Bishop T.D. Jakes returned to the hit WE tv reality series “Braxton Family Values” on Thursday and encouraged the Braxton sisters to go back to their original gospel music roots as he spiritually counseled the family through recent trials. The women then responded with a beautiful a cappella rendition of the Lord’s Prayer.
“I want you to come back to your roots,” said Jakes to Tamar, Toni, Trina, Towanda and Traci “Braxton Family Values.” “God gave you a voice! Sing! Sing something for me. Just take me back home for a minute.”
The performance brought their mother to tears, which further elicited an inspirational response from Jakes.
“That’s what families do,” said Jakes to the Braxton sisters. “We can laugh and love, and lift each other up. That’s how we survive. You can’t stop doing that. I don’t care who did what. You’re still family.”
The Braxtons come from a strong Christian background growing up with preacher parents. Tamar described what it was like being raised in that type of household during an interview with Flaunt magazine in 2013.
“Both of my parents at one time were pastors of their own churches and I learned a lot from that,” she said. “But not until I was an adult did I understand it and know it for myself.”
Tamar’s sister, multi-platinum recording artist Toni, spoke to The Christian Post in 2013 about being raised by a father who also serves as a pastor.
“When your dad is a preacher you’re involved in everything. It’s how I got my roots. … Most entertainers come from church, African-Americans singing in the choir,” said Braxton to CP. “You practice every day. You’ve got your pulpit, it was your stage. You’ve got your congregation, that was your audience.
“You’ll get an ‘Amen’ or ‘Alright’ or ‘Sing.’ You’re going to get something to cheer you along,” she added. “Somebody is going to tell you can’t lead that song that you wanted to lead, but they’ll still encourage you to at least see what you’ve got out there. I love that about church.”