T.D. Jakes, the pastor of Dallas’s Potter’s House, suffered what many say looks like a stroke in the middle of his sermon on Sunday. Jakes, a celebrity pastor and motivational speaker, had been speaking about the joys of preaching shortly before the incident occurred. Video of the medical emergency spread across social media shortly after the incident.
“I still love to preach,” he told his congregation. “I ain’t tired of preaching. I miss you. Have you ever gone to a hospital to visit somebody and you thought it was going to encourage them, and they encourage you? That’s what preaching is like. You think you’re giving out something, you’re getting back more than you gave.”
He then quoted Psalm 19:14 before going silent. “Let the words of my mouth and the meditation of my heart, be acceptable in thy sight, O Lord, my strength, my redeemer, let them go in peace.”
Jakes then stopped speaking and appeared to spasm while sitting in his chair and staring into the distance. Attendees rushed on stage to help him, and a speaker asked the audience to pray for him while he was being tended to.
The preacher’s X account posted an update about the medical emergency later on Sunday. “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.
It was later revealed that the “slight health incident” was a stroke. The update did acknowledge that he was currently “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.”
His son-in-law, Toure Roberts, posted an update on social media on Sunday evening.
In an update on Instagram, Jakes’ daughter, Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband, Toure Roberts, gave additional details.
“Obviously today could have been a tragic day but it wasn’t; by the mercy of God, by the grace of God, Bishop is doing well he’s recovering well, he’s under medical care, he’s strong,” said Toure Roberts. “We’re trying to get him to sit down, he’s the strong Bishop that we know, but we really can’t thank you enough for your prayers.”
“I’m so grateful that he’s already beginning to improve,” Sarah Jakes Roberts said. “It’s a reminder that even going into this holiday season, we need to love on the people who you hold near and dear and just take the time to be grateful for all the people God’s given you.”
Here are the warning signs of a stroke according to the Mayo Clinic:
- Sudden weakness or numbness: A sudden weakness or numbness in your arm, leg, or face, especially on one side of the body. For example, if your arm or leg feels limp, or half of your face seems to droop, take it seriously.
- Trouble speaking or understanding: If you suddenly have difficulty talking or are slurring your words, or can’t understand what others are saying to you, that’s another warning sign. It can feel like your brain isn’t connecting with your mouth or ears.
- Vision problems or confusion: A stroke can cause sight issues in one or both eyes, like blurry or double vision, or even complete loss of sight in part of your field of vision. You might also feel disoriented or confused out of nowhere.
If you experience any of these issues, seek medical attention immediately.
–Dwight Widaman | Metro Voice