More than 20 years later, he pastors what Christianity Today calls “one of America’s fastest growing mega-churches.” The Potter’s House, a multiracial nondenominational church with 59 active outreach ministries, has dominated church growth records since 1996. In only eight years since relocating the church from West Virginia to Dallas, The Potter’s House has grown from 50 families to more than 28,000 members to date. Rivaling many corporations, The Potter’s House employs more than 300 staff members including full-time finance, human relations, information technology, materials distribution, public relations and television production departments. The Potter’s House is fiscally sound, having recently paid off its newest $45 million, 191,000 sq. ft. structure that was completed less than four years ago.
Bishop Jakes was born on June 9, 1957 in South Charleston, W.Va. His parents, businessman and entrepreneur Ernest Sr. and educator Odith, were charitable benefactors in their community and to whom their son credits for his own integrity, discipline and selfreliance. Bishop Jakes is the CEO of The Potter’s House, a nonprofit organization that produces three major national conferences – “The Pastor’s and Leadership Conference,” “ManPower” and “Woman, Thou Art Loosed.” WTAL, a powerful and popular symposium, addresses specific needs of all women and has helped many go from welfare to work. The conference has set national indoor attendance records with an average of 84,500 attendees per day at the Georgia Dome in 1999. “ManPower,” equips and encourages men to build strong marriages, increase their confidence and take on more responsibility in their community. “Mega Fest” is a family affair combining “Woman, Thou Art Loosed,” “ManPower” and the “Youth 3-D Experience,” a new youth conference. This summer, Mega Fest attracted more than 140,000 people from 55 countries and set a cumulative record attendance of 560,000 over the four-day period. Through broadcasting efforts, Mega Fest impacted more than 314 million homes in 235 countries and territories outside of the U.S. Mega Fest 2005 is scheduled August 3 – 6 in Atlanta, Georgia.
In addition to the major conferences, Bishop Jakes hosts the God’s Leading Ladies conference, which is designed to help women in leadership positions to develop financial, relationship and balancing skills.
In an effort to remedy social and economic voids in Urban America, Bishop Jakes founded the Metroplex Economic Development Corporation in 1998. The nonprofit 501(c)(3) corporation has sponsored home ownership conferences and youth mentorship programs.Currently, MEDC is developing a job placement center, a skills training center, a small business counseling hotline and a housing development that will include affordable homes for senior citizens and single-parent families.
Additional endeavors to improve society include building two Habitat for Humanity homes in conjunction with the 2003 ManPower conference and making a $107,000 donation to relocate Dallas citizens from an economically and environmentally disadvantaged area. The Potter’s House was also responsible for building a hospital in Belize, Central America, named Belmopan to whom they later sent $400,000 for medical supplies. Bishop Jakes and The Potter’s House invested over $500,000 in outreach to prison inmates. Their “Adopt A Prison” program has impacted inmates giving them a way to reduce the rate of recidivism through spiritual support and a network of churches who have awareness to the plight of
inmates reentering the system.
He is also the founder of T.D. Jakes Enterprises, through which he employs his other aptitudes as author, songwriter and playwright. A renowned religious author with 30 books to his credit; Bishop Jakes’ works have been featured on Christian, secular and business bestseller lists. His top five nonfiction bestsellers are: Maximize the Moment; Woman, Thou Art Loosed; The Lady, Her Lover and Her Lord; The Great Investment: Faith, Family and Finance and God’s Leading Lady, which has peaked at #4 on the New York Times Hardcover Advice List. He released his first novel, Cover Girls, in the summer of 2003, and later that year; he released Follow the Star, a compilation of Bishop Jakes’ personal Christmas stories. His latest book He-Motions, which is currently #10 on the New York Times Bestseller List, is a tool for both men and women written with intimate personal stories and painful lessons he learned through life. His best-selling book, Woman Thou Art Loosed, has finally come to the big screen debuting in 400 theaters across the nation and winning the 2004 Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Bishop Jakes has developed business partnerships with Sony, EMI, Time Warner, Warner, Rueben Cannon Productions, Clear Channel, Thomas Nelson Publishing and a host of other highly respected companies. His theatre production company, Touchdown Concepts, created and produced the Christian plays “Woman, Thou Art Loosed” and “Behind Closed Doors.” Both became number one gospel plays in the United States. Recently his advocacy for women’s rights enabled him to develop the cinema production “Woman, Thou Art Loosed,” with Rueben Cannon Productions. The movie is based on his book “Woman, Thou Art Loosed,” and speaks out against domestic violence while encouraging women to rise above injustices. Bishop Jakes also operates Dexterity Sounds, a music label in collaboration with EMI Gospel Music that develops music with a divine message. The label has produced eight albums, five of which have received Grammy nominations. The album, “A Wing and a Prayer” featuring Bishop Jakes and The Potter’s House Mass Choir, received a 2004 Grammy award in the “Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album” category. His album “T.D. Jakes presents Follow the Star” also received a nomination in the category of “Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album.”
He is also the founder of T.D. Jakes Enterprises, through which he employs his other aptitudes as author, songwriter and playwright. A renowned religious author with 30 books to his credit; Bishop Jakes’ works have been featured on Christian, secular and business bestseller lists. His top five nonfiction bestsellers are: Maximize the Moment; Woman, Thou Art Loosed; The Lady, Her Lover and Her Lord; The Great Investment: Faith, Family and Finance and God’s Leading Lady, which has peaked at #4 on the New York Times Hardcover Advice List. He released his first novel, Cover Girls, in the summer of 2003, and later that year; he released Follow the Star, a compilation of Bishop Jakes’ personal Christmas stories. His latest book He-Motions, which is currently #10 on the New York Times Bestseller List, is a tool for both men and women written with intimate personal stories and painful lessons he learned through life. His best-selling book, Woman Thou Art Loosed, has finally come to the big screen debuting in 400 theaters across the nation and winning the 2004 Santa Barbara International Film Festival.
Bishop Jakes has developed business partnerships with Sony, EMI, Time Warner, Warner, Rueben Cannon Productions, Clear Channel, Thomas Nelson Publishing and a host of other highly respected companies. His theatre production company, Touchdown Concepts, created and produced the Christian plays “Woman, Thou Art Loosed” and “Behind Closed Doors.” Both became number one gospel plays in the United States. Recently his advocacy for women’s rights enabled him to develop the cinema production “Woman, Thou Art Loosed,” with Rueben Cannon Productions. The movie is based on his book “Woman, Thou Art Loosed,” and speaks out against domestic violence while encouraging women to rise above injustices. Bishop Jakes also operates Dexterity Sounds, a music label in collaboration with EMI Gospel Music that develops music with a divine message. The label has produced eight albums, five of which have received Grammy nominations. The album, “A Wing and a Prayer” featuring Bishop Jakes and The Potter’s House Mass Choir, received a 2004 Grammy award in the “Best Gospel Choir or Chorus Album” category.
His album “T.D. Jakes presents Follow the Star” also received a nomination in the category of “Best Contemporary Soul Gospel Album. http://www.godsleadingladies.com/_downloads/bio_td_jakes.pdf
Follow The Star
Bishop T.D. Jakes Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Follow the star tonight,
The star that shines so bright.
You've all been waiting, anticipating for so long,
So follow the star.
(Verse 1:)
Tonight a Savior is born, Born of the Virgin Mary, Christ our Lord.
(Now a joybell's ringing) can you hear ringing?
(We all are singing) we all are singing.
(Chorus)
(Verse 2:)
Bring all your clove and myrrh,
Don't leave you heart,
That's what He came here for.
(He wants to see you) He wants to see you,
(and will love you) and will love you.
(Chorus)
The song "Follow The Star" by Bishop T.D. Jakes is a beautiful anthem that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. The song urges listeners to follow a shining star that illuminates the night sky, leading them to the newborn Savior. The star is a symbol of hope and guidance, reminding listeners that they have been anticipating the arrival of Jesus for a long time. The lyrics highlight the significance of Christ's birth, which is a joyous occasion for everyone.
The first verse of the song talks about the nativity story and how Jesus was born to the Virgin Mary. It expresses the joyousness of the birth of Christ, with the sounds of ringing joybells and people gathered together to sing praises for the newborn Savior. The second verse encourages people to bring gifts of clove and myrrh but reminds them not to forget their hearts since that is what Jesus came to save. The verse ends with the message that Jesus wants to see everyone and love them, highlighting His love for all humanity.
In conclusion, "Follow The Star" is a heartwarming and uplifting song that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ, emphasizing the importance of the event and the message of love and salvation that came with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Follow the star tonight,
Tonight, follow the star that shines bright in order to reach your destination.
The star that shines so bright.
This star shines with such brilliant radiance that it illuminates the way.
You've all been waiting, anticipating for so long,
You've long waited with great anticipation for this momentous occasion to occur.
So follow the star.
Therefore, it is crucial to observe and follow the star in order to arrive at the location of the Savior's birth.
Tonight a Savior is born,
On this glorious night, a Savior has been delivered.
Born of the Virgin Mary, Christ our Lord.
He is the son of the Virgin Mary and our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.
(Now a joybell's ringing) can you hear ringing?
Can you hear the sound of the bells of joy chiming?
(We all are singing) we all are singing.
We all rejoice together and sing with elation at the Savior's birth.
Bring all your clove and myrrh,
Bring your offerings of spices such as clove and myrrh as gifts.
Don't leave you heart,
Don't forget to donate your heart and soul to the Savior.
That's what He came here for.
The reason why He came to Earth was to receive our sincere hearts and souls.
(He wants to see you) He wants to see you,
Jesus desires to see each and every one of us.
(and will love you) and will love you.
Moreover, His abundant love for us will always overflow and never cease.
Follow the star tonight,
Finally, as a reminder, follow the star tonight and make sure to never lose sight of it.
The star that shines so bright.
For it is the star that shines with the power of hope, love, and salvation.
You've all been waiting, anticipating for so long,
We have all waited for so long for the promise of the birth of the Savior.
So follow the star.
Hence, we must follow this celestial marker to reach the spiritual destination that we have been seeking for so long.
Contributed by Brooklyn S. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@SiimplyDarliin
CHORUS:
Follow the star tonight,
the star that shines so bright.
You've all been waiting, anticipating for so long,
so follow the star.
VERSE 1:
Tonight a Savior is born,
born of the Virgin Mary, Christ our Lord.
(Now a joybell's ringing) can you hear ringing?
(We all are singing) we all are singing.
CHORUS
VERSE 2:
Bring all your clove and myrrh,
don't leave you heart,
that's what He came here for.
(He wants to see you) He wants to see you,
(and will love you) and will love you.
CHORUS
@kellirich5028
I have been looking for this song and it seems like forever.....
@AxROSEx
I love this song so much.
@TheChristy627
Dorinda Clark Cole…. Her voice is so soothing
@deannabartos8054
Auntie love you Mach dorinda Clark cole her voice is so soothing
@sophisticatedchosen1
Thank you for this encouraging song of praise!!!
@beblader9
Amazing song!
@NaomieJeanPierre
I have been looking for this for so long!! Thank YOU!
@mik0c0lbert
I had to order the CD..if this were an album...I would need a new album and a new needle.....( cant hear this enough )
@carlahubbard3059
I love this
@sherrymunguia2886
It's funny how this video been up here for 2 years or so and I recently found it after my long search.