T. D. Jakes: Bio

Bishop T.D. Jakes IS A QUINTESSENTIAL LEADER. Known for his service to the church and the global community, his heartfelt efforts have made worldwide impact. He is a man at the forefront of philanthropy, a best-selling author, and most of all a premier contemporary spiritual voice.

Bishop Jakes has global reach through missions around the world, record-breaking events, and weekly, with his diverse congregation at The Potter's House, where he shares his message of hope, inspiration and God's love with over 30 thousand members there in Dallas, Texas. The Dallas-Fort Worth community is also home to Clay Academy, the college preparatory school for leaders of the next generation; the Metroplex Economic Development Corporation, a resource for aspiring entrepreneurs; and Capella Park, a charming single-family housing development.

Having written over 30 books, Bishop Jakes is a New York Times best-selling author several times over! One of his most recent runaway successes, REPOSITION YOURSELF: Living Life Without Limits, has over a half-million copies in print in less than a year's time! His message is also communicated in print and broadcast media through interviews and features in Time, Forbes, and Essence magazines, the Washington Post, USA TODAY, CNN, Fox News and more. His life-enriching wisdom is highly sought after, from the pulpit to TV screens across the country--as seen on his many appearances on the Dr. Phil show.

Bishop Jakes is a trailblazer in national conferences and events. His Woman Thou Art Loosed, ManPower & MegaFest conferences have drawn hundreds of thousands, garnered international attention, and shattered attendance records in Atlanta's Georgia Dome. In 2008, the MegaFest conference will be internationally based in beautiful South Africa.

With a special interest in the continent of Africa, Bishop Jakes and The Potter's House launched FAITH FOR AFRICA, an initiative that brought water wells, medicine, and ministry to thousands of people in and around Nairobi in Kenya.

His worldwide outreach is strengthened by his weekly television broadcast, The Potter's Touch, which reaches millions of households globally. From the small screen to the silver screen, Bishop Jakes has added the title of filmmaker to his list of pursuits, transmuting his message of empowerment and encouragement into WOMAN THOU ART LOOSED: THE MOVIE--the first of many motion pictures. This moving story of a woman plagued by the ills of domestic abuse highlights Bishop Jakes' emphasis on social issues. And be on the lookout for the next T. D. Jakes motion picture: NOT EASILY BROKEN, the tale of what happens when calamity meets an already-troubled marriage. The film--the first of a multi-picture deal with SONY--is directed by Bill Duke and stars Morris Chestnut, Taraji P. Henson, and Jenifer Lewis and hits theaters early 2009.

His concern for the problems of our communities is expressed not only in movies, but also through community initiatives combating domestic violence, homelessness, and AIDS. His commitment to AIDS education and awareness has received national note and his ministry to prison inmates serves prisoners and former inmates inside and outside of Texas state lines.

From Dallas to Washington DC to Nairobi, prison inmates, Hurricane Katrina evacuees and Kenyan natives alike have been touched by the message of faith and God's love through the ministry, the servant, and the pioneer...BISHOP T. D. JAKES.