Pastor Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a “slight health incident” while delivering a sermon on Sunday at The Potter’s House, his megachurch.
The 67-year-old religious leader was seen pausing and shaking during his hour-long message, prompting several individuals to approach him on stage. Social media footage captured the moment.
The church posted a statement on X saying, “During today’s service, Bishop T.D. Jakes experienced a slight health incident and received immediate medical attention following his powerful hour long message. Bishop Jakes is stable and under the care of medical professionals. The entire Potter’s House family is grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support from the community.”
The Potter’s House, founded by Jakes in 1996 and boasting over 30,000 members, expressed gratitude for the community’s support and prayers.
Jakes, who is also an author, film producer, and was a speaker at President Barack Obama’s 2009 inauguration, leads a non-denominational church with campuses in Texas and Colorado.
Southern Gospel fans have something special to explore with the release of Decades Vol. 3 & 4 by The Kingsmen. This new collection, released through Horizon Records, spans the group’s history, showcasing their musical journey and including reworked versions of classic songs.
Alan Kendall of The Kingsmen shared the group’s excitement over this new release, stating that the overwhelming response to their previous compilation, Decades Vol. 1 & 2, inspired them to dive back into their archives. The new volume covers decades of music and features both older recordings and updated renditions performed by the group’s current lineup, which includes Thomas Nalley, Cole Watson, Brady Jones, and Kendall himself.
Here’s a bit of the Kingsmen on Saints will Rise from earlier this year (Courtesy YouTube)
Three songs in the collection, “Saints Will Rise,” “So High,” and “The Judgement,” have been re-recorded by the current members. According to Kendall, these classic songs were chosen to be updated for a fresh 2024 sound while preserving their timeless quality. The Kingsmen, a group known for their long-lasting influence in Southern Gospel, are approaching their 70th anniversary, making this collection a reflection of both their past achievements and present vitality.
With nearly seven decades of history, The Kingsmen have become a well-known name in Gospel music, earning a reputation as a “school of Southern Gospel” due to the many talented singers who have been part of the group. The latest collection includes contributions from around two dozen Kingsmen alumni, highlighting their extensive impact. This set is intended to appeal to both long-time followers of the group and those new to their music.
The Cross has Won Again (Courtesy YouTube)
Kendall notes that Decades Vol. 3 & 4 holds a total of 39 tracks, featuring a mix of hits, rare recordings, and favorite selections from members of the group. Among these are some unique recordings, including a studio version of “The Cross Has Won Again” from 1992, which was previously released only to radio stations. Additionally, songs from The Kingsmen’s earliest albums from 1960 and 1961 are now available in digital format for the first time.
For fans of instrumental Gospel music, there is also a special 2007 recording of “God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen” performed by Brandon Reese, Nick Succi, and Grant Barker. Previously, this track was only available on a limited-edition live album. Another rarity in the collection is a 1965 transcription of an appearance on Bob Poole’s Gospel Favorites, featuring a dialogue between the show’s host, Bob Poole, and long-time Kingsmen pianist, Ray Talley.
Kendall emphasizes the historical and musical value of the set, describing it as a must-have for those who appreciate the heritage of Southern Gospel music. For listeners, Decades Vol. 3 & 4 is not just a look back, but a reminder of the faith and talent that have sustained The Kingsmen’s music for nearly 70 years.
Everyone knows how heavy guilt feels. It weighs on our shoulders when we know we’ve done something wrong. We wish we could go back and make different choices, but we can’t undo the past.
Even people who don’t openly believe in God feel responsible to something greater than themselves. They sense they must answer for their actions. Many carry this burden silently, trying to hide it from others. But the guilt remains, pressing down like a heavy load.
This is why the message of Jesus brings such hope. Though He never did anything wrong, He chose to take the punishment for our wrongdoing. When He died on the cross, He completely paid for our sins.
As the Old Testament says in Isaiah 53:6, “All of us, like sheep, have gone astray, Each of us has turned to his own way; But the Lord has caused the wrongdoing of us all To fall on Him,” something Jesus fulfilled in the New Testament. This is the greatest gift anyone could receive – to have their guilt completely removed, never to return. Through Jesus’ death, justice was fully satisfied. The crushing weight of guilt can finally be lifted.
Jim and Melissa Brady have become a duo with a familiar voice in Southern Gospel music. For over a decade, they have combined their talents, faith, and dedication to create a ministry that has reached many people. Their story is not just about music—it is about partnership, commitment, and faith.
Courtesy jimandmelissabrady.com
Melissa Brady has spoken about the unique dynamics of their relationship, saying, “We’ve had people ask and they go, ‘Oh, you and Jim are very different,’ in that he likes to watch football, I like to read books, I listen to music softly, he loves to listen to it really, really loud. And so that might be a surprise to some people.” Even though they are different in many ways, Jim and Melissa are united by the things they hold most dear. “We love each other, we love God, we love music, and that’s what it all comes down to,” Melissa said, explaining the foundation of their partnership.
Both Jim and Melissa grew up in families that valued music. Jim began singing with his family at the age of five and started writing songs when he was 16. Melissa also had a strong background in music, performing with her family, The Shulers, from a young age. When Jim and Melissa got married, they quickly began performing and traveling together. For nearly ten years, they were part of The Shulers, touring across the country. Then, Jim received an important opportunity when The Booth Brothers, a rising group in Southern Gospel, asked him to join. Melissa encouraged him to take the offer.
“It was an opportunity I felt I couldn’t pass up,” Jim said, “and thankfully, Melissa was 100% supportive.” This decision became a turning point in Jim’s career. Over twelve and a half years with The Booth Brothers, the group saw great success and received more than 100 industry awards. Jim earned multiple Baritone of the Year and Songwriter of the Year awards, establishing his place in Southern Gospel music.
The Booth Brothers – Photo courtesy Boothbrothers.com
During Jim’s years with The Booth Brothers, Melissa was a steady source of encouragement. Although Jim often performed over 100 concerts a year, the two found ways to continue singing and ministering together whenever they could. Melissa’s career also grew during this time. She wrote songs, contributed columns to several magazines, and hosted the Something Beautiful Women’s Conference. She performed with well-known Gospel groups like The Hoppers and The Martins. As their love for songwriting developed, they created a catalog of over 200 songs. Melissa’s skills as a songwriter were widely praised, and her song “Homecoming Day” was named Song of the Year by Absolutely Gospel.
Jim has often praised Melissa’s talents. “I know I am probably rather biased,” Jim said with a smile, “but when Melissa steps on stage to sing, or when she puts a pen to paper to write a song, or when she walks into her kitchen filled with family, the energy of the room rises because of her enthusiasm and her love for people. She has so many God-given talents, and I am so blessed to call her my wife and ministry partner.”
In the summer of 2014, Jim and Melissa began a new chapter in their ministry. They formed The Jim Brady Trio, which allowed them to perform together more often. After four years as a trio, they decided to transition to a duet in 2019. This change brought them closer as a couple and allowed them to connect more directly with their audience.
Now, as a duet, Jim and Melissa Brady continue to travel every weekend, sharing their music and their faith. Their concerts reflect their story—a story of commitment to each other, to God, and to the Gospel music they both love. Their journey shows how two very different people can come together to create something special. Jim’s enthusiasm and Melissa’s quiet strength complement each other, both on stage and off. As Melissa says, it all comes down to love: love for each other, love for their faith, and love for the music that continues to inspire them and others.
Many people think they can earn their way to heaven through good deeds or religious practices. However, the Bible teaches us that salvation comes only through God’s plan, not human effort. As Romans 3:23 tells us, “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” This fundamental truth shows why we need salvation in the first place – every person has sinned against God and faces eternal separation from Him.
God knew we could not save ourselves, so He sent His Son Jesus Christ to Earth as the perfect solution. Jesus lived a life without sin and willingly died on the cross to pay for humanity’s wrongdoing. This sacrifice was not just another religious ritual – it was God Himself taking the punishment we deserved. The proof of God’s acceptance of this sacrifice came when Jesus rose from the dead, showing He had power over both sin and death.
The amazing thing about God’s salvation plan is how simple it is to receive. God doesn’t ask us to do something, but simply to accept Jesus’ sacrifice for our sins. As taught in Acts 16:31, when someone asked how to be saved, the answer was straightforward: “Believe in the Lord Jesus Christ and you will be saved.” This free gift of salvation is available to anyone who chooses to accept it, leading to forgiveness of sins and eternal life with God.
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