TD Jakes ushers in latest era at The Potter’s House with leadership transition to daughter

Influential pastor and founding father of Dallas megachurch The Potter’s House, Bishop TD Jakes, announced a serious leadership transition on Sunday. 

Jakes’ daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband Pastor Touré Roberts will assume senior pastoral roles later this yr, marking a latest chapter for the church.

Founded in 1996, The Potter’s House has grown into a world ministry with hundreds attending in-person each week and lots of more tuning into broadcasts.

The leadership move comes as Bishop Jakes, after nearly five a long time of leadership, prepares to shift his focus toward broader economic and community initiatives, while continuing his role as Chairman of the Board and spiritual overseer of The Potter’s House.

Reflecting on his journey, Bishop Jakes highlighted the urgent need for ministries to adapt to today’s social and economic challenges. His decision to raise his daughter and son-in-law has apparently been shaped by a strategic, years-long process aimed toward ensuring continuity and innovation for the ministry’s future.

The Roberts aren’t any strangers to leadership inside The Potter’s House. Since relocating from Los Angeles to Dallas in 2022, they’ve steadily taken on greater responsibilities, including their installation as assistant pastors in 2023. Pastor Touré and Pastor Sarah are also the founders of ONE | A Potter’s House Church and Woman Evolve respectively.

Both leaders bring a dynamic vision aimed toward bridging generational gaps and adapting to cultural evolution, while remaining rooted within the church’s foundational mission.

Bishop Jakes expressed: “Elevating Pastor Touré and Pastor Sarah as the brand new senior pastors of The Potter’s House, we’ll honour our wealthy history while embracing a future that demands modern, ministry for the approaching age.

“This elevation will not be a departure but a rebirth. I won’t ever stop preaching and can proceed to minister. This moment is not an ending, it’s an expansion. We should not only passing a mantle we’re multiplying impact. Leadership will not be static, it’s dynamic. It demands the courage to evolve.”

Pastor Touré said: “We are committed to constructing a ministry that carries the center of Bishop Jakes right into a future that’s each faithful and forward-thinking.”

Pastor Sarah added: “This will not be only a call to serve. It’s a mandate to guide with compassion, clarity, and courage.”

The announcement comes after a period of major transitions for Bishop Jakes, marked by a medical crisis in November 2024 and the ultimate International Leadership Summit (ILS) hosted earlier this month in Orlando. 

Under the banner of “Changing of the Guard,” the ILS event foreshadowed Sunday’s pivotal announcement and focused on preparing the subsequent generation of leaders across various sectors.

While stepping back from each day pastoral duties, Bishop Jakes will significantly expand his influence through multiple ventures under the TD Jakes Group, including real estate, social impact projects, and a fresh collaboration with iHeartMedia to launch a series of podcasts. 

His upcoming podcast, My Next Chapter, goals to deal with major societal challenges and encourage motion. In June, Bishop Jakes will host the Good Soil Forum in Dallas to support small business owners, followed by an economic empowerment summit on Martha’s Vineyard in August.