Beloved pastor and spiritual leader Bishop T.D. Jakes gave his congregation and online followers quite a scare during his televised Sunday service on Nov. 24 from The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas.
The church was filled with worshipers when the 66-year-old preacher suddenly experienced a medical emergency while preaching, leading many to fear he might have suffered a stroke or heart attack.
Seated to deliver his message, Jakes began the service by expressing his unwavering passion for ministry.
“I still love to preach. I ain’t tired of preaching,” he said, eliciting loud applause from the congregation. He wiped his face and admitted, “I miss you.”
Jakes went on to share an analogy about the power of preaching. Comparing it to visiting patients in a hospital, he reflected, “You think you’re giving out something but you’re getting back more than you gave,” his voice gravelly with emotion as he added, “I love you.”
Jakes’ hand began to shake but at this point the tremors were not noticeable as he lowered his microphone.
His tone shifted as he prayed, “Now, Lord, let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart be acceptable in thy sight. Oh Lord, my strength, my redeemer, let them go in peace.”
The Pastor’s body trembled further as he dropped a handkerchief, signaling something was wrong to his team and armor bearers who jumped into action, rushing to his aid. Over the microphones, they can be heard urging people to “Back up” and “give him some space.”
The camera recording the tableau veered back and forth showing the people in the pews extending their hands to the preacher and praying.
Bishop TD Jakes had a medical emergency during today’s service. Not sure if it was a stroke.
— Lutomia Goddy (@LutomiaMGodfrey) November 24, 2024
Pray for TD Jakes pic.twitter.com/6eUc5X7TwF
Page Six stated that the livestream feed was cut shortly after, but the moment had already sparked widespread concern online.
Social media platforms were soon flooded with reactions, prayers, and speculation.
“Looks like a stroke. Same thing happened to me, sitting too long with my legs hanging. I got a blood clot. Happened exactly like that,” one person shared.
Someone else said, “Hope i[t]s not pneumonia.”
Another concerned follower wrote, “Prob brought on from all the stress from allegations.”
Others chimed in with messages of support, including, “Prayers to him and his family.”
As messages of hope poured in, Jakes found himself once again at the center of a storm —with many referencing allegations about his connection to Sean “Diddy” Combs following the Bad Boy Records founder’s arrest and indictment.
Prob brought on from all the stress from allegations
— HCH (@Sammy20545318) November 24, 2024
YouTuber Tasha K posted the viral footage of Jakes during service, though her followers’ responses ranged from concern to disrespect.
“They all been having problems since Diddy went down,” one person quipped.
Others said, “He needs to repent. Rumor has it he was a part of them Diddy parties.”
“I hope this wasn’t a skit! It seems odd that it happened right after all he said. I have so many questions,” one person commented, adding, “Has he been sick to where he’s had to be seated to preach? It sounds like he’s exhausted so should he have been up there preaching? Is it a stunt he’s pulling because he knows [s—t] is about to hit the fan for him (possibly)! I hope he’s okay.”
A few followers were outraged by this line of remarks, writing, “Yall should be ashamed of these comments.”
Jakes and Diddy are closer than many realized. In 2021, they announced the show, “Kingdom Culture with T.D. Jakes,” on Revolt, the network Diddy founded. The following year, the Bishop was caught on video at Diddy’s 53rd birthday party.
Despite some viewing his recent statements as a denial, reps claimed that Jakes only showed up to Diddy’s party because it was the “respectful thing to do” for the person over the network hosting your show.
In February 2024, Jakes’ name surfaced in another lawsuit against Combs, this time filed by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, a producer on Diddy’s “The Love Album: Off the Grid.” Jones sought $30 million in damages, alleging he was drugged, sexually harassed, and possibly assaulted, as well as forced into compromising situations involving prostitutes.
Though Jakes was not a defendant in the claim, Jones accused Diddy of wanting to “leverage his relationship with Bishop T.D. Jakes to soften the impact on his public image” stemming from the fallout from a previous lawsuit filed by Cassie Ventura, which Diddy settled within 24 hours of its filing in November 2023.
Since then, the Justice Department has raided Combs’ homes before indicting him on a range of serious charges.
While Jakes has not been accused of any wrongdoing, his association with Diddy, which dates back years, has raised eyebrows.
In response, his team issued a generalized denial. Jordan A. Hora, executive director of public relations and communications for the T.D. Jakes Group, T.D. Jakes Ministries and The Potter’s House said via a statement to The Christian Post, “Recent claims circulating on pockets of social media about Bishop T.D. Jakes are unequivocally false and baseless.”
Jakes himself briefly touched on the topic during a sermon last Christmas, stating, “I will not use this sacred day and the sacred pulpit to address a lie when I have a chance to preach the truth.”
Now, nearly a year later, that same pulpit became the scene of his health scare. Hours after the incident, The Potter’s House released a statement assuring followers that Jakes was receiving medical attention.
“During today’s service, Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a slight health incident and received immediate medical attention following his powerful hour-long message,” the statement read. “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.”
A Statement From The Potter's House of Dallas
— T.D. Jakes (@BishopJakes) November 24, 2024
November 24, 2024
During today’s service, Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a slight health incident and received immediate medical attention following his powerful hour long message. Bishop Jakes is stable and under the care of medical… pic.twitter.com/QupVK29mQd
Singer Fred Hammond also gave an update on his Instagram, writing, “Latest word I received is bishop is ok and resting!!!”
He later wrote, “Newest information. Bishop was in a position to get up and walk to the wheelchair. And once he was near his [pulpit] chair, he got on the mic and said I’ll see you all next week.”
Queen Latifah was one of the many that responded as well, writing, “God bless you, Pastor Jakes! God does heal. I already know your help is on the way. I thank God in advance for all that is being done on your behalf. Amen.”
While Bishop Jakes recovers, the church community and his millions of supporters are rallying behind him in prayer, hopeful that their beloved leader will soon return to the pulpit where he has inspired so many.
