Jimmy Swaggart, the fiery American televangelist and gospel music icon whose career soared to global heights before collapsing under sex scandal, is dead.
Swaggart died on Tuesday at a hospital in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, at 90.
He was one of the most well-known televangelists in the US. During the 1980s, Swaggart’s crusades were a major part of his ministry, drawing large crowds and receiving significant media attention.
The late televangelist’s gospel album sold in the millions, and his sweat-soaked broadcasts generated significant revenue.
Swaggart reportedly suffered a cardiac arrest on June 15 and survived after receiving medical care, but he was unable to fully recover.
“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,” his ministry announced.
“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.
“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 and the Baptism of the Holy Spirit.
“His voice echoed through nations, his music softened hearts, and his message never changed: Jesus Christ and Him crucified.
“He was not just a preacher—he was a worshipper, 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.”
Sex Scandal
Swaggart’s spellbinding career, wedged by his sermons, was punctured by an emotional confession he made on February 21, 1988, admitting to sins that he had long warned others against and begging for forgiveness from his family, followers and God.
“To the hundreds of millions that I have stood before in over a hundred countries of the world, … I have sinned against you, and I beg you to forgive me,” he said.
“And most of all to my Lord and my savior, … I have sinned against you, my Lord.”
Swaggart did not specify the sins, but prior to his confession, he was photographed with a sex worker in a motel outside New Orleans.
After his confession, the church elders asked him to stop preaching for a year and submit to counselling, which he refused.
Seeing his lack of compliance, they defrocked him.
Without church credentials, he was back in the pulpit three months after his confession, pleading for money and affirming rumours that his ministry was about to “financially go under” unless donations picked up.
In his 1977 autobiography, “To Cross a River”, written with Robert Paul Lamb, Swaggart said he was eight years old when he first felt a calling to become a minister.
He quit high school and, at 17, married Frances Anderson, then 15, who would remain his wife and business partner throughout his life.
He is survived by his wife, their son, Donnie Swaggart, a fellow pastor; three grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren.
