(OPINION) A new accusation has surfaced against prominent megachurch leader Bishop T.D. Jakes, with a former youth pastor claiming that Jakes attempted to kiss him during his tenure at The Potter’s House in the 1990s.

The allegation, reported by The Christian Post on February 28, 2025, comes just a week after Jakes publicly denied a separate claim of sexual assault made by another former pastor, Duane Youngblood.

The individual, identified only as a man who served as a youth pastor under Jakes decades ago, alleges that the incident occurred amid a series of increasingly uncomfortable interactions with the bishop.

According to the account detailed in The Christian Post, the former youth pastor, referred to as Anderson in the report, initially viewed working with Jakes as a significant opportunity.

He claims he accepted a position at The Potter’s House for an annual salary of $24,000—a substantial pay cut from his previous earnings as an evangelist—because he believed the role would advance his ministry career.

Anderson recounted that tensions arose when Jakes allegedly restricted his ability to pursue outside preaching engagements, such as an opportunity to preach in Japan.

He told The Christian Post that Jakes insisted he prioritize his duties at The Potter’s House, leading to a confrontation.

It was during this period, Anderson alleges, that Jakes attempted to kiss him, an action he described as a culmination of prior unsettling encounters.

The accusation follows Jakes’ recent rebuttal of claims made by Duane Youngblood, a former pastor who alleged that Jakes sexually assaulted him.

Jakes, the senior pastor of The Potter’s House—a Dallas-based megachurch with a global following—issued a formal denial of Youngblood’s allegations, calling them baseless.

The emergence of this second claim has intensified scrutiny on the influential religious figure, whose ministry spans books, television broadcasts, and large-scale conferences.

Neither Jakes nor The Potter’s House has issued a public response to the latest accusation as of this writing.

The allegations remain unverified, and no legal action appears to have been taken based on the youth pastor’s claims at this time.

However, the story has sparked discussion online, with posts on platforms like X reflecting a mix of skepticism, support for the accuser, and defense of Jakes’ character.

This development adds to a challenging period for Jakes, who has long been celebrated for his inspirational preaching and leadership within the Christian community.

As the story unfolds, observers are watching closely to see how the megachurch leader and his team address these mounting allegations.