Jimmy Swaggart, the controversial and longest-serving televangelist in America, has passed away at 90
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 https://t.co/lenoeQzd8E pic.twitter.com/4Ru6qY3P4g
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.
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