Serita ann jamison biography of william

Bishop T.D. Jakes—megachurch pastor, best-selling author, playwright, and movie producer—was born Thomas Dexter Jakes on June 9, 1957, in South Charleston, West Virginia, to Ernest L. Jakes, Sr., owner of a janitorial service that had three offices and 52 employees, and Odith Patton Jakes, a home economics teacher who sold Avon products in her spare time. Jakes and his older siblings, Ernest L. Jakes, Jr., and Jacqueline Jakes Sedgwick were reared in Vandalia, West Virginia. As a child, he attended the segregated Vandalia Elementary School. It was here that he began preaching to imaginary congregations and developing an interest in the ministry. At Garnet High School, he was nicknamed “Bible Boy.” And by 17, he knew that he was called to preach. Jakes left school to be caregiving for his invalid father and mother. After receiving the General Education Development Certificate (GED), Jakes enrolled at West Virginia State University in 1976. He left, however, the following

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Jakes, T.D. 1957- (Thomas Dexter Jakes)

PERSONAL:

Born June 9, 1957, in Charleston, WV; son of Ernest (a businessman) and Odith (a home economics teacher) Jakes; married Serita Ann Jamison (a church administrator and author), 1981; children: Jamar and Jermaine (twins), Cora, Sarah, T. Dexter, Jr. Education: Center Business College, 1972; doctorate, 1995. Religion: Pentecostal.

ADDRESSES:

Home—Dallas, TX. Office—T.D. Jakes, TDJ Enterprises, P.O. kartong 763518, Dallas, TX 75376.

CAREER:

Clergyman, author, producer, and speaker. Worked in business and industry, 1976-82; Greater Emanuel Temple of Faith (began in Montgomery, WV, moved to South Charleston, WV, 1990, Cross Lanes, WV, 1993), part-time pastor, 1980-82, full-time pastor, 1982-96; Ministries Today, columnist, 1996-97; Potter's House (interdenominational church), Dallas, TX, founder, 1996—; host of television show The Potter's House, broadcast on Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) and Black Entertainment Televis

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Jakes, T. D.

Minister, television show host

Bishop Thomas Dexter (T. D.) Jakes Sr. has become a world-renowned minister and broadcaster. He is the founder of the Potter's House mega-church in Dallas, and established T. D. Jakes Ministries to help the homeless, people with AIDS, and prisoners.

Born on June 9, 1957 in South Charleston, West Virginia, Jakes was the last of three children born to Ernest and Odith Jakes. His father ran a janitorial company. His mother taught home economics which was beneficial to Jakes and his siblings because they learned how to cook, sew, and clean up after themselves. Jakes' childhood was nurtured in a strong, close-knit community.

Known as "Bible Boy"

Jakes possessed strong character traits at an early age. His drive for preaching was witnessed during his childhood. He often preached to an imaginary congregation and always carried his Bible to school. Due to his early habits, he was nicknamed "Bible Boy." As he grew up, he also worked as a pa