T. D. Jakes

{{Short description|American preacher (born 1957)}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2018}}
{{Infobox clergy
| honorific_prefix = [[Bishop]]
| name             = T. D. Jakes
| honorific_suffix = 
| image            = Mr. T.D. Jakes.jpg
| alt              = 
| caption          = Jakes in 2022
| birth_name       = Thomas Dexter Jakes
| birth_date       = {{birth date and age|1957|6|9}}
| birth_place      = [[South Charleston, West Virginia|South Charleston]], [[West Virginia]], U.S.
| death_date       =  <!-- {{Death date and age|YYYY|MM|DD|YYYY|MM|DD}} death date first, then birth date -->
| death_place      = 
| death_cause      = 
| occupation       = {{hlist|Preacher|author|filmmaker}}
| years_active     = 
| spouse           = {{marriage|Serita Jamison|1982}}
| parents          = 
| relatives        =  <!--or: relations, family -->
| website          = {{official URL}}
| religion         = [[Nondenominational Christian]]
| church           = 
| ordained         = 
| writings         = 
| congregations    = [[The Potter's House Church, Dallas|The Potter's House Church]], Dallas, Texas
| offices_held     = 
| title            = 
| signature        = 
| signature_alt    = 
}}

'''Thomas Dexter Jakes''' (born June 9, 1957) is an American [[Nondenominational Christianity|non-denominational Christian]] pastor and motivational speaker. He is the senior pastor of [[The Potter's House Church, Dallas|The Potter's House]], a [[Nondenominational Christianity|non-denominational]] American [[megachurch]] in [[Dallas|Dallas, Texas]]. Jakes's church services and Evangelistic sermons are broadcast on ''The Potter's Touch''. He is the author of many books and also produces films.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amazon.com : TD Jakes books |url=https://www.amazon.com/td-jakes-books/s?k=td+jakes+books&rh=n:283155 |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=www.amazon.com |language=en-us}}</ref>

==Biography==
Thomas Dexter Jakes was born on June 9, 1957, in [[South Charleston, West Virginia]], and grew up in the Vandalia neighborhood in [[Charleston, West Virginia]], where there is a street bearing his last name.<ref>S. Torriano Berry, Venise T. Berry, ''Historical Dictionary of African American Cinema'', Rowman & Littlefield, USA, 2015, p. 239</ref>

===Beliefs===
Although Jakes was converted and ordained within [[Oneness Pentecostalism]], he revealed in an interview with [[Mark Driscoll (pastor)|Mark Driscoll]] in 2012 that he affirms the [[Trinity]], although Jakes did not affirm the eternality of the individual persons of the Trinity, which is denied by Oneness churches.<ref>{{cite news |last=Foust |first=Michael|title=T.D. Jakes Embraces Doctrine of the Trinity, Moves Away from 'Oneness' View |url=http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2012/january/td-jakes-embraces-doctrine-of-trinity-moves-away-from.html |access-date=January 13, 2014 |newspaper=[[Christianity Today]] |date=January 27, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite news |last=Menzie |first=Nicola |title=TD Jakes Breaks Down the Trinity, Addresses Being Called a 'Heretic' |url=http://www.christianpost.com/news/td-jakes-breaks-down-the-trinity-addresses-being-called-a-heretic-67972/ |access-date=January 13, 2014 |newspaper=[[Christian Post]] |date=January 26, 2012}}</ref>

Jakes is an advocate of [[sexual abstinence]] and has made appearances advocating it on ''[[Good Morning America]]'' and ''[[Dr. Phil (talk show)|Dr. Phil]]''.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.drphil.com/shows/show/1045 |title=Dr. Phil.com&nbsp;— Shows&nbsp;— Teens and Sex with the Bishop |work=drphil.com|date=3 March 2008 }}</ref>

In 2015, Jakes stated that his views on homosexuality and LGBT rights are evolving. However, Jakes stated that his words were misinterpreted and that while he does not support same-sex marriage, he "respect[s] the rights that this country affords those that disagree".<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.washingtontimes.com/news/2015/aug/10/td-jakes-clarifies-his-comments-on-evolving-on-gay/ |title=T.D. Jakes clarifies his comments on 'evolving' on gay rights |author=Cheryl Wetzstein |publisher=The Washington Times |date=August 10, 2015 |access-date=March 10, 2018}}</ref>

==Ministry==
In 1982, at age 25, Jakes became the pastor of Greater Emanuel Temple of Faith, a [[storefront church]] in Smithers, West Virginia, with ten members.<ref>Randall Herbert Balmer, ''Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition'', Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 300</ref> In 1988, he joined the denomination ''Higher Ground Always Abounding Assemblies'' founded by Bishop Sherman Watkins.<ref>Shayne Lee, ''T.D. Jakes: America's New Preacher'', NYU Press, USA, 2007, p. 22</ref> In 1990, Jakes moved to South Charleston, West Virginia, and his congregation grew again, to 300 members. In 1993 he moved to Cross Lanes, West Virginia.<ref name="Hughes Oliphant Old 1998, p. 386">Hughes Oliphant Old, ''The Reading and Preaching of the Scriptures in the Worship of the Christian Church: The biblical period'', Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing, USA, 1998, p. 386</ref>

In 1995, he founded "TDJ Enterprises" which publishes his books and produces his films.<ref>Paul A. Djupe, Laura R. Olson, ''Encyclopedia of American Religion and Politics'', Infobase Publishing, USA, 2014, p. 225</ref> From 1995 to 1996, Jakes hosted "Get Ready," a weekly radio and television show with national distribution through syndication.<ref name="Hughes Oliphant Old 1998, p. 386"/> In 1996, Jakes, founded [[The Potter's House Church, Dallas|The Potter's House]] in [[Dallas]], Texas, a non-denominational church.<ref>Randall Herbert Balmer, ''Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism: Revised and expanded edition'', Baylor University Press, USA, 2004, p. 360</ref> Located on a 34-acre hilltop campus, the Potter's House features a 5,000-seat auditorium, as well as offices for employees and staff.

In 2005, Jakes accompanied President [[George W. Bush]] on his visit to the areas devastated by [[Hurricane Katrina]].<ref>Elisabeth Bumiller, [https://www.nytimes.com/2005/09/19/politics/stern-words-from-the-preacher-at-the-presidents-side.html Stern Words From the Preacher at the President's Side], nytimes.com, USA, September 19, 2005</ref> On January 20, 2009, Jakes led the early morning prayer service for President [[Barack Obama]] at [[St. John's Episcopal Church, Lafayette Square|St. John's Church]] in Washington, D.C.<ref>Laurie Goodstein, [https://www.nytimes.com/2009/03/15/us/politics/15pastor.html Without a Pastor of His Own, Obama Turns to Five], nytimes.com, USA, March 14, 2009</ref>

In 2009, Jakes partnered with [[Phil McGraw]], [[Jay McGraw]], and [[CBS Television Distribution]] to launch a syndicated, secular talk show; however, due to economic issues within the syndicated television market, the program never premiered.<ref name=bandc-toll>{{cite web |title=Troubled Syndie Market Takes Its Toll |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/programming/troubled-syndie-market-takes-its-toll/33935?rssid=20101 |website=Broadcasting & Cable | date=10 January 2009 |access-date=July 14, 2015}}</ref><ref name=bandc-jakes />

In July 2015, [[Tegna, Inc.]] and [[Debmar-Mercury]] announced that a new secular talk show hosted by Jakes called ''T. D. Jakes'' would air a test run on Tegna stations in [[WXIA-TV|Atlanta]], [[WKYC|Cleveland]], [[WFAA|Dallas]], and [[KARE (TV)|Minneapolis]] from August 17 to September 11, 2015.<ref name=variety-jakestegna>{{cite web |title=T.D. Jakes Talk Show Gets Summer Test Run in Heartland Markets |url=https://variety.com/2015/tv/news/t-d-jakes-talk-show-debmar-mercury-summer-test-1201537062/ |website=Variety |date=9 July 2015 |access-date=July 14, 2015}}</ref><ref name=bandc-jakes>{{cite web |title=Tegna, Debmar-Mercury to Test Talker Starring T.D. Jakes |url=http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/distribution/tegna-debmar-mercury-test-talker-starring-td-jakes/142420 |website=Broadcasting & Cable |date=9 July 2015 |access-date=July 14, 2015}}</ref> On May 10, 2016, Tegna announced that it would begin airing Jakes's show September 12 in over 50 markets across the country.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://deadline.com/2016/05/t-d-jakes-talk-show-premiere-date-1201752597/ |title='T.D. Jakes' Syndie Talker Gets Launch Date |first=Erik |last=Pedersen |date=May 10, 2016}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.khou.com/entertainment/television/new-td-jakes-tv-show-premieres-sept-12/185381258 |title=New T.D. Jakes TV show premieres Sept. 12 |last=TEGNA |access-date=2016-05-19 |archive-date=2016-05-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160512130043/http://www.khou.com/entertainment/television/new-td-jakes-tv-show-premieres-sept-12/185381258 |url-status=dead }}</ref> On March 15, 2017, the talk show was cancelled due to poor ratings and low clearances.<ref>[http://www.broadcastingcable.com/news/distribution/exclusive-tegna-s-bold-replace-td-jakes/164112 "Exclusive: Tegna’s ‘BOLD’ to Replace ’T.D. Jakes’"] from ''Broadcasting & Cable'' (March 15, 2017)</ref>

==Media==
===Discography===
* ''Woman Thou Art Loosed'' (1997)
* ''Live from the Potter's House'' (1998)
* ''The Storm Is Over'' (2001)

====As featured artist====
*[[Steve Angello]] - "Rejoice" (2017) (from the album ''[[Human (Steve Angello album)|Human]]'')

===Writings===
* ''Intimacy with God''
* ''Loved By''
* ''Before You Throw in the Towel''
* ''Naked and Not Ashamed?''
* ''Loose That Man and Let Him Go''
* ''Loose That Man and Let Him Go Workbook''
* ''Positioning Yourself to Prosper''
* ''Reposition Yourself: Living a Life Without Limits''
* ''He-Motions: Even Strong Men Struggle''
* ''Help! I'm Raising My Children Alone: A Guide for Single Ladies and Those Who Sometimes Feel They Are''
* ''Ten Commandments of Working in a Hostile Environment''
* ''Promises from God for Single Women''
* ''Woman, Thou Art Loosed: Healing the Wounds of the Past''
* ''Woman, Thou Art Loosed Devotional''
* ''The Lady, Her Lover, and Her Lord''
* ''Maximize the Moment : God's Action Plan for Your Life''
* ''So You Call Yourself a Man?: Finally... a Devotional for Ordinary Men with Extraordinary Potential''
* ''God's Leading Lady''
* ''His Lady''
* ''Jesus Walks (with me)''
* ''Lay Aside the Weight''
* ''Daddy Loves His Girls''
* ''The Greatest Investment''
* ''Mama Made the Difference''
* ''Don't Drop the Mic''
* ''TD Jakes Speaks to Men''
* ''Overcoming the Enemy''
* ''From the Cross to Pentecost''
* ''Life Overflowing: Six Pillars for Abundant Living
* ''Not Easily Broken'', 2006
* ''Before You Do: Making Great Decisions That You Won't Regret'', 2008, Atria Books {{ISBN|978-1-4165-4728-0}}
* ''The Memory Quilt: A Christmas Story for Our Times'', 2009
* ''Let It Go: Forgive So You Can Be Forgiven'', 2012
* ''Instinct: The Power to Unleash Your Inborn Drive'', 2014, Hachette Book Group {{ISBN|1455554049}}
* ''Destiny: Step into Your Purpose'', August 2015, Hachette Book Group {{ISBN|978-1-4555-5397-6}}
* ''Soar!: Build Your Vision from the Ground Up'', 2017, FaithWords
* ''Crushing: God Turns Pressure into Power'', April 2019, Hachette Book Group
* ''Disruptive Thinking'', May 2023, FaithWords {{ISBN|978-1546004004}}

===Filmography===
* 2004: ''[[Woman Thou Art Loosed]]''&nbsp;— As himself (based on Jakes's novel of the same name)<ref name="Loosed">{{cite web
| title =Woman Thou Art Loosed
| publisher = Internet Movie Database Inc.
| url = https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0399901/
| access-date = December 23, 2007}}</ref>
* 2009: ''[[Not Easily Broken (2009 film)|Not Easily Broken]]''&nbsp;— Allen (based on another Jakes novel)<ref name="Broken">{{cite web
| title = Not Easily Broken
| publisher = Internet Movie Database Inc.
| url = http://www.NotEasilyBroken.com
| access-date = December 23, 2007}}</ref>
* 2011: ''[[Jumping the Broom (film)|Jumping the Broom]]''&nbsp;— Reverend James
* 2010: ''Munya''&nbsp;— Reverend Brian
* 2012: ''[[Woman Thou Art Loosed: On the 7th Day]]'' – As himself
* 2012: ''[[Sparkle (2012 film)|Sparkle]] –'' Producer
* 2014: ''[[Heaven Is for Real (film)|Heaven Is for Real]]'' – Producer
* 2014: ''[[Winnie Mandela (film)|Winnie Mandela]]'' – Producer
* 2016: ''[[Miracles from Heaven (film)|Miracles from Heaven]]'' – Producer
* 2018: ''Faith Under Fire'' – Executive Producer
* 2021: ''[[Seven Deadly Sins (film series)|Seven Deadly Sins]]'' – Executive Producer

==Legacy and honors==
PBS Religion and ''Ethics Newsweekly'' have named Jakes among America's "Top 10 Religious Leaders." [[Time magazine|''Time'' magazine]] featured Jakes on the cover of its September 17, 2001, issue with the
provocative question, "Is This Man the Next Billy Graham?"<ref name="Christ Notes">{{cite web |title=Christ Notes |url=http://www.christnotes.org/_td-jakes.asp |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080523200337/http://www.christnotes.org/_td-jakes.asp |archive-date=May 23, 2008 |work=christnotes.org}}</ref>

In 2003, Jakes' album ''A Wing and a Prayer'' won the "Best Gospel or Chorus Album" at the [[46th Grammy Awards]].<ref>{{cite book |editor=Cusic, Don |title=Encyclopedia of Contemporary Christian Music |date=12 November 2009 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=_3jqjSKHKcwC&pg=PA221 |page=221 |publisher=Abc-Clio |isbn=9780313344268 |access-date=October 14, 2015}}</ref> He has also received Grammy and Dove Award nominations for the gospel album ''Live at The Potter's House''. In 2004, he received the [[NAACP]]'s [[NAACP Image Award – President's Award|President's Award]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=2006-11-05 |title=African American News&Issues |url=http://www.aframnews.com/html/2004-02-04/feat2.htm |access-date=2022-05-19 |website= |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061105063853/http://www.aframnews.com/html/2004-02-04/feat2.htm |archive-date=5 November 2006 |url-status=dead}}</ref> Jakes was selected in [[Oprah Winfrey|Oprah's]] ''SuperSoul100'' list of visionaries and influential leaders in 2016.<ref>{{cite news |date=August 1, 2016 |title=Meet the SuperSoul100: The World's Biggest Trailblazers in One Room |work=O Magazine |url=http://www.oprah.com/spirit/supersoul100-the-worlds-biggest-trailblazers-in-one-room |access-date=July 5, 2018}}</ref>

==Personal life==
On the [[Public Broadcasting Service|PBS]] program ''[[African American Lives]]'', Jakes had his [[DNA]] analyzed; his [[Y chromosome]] showed that he is descended from the [[Igbo people]] of [[Nigeria]].<!--The African American Lives program says Igbo, not Yoruba as stated on some websites.--><ref name="FICU">{{cite web |title=T.D. Jakes, D.Min., Alumnus |url=http://www.ficu.edu/Alumni/Jakes.html |work=FICU Alumni Pages |publisher=Friends International Christian University |access-date=January 12, 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120401151616/http://www.ficu.edu/Alumni/Jakes.html |archive-date=April 1, 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://ethnicloft.com/?p=85 |title=EthnicLoft&nbsp;— Sharing and celebrating the treasures of our heritage and culture |access-date=May 29, 2007 |url-status=bot: unknown |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061125125320/http://ethnicloft.com/?p=85 |archive-date=November 25, 2006 }}</ref> According to his family history, it was suggested that he is also descended from them through his grandmother.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/mulatto/vpost?id=1193362&goto=nextnewest |title=Unknown Forum |work=websitetoolbox.com |access-date=2007-06-02 |archive-date=2007-09-27 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927003039/http://www.websitetoolbox.com/tool/post/mulatto/vpost?id=1193362&goto=nextnewest |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060201/NEWS/602010410/1021 |title=New PBS Show Explores African-American Heritage In a New Way |last=Ryan |first=Suzanne C. |date=February 1, 2006 |website=The Boston Globe |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060206184804/http://www.theledger.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=%2F20060201%2FNEWS%2F602010410%2F1021 |archive-date=February 6, 2006 |access-date=September 19, 2017 |url-status=dead}}</ref>

==References==
{{reflist|2}}

==Further reading==
* "[http://www.tdjakes.com/bishops-bio/ Biography]. Bishop T.D. Jakes.— T.D. Jakes Website. Retrieved November 24, 2011.
* Early Life -Guide to Resources for the Study of West Virginia Authors and Appalachian Literary Traditions
* Annie Merner Pfeiffer Library: TD Jakes. http://www.wvwc.edu/library/wv_authors/td_jakes.html {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140527212239/http://www.wvwc.edu/library/wv_authors/td_jakes.html |date=2014-05-27 }}

==External links==
* [https://www.tdjakes.org/ T. D. Jakes Ministries official website]
* {{IMDb name|415890|T.D. Jakes}}
* [https://www.tdjakes.org/echurch/ Watch T.D. Jakes Online] 
{{NAACP Image Award – President's Award}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Jakes, T.D.}}
[[Category:1957 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:20th-century Protestants]]
[[Category:21st-century American bishops]]
[[Category:21st-century American male writers]]
[[Category:21st-century American non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:21st-century Protestants]]
[[Category:African-American Christian clergy]]
[[Category:American Charismatics]]
[[Category:American Evangelical Presidential Spiritual Advisors]]
[[Category:American male non-fiction writers]]
[[Category:American Pentecostal pastors]]
[[Category:American people of Igbo descent]]
[[Category:American religious writers]]
[[Category:American television evangelists]]
[[Category:Film producers from Texas]]
[[Category:Grammy Award winners]]
[[Category:Nondenominational Christianity]]
[[Category:Pentecostals from Texas]]
[[Category:Pentecostal writers]]
[[Category:People from Cross Lanes, West Virginia]]
[[Category:People from South Charleston, West Virginia]]
[[Category:Writers from Dallas]]