Introduction
Jimmy Swaggart is a famous American televangelist, singer, author, and pastor, who has been preaching the gospel for over six decades. He is the founder and leader of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, which owns and operates the SonLife Broadcasting Network, a Christian television and radio network. Swaggart is also the senior pastor of the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, where he holds weekly services and broadcasts them to millions of viewers around the world. He is known for his fiery and passionate sermons, his musical talent, and his charismatic personality.
However, Swaggart’s life and ministry have not been without controversy and challenges. He has faced several scandals, lawsuits, and criticisms over the years, which have tarnished his reputation and affected his popularity. He has also been the target of death hoaxes, which have falsely claimed that he had died from various causes. In this article, we will explore the life and career of Jimmy Swaggart, how he dealt with the scandals and death hoaxes, and how he is still alive and active at the age of 88.
The Rise of Jimmy Swaggart
Jimmy Swaggart was born on March 15, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana, to a Pentecostal preacher and a homemaker. He grew up in a poor and religious family, and was influenced by his father’s ministry and his cousin’s musical talent. His cousin was Jerry Lee Lewis, a rock and roll pioneer, who later became a country music star. Another cousin was Mickey Gilley, a country music singer and nightclub owner. Swaggart learned to play the piano and sing at an early age, and developed a passion for gospel music.
Swaggart married his childhood sweetheart, Frances Anderson, in 1952, when he was 17 and she was 15. They had one son, Donnie, who later became a preacher and a singer like his father. Swaggart started his ministry in 1955, traveling across rural Louisiana with his family and preaching in small churches and revival meetings. He struggled to make ends meet, working odd jobs and living in church basements and motels. He also recorded some gospel songs and sold them at his meetings.
In 1960, Swaggart moved to Baton Rouge, where he joined the Assemblies of God, a Pentecostal denomination. He also began his radio ministry, broadcasting his sermons and music to a wider audience. He soon gained popularity and recognition, and was invited to speak at larger churches and events. He also expanded his recording career, releasing several albums and singles, some of which reached the Billboard charts. He was nominated for a Grammy Award in 1971 for his album Live from Nashville.
In 1971, Swaggart launched his television ministry, initially called Camp Meeting Hour, which aired his weekly services from the Family Worship Center, a megachurch he built in Baton Rouge. He also founded Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, a non-profit organization that supported his ministry and various humanitarian projects. He became one of the most influential and successful televangelists in the world, reaching millions of viewers in the United States and abroad. He also traveled extensively, holding crusades and rallies in various countries. He was known for his emotional and powerful preaching style, his conservative and fundamentalist theology, and his criticism of other religions and denominations.
The Fall of Jimmy Swaggart
However, Swaggart’s fame and fortune also brought him trouble and temptation. In 1986, he was involved in a scandal that exposed his involvement in a plot to discredit a rival televangelist, Marvin Gorman, who had an affair with a church secretary. Swaggart hired a private investigator to take photos of Gorman and the woman in a motel, and then reported him to the Assemblies of God, which resulted in Gorman’s defrocking and loss of his ministry. Gorman, however, retaliated by hiring his own investigator, who followed Swaggart and caught him with a prostitute, Debra Murphree, in a motel in New Orleans. Gorman confronted Swaggart and threatened to expose him unless he apologized and stopped his attacks.
Swaggart initially agreed, but later reneged and continued his campaign against Gorman. Gorman then went public with the photos of Swaggart and Murphree, and the scandal erupted in the media. Swaggart confessed to his congregation and to his viewers, tearfully saying, “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 forgiveness.” He asked for forgiveness and said he would temporarily step down from his ministry. The Assemblies of God suspended him for three months, but Swaggart returned after only six weeks, saying that God had told him to resume his work.
This caused a rift between Swaggart and the Assemblies of God, which demanded that he submit to their authority and discipline. Swaggart refused, and was eventually defrocked and expelled from the denomination. He continued his ministry as an independent Pentecostal preacher, but his popularity and credibility declined. Many of his supporters and donors left him, and his income and ratings dropped. He also faced several lawsuits from Gorman, Murphree, and others, who accused him of defamation, invasion of privacy, and emotional distress.
In 1991, Swaggart was caught again with another prostitute, Rosemary Garcia, in Indio, California. He was stopped by the police for driving on the wrong side of the road, and Garcia was found in his car. Swaggart claimed that he was only giving her a ride, and that he did not know she was a prostitute. He also said that he had not had sex with her, but only talked to her about the Lord. He did not publicly confess or apologize this time, but said that “The Lord told me it’s flat none of your business.” He also blamed the media for exaggerating and distorting the incident. However, the damage was done, and his reputation and ministry suffered even more.
The Recovery of Jimmy Swaggart
Despite the scandals and setbacks, Swaggart did not give up on his ministry and his faith. He continued to preach and sing, and to produce television and radio programs. He also wrote several books and commentaries on the Bible. He maintained a loyal following of fans and supporters, who believed in his sincerity and repentance. He also received some support and forgiveness from his family and friends, especially his wife, Frances, who stood by him throughout the ordeals.
In 1997, Swaggart launched the SonLife Broadcasting Network, a Christian television and radio network that broadcasts his programs and services, as well as those of his son, Donnie, and other ministers and musicians. The network reaches millions of viewers and listeners in the United States and around the world, through satellite, cable, internet, and radio. Swaggart also oversees the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College, a theological school that offers courses and degrees in biblical studies and ministry. He also supports various charitable and humanitarian causes, such as feeding the hungry, helping the homeless, and providing relief to disaster victims.
Swaggart is still active and involved in his ministry, despite his advanced age and health issues. He is still the senior pastor of the Family Worship Center, where he holds weekly services and special events. He also still appears on the SonLife Broadcasting Network, where he hosts and participates in various programs, such as The Message of the Cross, A Study in the Word, Frances and Friends, and The Jimmy Swaggart Telecast. He also still sings and plays the piano, and has released several albums and DVDs of his music. He is known for his signature songs, such as “There Is a River”, “Mercy Rewrote My Life”, and “He Washed My Eyes with Tears”.
The Death Hoaxes of Jimmy Swaggart
One of the videos about Swaggart’s death was uploaded on June 13, 2023, and it claimed that Swaggart had died from blood cancer. The video quickly went viral on social media, where many people expressed their condolences and tributes to the televangelist. However, there was no official statement or confirmation from Swaggart’s representatives or family members about his passing. Moreover, Swaggart had been active on his social media accounts until July 31, 2023, when he posted a photo of himself with his wife, Frances, celebrating their 71st anniversary.
Swaggart and his publicist, Javier Delgado, denied the hoax and confirmed that he was still alive and well. They also said that Swaggart was busy preparing for his upcoming show at the Hulu Theater in Madison Square Garden, where he would be a special guest on the last tour of The O’Jays, Last Stop On The Love Train. Swaggart also posted a video on his Instagram account on August 14, 2023, where he said:
“Hello, everybody. I hope you’re having a wonderful day