Vision is to life as a rudder is to a ship; it keeps the course. T.D. Jakes is a dynamic leader and speaker that is passionate about empowering believers discover and walk in their destiny. T.D. Jakes founded The Potter’s House, a non-denominational church in Dallas, Texas, where he and his wife serve as the Senior Pastors. Services are live streamed from the church’s website and are Wednesday at 7pm CST and Sundays at 9am CST.
Church Life and Ministry
Today, The Potter’s House has over thirty thousand members and over fifty ministries. In addition to church, T.D. Jakes hosts a weekly show called the T.D. Jakes show. The T.D. Jakes show is one of the main vehicles that he uses to empower believers and through his visionary leadership.
T.D. Jakes once said, “Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day; teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime”. This statement reveals the foundation and mission of his ministry, to teach believers how to feed themselves. T.D Jakes vision is to raise up men, women, and children in the Body of Christ to be mature believers that can, in turn, raise up others. It is truly a vision of legacy!

A Sample Teaching From T.D. Jakes
T.D. Jakes has also been quoted in saying, “a setback is a setup for a comeback”. This perspective is only possible when we, as believers, live from heaven to earth. The Bible says in Ephesians 2:6 that, “ God raised us up with Christ and seated us with him in the heavenly realms in Christ Jesus”. When we truly live from our identity as sons and daughters, seated in heaven with Jesus, it becomes possible to see any set back as a set up.
Isaiah 55:8 illustrates this point as Father God reminds us, “For My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways My ways” The enemy can no longer torment us with his attempts to steal, kill, and destroy (John 10:10). Jesus works all things together for our good (Romans 8:28)!
This teaching from T.D. Jakes also brings hope. In Christ, we have redemption through His blood. This redemption is merely a ticket to get us into Heaven. It flows into all areas of our lives. For example, when looking through the lens of redemption a job loss becomes an opportunity for promotion. The situation hasn’t changed, a job was lost. However, the perspective in which the situation is viewed turns this setback into a step up for a comeback.
The Importance of Community
With a church of over thirty thousand members on multiple campuses, T.D. Jakes has made a concerted effort to prioritize community. Acts 2:42-46 shows us the model for community in the early church,
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts”
Jesus modeled similar community in relationship with the twelve disciples. Jesus also enjoyed friendships with individuals such as Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. The Potter’s House has over fifty ministries, many of which exist to foster community. One of the most fun ways T.D Jakes and the leaders have created to foster community is the Faith and Family cruise. The next Faith and Family cruise is November 9-16, 2019. (Spots are still available by signing up here). This event is just one example of a great opportunity to live out Acts 2:42-46!
The Key to Success According to
T.D. Jakes
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life (John 14:6). Jesus is the ultimate visionary leader. He came and turned the world upside down. The only way to access all that is available through the cross is to believe in the finished work of Jesus and receive the inheritance He purchased for us. In the words, of T.D. Jakes, “Others can inspire you, but ultimately the only thing that empowers you is what lies within you and learning how to better utilize what you’ve been given.”
We are the ones who choose how we will live our lives, but we can find inspiration through dynamic spiritual leaders like T.D. Jakes. It’s men and women like him that help the Body of Christ grow into full maturity!
Follow T.D. Jakes on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
Written by Sarah Crockett
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