Most Influential Black Spiritual Leaders 2007

Bishop T.D. Jakes

Bishop T.D. Jakes’ electrifying blend of gospel and tell-it-like-it-is sermonizing resonates with a worldwide following. In just over five years, Jakes transformed his ministry from a storefront operation to the Potter’s House, a more than 30,000-member Dallas-based congregation that is one of the largest churches in the nation. He is a best-selling author, a conference and crusade speaker, a Grammy and Dove-nominated music artist, an entrepreneur, and a filmmaker. Jakes's increasingly popular MegaFest conference, which drew 80,000 attendees to the Georgia World Conference Center in 2006, is on hiatus this year but will return in the summer of 2008.