“A global humanitarian organization.” That’s how Bishop T. D. Jakes describes The Potter’s House of Fort Worth. It’s more than just a church. It’s a community hub with a mission to serve.
The Potter’s House is rooted in Dallas. T. D. Jakes founded it. It quickly grew into a megachurch. By 2008, it ranked as the 10th largest in the US with a weekly attendance of 17000.
The Dallas church has a fascinating history. W. V. Grant, a televangelist, originally built the church as the Eagles Nest Family Church. It sits next to Dallas Baptist University in Oak Cliff. Grant was convicted of tax evasion. He then sold the facility to T. D. Jakes. Jakes renamed it The Potter’s House and relaunched it. He moved from West Virginia with 50 families. They formed the core of the new congregation.
The Potter’s House needed more space. It built a 191000-square-foot sanctuary for $45 million. Amazingly, the debt was paid off in just four years. The auditorium was completed in August 2000. It includes cascade seating. A large stage and a choir loft with seating for 450 were built. Also, a state-of-the-art audio-visual system was added. The sanctuary seats about 7600 people. It hosts graduations, concerts and corporate events.
By 2000, Jakes held three services every Sunday. Over 23000 people attended. They filled the sanctuary and overflow room.
In December 2009, the church expanded its reach. It held its New Year’s Eve Watch Night service at its main center. People watched the service by satellite at the Fort Worth Convention Center. People also watched from the North Church in Carrollton. By 2010, The Potter’s House had 30000 members. There were five campuses in Dallas, Fort Worth, North Dallas, Denver, and Los Angeles.
The Potter’s House of Fort Worth opened in March 2010. Initially, services were held at the Fort Worth Convention Center. The campuses are linked by satellite video. Bishop Jakes’ daughter leads the Denver campus. Her name is Lady Sarah Jakes Roberts. Her husband, Pastor Toure’ Roberts, is the senior pastor of The Potter’s House One Church in Los Angeles.
CBS News listed The Potter’s House as the 25th largest megachurch in the US in November 2018. It had about 16140 weekly visitors.
The Potter’s House engages in many activities. It ministers to ex-offenders. The church helps them find jobs and housing. It also helps them deal with substance abuse.
The church also helps teenage mothers, abused women, and the homeless. It runs a GED literacy program. It has an AIDS ministry. The Potter’s House collaborated with Palmer Theological Seminary in Pennsylvania. Seminary students gained experience at the church.
The Potter’s House employs nearly 400 people. They work in finance, HR, IT, and other areas. The church fosters economic growth in underserved communities. It also runs a school and a housing project for single families and seniors. The church has provided aid and sent missionaries to Belize, Mexico, Guyana, and Kenya.
Bishop T. D. Jakes is a charismatic leader. He is also a visionary. He has made his presence felt in Hollywood with eight films. Serita Jakes is an author, speaker, and visionary. She oversees women’s and children’s affairs at The Potter’s House.
The Potter’s House of Fort Worth is more than just a church. It’s a place of hope. It’s a place of help. It’s a place where lives are transformed.