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Yahoo
19-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
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. Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart dies at 90: The preacher died weeks after going into cardiac arrest AMBER Alert issued after Auburn deaths: Missing child located after mom, teen girl found dead; father arrested Jimmy Swaggart's hospitalization 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. Texas flood deaths rise to 120; Search for missing continues days later 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: Saturday, July 12, 202; from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. - A public viewing and wake will be held at Family Worship Center, 8919 World Ministry Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70810 Sunday, July 13, 2025; 10 a.m. - A regular Sunday morning church service followed by a 6 p.m. celebration of life service at Family Worship Center. 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. This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: When is Jimmy Swaggart's funeral? What to know about the service
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Louisiana televangelist Jimmy Swaggart living his 'last days,' son Donnie Swaggart said
Louisiana televangelist the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart is living his final days, his son Donnie Swaggart said. Swaggart, 90, has been unconscious in a Baton Rouge hospital since suffering a heart attack in his home June 15. The Rev. Donnie Swaggart, who now leads his father's ministry, gave an update to the Baton Rouge congregation Sunday. "All of the family has been called in," Swaggart said. "Really, speaking very straight-fowardly, it's not a question of if, but when, so we as a family have gathered. "We want dad's last days to be comfortable. We want him to be surrounded by family." 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. Donnie Swaggart said his mother hasn't left Swaggart's side except for brief periods. "She only leaves the hospital to clean up a bit and to eat," Swaggart said. "Pray for mother that she'll have strength." Donnie Swaggart praised his father's life and ministry. "There's no greater example of a good and faithful servant than my father," he said. More: Here's the latest on the condition of Louisiana televangelist Jimmy Swaggart 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: Louisiana televangelist Jimmy Swaggart living his 'last days'
CBS News
01-07-2025
- CBS News
Jimmy Swaggart, popular televangelist who apologized for sex scandal, dies at age 90
Jimmy Swaggart, one of the country's best-known televangelists who apologized after he was caught in a sex scandal, has died, his ministry's SonLife Broadcasting Network announced in a statement shared with CBS News. He was 90. Swaggart died Tuesday morning, the statement said. News of his death was also posted to his official Facebook page. "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," the Facebook post said. "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." Last month, Swaggart was hospitalized after going into cardiac arrest at his home in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, according to his son, Donnie Swaggart. The founder of his eponymous ministry, Jimmy Swaggart began preaching on the radio in the early 1960s. He founded the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, where his family continues to preach, and his ministry also runs the SonLife Broadcasting Network, which broadcasts the Family Worship Center's services. Jimmy Swaggart developed a large following with his televised sermons in the 1980s. He made national headlines in 1988 when he was photographed outside a New Orleans-area hotel with a sex worker. He tearfully admitted to sinning, delivering an apology to his congregation during a live television broadcast, although he did not specify that he had solicited a prostitute. "I have sinned against you," Swaggart said in an emotional speech to his followers. "I beg you to forgive me." The incident led to him being defrocked by the Assemblies of God, although he continued to preach. TV evangelist Jimmy Swaggart preaches at Flora Blanca Stadium, March 1, years later, he was again found with a prostitute, this time during a traffic stop in Indio, California. He told his congregation that God said to him, "You tell them that Thursday morning you'll be making television programs," adding: "The Lord told me it's flat none of your business." The controversies surrounding Swaggart weren't limited to those encounters. He said that Roman Catholicism was "not the Christian way" and a "false religion," and he also said the reason why Jewish people suffered for millennia was "because of their rejection of Christ." "If you don't like what I say, talk to my boss," he once said to congregants at the Family Worship Center. In 2004, Swaggart said he would turn to violence if a gay man looked at him romantically. "And I'm going to be blunt and plain: If one ever looks at me like that, I'm going to kill him and tell God he died," Swaggart told laughing congregants. He apologized later for the remark. Jimmy Swaggart has also recorded gospel music and is the cousin of the late rock 'n' roll legend Jerry Lee Lewis. Swaggart spoke at Lewis' funeral in 2022, and one of Lewis' final records was a gospel album he recorded with Swaggart that was released just a few months before Lewis' death. contributed to this report.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Yahoo
Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart dead at 90, family says
The Rev. Jimmy Swaggart, America's longest-serving TV evangelist and founder of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, has died at 90, his family shared on Tuesday. During a Sunday service in mid-June, Swaggart's son, the Rev. Donnie Swaggart, asked his congregation to keep his father in their prayers, saying that only a "miracle" could extend his father's life. "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," Swaggart's family wrote Tuesday. "He was not just a preacher—he was a worshiper, a warrior, and a witness to the grace and mercy of God. He was a man whose faith was steadfast and always entered whatever door the Lord opened. And the Lord honored that faith," the statement continued. Texas Megachurch Pastor Resigns After Woman Says He Sexually Abused Her In The 1980S Swaggart preached the gospel of Jesus Christ on television longer than any other American evangelist in history, according to his ministry website. Read On The Fox News App Swaggart, who was born on March 15, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana, launched into full-time ministry in 1955. He served as the pastor of the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and founded Jimmy Swaggart Ministries. At his peak in the mid-1980s, Swaggart was the country's top-rated TV preacher. His services were broadcast to over 2 million households. Tennessee Pastor Kidnapped At Gunpoint In South Africa Recalls 'Miracle' That Saved His Life However, his image was bruised after he was linked to a 1987 scandal involving a prostitute that he met in a seedy New Orleans motel. Swaggart never confessed to anything more than an unspecified sin during a televised apology in which he tearfully delivered his "I have sinned speech." A few years later, he was stopped by police while driving in California with a suspected prostitute in his car. Swaggart also made headlines for saying in a televised worship service that he would kill any gay man who looked at him romantically. Swaggart said he made the comment jokingly and did not mean any harm. Fox News' Stepheny Price contributed to this article source: Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart dead at 90, family says
Fox News
01-07-2025
- General
- Fox News
Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart dead at 90, family says
The Rev. Jimmy Swaggart, America's longest-serving TV evangelist and founder of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, has died at 90, his family shared on Tuesday. During a Sunday service in mid-June, Swaggart's son, the Rev. Donnie Swaggart, asked his congregation to keep his father in their prayers, saying that only a "miracle" could extend his father's life. This is a developing story. Check back here for updates.
