Bishop T. D. Jakes

Pastor, community advocate, humanitarian, author, and conference speaker, Bishop Thomas D. Jakes, Sr. was born on June 9, 1957, in South Charleston, West Virginia. From a very young age, he was devoted to the gospel and in 1979, Bishop Jakes began fulfilling his call to the ministry by founding and serving as Pastor of Greater Emmanuel Temple of Faith, a storefront church in Montgomery, West Virginia, which originated with only 10 members.

Now, more than 20 years later, he pastors one of the fastest growing mega-churches in America. Named The Potter's House, this multiracial, non-denominational church has dominated church growth records since 1996. In the first five years after relocating the church from West Virginia to Dallas, Texas, The Potter's House grew from 50 families to more than 28,000 members and has over 48 active outreach ministries. Additionally, T. D. Jakes Ministries/The Potter's House offers the following conferences: Mega Fest-which comprises the Woman, Thou Art Loosed, and ManPower meetings; The Pastors' & Leadership, and Partners' Conferences.

To reach the greater religious community, Bishop Jakes hosts "The Potter's Touch," a daily, 30-minute talk show that tackles today's taboo topics, confronts hidden issues, and offers practical and spiritual solutions to life's toughest questions. Bishop Jakes also ministers through the "The Potter's House," a vibrant television program that is currently viewed in the United States on BET, Daystar and TBN. The show is also viewed by international audiences weekly.

Bishop Jakes is also founder of the for-profit T. D. Jakes Enterprises, which employs his other aptitudes as author, songwriter, playwrite, and movie producer. Bishop Jakes lives in Dallas with his wife Serita and their five children.