Bishop T.D. Jakes, the founder and senior pastor of The Potter’s House, announced on Sunday that he will be handing over leadership of the Dallas-based megachurch to his daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband, Pastor Touré Roberts.

The announcement came during a Sunday morning service, marking a significant transition for the ministry Jakes has led for nearly three decades. In a prepared news release, Jakes, who is entering his 50th year in public ministry, cited the need to address pressing societal challenges such as the shrinking middle class, social unrest, and widening opportunity gaps as key reasons for the leadership change.

“Elevating Pastor Touré and Pastor Sarah as the new senior pastors of The Potter’s House, we will honor our rich history while embracing a future that demands innovative ministry for the coming age,” Jakes stated.

The transition is set to take place later this year. Following the change, Bishop Jakes will continue serving as chairman of the T.D. Jakes Group, which oversees his real estate ventures, social impact initiatives, and the T.D. Jakes Foundation.

This leadership shift follows a turbulent period for Jakes, including a major health scare. Last November, he suffered what he later described as a “massive heart attack” while delivering a sermon. That same month, he filed a lawsuit against a former minister who accused him of attempted sexual assault.

During Sunday’s service, Jakes delivered a sermon titled “Whatever God Commands,” focusing on the importance of unity. With his signature energy and humor, he urged the congregation to set aside pride and prioritize unity within the church community.

“I have seen too many men build something and stay so long that they kill what they built,” Jakes said emotionally. “I cannot afford, especially after November, to risk something happening to me and you be sheep without a shepherd.”

As he concluded his message, Jakes introduced Sarah Jakes Roberts and Touré Roberts to the congregation, embracing them warmly at center stage.

“I know the crown is heavy,” he told them, as the audience applauded. “But I also know that if God is for you, who can be against you?”

Fighting back tears, Sarah Jakes Roberts acknowledged the weight of the moment. “I think we can all agree that this isn’t how I saw my legacy play out,” she said. “I believe that, collectively, we can turn this city upside down and right side up.”

Longtime church members expressed a mix of sadness and support for the transition. Anita Hosoda, an 18-year attendee and volunteer minister, recalled how Jakes once encouraged her to embrace her calling despite fear and doubt.

“I’m very sad,” Hosoda said. “But I feel he did what he felt was necessary for the good of the overall church.”

Nayquinte White, another longtime member and volunteer, reflected on how Jakes’ sermons deeply resonated with her family. “Every time we came to the church, the messages that [Jakes] preached spoke directly to what we were dealing with,” she said. “Bishop understood us.”

Since founding The Potter’s House in 1996, Jakes has expanded the church to multiple campuses, including locations in Dallas, Frisco, Fort Worth, and Los Angeles, claiming a membership of around 30,000. He rose to national prominence through his televised sermons and the success of his book Woman, Thou Art Loosed, which has sold more than 2 million copies.

As Jakes steps into a new season, his legacy as a spiritual leader and community advocate continues through the next generation.