Bishop Thomas Dexter (T.D.) Jakes, popular American preacher, has suffered a medical emergency while delivering a sermon on Sunday, according to the megachurch Potter’s House of Dallas, Texas, United States, where he serves as pastor.
A video of the incident showed the renowned Christian pastor lowering his microphone and shaking in his seat before people around him rushed to his aid.
In a statement, the church said Jakes “experienced a slight health incident and received immediate medical attention following his powerful hour long message.”
“Bishop Jakes is stable and under the care of medical professionals,” the church said. “The entire Potter’s House family is grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from the community.”
Jakes founded the 30,000-member megachurch in southern Dallas, Texas, in 1996.
Church services at the Potter’s House of Dallas suddenly stopped on Sunday when Bishop T.D. Jakes suffered the health incident mid-sermon.
Jakes, a celebrity pastor and motivational speaker, spoke 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. I ain’t tired of preaching,” Jakes, 67, said to the audience. “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,” he continued. “You think you’re giving out something, you’re getting back more than you gave.”
The pastor then moved on to quoting 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,” he said.
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.
The update also added that Jakes is 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,” the message added. “Thank you for your understanding and continued prayers.”
