women, and they lined up by the thousands." At least 2 million bought Jakes' book Woman, Thou Art Loosed. Jakes, a regular on two TV networks (TBN and BET), has generated a stream of other novel gambits. He has cut a Grammy-nominated gospel album, beamed his sermons by satellite into prisons in 15 states and built a $32 million megachurch in a depressed part of Dallas. Al Gore, Pat Robertson and Coretta Scott King are among his fans. George W. Bush calls Jakes' social programs models for a church-state partnership.

Jakes' critics, observing his frenetic style, wonder how well thought out those programs are. But most would agree that it has been years since an American so creative has stood so close to religious fame and power.

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Name: T.D. Jakes
Why critics are taking note: His acute psychological take on biblical topics made his book "Woman Thou Art Loosed" into a huge best-seller
T.D. Jakes

THIS MONTH'S INNOVATORS







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About the Series

PHOTOS: Virgilio Elizondo by DANNY TURNER FOR TIME,
T.D. Jakes by THOMAS MICHAEL ALLEMAN FOR TIME,
Byron Katie by ISABEL SNYDER FOR TIME,
Tariq Ramadan by SERGE PICARD‹VU FOR TIME,
Steve Waldman by JOSEPH PLUCHINO FOR TIME,
Jan Willis by CATRINA GENOVESE FOR TIME
Copyright © 2000 Time Inc. All rights reserved.
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