Latest news with #JimmySwaggartMinistries
Yahoo
6 hours ago
- General
- Yahoo
Here's the latest on the condition of Louisiana televangelist Jimmy Swaggart following heart attack
Louisiana televangelist the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart continues to cling to life in a Baton Rouge hospital without regaining consciousness following a heart attack at his home on June 15. A spokesperson for Jimmy Swaggart Ministries said Swaggart "is in the same condition — no change" in an email to USA Today Network on Wednesday. "He is currently in ICU surrounded by his family," ministry spokesperson Megan Kelly said. "There's still been no change. We are still in a holding pattern." Swaggart, 90, has led his Baton Rouge-headquartered ministry for decades with an international reach. His son, the Rev. Donnie Swaggart, said his father suffered cardiac arrest about 8 a.m. June 15. Donnie Swaggart said his father has been in grave condition following the heart attack. "Without a miracle, his time is short," Donnie Swaggart told the Jimmy Swaggart Ministries congregation. "But we believe in God. We're not giving up. We're going to give the Lord an opportunity to work." Swaggart is a native of Ferriday, growing up with famous musical cousins Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley. He is the last surviving member of the musical trio. Swaggart's TV ministry reaches millions of Christians, but his career isn't without controversy. He admitted to adultery during a tearful confession to his congregation in 1988. Swaggart was defrocked by the Assembly of God church but continued his ministry. Swaggart's social media platforms have seen an outpouring of support for the minister, which his wife Frances said has comforted the family. "I wanted to take a moment and say thank you for your prayers — we feel them, and not your prayers only but also the love lifting them up before the Lord," Frances Swaggart said in a Facebook post. "Knowing that so many of you are praying for my husband and for us as a family — some of you praying by yourselves, others as entire congregations, even across denominations and from around the world — all of it is such a comfort and so moving, thank you." More: Louisiana Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart clings to life following heart attack Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Here's the latest on Louisiana televangelist Jimmy Swaggart's health
Time of India
10 hours ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Who was Jimmy Swaggart? From cousin of rock icons to the Gospel preacher who rose to fame before scandals reshaped his legacy
Jimmy Swaggart, a prominent name in American televangelism during the 20th century, passed away on 1 July 2025 at the age of 90. He had suffered a cardiac arrest on 15 June and was admitted to Baton Rouge General Medical Center, where he remained under care until his death. His family confirmed he died surrounded by loved ones. Born in Ferriday, Louisiana, on 15 March 1935, Swaggart rose to national fame in the 1970s and 1980s as a Pentecostal preacher and gospel musician. He was the cousin of musicians Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley. His syndicated sermons and gospel recordings earned him both a wide following and multiple Grammy nominations, with over 15 million albums sold. Final days and cause of death According to an official update from Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, Swaggart had been in declining health in recent years. After suffering a cardiac arrest at home, he was taken to hospital and remained under medical supervision until his death two weeks later. An Instagram post from the ministry said, 'Brother Swaggart has finished his earthly race and entered into the presence of His Saviour, Jesus Christ.' Impact of scandals on his career Swaggart's career was marked by two major scandals involving sex workers, which had significant consequences on his public and religious standing. In 1988, he was found with a prostitute in New Orleans, after which he publicly admitted wrongdoing and was defrocked by the Assemblies of God. A second incident in 1991, involving another sex worker in California, led to further damage to his image, including the loss of several national broadcasting contracts. These events contributed to a sharp decline in his mainstream visibility throughout the 1990s. Ministry rebuilding and legacy Despite the controversies, Swaggart continued to operate outside traditional Pentecostal structures. He established the SonLife Broadcasting Network and led services at the Family Worship Centre in Baton Rouge. He also revived the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College, focusing on Pentecostal education and ministry training. Today, we celebrate the life and legacy of Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart, who has passed on to his heavenly home. Brother Swaggart has impacted countless lives with the Gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world. Join us as we pray for his family, ministry, and all who have been… He retained a global audience through online and satellite programming, although his reach never returned to its peak. After his death, statements from his family, including his wife Frances Swaggart and son Donnie, described his life as one dedicated to evangelism and gospel music. Public reaction remains divided. Some view Swaggart as a foundational figure in evangelical broadcasting, while others recall the scandals that reshaped his career trajectory. His influence on gospel music and Christian media remained significant until his final Swaggart leaves behind a legacy shaped by early influence, public scandal, and continued evangelical broadcasting until his final days.
The Citizen
11 hours ago
- Politics
- The Citizen
US Christian televangelist Jimmy Swaggart dead at 90
US President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he was saddened to hear of Swaggart's death. US televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, who developed a worldwide following for his fiery Christian sermons before being felled in a prostitution scandal, died on Tuesday at the age of 90. Swaggart's death from a heart attack at a hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, was announced on the official Facebook page of his Jimmy Swaggart Ministries. 'Brother Swaggart has finished his earthly race and entered into the presence of His Saviour, Jesus Christ,' it said. 'For over seven decades, Brother Swaggart poured out his life preaching the gospel, singing songs of the faith, and pointing millions to the saving power of Jesus Christ,' it added. ALSO READ: Veteran actress Meme Ditshego has died Swaggart, whose first cousins were rock and roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis and country singer Mickey Gilley, rose to prominence in the 1980s at the head of his Louisiana-based Pentecostal church the Assemblies of God. His televised sermons featuring fire-and-brimstone rhetoric and gospel music were watched by millions around the world and raised hundreds of millions of dollars in donations annually. Swaggart 'will be missed' US President Donald Trump said on Truth Social that he was saddened to hear of Swaggart's death, describing him as 'an incredible Man of Faith.' Swaggart, he said, 'inspired millions with his Great Love of God and Country… Jimmy will be deeply missed!' At his height, Swaggart joined the ranks of other leading Christian televangelists such as Oral Roberts, Pat Robertson, Jerry Falwell, and Jim Bakker, who was also disgraced in a sex scandal. Swaggart's downfall came in 1987 after he was photographed at a motel in New Orleans with a prostitute. ALSO READ: Veteran journalist and editor Andrew Trench has died He made a tearful televised confession the next year. 'I have sinned against you, my Lord,' Swaggart said, without providing details. 'I beg you, forgive me.' Swaggart was defrocked by the elders of his church, and while he continued to preach over the next decades, his following and his influence had diminished.
UPI
a day ago
- UPI
Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart dies at age 90
Jimmy Swaggart, the Louisiana preacher who built one of the largest televangelist ministries in the 1980s before becoming embroiled in a sex scandal, died Tuesday at the age of 90. Swaggart suffered cardiac arrest two weeks ago and never regained consciousness. File Photo by UPI | License Photo July 1 (UPI) -- Jimmy Swaggart, the Louisiana preacher who built one of the largest televangelist ministries in the 1980s before becoming embroiled in a sex scandal, died Tuesday at the age of 90. Swaggart never regained consciousness after he suffered a heart attack on Father's Day, according to Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, which still operates out of Baton Rouge. "Today, our hearts are heavy as we share that Brother Swaggart has finished his earthly race and entered into the presence of His Savior, Jesus Christ. Today was the day he has sung about for decades. He met his beloved Savior and entered the portals of glory. At the same time, we rejoice knowing that we will see him again one day," the church wrote in a post, announcing his death. During the height of Swaggart's televised ministry during the 1980s, the televangelist reached more than 2 million Christians in 145 countries around the world and generated nearly $142 million annually. Swaggart was dubbed the "King of Honky Tonk Heaven" by Newsweek and called "the most charismatic televangelist of the 20th century" in 1986, before he was caught in an adultery scandal two years later. In 1988, Swaggart made a tearful confession to his congregation during a live television broadcast, saying, "I have sinned." "I have sinned against you, my Lord," Swaggart said, "and I would ask that your precious blood would wash and cleanse every stain until it is in the seas of God's forgetfulness, never to be remembered against me." The Assembly of God church defrocked Swaggart, who continued preaching without a denomination. Three years later, Swaggart was caught with another prostitute but refused to apologize to his dwindling congregation, saying, "The Lord told me it's flat none of your business." Swaggart proceeded to blame Satan and called his second scandal a spiritual warfare that involved demonic attacks against him. His scandals became a case study after his ministry lost 80% of its viewers, all of its 7,000-member congregation and most of its donations. According to a 2019 Gallup poll, confidence in church or organized religions dropped from a high of 68% in the mid-1970s and 66% in the 1980s down to 36%. According to the survey, the drop was fueled by the sexual abuse scandals in the Catholic Church and the fall of popular ministers, including Jim Bakker and Jimmy Swaggart. Growing up, Swaggart shared two famous cousins, including rock 'n' roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis and country music star Mickey Gilley. He shared his Pentecostal faith with his grandmother and decided to pair gospel music with preaching on the back roads of Louisiana. As a gospel artist, Swaggart sold more than 15 million records globally and was nominated for a Grammy. He also wrote nearly 50 Christian books. Swaggart became ordained as a full minister in the Assemblies of God church in 1960 and launched a telecast in 1973. His church, Jimmy Swaggart World Ministries, bought more than 200 acres of land in Baton Rouge, where he built a 7,500-seat church, dormitories, warehouses and television production studios. After the scandals, Swaggart turned to his real estate holdings to keep his ministry alive. On Tuesday, Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry honored Swaggart in a post on X. "Rest in peace to Rev. Jimmy Swaggart. He devoted much of his life to bringing people to Christ. Our prayers go out to the Swaggart family during this difficult time." Notable deaths of 2025 Horse Trainer D. Wayne Lukas walks to the winners circle after Seize the Day won the 149th Preakness Stakes at the Pimlico Race Course in Baltimore in May 2024. Lukas had been active through much of this year, but declined aggressive treatment for a serious medical problem stemming from a MRSA blood infection and elected to spend his final few days at home. He was 89. Photo by Bonnie Cash/UPI | License Photo
Time of India
a day ago
- Time of India
Jimmy Swaggart, the controversial and longest-serving televangelist in America, has passed away at 90
Jimmy Swaggart, America's longest-serving televangelist, has passed away at the age of 90. The news, which was broken by his family on Tuesday, July 1, closes the book on one of the most remarkable pastors to ever appear on American television. Jimmy Swaggart recounted his early life in his autobiography To Cross a River, where he claimed to have started from humble beginnings as an impoverished preacher in rural Louisiana. Unable to afford a home, Jimmy and his family resided in church basements, motels, and the homes of other pastors. Jimmy's fortunes would change after he began his career as a televised preacher in the 1970s and 1980s, eventually gaining a massive following and influence. Jimmy Swaggart's career was dogged with controversy Televangelist Rev. Jimmy Swaggart dead at 90 — weeks after suffering a heart attack With his increasing prominence came increased controversy, however, as after founding Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, the televangelist threw his support behind the Mozambican National Resistance during the Mozambique Civil War. The Mozambican National Resistance, or RENAMO, was dogged with allegations of war crimes, and Jimmy's own reputation was tarnished after allegations emerged of Swaggart Ministries providing direct material support to the militant group. Jimmy would later face scandals of a more personal nature, with him being accused of soliciting prostitutes on multiple occasions. The first public scandal was the culmination of a longstanding feud Swaggart had with rival minister Martin Gorman. Retaliating to Swaggart's accusations of impropriety, Martin began his own investigation, resulting in him uncovering Swaggart's affair with local prostitute Debra Murphree at the Travel Inn in New Orleans. Swaggart's response to these allegations was a public, tearful speech that he gave on February 1988, where he said: "I have sinned against You, my Lord, and I would ask that Your Precious Blood ... would wash and cleanse every stain until it is in the seas of God's forgetfulness never to be remembered against me anymore." Jimmy Swaggart's legacy continues with his son While Jimmy Swaggart's reputation would never fully recover from these scandals, he maintained a dedicated following, and Jimmy Swaggart Ministries would remain active throughout the remainder of his life. Jimmy's son, Donnie Swaggart, and his grandson, Gabriel Swaggart, are also preachers, and seem set to carry on Jimmy's legacy after his passing.
