Sarah Jakes Roberts, the daughter of Bishop T.D. Jakes, made a heartfelt tribute to her father after he announced that he is stepping down from leadership at the Potter’s House Church in Dallas.
Jakes shared the change during a sermon at the nondenominational church on April 27. He informed the congregation that Jakes Roberts and her husband, Touré Roberts, will take over.
The couple are co-pastors at ONE: A Potter’s House Church in Los Angeles and Potter’s House of Denver.
In an April 29 Instagram post, Jakes Roberts acknowledged her father’s contributions to the church, which he founded in 1996.
“The carpet is stained with your sweat. The walls rehearse your sermons,” she wrote. “The pews have been baptized with testimonies of wanderers turned believers. There is no Potter’s House Dallas without Bishop T. D. Jakes.”
It is unknown what role T.D. Jakes will play at The Potter’s House Church since the announcement was made.
Who is Sarah Jakes Roberts?
Sarah Jakes Roberts, 36, is the daughter of T.D. and Serita Jakes. According to a 2022 Los Angeles Times article, she was born in West Virginia but raised in Dallas, watching her father in the church.
She has four siblings: Thomas Dexter Jakes Jr., Jermaine Jakes, Jamar Jakes, and Cora Jakes.
Jakes Roberts has been open about her journey with teenage pregnancy. During an interview on “The Breakfast Club” in 2021, she said that giving birth at just 14 years old was challenging but ultimately has “contributed to my work ethic, made me wise for my years.”
Per the Times, Jakes Roberts attended Texas Christian University.
She is a New York Times best-selling author and CEO of Women Evolve. The movement, which focuses on women’s empowerment through faith, has spawned books, a podcast, and most notably, a conference that draws thousands each year which often includes other well-known names in ministry and celebrities. Beyoncé’s mother Tina Knowles, and Kelly Rowland attended the conference in 2023.
The event this year will be held in Atlanta in July and is already sold out. Her father hosted a similar conference called “Women Thou Art Loosed!” which started in 1996 and ended in 2022, where he eventually passed the torch to his daughter to continue the legacy of it.
Who is Touré Roberts?
Roberts is also an entrepreneur, investor, producer, humanitarian, and podcast host. Touré is the founder of ONE, which opened in 2014. According to his website, he is also a best-selling author, spiritual thought leader, speaker, and podcast host.
Sarah and Touré got married in 2014
The couple has been married since November 2014, reported Essence. This is both Roberts’ and Jakes Roberts’ second marriage.
Together, the two have five children from their previous marriages and a sixth child together, reported the lifestyle magazine.
Jakes Roberts pulled off her first sermon in 2014 after being invited to ONE in Los Angeles by her now-husband, whom she met through a friend.
“She did great,” Touré recalled to the outlet. “She was very calm and very serene. And she delivered a message.”
‘I’m scared but I’m ready’
Jakes Roberts’ recent Instagram post includes a photo of her embracing her father. She praised him for leading with an “unrelenting force.”
Jake’s decision comes on the heels of health issues. In November, he suffered a heart attack on stage during a sermon. Months later, Jakes Roberts said she’s ready to take on her new role.
“I hear the rasp in your voice. I see the pace of your steps. I know just a little about what it costs you. I selfishly wish you’d keep going forever so I could be daddy’s little girl and stay hidden behind your shoulders, but God’s called me to stand on them instead,” she continued. “The same God that was with you will be with me, too. I’m scared, but I’m ready. I bet you get that, too.”
Taylor Ardrey is a news reporter for USA TODAY. You can reach her at [email protected].
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