It is no secret that Bishop TD Jakes daughter Sarah, became pregnant at the age of 14. Barely a teenager, she had to find her way under the scrutiny of the black church and the world, facing the judgement of outsiders wondering how a “preacher’s kid” ends up a teen mom. Teenage pregnancy is hard enough to manage in an average home, but Sarah had to navigate in a home with a dad who’s the pastor of a mega church.
However, Bishop Jakes and his wife Serita Jakes supported their daughter through everything. Most recently, Sarah, now 25, she shared her testimony in front of her father’s massive congregation while introducing her new book “Lost and Found: Finding Hope in the Detours of Life. The book takes us inside Sarah’s growth period and finding God as she embraced her new role in life, motherhood.
Sarah made an appearance on the red carpet for the premiere of her father’s film “Black Nativity”, directed by Kasi Lemmons. We stopped the mother, activist and author to talk about her book. Even her dad Bishop Jakes chimed in!
Mommynoire: What was your most valuable lesson you learned on your journey?
Sarah Jakes: To own the process, to not fall into this idea that you have to have it all together when people tell you to and to really own the healing process so when you finally get to the point where you want to share your story, there are no longer open wounds.
Mommynoire: What advice can you give to women who’s daughters may face teenage pregnancy?
Sarah Jakes: That one bad decision doesn’t have to define the rest of your life. I met a 50-year-old woman who had her son at 14. She told me she carried that shame for 35 years and I think that’s too long to pay for one mistake. Learning to really forgive yourself is most important.
Mommynoire: What advice can you give to young girls that may find themselves pregnant?
Sarah Jakes: To continue to dream. You may have to work a little harder than the person beside you but you can still have a future. It’s not over because of that one moment.
Mommynoire: What kind of advice did you give your daughter during her trial, from the point of you as a Bishop and a Dad?
Bishop T.D. Jakes: You can always come home. When you can’t go anyplace else, I’m always your daddy. I’ve always got your back, right or wrong, weak or strong. We are in your corner. You only get that once in life. I think no matter who you are, I think it’s a terrible tragedy not to have that kind of support from your mom and dad.
Sarah is currently head of the Women’s Ministry at “The Potter’s House” and a personality for inspirational show “The Potter’s Touch” For more information on Sarah’s book “Lost and Found” you can find details on her website www.sarahjakes.com
For documentaries related to the black church, check out Moguldom Studios latest ‘docutainment’ Black Church Inc. Buy it or rent it today!
