Bishop Thomas Dexter Jakes, better known as TD Jakes, is a popular American pastor, author, and filmmaker. He is the founder and senior pastor of The Potter’s House, a non-denominational megachurch in Dallas, Texas. He is also a prolific writer, having published over 40 books on various topics such as faith, spirituality, and personal development. He has also produced and acted in several films, such as Woman Thou Art Loosed, Not Easily Broken, and Jumping the Broom.
TD Jakes is widely respected and admired for his dynamic preaching style and his ability to inspire and motivate diverse audiences. He has been featured on numerous media outlets, such as Oprah Winfrey Network, CNN, Time Magazine, and Forbes. He has also received many honors and awards, such as the NAACP Image Award, the BET Honors Award, and the Stellar Award.
However, despite his fame and influence, TD Jakes has also been the target of some false rumors and hoaxes. Recently, there was a rumor circulating on social media that TD Jakes had passed away suddenly at his residence in Dallas. The rumor caused panic and confusion among his followers and fans, who expressed their shock and grief online. But is there any truth to this rumor? Did TD Jakes really die? Here is what we know.
The Origin of the Rumor
The rumor of TD Jakes’ death started from a WhatsApp message that claimed that he had died of a heart attack at his home. The message also included a link to a website called News 360, which had a headline that read “CONFIRMED: Bishop T.D. Jake reportedly died this morning in his residence in Dallas, Texas.” However, the website was a hoax site that had no credible information or sources to back up its claim. The website also had several grammatical and spelling errors, which indicated that it was not a professional or reliable news source.
The WhatsApp message and the hoax website were then picked up by some social media users who shared them without verifying their authenticity. The rumor quickly spread online, reaching thousands of people who believed it to be true. Some people even posted condolence messages and tributes to TD Jakes on Twitter and Facebook.
The Truth Behind the Rumor
However, the rumor of TD Jakes’ death was soon debunked by several reputable sources and authorities. First of all, TD Jakes himself posted a tweet on his official Twitter account on September 26th 2022, which showed him alive and well. He wrote: “Good morning! I’m alive! God is good! I’m grateful for another day! I’m excited about what He’s going to do in your life today! Have a blessed day!”
Secondly, his church, The Potter’s House, also issued a statement on its official website, denying the rumor and confirming that TD Jakes was in good health. The statement read: “We are aware of a false report circulating on social media alleging that Bishop T.D. Jakes passed away. This is completely untrue. Bishop Jakes is healthy and enjoying this Sunday with his family.”
Thirdly, several other credible news outlets and celebrities also refuted the rumor and assured their followers that TD Jakes was alive. For example, CNN anchor Don Lemon tweeted: “Bishop TD Jakes is NOT dead. Please stop spreading false information.” Similarly, gospel singer Kirk Franklin tweeted: “Please stop with the fake news about my friend Bishop TD Jakes…he’s fine y’all…smh.”
The Motive Behind the Rumor
It is not clear who started the rumor of TD Jakes’ death or what their motive was. However, it is possible that they wanted to create confusion and chaos among his supporters and fans. It is also possible that they wanted to gain attention or traffic for their hoax website or social media accounts. Whatever their reason was, it was unethical and irresponsible to spread such a false and harmful rumor about someone’s life.
The Lesson from the Rumor
The rumor of TD Jakes’ death teaches us some important lessons about how to deal with information on social media. First of all, we should always be careful and cautious when we encounter news or messages that seem too shocking or sensational to be true. We should not believe everything we see or hear online without checking its source or validity. We should also not share or forward such information without verifying it first.
Secondly, we should always look for reputable and reliable sources of information when we want to learn more about something or someone. We should avoid clicking on links or websites that have suspicious or unprofessional names or appearances. We should also look for multiple sources that can confirm or deny the information we are looking for.
Thirdly, we should always be respectful and compassionate when we talk about someone’s life or death online. We should not spread rumors or hoaxes that can hurt or harm someone’s reputation or family. We should also not make jokes or memes that can be insensitive or offensive to someone’s feelings or beliefs.
TD Jakes is a respected and influential leader in the Christian community and beyond. He has touched and transformed many lives through his preaching, writing, and filmmaking. He deserves our admiration and appreciation, not our lies and slander. He is alive and well, and we hope he continues to bless us with his wisdom and grace.
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