T.D. Jakes addresses Dallas congregation after health scare: 'You're looking at a miracle'
Dallas, Texas megachurch pastor Bishop T.D. Jakes spoke remotely to his congregation Sunday, one week after he suffered a health-scare during a sermon, telling them "you're looking at a miracle."
In a video address to the Potter's House Church, the nondenominational Christian church Jakes leads, the 67-year-old celebrity pastor said he is recovering from an emergency surgery after he was rushed one week ago to an intensive care unit. Jakes later shared the public pronouncement on Instagram.
"I told you last Sunday that I'd see you this Sunday and so here I am," Jakes said as members of the congregation could be heard erupting in cheers and applause. "I'm grateful to God for his goodness and his mercy."
Jake was speaking to his congregation one week after the pastor was seen in footage posted on social media seemingly pausing his hour-long sermon and suddenly shaking as other church members gathered around him. The Potter's House Church later shared a statement on the bishop's official X account saying that he received "immediate medical attention."
Jakes suffered 'life-threatening calamity'
The nature of Jakes' medical incident has not been specified, and the pastor did not elaborate Sunday when addressing his congregation beyond saying he "faced a life-threatening calamity."
Jakes' characterization of his medical emergency appears to contradict the Potter's House Church, which initially downplayed what occurred as a "slight health incident" and later said that, within hours of the sermon, Jakes was "stable and under the care of medical professionals."
Jakes also posted a statement Wednesday accompanied by a video of him leaving the hospital in a wheelchair saying "I give thanks unto the Lord that I did not have a stroke."
"While I continue to be strengthened by His grace, I stand in awe of my family and the tremendous leadership team that surrounds me," Jakes said last week on X. "Together, we press forward, steadfast in the work the Lord has set before us."
Who is T.D. Jakes? No return announced for in-person preaching
Jakes founded Potter's House in 1996 and the church has since grown to more than 30,000 members, according to its website.
The pastor, who has been in the ministry for more than 40 years, said he has served as an advisor to high-profile individuals, including the "last three presidents," according to the bio on his website. The pastor was also a featured speaker at Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009.
Jakes said Sunday that since his health incident, he has received an outpouring of support and well-wishes from around the world.
"I'm in good spirits, I feel good, I'm in no pain," Jakes said. "I want you to know that I can feel your prayers .. it was obvious Sunday that you went through it with me."
Jakes did not provide a timeline for his return to preaching in person, saying only that based on medical advice, he will be resting and recovering for some time.
Contributing: Jonathan Limehouse, James Powel, Paste BN
Eric Lagatta covers breaking and trending news for Paste BN. Reach him at elagatta@gannett.com