Serita Ann Jakes (nee Jamison) is an American author and public speaker. She is married to the well-known American author, filmmaker, and pastor Bishop TD Jakes.
Together with her husband TD Jakes, Serita co-pastors The Potter’s House, a big church in Dallas, Texas, which has become one of the largest and most influential congregations in the United States.
Apart from her role in ministry, Serita Jakes is an accomplished author, focusing on spirituality, personal growth, and women’s issues. She wrote books like “The Princess Within: Restoring the Soul of a Woman,” “Beside Every Good Man: Loving Myself While Standing By Him,” and “The Crossing.”
Serita Jakes is also involved in various charitable activities, supporting causes related to education, health, and empowerment.
Biography
Serita Ann Jakes was born in Beckley, West Virginia, on August 19, 1955. Her mother passed away due to Guillain-Barre Syndrome, a condition causing nerve damage, paralysis, and muscle weakness. Her father worked as a coal miner, but little is known about her mother.
Tragically, her older brother was killed in a shooting in front of his children while Serita was in college. This loss led her into an abusive relationship with a teenage boy as she grieved the deaths of her mother and brother.
During her childhood, Serita faced bullying because of her weight, which led her to turn to sex, drugs, and alcohol to fit in. However, her life changed drastically after she was baptized and experienced a spiritual renewal.
In an interview with Called Magazine, she revealed she was brought up in the church but strayed after joining the wrong crowd, saying, “I got in with the wrong crowd and started doing their thing, which I thought was my thing, and it was too fast for a little ole country girl like me.”
Age
Serita Jakes was born on August 19, 1955.
Education
While in college, Serita Ann Jakes studied theater and mass communications. It was during this time that she tragically lost her older brother in a shooting incident.
Family Life
Serita and TD Jakes got married on May 29, 1982, about one and a half years after they first met. Thomas Dexter Jakes, known as T.D Jakes, is the bishop of the Potter’s House, a nondenominational church in Dallas.
Shortly after their marriage, Serita and her husband were in an accident. She injured her leg, but it eventually healed.
Serita has five children: Jermaine, Thomas Jr., Jamar, Sarah Jake Roberts, and Cora. Cora is a preacher and author, while Sarah is a Pastor and married to Pastor Toure Roberts, a popular preacher.
Career
Serita Jakes holds the role of executive director for women and children’s issues at the Potter’s House Church. She oversees various programs: the God’s Leading Ladies Life Enrichment Program, the Distinctively Debs Youth Program, which supports academically gifted girls, and Starting Over, a ministry that assists women through challenging situations such as abuse, divorce, job loss, and grief.
She’s a renowned public speaker, making appearances on shows like Oprah’s Next Chapter, CNN, Fox News, and Dr. Phil’s Show. Additionally, she works for TDJ Enterprises, T.D. Jakes’ production company.
Books
Below are some published books of Serita Jakes:
- The Princess Within: Restoring the Soul of a Woman
- The Crossing: A Novel
- Beside Every Good Man: Loving Myself While Standing By Him
- The Princess Within for Teens: Discovering Your Royal Inheritance
- Sleeping Beauty
She has also co-authored a number of books with her husband, Bishop T.D Jakes.
Serita Jakes Illness
In 2012, Serita Jakes had surgery for a medical issue. Her illness required medical attention, and after doctors repaired two herniated discs, she fully recovered.
Sermons
Some of her sermons that you would love include;
- Be Refreshed
- Teaching Girls How To Live
- P.S. I Love You
- How To End Strife With Your Spouse
- See Through Me
- How To Be Content In Waiting Season
Net Worth
Serita Jakes’ estimated net worth is around $5 million USD. She earned money from salaries and book revenues.
Social Media
You can follow Serita Jakes on the below social media platforms:
- Instagram: @seritajakes
- Facebook: @firstladyjakes
- Twitter: @FirstLadyJakes