Latest news with #SwaggartMinistries
South China Morning Post
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- South China Morning Post
Jimmy Swaggart, US televangelist undone by prostitute scandal, dies at 90
Jimmy Swaggart, who was one of America's most influential televangelists in the 1980s before an affair with a prostitute brought his career crashing down, has died at the age of 90. Jimmy Swaggart Ministries confirmed his death on social media, and his family thanked medical staff at Baton Rouge General Medical Centre in Louisiana. It did not share details of the cause of death. In his heyday as a fundamentalist Pentecostal preacher, Swaggart had an estimated global audience of 200 million. Then came the prostitute scandal in 1988. With tears gushing down his cheeks, Swaggart admitted to his congregation that he had sinned – without providing details – and begged forgiveness. Swaggart, born March 15, 1935, grew up in the rough-and-tumble and racially segregated Louisiana backwater of Ferriday with two cousins who also would become famous – rock 'n' roll pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis and country singer Mickey Gilley. As a boy, Swaggart was surrounded by the fire-and-brimstone Pentecostal version of Christianity he would later take to the airwaves. His father, a grocer and a tough disciplinarian, preached himself from time to time and Swaggart was only nine when he claimed he was first 'called' to the ministry. 'You will preach my Gospel all over the world. You will even take it to Africa,' was the command that Swaggart said God gave him.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Controversial megachurch televangelist Jimmy Swaggart dies at age 90 two weeks after being rushed to the hospital
Controversial televangelist Rev. Jimmy Swaggart has died at the age of 90 — two weeks after he was rushed to the hospital following a heart attack. The Louisiana native, whose multimillion-dollar ministry was tarnished by his prostitution scandals, had been in critical condition ever since he went into cardiac arrest on June 14. Swaggart Ministries spokesperson Megan Kelly confirmed his death in a statement Tuesday. A cause was not immediately shared, but he had been in poor health. '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 statement read. The outspoken Pentecostal preacher, one of the best-known televangelists, began his television ministry in 1975 after having a radio show and a magazine. By 1983, there were more than 250 TV stations carrying his program. He is also the founder of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, which was worth an estimated $142 million in 1986, and started the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College. In addition to his television appearances and in-person ministry, he authored approximately 50 Christian books and earned a Grammy nomination for his music. Swaggart's star power as an influential TV preacher continued to rise until he and other televangelists, such as rival Jim Bakker, became embroiled in sex scandals. Swaggart was photographed with Debra Murphee, an admitted prostitute, in New Orleans in 1988. Murphee told reporters at the time that the two did not have sex, but that he paid her to pose nude for him. Photos of Swaggart and Murphee apparently stemmed from a rivalry with preacher Marvin Gorman, whom Swaggart accused of sexual misdeeds. Gorman had apparently hired the photographer who captured the image that doomed Swaggart's career. The scandal also saw Swaggart stripped of clerical authority in the Assemblies of God denomination and later forced him to become non-denominational. While he continued to preach for decades, a sizable chunk of his audience was lost. Swaggart acknowledged his public downfall in an emotional 1988 sermon, telling parishioners, 'I have sinned against you. I beg you to forgive me,' but did not mention his involvement with a prostitute. His troubles, however, did not stop there. In 1991, Swaggart was detained by police with another prostitute. He was charged with driving on the wrong side of the road and driving an unregistered Jaguar. The Ferriday, Louisiana, native, grew up the son of a preacher in a family full of musicians. Swaggart had two cousins who became well-known musicians: rocker Jerry Lee Lewis and country singer Mickey Gilley. After Swaggart's heart attack earlier this month, his son, Donnie, told his congregation at the Family Worship Center how he found his father unresponsive. 'This morning at a little after eight, Gabe and I rushed into Mother's house. Dad had gone into cardiac arrest. He never regained consciousness. We both took turns giving him chest compressions until EMT could get there and they were, I've never seen so many people arrive at one time and I want to thank them,' he said. 'But they were able to get a heartbeat back. Right now he is in ICU and without a miracle, without a miracle, his time will be short.' In addition to his son, Swaggart is survived by his wife of 70 years, three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. With reporting from the Associated Press.
Yahoo
01-07-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Louisiana Rev. Jimmy Swaggart still hospitalized, condition unchanged
BATON ROUGE, La. (Louisiana First) — Reverend Jimmy Swaggart has remained in the hospital for the past two weeks. The most recent update on his condition is that he has not improved, but he has not gotten worse. The Public Relations Representative of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, Megan Kelly, has the latest. 'At this stage in the game, they're really, truly embracing the fact that he is a lot closer to heaven than closer to here,' said Kelly. Kelly, along with the rest of Brother Swaggart's family, has just two requests right now. While they believe his time on Earth isn't over yet, they're preparing for when it is. 'They are asking for prayer and privacy as well,' said Kelly. 'This family has been notoriously private, but right now they've been incredibly vulnerable— incredibly honest in this situation.' Rev. Swaggart is surrounded by his loved ones, with his wife Frances never leaving his side. Their son, Donnie Swaggart, spoke about her strength during this difficult time. 'Lift up mother, in prayer,' said Donnie. 'You can imagine how difficult this time is, and she only leaves the hospital to go home and clean up a little bit, a quick bite to eat, and then she's back.' The Swaggart family is coping and heartbroken, but plans to persevere through this time. Rev. Jimmy Swaggart's family will continue to keep updating the status of his condition through their Facebook page. Senate defeats Collins proposal to raise taxes on highest earners to help rural hospitals Conservatives huddle with Thune after plan to cut more from Medicaid stalls Growing concerns in Louisiana over potential Medicaid, Medicare cuts Top Democrat questions 'special treatment' for Alaska, Hawaii in GOP SNAP proposal Louisiana Rev. Jimmy Swaggart still hospitalized, condition unchanged Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Daily Mail
16-06-2025
- Health
- Daily Mail
BREAKING NEWS Famed televangelist Jimmy Swaggart fights for his life in hospital after suffering cardiac arrest
Famed televangelist Jimmy Swaggart has been rushed to the hospital and remains in critical condition after suffering a terrifying cardiac arrest at his Louisiana home. The 90-year-old Grammy-nominated preacher was found unresponsive around 8am on Sunday morning, according to Swaggart Ministries. 'On this Father's Day, we urgently ask you to pray for Brother Swaggart,' Swaggart Ministries announced. 'He needs a miracle from heaven right now, this morning.' His son Donnie and grandson Gabriel reportedly rushed to his home where they took turns performing chest compressions before paramedics arrived. 'He never regained consciousness,' Donnie Swaggart said. 'We both took turns giving him chest compressions until EMT could get there.' 'I've never seen so many people arrive at one time, and I want to thank them. They were able to get a heartbeat back.' Donnie said that his condition is critical and 'without a miracle, his time will be short.' Swaggart was revived on scene and rushed to the ICU, where he remains under close observation. 'Right now, he is in ICU, and without a miracle, his time will be short. But we believe God. We're not giving up,' the family said. Swaggart is best known as the legendary leader behind the SonLife Broadcasting Network and pastor of the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge. A towering figure in American evangelical circles, he once drew millions of viewers with his televised sermons and gospel performances. In 1981, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Performance for his album Worship. His ministry was full of scandals in the late 1980s, as it was revealed the evangelist was involved with various prostitutes.
