- The present era has given rise to a cohort of exceptionally affluent pastors, amassing millions of shillings and enjoying opulent lifestyles
- Given their influential role in society, churches now stand as emerging entities in the Fortune 500, as per Forbes' 2022 ranking
- Bishop TD Jakes is one of the wealthiest pastors in the world, with the Worship Channel estimating his net worth at $147 million (KSh 23.2 billion)
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Historically, Christian preachers were often associated with modest lifestyles.
However, the present era has given rise to a cohort of exceptionally affluent pastors, amassing millions of shillings, enjoying opulent lifestyles, and erecting numerous grand churches.
In the 21st century, pastors are renowned for their wealth, and do not shy away from displaying their material prosperity.
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Given their influential role in society, churches now stand as emerging entities in the Fortune 500, as per Forbes' 2022 ranking.
These pastors' services yield substantial sums, a significant portion of which is tax-free and under their ownership.
Bishop TD Jakes is one of the wealthiest pastors in the world. The Worship Channel estimates his net worth at $147 million (KSh 23.2 billion).
Who is Pastor TD Jakes?
Bishop Thomas Dexter Jakes, popularly referred to as TD Jakes, is a senior pastor of the Potter's House of Dallas in the United States of America (USA).
According to his profile on his website, he is also an accomplished entrepreneur who has produced multiple blockbuster films and written several books.
The Potter's House of Dallas sits on a 34-acre hilltop campus and boasts a capacity of 30,000 worshippers.
When did TD Jakes establish Potter's House?
The preached founded Potter's House in 1996 with minimal resources.
The non-denominational, multicultural church and global humanitarian organisation has over 50 diverse ministries.
Potter's House has campuses worldwide, including South Africa and Sidney, Australia.
Bishop Jakes primarily derives his income from the annual MegaFest festival, drawing in more than 300,000 worshippers globally. The MegaFest is televised on The Word Network and Lightsource.com, along with various other service initiatives originating from the Potter's House.
TD Jakes Enterprises
TD Jakes Enterprises is a social is a socially impactful holding company with an inventive portfolio deeply rooted in content creation, fostering cultural change, promoting community development, and making strategic capital investments.
Among the entities under TD Jakes Enterprises are Good Soil, Dexterity Media, Dexterity Sounds, Dexterity Collective, Dexterity X and Dexterity Ventures.
Good Soil aims to enhance generational wealth and employment opportunities by fostering the growth and development of black entrepreneurs.
Dexterity Collective is a marketing consultancy, while Dexterity Ventures invests in high-potential companies.
What's the value of TD Jakes's mansion?
According to Real Estate Insider, Jakes resides in a lavish $5.1 million (KSh 805.5 million) mansion in Dallas.
He lives near other American celebrities worth millions of dollars.
The home, which measures 10,681 square feet, features five bedrooms and offers a sight to behold showing the pastor's opulence.
Why TD Jakes made headlines
Before the 2023 Christmas, the renowned televangelist took to his church's pulpit and categorically denounced rumours doing the rounds on social media about his sexuality after attending rapper Diddy's parties.
TMZ reported that the embattled music mogul was hit with several heinous lawsuits, including one he settled with ex-girlfriend Cassie, and these brought to the fore rumours about the parties he held where attendees slept together.
Social media users claimed Jakes attended the parties and questioned if he was gay despite being married to his wife, Serita, and sharing kids with her.
"Some of you came or logged in to hear what I’m going to say. All of you who expect me to address a lie, you can log off. I will not use this sacred day and pulpit to address a lie when I have a chance to preach a truth," said Jakes to a wildly cheering congregation.
"I will stand straight up, head up, back straight and preach the unadulterated, infallible word of God,” said a defiant Jakes before breaking down.
What are Pastor Pius Muiru's properties?
Back home, Pastor Pius Muiru is a seasoned preacher who founded the Maximum Miracle Centre along Latema Road in Nairobi.
The cleric became famous by spreading the gospel on radio and television with his programme Kuna Nuru Gizani.
Pastor Muiru is a director of Nuru TV, a commercial-based television channel that broadcasts in both English and Kiswahili.
The televangelist lives large if his village mansion in Kigumo, Murang'a county, is anything to go by.
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