Many would agree that Bishop T.D. Jakes’ most inspirational sermons got here from his “Lady, Thou Artwork Loosed (WTAL)” conferences, held from 1996 to 2022.
The weekend-long church conference, which conjures up girls to interrupt free from “strongholds” like habit, home abuse, and low shallowness, was additionally become a film starring actors Kimberly Elise, Loretta Devine and Clifton Powell.
However individuals nonetheless make references to Jakes’ joint sermon with Bishop Noel Jones titled “Seize the Second” on the 2000 WTAL convention.
That very same sermon sparked headlines in 2025 after a younger white feminine preacher was caught plagiarizing Jakes’ portion of the sermon phrase for phrase.
The electrifying sermon the place each bishops had the group of ladies in a frenzy, claiming their deliverance, was posted in Mar. 2024 on Church Classics’ IG web page, presumably the place the girl noticed this classic providing.
The controversy started when a fan-made video evaluating their sermon to the sermon preached by a girl who has now been recognized as Kristina Java.
Java, who’s often known as Prophetess Lily Jav, is the spouse to Zimbabwean preacher named Prophet Ardour Java in New York. She posted her efficiency on social media on Dec. 15, 2024.
She wrote in her caption, “I’m so grateful for the particular alternative that @prophetpassion let me take part in throughout New York. There is no such thing as a approach I might learn to preach or minister with out him. Thanks Papa!”
The video editor of the compilation clip, evaluating Java and Jakes’ sermons, juxtaposes her efficiency with the unique sermon, exposing her deceit.
“I knew that sounded acquainted. What within the kingdom plagarism is occurring right here” was written over the video clip.
Within the feedback, Pastor Jamal Bryant’s spouse, Dr. Karri Turner, chimed in admitting, “And he or she’s not the one one……..”
Earlier than Prophet Java, one other white lady preacher named Alexandra Wilcox borrowed from Jakes throughout the “NYC Night time of Wonders Lady of God Preaching” occasion posted to Fb on Dec. 24, 2024.
Whereas Wilcox didn’t borrow phrase for phrase, she too, appears to mimic Bishop Jones’ WTAL portion of the identical copied “Seize the Second” sermon. The blond preacher is seen kneeling on the bottom and crawling identical to the Jamaican clergyman, and uttering his similar celebratory ending of getting the victory “Now!”
Wearing a pink go well with and black prime, Java struts throughout the stage, growling and delivering phrases with the aptitude of an old-time Baptist preacher to a predominantly Black and Brown viewers.
At one level, she even “hoops,” mimicking the rhythmic intonation of African-American preaching, inflicting the group to erupt in settlement.
Unbeknownst to them, Java was plagiarizing one of the famend clergymen on this planet.
“Steal a sermon AND the type? DAMN!!!!” one other person commented. One added, “She should’ve went to the Melania Trump Theological Plagiarism Seminary.”
Days later gospel singer Lexi Allen re-posted Java’s clip on her web page, the place lots of her 782,000 followers reacted with outrage. The Stella Award winner wrote, “What within the Iggy Azalea is occurring right here?”
Comic Godfrey chimed in, “Now we’re Taylor Swifting Church?”
Lexi later reposted the Jakes and Java comparability video by Solely Saints on Jan. 12, captioning how apparent the script was and evaluating the preacher to Elvis Presley, Pat Boone, and Jack Daniel’s whiskey, which famously is accused of stealing its recipe from Black distiller Nathan “Uncle Nearest” Inexperienced.
“She stated, ‘Flip to the e book of TD JAKES!’ Smdh,” actress Bresha Webb quipped.
Gospel singer Jonathan Nelson reacted, “Phrase for phrase is insane,” and requested, “Who’s she???”
One joked, “Colonizers gonna all the time COLONIZE… pilgrims gonna all the time PILGRIM!”
Content material creator @BlackHomeEducators additionally reposted the Solely Saints clip, asking, “What haven’t they taken? They love our rhythm however don’t need our blues.”
One follower replied, “They may steal something.”
One other added in shock, “Wow, very cringe. This impersonation don’t even sound remotely genuine.”
Neither Jakes nor anybody from the Potter’s Home has formally addressed the incident, however his daughter Cora responded to Java’s submit instantly in her feedback on Jan. 12
“I’m saddened by this. I do hope you’ve my papa credit score he labored for what you mimicked. SMH,” she replied to Java’s Dec. 15 submit.
Days later, Religious Phrase shared a screenshot from Java’s Instagram Story, the place not directly dismissed claims she stole from Jakes.
“Defamation is a false assertion that harms somebody’s popularity. It may be written, spoken or broadcast,” she started earlier than itemizing the distinction between libel and slander.
Kristina Java speaks out after being accused of stealing sermon from Bishop T.D. Jakes. (Pictures: @spiritualword/Instagram; @kk.tinaa/Instagram)“Defamation legal guidelines shield individuals’s reputations. however additionally they shield freedom of expression Fact is a protection to defamation,” Java typed.
The Jakes’ household and the bishop have doubtless been preoccupied together with his well being and different urgent issues.
On Nov. 24, Jakes suffered a medical emergency throughout a Sunday service at The Potter’s Home in Dallas, collapsing mid-sermon. The scary second sparked fears he had suffered a stroke or coronary heart assault. Later that night, his daughter, Rev. Sarah Jakes Roberts, and her husband, Rev. Toure Roberts, offered a well being replace on Instagram.
“Clearly, at present might have been a tragic day, however it wasn’t by the mercy of God,” Toure shared, “By the grace of God, Bishop is doing properly. He’s recovering properly. He’s below medical care.”
Sarah added, “I’m so grateful that he’s already starting to enhance.”
Bishop stepped away from the pulpit for weeks earlier than returning for a particular New 12 months’s Eve sermon at The Potter’s Home Chuch in Southern Texas.
This well being scare coincides with severe allegations dealing with the outstanding preacher.
A person has accused Jakes of sexually molesting and propositioning him as a minor. Jakes has denied the allegations and has filed a defamation lawsuit in opposition to a Pennsylvania preacher who made related accusations.
Jakes has additionally been named in a lawsuit linked to Sean “Diddy” Combs’ federal sexual assault and trafficking case.
Regardless of these challenges, the influential pastor stays a central determine in world Christianity.
