Latest news with #Swaggart
USA Today
11-07-2025
- General
- USA Today
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: 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.
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- 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
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'
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Louisiana televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, 'King of Honky Tonk Heaven,' dies
Louisiana Rev. Jimmy Swaggart, who headlined the Golden Age of Televangelists in the 1980s before an adultery scandal diminished his influence, died Tuesday in a Baton Rouge hospital. Swaggart, who was 90, never regained consciousness following a heart attack in his home June 15. Swaggart was a powerful force during the peak of the Moral Majority's political influence during the 1980s that helped elect presidents Ronald Regan and George Bush. Newsweek dubbed him the "King of Honky Tonk Heaven" in 1982. Swaggart's TV ministry reached more than 2 million Christians worldwide during the 1980s and reportedly generated $60 million in donations during the height of his ministry, according to the publication 64 Parishes. But Swaggart, along with some other televangelists of the era like Jim Bakker and Marvin Gorman, fell from grace after 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 without a denomination. Swaggart was a native of Ferriday, growing up with famous musical cousins Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley, who preceded Swaggart in death. Swaggart's ministry was an electric mix of fiery preaching and gospel music. He moved seamlessly between the pulpit and piano. Swaggart was a member of the 2025 class of the Southern Gospel Music Association Hall of Fame and will be officially inducted posthumously next fall. He is survived by wife Frances and children including Donnie Swaggart, who took over the lead of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries as his father aged. Just days ago 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: Louisiana televangelist Jimmy Swaggart living his 'last days,' son Donnie Swaggart said 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, King of Honky Tonk Heaven, dies
Yahoo
02-07-2025
- General
- Yahoo
Louisiana televangelist Jimmy Swaggart's public funeral arrangements announced
Louisiana televangelist the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart's wake and funeral will be open to the public for two days at the Family Worship Center that Swaggart founded in Baton Rouge. Swaggart, who was the most popular TV preacher during the heyday of the golden age of televangelism in the 1980s, died Tuesday after suffering a heart attack at his home on Father's Day June 15. He was 90. Swaggart's influence waned following an adultery and prostitution scandal in 1988 that led to his being defrocked by the Assembly of God denomination, but he continued his Christian ministry until his death. A public viewing and wake is scheduled from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Saturday, July 12, at the Family Worship Center at 8919 World Ministry Ave. in Baton Rouge. The Rev. Donnie Swaggart, who has led his father's ministry as Swaggart aged, will lead a regular Sunday worship service at 10 a.m. Sunday, Jan. 13, which will be followed by the funeral at 6 p.m. in the church. All services are open to the public and will be steamed live on Swaggart's SonLife Broadcasting Network and the ministry's digital platforms. Condolences can be posted on the legacy page. More: Louisiana televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, 'King of Honky Tonk Heaven,' dies 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's wake and funeral open to public
