5 days ago
When is Jimmy Swaggart's funeral? What to know about service for TV evangelist.
Thousands are expected to attend the funeral services for the late televangelist Jimmy Swaggart in Louisiana this weekend, a family spokesperson confirmed to USA TODAY.
The two-day service will take place at the American Pentecostal preacher's hometown church, Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, on Saturday, July 12, and on Sunday, July 13, the family's publicist, Megan Kelly, told USA TODAY.
Among the throngs in attendance are Pastor Jentezen Franklin, a New York Times best-selling author and the pastor of Free Chapel in Georgia, and others who are set to pay their respects to the "world renowned" Reverend Jimmy Swaggart, Kelly said.
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Swaggart's 70-year-old son, Donnie Swaggart, said his father was found around 8 a.m. at his home and revived before being taken to a local hospital.
At the time of his death, he was co-pastor of the Family Worship Center, which he founded.
"His voice echoed through nations, his music softened hearts, and his message never changed: Jesus Christ and Him crucified," a July 1 post on his official Facebook page reads.
When did Jimmy Swaggart die?
Swaggart died in Baton Rouge on Tuesday, July 1, his family said. He was 90.
He had been in critical condition at a Louisiana hospital after going into cardiac arrest on June 15, family members said during a prayer service last month.
Earlier this month, Kelly told USA TODAY the late pastor died at about 7:30 a.m. local time while surrounded by his family.
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When is Jimmy Swaggart's funeral?
The public is invited to attend both days of remembrance for the late pastor. According to Kelly, Swaggart's funeral arrangements are as follows:
Who is Jimmy Swaggart?
Swaggart was "a towering figure in global evangelism" for more than six decades, according to a July 11 release obtained by USA TODAY about the upcoming services. The preacher built a ministry reaching millions of people across the country through TV, his music, and in-person crusades.
"His legacy lives on through Jimmy Swaggart Ministries (JSM), which continues to impact lives around the world," the release continues.
Where was Jimmy Swaggart born?
Swaggart was born on March 15, 1935, to the late Willie Leon and Minnie Belle Swaggart in Ferriday, Louisiana. He had one sister, the late Jeanette Ensminger, whose family confirmed died in 1999.
He grew up in Ferriday, a town in Concordia Parish, which borders the Mississippi River on the central eastern border of Louisiana.
According to Swaggart's family, his cousins included rock-and-roll icon Jerry Lee Lewis and country music star Mickey Gilley.
Swaggart authored more than 100 books and commentaries, and held evangelistic crusades in more than 40 countries, his family said.
As a musician, Swaggart sold 17 million gospel albums.
More than 100 countries and a dozen languages
Swaggart "faithfully attended small Assemblies of God churches in Ferriday and Wisner, Louisiana, where his passion for ministry first began to take root," according to his family.
His full-time ministry kicked off in 1955, and the preacher grew to become "one of the most recognized voices in Christian broadcasting," his family said.
During the height of his 1980s exposure, Swaggart became involved in various prostitution scandals, leading to his suspension and defrocking. In 1988, Swaggart delivered his infamous "I have sinned" speech on live TV.
In 1995, at age 60, Swaggart founded SonLife Radio Network, expanding gospel programming across North America, which currently broadcasts to more than 300 million TV homes across the globe.
In addition to his son and cousins, the preacher is survived by his wife of 70 years, Frances Swaggart. He also leaves behind his daughter-in-law, Debbie Swaggart; his grandchildren, Gabriel Lee Swaggart and his wife, Jill; Jennifer Swaggart Mullis and her husband, Cliff; and Matthew Aaron Swaggart and his wife, JoAnna. He also leaves behind his nine great-grandchildren: Samantha, Ryder, Abby, Lola, Harper, Navy, Harrison, Caroline Frances and Mackenzie.
Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @nataliealund.
