In a historic and emotional service on July 6 at The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas, Bishop T.D. Jakes officially passed the mantle of senior leadership to his daughter and son-in-law, Sarah Jakes Roberts and Touré Roberts. The pastoral succession marks a significant shift in the legacy of one of the nation’s most influential churches and serves as a powerful moment of generational transition.
Surrounded by pastors, church elders and thousands of attendees both in person and online, Bishop Jakes offered a deeply personal and prophetic charge to the couple. “This is where it gets real,” he said, as the congregation witnessed the sacred moment of anointing. Jakes emphasized that ministry is a call to servanthood, not stardom. “While your office grants you privilege, it is privilege to serve in the name of Christ.”
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The succession was not rushed, Jakes made clear. “They’ve been here almost five years. Because I understand that a skin graft takes time,” he said. “It took time and we took time with this, and we are trusting you to be as responsible for them as they are for you.”
Symbolic moments marked the ceremony, including the anointing of Touré and Sarah’s hands and with oil—“snake repellent,” as Jakes called it—representing divine protection and empowerment. “This ain’t just oil. This is snake repellent,” he declared. “Wherever you stick your head, the snake may have to recoil because the oil is against you.”
Touré Roberts addressed the congregation with heartfelt humility, recognizing the weight of the mantle being placed upon him, noting that he didn’t come from a line of bishops or pastors, but was lifted by a praying mother and a supportive family. “My purpose, simply put, is to lift you, to sacrifice, to pay the price and to lift you in every way that I can, with every gift that I can.”
Sarah Jakes Roberts also shared a transparent reflection on the cost of leadership, describing her “yes” to the call as one made with eyes wide open. “I saw the bleeding feet and bleeding hearts. I saw the betrayal and the hurt,” she said. “But I asked God to make it clear that this was His plan.” She offered a prophetic vision for the church’s future, declaring, “We came not to be served, but we came to unleash what God’s placed on the inside of you.”
The couple unveiled “Potter’s House 2.0,” a multi-generational vision committed to spiritual depth, emotional resilience and addressing the world’s most pressing issues through Christ’s message of salvation. The service concluded with prayer, worship and an invitation for members to reengage in the work of the ministry. Dr. Cindy Trimm also gave a powerful message, commending Bishop T.D. Jakes’ years of service.
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“Bishop T.D. Jakes has yet to climb his final mountain prepared for him. But we recognize all the mountains he has already climbed. He has climbed the mountain of media where he built a global communication platform through The Potter’s Touch viewed by millions,” Trimm says.
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The next chapter for The Potter’s House has officially begun, rooted in legacy, drenched in oil and driven by purpose for a new generation.
Abby Trivett is content development editor for Charisma Media.
