Bishop T.D. Jakes 'beginning to improve' after 'health incident': What to know
Bishop T.D. Jakes founded his church, the Potter's House, in 1996 and has been in ministry for over 40 years.
Bishop T.D. Jakes' condition is "beginning to improve" after he suffered a "slight health incident" during service over the weekend, according to his family and church.
Jakes, 67, was seen in footage posted on social media seemingly pausing his hour-long sermon on Sunday and suddenly shaking as other church members gathered around him.
The Potter's House Church, the nondenominational Dallas, Texas-based Christian church led by Jakes, shared a statement on the bishop's official X account saying that he received "immediate medical attention" after the sermon.
"Bishop Jakes is stable and under the care of medical professionals," the statement reads. "The entire Potter's House family is grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers and support from the community."
Here's what we know so far about Jakes' condition.
'Could have been a tragic day'
In addition to the statement, Jakes' daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband, Touré Roberts, shared an update on the bishop's condition in a video posted Sunday on the church's X account.
"Today could have been a tragic day, but it wasn't by the mercy of God, by the grace of God," Pastor Touré Roberts said in the video. "Bishop is doing well, he's recovering well (and) he's under medical care. He's strong, we're trying to get him to sit down."
The Roberts asked people to continue praying for the Jakes and their family over the holiday season.
"I think it's just a reminder, even going into this holiday season, we need to love on the people who you hold near and dear," Pastor Sarah Jakes Roberts said in the video.
Who is Bishop T.D. Jakes?
Jakes has been in ministry for over 40 years and has advised many high-profile individuals, including the "last three presidents," according to the bio on his website. The bio does not specifically name which presidents, but says Jakes was a featured speaker at Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009.
Jakes is also a best-selling author and award-winning filmmaker. With "minimal resources," he founded the Potter's House in 1996, according to the bio.
Spiritual mentor to Sean 'Diddy' Combs
The bishop is also a longtime spiritual mentor to Sean "Diddy" Combs, the record executive who was indicted for sex trafficking and other federal charges.
When the video of Diddy allegedly abusing his former girlfriend, Cassie Ventura, came out in May, Jakes seemingly called the footage "difficult to watch" and "atrocious, degrading (and) demeaning debauchery" during a church service at the Potter’s House, the New York Post reported. The bishop did not say Diddy's name or get into specific details about the video.
“I know who it was, but as a man, I saw my daughters. And it made me angry," Jakes told his roughly 17,000 congregants during the service, per the New York Post.
Who is Bishop T.D. Jakes family?
Jakes' family continues to remain by his side, including his other daughter, Cora Jakes Coleman, and his wife of more than 35 years, Serita Jakes.
On Coleman's Instagram story, the preacher and motivational speaker reshared Potter House's statement and the video of her sister, Sarah Jakes Roberts, speaking about their father's condition. She also shared a message on her story announcing that "Devotional Time" will be postponed to later this week.
"Please just keep me and my family in your prayers," Coleman's message reads.
Serita Jakes has not publicly spoken since her husband's health incident, but she is the bishop's "chief advocate," according to his bio. The two of them have five children, including Coleman and Roberts, and five grandchildren.
"The secret to their longevity belies 'Hollywood marriage advice.' Through the fortunate and not-so-fortunate times, Serita and T.D. support each other every step of the way," the bishop's bio reads.
Jonathan Limehouse covers breaking and trending news for Paste BN. Reach him at JLimehouse@gannett.com.