By Zacharia Washington
Dallas Morning News
Reprinted – by Texas Metro News
The Potter’s House pastor reveals he had emergency surgery after on-stage health scare last week during a sermon.
Dallas megachurch pastor T.D. Jakes told his congregation Sunday that he “feels good and is in no pain” following his health scare last week while in the pulpit that led to emergency surgery.
Appearing during a video livestream that was shown during the worship service, Jakes addressed the church audience with an upbeat message about his condition.
“I’m in peace and tranquility,” he said to the Potter’s House congregation as the crowd applauded and shouted praises. “And I want you to know that I can feel your prayers. I can feel your support and your love. And it was obvious Sunday that you went through it with me.”
Jakes experienced a “slight health incident” on stage last Sunday during a sermon.
In clips of the church’s virtual broadcast that were circulated on social media, Jakes is sitting on a stool and appears to be finishing a prayer as he says, “My redeemer, let him go in peace.” He lowers the microphone before he begins shaking, the video shows.
Church officials did not elaborate on what may have caused the health scare that was caught on camera. However, in an Instagram post last week, Jakes said he did not have a stroke — despite the public’s claims on social media saying that he might have.
“Many of you don’t realize that you’re looking at a miracle,” Jakes said in the video on the Sunday after the Thanksgiving holiday. “I faced a life-threatening calamity, was rushed to the ICU unit; I had emergency surgery. I survived the surgery. I’m back.”
The church held a Bible study last Wednesday evening, during which the church’s leaders praised the power of the congregation’s prayers and that Jakes had been resting and recuperating.
Jakes said in his Sunday message that the doctors are suggesting he “takes it slow” during this time, but the congregation shouldn’t worry.
“I want you to keep the faith and keep the courage and keep the strength and keep on going forward. And I didn’t want you to be worried about me,” he said. “I’m trying to be obedient to what the doctor said do, in terms of just taking a few weeks to just heal and recover and, and relax and, and just reflect.”
As Jakes wrapped his virtual message up, he thanked the church congregation, his family and friends for their continuous support and prayers.
“I wanted to encourage the church, the world, for the amazing amount of support, the amazing amount of praise, the amazing amount of love and concern, and even from people that I would have never thought possible,” he said. “But the greatest supporter was God, who was with me every step of the way.”
