Pastor TD Jakes Apologizes to Kenyans over His “Natives” Comment

American preacher T.D. Jakes today issued an apology to Kenyans after Kenyans on social media burst with outrage towards the preacher over a statement he made on Sunday at a sermon. Kenyans were outraged at T.D. Jakes referring to Kenyans as “Natives” and over what Kenyans viewed as incorrect claims by him [Jakes] that all Kenyans survive sorely on water provided by his [Jakes'] MegaCARE ministry.

Here is part of the statement:

So let the work I’ve done speak for me. You are sowing into good ground. And the 300 families that are employed in this ministry eat from this ministry, work in this ministry, and help us to produce the excellence that we do…the natives all over Kenya drink water because of this ministry. And the hospital in Nairobi survives because of this ministry.”

Here is the statement from T.D. Jakes apologizing to Kenyans:

An attempt in last Sunday’s sermon to distinguish myself from an American television program portraying preachers in a manner that I found unseemly has caused some offense in Kenya. For that I apologize.

My intent was to show the extensive humanitarian efforts by TD Jakes Ministries through its MegaCARE arm as a means of further distinguishing this organization from the TV program’s exclusive focus on the personal material wealth of the individualministers over the works of the Gospel.

The attempt was to highlight one well and one hospital wing in Kenya as one example of this ministry’s worldwide efforts. It was by no means meant to take responsibility for an entire nation or to minimize the contributions of its people.

My focus has always been about the mission of helping hurting people in every circumstance of life, anywhere in the world.

The extemporaneous comments when taken out of context convey a meaning far from the intent of my heart. I meant only to communicate to my constituents that my love is for people as demonstrated through years of practical ministry.

The fact that these heart-felt words have been taken to mean anything other than their original intent deeply saddens me.

I love Kenya and the entire continent of Africa. I am proud of its efforts and grateful to have had an opportunity to minister to its people on numerous occasions.

I trust that this explanation will end this apparent misunderstanding.

In His service,

Bishop Jakes