Bishop Jakes Offers Support to His Son

In a true case of practicing what he preaches, Bishop T.D. Jakes says he's offering "help, support, and restorative grace" to his son, Jermaine, who's facing an indecent exposure charge.

Bishop Jakes, who pastors over 30-thousand members at The Potter's House in Dallas, released the following statement to the Dallas Morning News on Friday.

As parents, we occasionally feel that our children do not live up to our highest and best ideals. When they do not, we don't diminish our love for them as recompense for our disapproval. Like our children, we also are not infallible nor do we profess to be. Our now adult son Jermaine is 29, but when he was at home he was a recipient of correction, compassion and wise counsel. We hope that the light of what we believe will guide him through times of contradiction and moments of concern as he continues to mature.

In spite of the family pain we feel from this unfortunate situation, it has given us a chance to show him the same help, support, and restorative grace for which our family and church is noted. Through our ministry at The Potter’s House, as well as our own home, we have for years offered help in the time of need to all adults, our five children and other people’s children.

It is in moments like these that I am so grateful that we do not preach that we are the solution, but we look to Christ for resolution. So then, as a very human family with real issues, like many other people, we will draw from the same well of grace to which we have led others to drink and be refreshed.


Jermaine's charge of indecent exposure is a Class B misdemeanor, which means he could get up to six months in jail and a 2-thousand dollar fine.

Interestingly enough, Bishop Jakes mentioned the incident, which was reported nationwide last week, in yesterday's 8am service. However, members who attended the 11:30am service missed out on the announcement because Bishop Jakes wasn't there. He had to catch a flight after the first service. Stay tuned...

Son of Prominent Pastor Charged with Lewd Behavior

The good thing about having a forum to report news is that you get to choose the stories you work on. If you don't like/don't get/aren't interested in the flavor of the day, you don't have to sip it. However, there are some things that you have to report as a responsible journalist. With that in mind, I'm going to tell you about Jermaine Jakes.

It was reported Wednesday night that Jakes, the 29-year-old son of Bishop T.D. Jakes, was arrested and charged with indecent exposure on January 3rd. According to the Dallas Police Department arrest warrant affidavit, Jermaine exposed himself to two undercover cops. He walked up to one of them with his pants unzipped and began to masturbate while making eye contact.

Faith Johnson, Jermaine's lawyer released a statement late Wednesday evening that said:

"We are aware of potential allegations involving Jermaine Jakes and are undertaking our own investigation of these allegations at this time. Given an apparent government investigation, we have no further comment at this time."

This morning, Dallas County Sheriff's Department spokesperson Kimberlee Leach said that the younger Jakes had surrendered to law enforcement authorities today. The judge released him on a personal recognizance bond.

Jakes' father, Bishop T.D. Jakes, is the pastor of The Potter's House in Dallas -- a 30-thousand member megachurch. In addition, he's also the author of several books, including Woman Thou Art Loosed, and Maximize the Moment. His movie, Not Easily Broken, starring Academy Award nominee Taraji P. Henson and Morris Chestnut, is in theaters now.

If you'd like to see the affidavit, click here. Please be warned that the language is quite graphic. While it's easy to rush to judgement, I would ask that we all be in prayer for this family at this difficult time.