W. Va. Native Bishop T.D. Jakes Comments on Mining Tragedy

DALLAS, April 7, 2010—My heart goes out to the families and friends of the coal miners who lost their lives in the recent West Virginia coal mining accident.  As natives of West Virginia, my wife and I have a mutual affinity to the state of West Virginia and are deeply moved by the tragedy.  I was blessed to have married a coal miner's daughter who grew up in Raleigh County, and we share our sincere condolences to all those who have been impacted by this unfortunate incident.  Although no words can erase the unfathomable pain that so many are feeling today, we are holding the families, friends and loved ones in our prayers during this difficult time.

Bishop T.D. Jakes and his wife Serita grew up in West Virginia where in 1979 he founded his first church, The Temple of Faith, in Montgomery.  The church relocated three times due to growth, first to Smithers in 1984, then to South Charleston in 1992 and finally to Cross Lanes in 1994, where Jakes remained until he relocated to Dallas in 1996. 

About The Potter's House of Dallas

A globally recognized church of more than 30,000 members located in Dallas, The Potter's House strives to be the voice and the hand that encourages people of all creeds and cultures to change their lives with hope, comfort and peace.  The church is led by Bishop T. D. Jakes, twice featured on the cover of TIME magazine as "America's Best Preacher" and as one of this nation's "25 most influential evangelicals."

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