breakfast.
Jumping The Broom
HOLLYWOOD, CA - MAY 04: Executive Producer Bishop T.D. Jakes and Producer Tracey Edmonds at Screen Gems Los Angeles Premiere of “Jumping the Broom” at ArcLight Cinemas Cinerama Dome on May 4, 2011 in Hollywood, California. ( Photo: Getty Images Eric Charbonneau/WireImage
Jakes is also a film producer. Jakes and Tracey E. Edmonds produced the hit 2011 family comedy film, Jumping The Broom.
Continued Success As An Author
Alick Clark (cq) shares a joke with T.D. Jakes after receiving an autograph from the preacher during a tent revival in Hollywood, Tuesday, July 16, 2002. Photo: Getty Images Robert Gauthier/Los Angeles
Jakes success as an author continued. He wrote several more books, including NYT best-seller, Instinct.
TD Jakes Show
ATLANTA, GA - OCTOBER 05: T.D. Jakes attends Tyler Perry Studios Grand Opening Gala - Arrivals at Tyler Perry Studios on October 5, 2019 in Atlanta, Georgia Photo: Getty Images Prince Williams
Jakes started his talk-show the TD Jakes Show in September of 2016.
Rumors About Diddy Connection
Photo: Getty Images Marcus Ingram
An unverified rumor began to spread on social media that Jakes had attended one of Diddy’s parties and had sex with men.
Jakes Shuts Down The Rumor
BEVERLY HILLS, CALIFORNIA - MAY 18: Bishop T.D. Jakes attends Los Angeles Urban League’s Whitney M Young, Jr. Awards Dinner on May 18, 2023 in Beverly Hills, California. Photo: Getty Images Jarrod Williams
