Claire Dawson
Bishop T.D. Jakes, the founder of the Potter's House, a 30,000-member megachurch in Dallas, Texas, suffered a health scare during a Sunday sermon on November 24, 2024. Jakes, 67, was delivering an inspirational message when he suddenly lowered his microphone, began to shake and slump over, and eventually faded out of consciousness. He experienced a life-threatening medical emergency, later revealed to be a massive heart attack, and was rushed to the ICU, where he underwent emergency surgery. Jakes expressed his gratitude for his recovery, referring to it as a miracle and thanking God and the medical professionals for their intervention.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Incident | Suffered a medical emergency during a sermon |
| Date | November 24, 2024 |
| Symptoms | Lowered his microphone, shook and froze |
| Surgery | Emergency surgery |
| Diagnosis | Massive heart attack |
| Hospital | N/A |
| Health Status | Stable, recovering |
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What You'll Learn
Bishop Jakes collapsed during a sermon
Bishop T.D. Jakes, the founding pastor of the Potter's House Church in Dallas, Texas, collapsed during his Sunday sermon on November 24, 2024. The megachurch pastor, who has inspired millions worldwide, was delivering a powerful hour-long message when he suddenly lowered his microphone and began to shake in his seat. A crowd quickly rushed to his aid, and Jakes was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery.
In the shocking video of the incident, Jakes can be seen lowering his microphone and shaking before people around him react with concern. The renowned Christian pastor and author, who founded the non-denominational church in 1996, suffered a slight health incident according to a statement released by the church. The statement also confirmed that Jakes received immediate medical attention and was stable under the care of healthcare professionals.
Jakes himself shared an update on his health one week after the incident, revealing that he had undergone emergency surgery and faced a life-threatening calamity. He expressed his gratitude for surviving the surgery and asked congregants to praise God that we're not planning a funeral. The 67-year-old bishop also noted that he did not experience typical heart attack symptoms, which made the diagnosis surprising.
In March 2025, Jakes revealed on the 'Today' show that he had suffered a massive heart attack due to a clot that blocked blood flow to half of his heart. He shared his spiritual experience during the incident, feeling peaceful and serene despite the seriousness of his condition. Jakes also expressed his gratitude for the medical professionals who saved his life, acknowledging that he would have been dead if he had arrived at the hospital just five minutes later.
The bishop's health scare prompted an outpouring of support and prayers from his congregation, well-wishers, and other Dallas church leaders. Many took to social media to express their concerns and send healing energy his way. Jakes' family also shared updates on his improving health, with his son-in-law, Roberts, noting that the bishop was "doing well" and "recovering."
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He underwent emergency surgery
Bishop T.D. Jakes underwent emergency surgery after suffering a health incident during a sermon at The Potter's House Church in Dallas, Texas. Jakes is the founding pastor of the megachurch, which has over 30,000 members.
On November 24, 2024, during an hour-long sermon, Jakes lowered his microphone and began to shake in his seat before being rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery. In a video message to his congregation on December 1, Jakes shared that he had faced a life-threatening calamity and underwent emergency surgery, expressing his gratitude for still being alive. He noted that the event could have been fatal if it weren't for God's intervention and the expertise of medical professionals. Jakes also mentioned that he did not experience typical heart attack symptoms, making the diagnosis a surprise.
Jakes described his near-death experience as a spiritual journey, feeling detached from his physical body during the incident. He recalled feeling at peace and enveloped in a white, cloud-like space. He found the entire experience to be a privilege, providing him with a glimpse of what lies beyond.
The bishop's health scare prompted an outpouring of support and prayers from his congregation, with many expressing concern and gratitude for his recovery. Jakes' family also shared updates on his improving health, encouraging people to continue praying for his recovery.
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Jakes thanked supporters for their prayers
Bishop T.D. Jakes, the founder of the 30,000-member megachurch in southern Dallas, Texas, suffered a medical emergency during a sermon on November 24, 2024. Jakes, aged 67, was giving an hour-long sermon when he suddenly lowered his microphone and began to shake in his seat. A dozen people rushed to his aid, and Jakes was taken to the ICU unit, where he underwent emergency surgery.
Jakes later shared a video message with his supporters, expressing his gratitude for their prayers and support. He said:
> I give thanks unto the Lord that I did not have a stroke, however, the event could've been fatal if it weren't for God's intervention. A special thank you to God and the medical professionals in our city whose speed and expertise were beyond exceptional. My job is to recuperate and reflect on God's protection. I owe it to my amazing family and church members to rest and ruminate as He restores me towards His service. As God calls us to honor the Sabbath, I'm reminded that rest is not a weakness – it is a divine gift.
Jakes also thanked his family, including his wife, Serita Jakes, who stayed by his side during his hospital stay. He further acknowledged the outpouring of love and support he received from his global community of followers, saying he was “forever humbled” by their kindness.
In his message, Jakes also asked congregants to “praise God that we're not planning a funeral," reflecting on the seriousness of the incident and his gratitude for his recovery. He returned to his Dallas megachurch on New Year's Eve for his first in-person appearance after the health scare, labelling himself "Bishop Lazarus" during the service.
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He announced his retirement as lead pastor
Bishop T.D. Jakes, the founding pastor of the Potter's House Church in Dallas, suffered a health scare during his Sunday sermon on November 24, 2024. Jakes, 67, froze and began to shake during his hour-long message, after which he was rushed off the stage and taken to the hospital for emergency surgery.
In a video message to his congregation, Jakes shared that he had faced a life-threatening calamity and underwent emergency surgery, for which he thanked God and the medical professionals. He also noted that the event could have been fatal if it weren't for divine intervention. Jakes has since returned to preaching and has shared his gratitude for his recovery, referring to it as a miracle.
In light of this health scare, Jakes has announced his retirement as the lead pastor of the Potter's House Church. In an emotional announcement, he shared his heartfelt gratitude to all those who had prayed for him and expressed his views on life and death. Jakes also said that he was not afraid to die and that the entire incident was a spiritual experience for him.
The Potter's House Church, founded by Jakes in 1996, is a non-denominational, multicultural church with over 30,000 members. Jakes has advised three presidents and was a featured speaker at President Barack Obama's inauguration in 2009. His retirement has sparked divided opinions, with some viewing it as a strategic move to distance himself from any scandal, while others see it as coincidental.
At the time of his retirement announcement, Jakes was stable and recovering from his health incident. His family shared updates on his improving health, and his daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and son-in-law, Touré Roberts, expressed their gratitude for the prayers and support they had received.
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Jakes described the experience as a miracle
Bishop T.D. Jakes, the founding pastor of the Potter's House Church in Dallas, suffered a health incident during his Sunday sermon on November 24, 2024. Jakes, 67, was on stage finishing his sermon when he lowered his microphone and began to shake and shudder. He was rushed to the hospital for emergency surgery, where he was diagnosed with a massive heart attack due to a clot that blocked blood flow to half of his heart.
In the weeks following the incident, Jakes described the experience as a miracle. In a video message to his congregation, he said: "Many of you don't realize that you're looking at a miracle. I faced a life-threatening calamity, was rushed to the ICU unit, had emergency surgery, survived the surgery... I'm grateful to God for his goodness and his mercy, and not just to our local church, but to the global community that follows this ministry."
Jakes also expressed his gratitude for the support he received during his recovery, thanking his loved ones, supporters, and church members. He noted that his survival was due to God's intervention and the expertise of medical professionals. In one statement, he said: "Every moment, every second, every minute of your life, you should recognize that somebody’s headed to the morgue while you’re headed to the light... Not because you’re any better, not because they’re any worse, but by the amazing grace of God."
Jakes' health scare and subsequent description of the experience as a miracle have brought an outpouring of support and prayers from his congregation, other church leaders, and well-wishers around the world.
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Frequently asked questions
Bishop T.D. Jakes was in the hospital after suffering a health incident during a sermon at The Potter's House, a megachurch in Dallas, Texas, which he founded in 1996.
During the sermon on November 24, 2024, Bishop Jakes, 67, became tired, lowered his microphone, and began to shake and slump over. He was then rushed to the hospital and later revealed that he had suffered a massive heart attack.
Bishop Jakes underwent emergency surgery and is now recovering. He has expressed gratitude for his recovery, referring to it as a miracle and thanking God, his loved ones, supporters, and church members for their support.
