Jakes and his wife of 19 years, Serita, bought the land for the Potter's House from the ministry of W.V. Grant, who was sentenced to prison for tax evasion. Jakes' ministry of empowerment and community giving flourished in Texas. Within two years, there were 15,000 members. The congregation of 26,000 is still growing. The Potter's House offers mentoring programs for young people, provides food, blankets and clothing to the homeless and operates a prison chaplain program.
Church members visit high-crime areas of Dallas and try to inspire gang members to attend church.
The charitable efforts are made possible by a staff of about 280 employees and about 1,500 volunteers. We have to come off our high horses and walk where they walk and sit where they sit. If we do not become involved in the fight, then all that we have professed is just religious rhetoric. Jakes has plans for developing a K-12 school, a refuge for abused women, a retirement community, a performing arts center and business incubators on hundreds of acres near the new sanctuary. Jakes has written best sellers and been nominated for a Grammy award.