Pray.com CEO Steve Gatena, who in November launched a “Sleep Psalms” prayer and meditation podcast featuring Jakes’ deep voice at the beginning of episodes, told RNS that working with Jakes has been an “incredible experience” and that the two hope to continue the partnership. “We love making a difference in the lives of millions of people together,” Gatena said in a statement.
Just as with the Christmas Eve congregation, Jakes told the revival audience early in his time on stage that he could sense their care for him.
“I love you back,” he said, as people filling the 4,000-seat suburban Maryland sanctuary welcomed him back to the revival where he had been a guest speaker for more than 30 years. “I feel your love. I feel your prayers. I’m thankful to God for them.”
The Rev. Cheryl Townsend Gilkes, professor emerita of African American studies and sociology at Colby College, said she was “not surprised at all” to hear how the revival’s congregation welcomed and responded to Jakes so soon after the rumors appeared. She describes Jakes as a Black leader who has long represented “the unusual combination of giftedness in preaching and giftedness in administration.”
She expects his preaching — which has occurred at national gatherings, including the annual conference of Black ministers at Hampton University, and occasions of national crisis, such as his Washington National Cathedral sermon after Hurricane Katrina — will continue “as long as the Lord keeps him healthy.”
Bishop T.D. Jakes delivered a sermon in Sept. 2005 for then-President Bush, then-Vice President Cheney and attendees of the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance after Hurricane Katrina. (Photo via T.D. Jakes Ministries Facebook)
Jakes in 2017 told RNS just before his 60th birthday: “I doubt seriously that retirement any time soon is in my purview.”
He casually mentioned his plans to keep on preaching as he ended his more than 100 minutes on the revival’s stage and urged his congregation for the evening to reject naysayers and focus on what they believe God has envisioned for them.
“If you would do this for the next 365 days,” he predicted, “when I come back next year you will be a completely different person.”
Yolanda Thomas, who has attended the revival for several years, said she had no hesitation about attending this year after allegations surfaced about Jakes.
“To me the work that he’s done, along with his character, has superseded the allegations,” said Thomas, 49, of Bethesda, Maryland.
“I recognize he’s a messenger,” she added. “He’s not God himself.”
This article originally appeared here.
