Bishop Joel A. Tudman is an American pastor, mental health advocate, and college football chaplain based in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He leads The Place of Faith at Net Church alongside his wife, Latasha, and serves as Director of Player Development for Oklahoma State University football. Tudman built his ministry through nearly two decades of pastoral work, including years as an Associate Pastor at The Potter’s House under Bishop T.D. Jakes, and he’s become an especially candid voice on grief after the loss of his son in 2021.
[IMAGE: Bishop Joel Tudman preaching at The Place of Faith at Net Church]
At a Glance
| Personal | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Joel A. Tudman |
| Birthday | March 14 (birth year not publicly confirmed) |
| Hometown | Mount Pleasant, Texas |
| Nationality | American |
| Spouse | Latasha Tudman |
| Children | Three daughters with Latasha; also father to the late Jarion Tudman and other children from his blended family |
| Education | |
| Undergraduate | B.S. in Health Promotions, Texas A&M University |
| Graduate | M.S. in Health Promotions, minor in Counseling |
| Honorary | Honorary Doctorate of Divinity (St. Thomas Christian College and Jakes Divinity School); Ph.D. studies in Organizational Leadership |
| Ministry | |
| Title | Senior Pastor / Bishop |
| Church | The Place of Faith at Net Church, Oklahoma City |
| Prior role | Associate Pastor, The Potter’s House, Dallas (under Bishop T.D. Jakes) |
| Career | |
| Other role | Director of Player Development / Team Chaplain, Oklahoma State University football |
| Books | The Fight to Find Yourself |
| Net Worth | Not publicly disclosed |
Early Life
Joel Tudman is originally from Mount Pleasant, Texas. His exact birth year isn’t publicly documented, but his birthday is well established as March 14, confirmed when The Potter’s House in Dallas publicly celebrated it on the church’s Facebook page in 2021.
Education
Tudman earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Health Promotions from Texas A&M University, followed by a Master’s degree in Health Promotions with a minor in Counseling. He later received an honorary Doctorate of Divinity from St. Thomas Christian College, along with a second honorary doctorate from Jakes Divinity School. He also pursued Ph.D.-level training in Organizational Leadership, education that shows up directly in how he approaches both his ministry and his player-development work.
Ministry Career
Early Ministry in Texas
Tudman began his ministry journey leading Maranatha Church of God in Christ in his hometown of Mount Pleasant, Texas. That early pastoral experience laid the foundation for the next chapter of his ministry, which brought him into one of the largest churches in the country.
Serving Under Bishop T.D. Jakes
Tudman served as Associate Pastor at The Potter’s House in Dallas, at times alternating in the pulpit with Bishop T.D. Jakes himself. That season shaped his preaching style and his approach to pastoral care, and it remains one of the most significant credentials on his ministry résumé.
Founding The Place of Faith at Net Church
Tudman eventually relocated to Oklahoma City, where he founded what became The Net Church. Alongside his wife, Latasha, he later rebranded the congregation as The Place of Faith at Net Church, now located on NE 23rd Street in Oklahoma City. The church has grown steadily under their joint leadership, with Latasha taking on an increasingly public role as co-pastor.
[IMAGE: The Place of Faith at Net Church building in Oklahoma City]
Oklahoma State Football Chaplain
Beyond the pulpit, Tudman has spent more than a decade on the Oklahoma State University strength and conditioning staff, currently serving as Director of Player Development and team chaplain for Cowboys football. He works closely with Master Strength Coach Rob Glass, and during his tenure, Oklahoma State has advanced to a school-record 12 consecutive bowl games, with four appearances in New Year’s Six games. Tudman’s role blends physical training with life-skills and leadership coaching, and several players have credited his mentorship with drawing them toward church involvement.
Media and Film Work
Tudman has also stepped into film and media production, associated with projects including Pardon Me: The Bevelyn B. Williams Story (2025), How to Kill Your Husband? (2025), and Greed: A Seven Deadly Sins Story (2022).
Personal Life
Joel Tudman is married to Latasha Tudman, an Oklahoma City native, gospel artist, and now co-pastor at The Place of Faith at Net Church. Together, they’re raising three daughters, and the couple has made a deliberate choice to keep their children largely out of the public eye.
Tudman is also father to a larger blended family. His son Jarion M. Tudman, born in 1993, was raised alongside several siblings from across the family. Tudman has spoken candidly about the challenges and blessings of leading a large family while also leading a growing church.
The Loss of His Son, Jarion
In October 2021, Joel Tudman’s son, Jarion M. Tudman, passed away. Jarion was a husband, coach, and accomplished athlete who had confessed his love for Christ at a young age and preached his first sermon as a teenager. His memorial service was held at Temple of Praise Community Church in Amarillo, Texas, where Jarion was born and raised.
Tudman has spoken publicly about losing his son and his father within a short span of each other, describing how he had to relearn how to live in the wake of that grief. That season became part of the foundation for his book, The Fight to Find Yourself, which addresses loss and the process of healing through faith.
If you or someone you know is walking through grief and it feels overwhelming, reaching out to a pastor, counselor, or grief support line can make a real difference. You don’t have to carry that weight alone.
Mental Health Advocacy
Tudman has become an outspoken mental health advocate within the church space, using his own experience with grief and loss to encourage others to seek help rather than suffer in silence. He serves as a chaplain in both church and athletic settings, and he’s known as a prolific speaker on topics connecting faith, mental wellness, and resilience.
What’s Happening With the Church Today
The Place of Faith at Net Church remains an active congregation in Oklahoma City, with Joel and Latasha Tudman continuing as lead pastors. Search interest asking “what happened to Joel Tudman’s church” appears tied to the church’s rebrand from The Net Church to The Place of Faith at Net Church, rather than any closure. There’s no reliable reporting indicating the church has shut down.
Interesting Facts
- Tudman served alongside Bishop T.D. Jakes at The Potter’s House before founding his own church.
- He’s been on the Oklahoma State football staff for more than a decade, helping the Cowboys reach 12 consecutive bowl games.
- He holds two honorary doctorates, one from St. Thomas Christian College and one from Jakes Divinity School.
- He’s worked as a producer or associate on multiple faith-based film projects.
- His wife, Latasha, is a gospel artist and now serves as co-pastor alongside him.
Timeline
| Period | Event |
|---|---|
| Early ministry | Leads Maranatha Church of God in Christ in Mount Pleasant, Texas |
| — | Earns B.S. and M.S. degrees in Health Promotions |
| — | Serves as Associate Pastor at The Potter’s House in Dallas under Bishop T.D. Jakes |
| — | Relocates to Oklahoma City and founds The Net Church |
| — | Joins Oklahoma State University staff; becomes 13-year veteran of strength and conditioning/player development |
| 2021 | Church publicly celebrates his March 14 birthday on Facebook |
| October 2021 | Son Jarion M. Tudman passes away; memorial held in Amarillo, Texas |
| — | Church rebrands as The Place of Faith at Net Church |
| 2022 | Associated with the film Greed: A Seven Deadly Sins Story |
| 2025 | Associated with films Pardon Me: The Bevelyn B. Williams Story and How to Kill Your Husband? |
Frequently Asked Questions
How old is Bishop Joel Tudman?
His exact age isn’t public. His birthday is confirmed as March 14, but the birth year hasn’t been reliably documented.
What happened to Joel Tudman’s son?
His son, Jarion M. Tudman, passed away in October 2021. Jarion was a husband, coach, and athlete who was remembered at a memorial service in Amarillo, Texas.
Who is Joel Tudman’s wife?
Latasha Tudman, a gospel artist who now serves as co-pastor alongside him at The Place of Faith at Net Church.
What happened to Joel Tudman’s church?
Nothing negative. The church, originally known as The Net Church, was rebranded as The Place of Faith at Net Church and remains active in Oklahoma City.
How many kids does Joel Tudman have?
He has three daughters with his wife, Latasha, along with additional children from his broader family, including his late son, Jarion.
Does Joel Tudman have a Wikipedia page?
No dedicated Wikipedia biography exists for him as of this writing.
What is Joel Tudman’s connection to football?
He serves as Director of Player Development and team chaplain for Oklahoma State University football, a role he’s held for more than a decade.
Where is Joel Tudman’s church located?
The Place of Faith at Net Church is located at 4301 NE 23rd St, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.
