(RNS) — After an hour of preaching during the weekend worship service at his Dallas megachurch, Bishop T.D. Jakes was praying and speaking the words “my strength, my Redeemer,” when he lowered his mic and appeared to be shaking in the chair where he was seated, according to a video circulating on social media.
“During today’s service, Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a slight health incident and received immediate medical attending following his powerful hour long message,” reads a Sunday (Nov. 24) statement from The Potter’s House of Dallas.
In the video, about a dozen people can be seen rushing to Jakes’ side within seconds as someone said over the megachurch’s sound system: “Everybody begin to pray. Come on, stretch your hands this way. Father, in the name of Jesus we speak life.”
Jakes, a bestselling author, entertainment executive and traveling evangelist, is currently under medical supervision, his church said.
“Bishop Jakes is stable and under the care of medical professionals. The entire Potter’s House family is grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from the community. Thank you for your understanding and continued prayers.”
Steve “Scoop” Jefferson, a reporter for Dallas ABC affiliate WFAA, posted on X about the incident, saying: “Bishop Jakes believes he just got overheated at the end of service today and came back and spoke thanking everyone for their prayers after he … cooled down. THANK YOU JESUS!”
In a later posting, Jefferson added: “Witnessing this from the second row in church this morning during the Altar Call to Discipleship was startling to say the least. We also witnessed the Power of God as Men & Women cried out to the Lord.”
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Later on Sunday, Jakes’ daughter Sarah Jakes Roberts and her husband, Touré Roberts, who are assistant pastors at The Potter’s House, issued a video statement about her father. Introducing the statement, the X posting on The Potter’s House account reads: “He’s doing well. Thank you immensely for your prayers. They are working.”
The couple also thanked supporters for their prayers and concern.
Sharing a quick update on our beloved @bishopjakes. He’s doing well.
Thank you immensely for your prayers. They are working. pic.twitter.com/T8jxEjsmkp
— The Potter’s House (@TPHDallas) November 25, 2024
“I’m so grateful that he’s already beginning to improve,” said Sarah Jakes Roberts, calling it a reminder going into the holiday season “to love on the people who you hold near and dear, and just take the time to be grateful for all the people God’s given you.”
His daughter called Sunday “an interesting day,” and her husband described it as a “tough day.”
Touré Roberts described the strength of his father-in-law after the incident.
“Obviously, today could have been a tragic day, but it wasn’t by the mercy of God, by the grace of God,” he said. “Bishop is doing well. He’s recovering well. He’s under medical care. He’s strong. We’re trying to get him to sit down.”
The couple also are pastors of One LA, a California-based ministry that is part of The Potter’s House.
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