Entertainment
Bishop TD Jakes’ Sunday sermon interrupted by illness scare, viewers believe he had a ‘stroke’
Beloved pastor and spiritual leader Bishop TD Jakes caused quite a scare amongst his faithful and online followers during his televised Sunday service on November 24 from The Potter’s House in Dallas, Texas.
The church was filled with worshipers when the 66-year-old preacher suddenly suffered a health emergency while preaching, prompting many to fear he can have suffered a stroke or heart attack.
Sitting all the way down to deliver his message, Jakes began the service by expressing his unwavering passion for service.
“I still love preaching. I’m not uninterested in preaching,” he said, drawing thunderous applause from the congregation. He rubbed his face and admitted, “I miss you.”
Jakes then shared an analogy concerning the power of preaching. Comparing it to visiting patients within the hospital, he thought, “You think you’re giving something, but you get back more than you gave,” his voice was hoarse with emotion as he added, “I love you.”
Jakes’ hand began to shake, but at this point the shaking was not noticeable as he lowered the microphone.
His tone modified as he prayed: “Now, Lord, let the words of my mouth and the thoughts of my heart be pleasing in Your sight. O Lord, my strength, my Redeemer, let them go in peace.”
The pastor’s body trembled much more as he dropped his handkerchief, signaling that something was fallacious to his team and the armor bearers who sprang into motion, rushing to his aid. They might be heard over microphones calling on people to “step back” and “give him some space.”
The camera recording the image moved forwards and backwards, showing people within the pews reaching out to the preacher and praying.
Bishop TD Jakes had a medical emergency during today’s service. I’m unsure if it was a stroke.
Pray for TD Jakes pic.twitter.com/6eUc5X7TwF— Lutomia Goddy (@LutomiaMGodfrey) November 24, 2024
Page six he stated that the live broadcast was interrupted shortly thereafter, however the moment had already sparked widespread concern online.
Social media platforms were soon flooded with reactions, prayers and speculations.
“It looks like a stroke. The same thing happened to me, I sat too long with my legs dangling. I even have a blood clot. That’s exactly what happened,” one person said common.
Someone else he said“I hope it’s not pneumonia.”
Another concerned copycat he wrote“The probate was due to the stress of the allegations.”
Others chimed in with messages of support, including “Prayers for him and his family.”
As hopeful news continues to trickle in, Jakes finds himself at the middle of the storm once more – amid multiple allegations surrounding his involvement with Sean “Diddy” Combs following the arrest and indictment of the Bad Boy Records founder.
Likely a results of the stress of the accusations
— HCH (@Sammy20545318) November 24, 2024
YouTuber Tasha K sent viral video of Jakes throughout the service, although reactions from her followers ranged from concern to disrespect.
“Everyone has been struggling since Diddy went down,” one person joked.
Others said, “He must repent. Rumor has it that he attended Diddy’s parties.
“I hope this wasn’t a skit! It seems strange that this happened right after all the things he said. I even have so many questions,” one person commented, adding, “Was he sick to the purpose that he had to sit down all the way down to preach? He seems exhausted, so should he have preached there? Is this some stunt he’s pulling because he knows he’s (perhaps) about to hit the fan? I hope he’s okay.
Several followers were outraged by the remark and wrote: “You should be ashamed of these comments.”
Jakes and Diddy are closer than many thought. In 2021, they announced “Kingdom Culture with TD Jakes” on Revolt, the network founded by Diddy. The following yr, Bishop was captured on video at Diddy’s 53rd birthday celebration.
While some viewed his latest statements as denials, reps claimed that Jakes only showed as much as Diddy’s party since it was a “respectful order” for the one that hosted your show on the network.
In February 2024, Jakes’ name appeared in one other lawsuit against Combs, this time filed by Rodney “Lil Rod” Jones, producer of Diddy’s “The Love Album: Off the Grid.” Jones sought $30 million in damages, claiming he was drugged, sexually harassed and possibly assaulted, and compelled into compromising situations involving prostitutes.
Although Jakes was not a defendant within the lawsuit, Jones accused Diddy of wanting to “use his relationship with Bishop T.D. Jakes to mitigate the impact on his public image” stemming from the fallout from a previous lawsuit filed by Cassie Ventura, which Diddy settled inside 24 hours of filing application in November 2023.
Since then, the Justice Department has raided Combs’ homes before bringing a series of great charges against him.
Although Jakes has not been accused of any wrongdoing, his relationship with Diddy, which dates back a few years, raises eyebrows.
In response, his team issued a blanket denial. Jordan A. Hora, executive director of public relations and communications for TD Jakes Group, TD Jakes Ministries and The Potter’s House said via statement to The Christian Post: “Recent claims circulating on social media about Bishop TD Jakes are unequivocally false and baseless.”
Jakes himself briefly touched on this topic in his sermon last Christmas, stating, “I will not use this holy day and this holy pulpit to speak of lies when I have the opportunity to preach the truth.”
Now, almost a yr later, that very same pulpit has develop into the positioning of his health scares. Hours after the incident, The Potter’s House released a statement assuring followers that Jakes had received medical attention.
“During today’s service, Bishop TD Jakes experienced a minor health incident and received immediate medical attention following his hour-long message,” the statement read. “Bishop Jakes is stable and under medical care.
“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.”
Statement from the Potter household in Dallas
November 24, 2024During today’s service, Bishop TD Jakes experienced a minor health incident and received immediate medical attention after his full hour-long message. Bishop Jakes is stable and under medical care… pic.twitter.com/QupVK29mQd
— TD Jakes (@BishopJakes) November 24, 2024
Singer Fred Hammond also reported the news on his Instagram: “The last news I received is that the bishop is doing well and resting!!!”
He later wrote: “Latest news. Bishop was in a position to rise up and walk to the wheelchair. And when he was near his chair (pulpit), he walked as much as the microphone and said, ‘I’ll see you next week.’
Queen Latifah was also one among many individuals to reply, writing, “God bless you Pastor Jakes! God actually heals. I already know that your assistance is on the way in which. I thank God upfront for all the things that is occurring in your behalf. Amen.”
As Bishop Jakes recovers, the church community and his hundreds of thousands of supporters unite behind him in prayer, hoping that their beloved leader will soon return to the pulpit where he inspired so many.