Key Takeaways
- Rumors began in May 2024, claiming that T.D. Jakes had gone missing after a church service.
- On May 30, 2024, amid the rumors, T.D. Jakes was celebrating his 42nd wedding anniversary with his wife.
- Currently, he is preparing for major events like the “Woman Evolve”
In 2024, rumors surfaced on social media suggesting that T.D. Jakes, the renowned American pastor and motivational speaker, had gone missing.
These claims spread rapidly, especially after a video posted on Facebook suggested that his wife, Serita Jakes, was in tears over his disappearance.
On May 31, 2024, a Facebook user named Jakeline Carvalho uploaded a video titled, “Serita Jakes BURST Out in tears as TD Jakes is REPORTED MISSING, AFTER Service yesterday.”
The video alleged that Bishop T.D. Jakes had last been seen serving at The Potter’s House on Sunday before going missing, claiming that he had been out of contact since then and that a search was underway.
This story was further fueled by several TikTok users, who posted videos under the titles “Is TD Jakes missing?” and “Td Jakes Sermon Missing,” causing many to believe that something serious had occurred.
However, these rumors were entirely false. Neither Jakes’ family nor any credible news sources confirmed his disappearance.
In fact, T.D. Jakes was very active during that time, both on social media and in public engagements.
While these rumors were circulating, Jakes was actually celebrating his 42nd wedding anniversary with his wife on May 30, 2024.
He shared a heartfelt post on Instagram with the caption:
And look at her getting her balance back just In time to continue our celebration! …😂 Neither of us can believe it’s been 42 years! Wow! #anniversary.
Via Instagram
On May 31, the same day the rumors gained momentum, T.D. Jakes appeared in an Instagram live stream with author Touré Roberts, discussing the Good Soil Forum, further proving he was not missing.
As of now, T.D. Jakes has remained highly visible, regularly leading church services.
Jakes delivered a live-streamed sermon on September 22, 2024, and he continues to lead weekly worship at The Potter’s House​.
He is also preparing to attend major events, including the “Woman Evolve” conference in late September 2024, confirming his active role in both his ministry and public engagements.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- T.D. Jakes was born Thomas Dexter Jakes on June 9, 1957, in South Charleston, West Virginia, USA.
- He started his pastoral career at age 25 in 1982, leading a small storefront church, Greater Emanuel Temple of Faith, with just ten members in Smithers, West Virginia.
- Jakes is a Grammy Award winner! His gospel album “A Wing and a Prayer” won the Best Gospel or Chorus Album at the 46th Grammy Awards in 2003.
