Thomas Dexter Jakes, Born June 9, 1957 in South Charleston, West Virginia. Was  named "America's Best Preacher" in a 2001 Time magazine cover story, started as a part-time storefront minister in West Virginia in 1979. By 1996 he had moved to Texas and founded what became a megachurch, The Potter's House. There he is also "CEO" of evangelistic and philanthropic ministries whose reach ranges from the poor neighborhoods of Dallas to rural Africa. A prolific revivalist, conference leader and Christian entrepreneur. The Potter's House is nondenominational. He was consecrated a bishop in 1987 by the "Greater Emmanuel Churches," according to his official bio. The title indicates honor and spiritual stature but not apparently any jurisdictional authority. Jakes and his wife, Serita, have five children... He founded Greater Emmanuel Temple of Faith in Montgomery, West Virginia, in 1979 with 10 members... His recording label, Dexterity Sounds, has produced Grammy-nominated albums in collaboration with EMI Gospel Music..