Bishop T.D. Jakes is one of the most watched, respected and beloved pastors in the entire country. As a result, being a member of the Jakes family empire is serious business. Every person involved, including the children of Bishop T.D. and Serita Jakes, is expected to exceed churchgoer expectations of perfection at the highest levels possible. But, what are you to do when you live your life in the public eye and make a mistake that doesn’t reflect the teachings of your powerful father? Jakes’ daughter Sarah soon learned that even the anointed can fall and get up, even greater than before.
#EssenceFest alum, Sarah Jakes is not powerful because of her mistakes, she is powerful because of how she recovered from them. After having her first child at 14, doing everything she could to “run away” from her revered last name and feeling like she did not fit in with her own family, Jakes decided to share her story of how her faith carried her through the lowest points in her life.
In her latest book, “Lost & Found: Finding HOPE in the Detours of Life,” she shares the unflattering details of her experiences, which led her to working (as a waitress) in a strip club. Still, with her faith and her father’s teachings in tow, the imperfect Pastor’s kid realized that she had nothing to be ashamed of.
Now, at the age of 25, the media personality and motivational speaker shares her story with others who feel they have lost their way. Through sharing her own painful past, her audiences are empowered to not only share their own mistakes but also to know that those mistakes are only small obstacles to overcome on the path to greatness.
As she said in a recent interview, “Life doesn’t spare its’ rod for anyone… Grace has been on our shoulders our entire lives and it’s up to us to really walk in it.”
Sarah Jakes – Lost & Found Episode 8 Faith from Sarah Jakes on Vimeo.
For her courage to live, learn and grow, Sarah Jakes is definitely a woman who empowers us.
For daily inspiration and to keep up with her, follow her on Instagram @SarahDJakes.