Renowned Pentecostal preacher and televangelist Jimmy Swaggart has passed away at the age of 90 after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The news of his death was shared on Tuesday via a post on his official Instagram account.
The post quoted 2 Timothy 4:7-8, stating: “I have fought a good fight, I have finished my course, I have kept the faith…” and added, “Today, our hearts are heavy as we announce that Brother Swaggart has completed his earthly journey and is now in the presence of his Lord and Saviour, Jesus Christ. The moment he often sang about has come to pass—he has stepped into glory. Though we grieve, we rejoice in the hope of a reunion.”
For over 70 years, Swaggart was a prominent voice in Christian evangelism, sharing the gospel through preaching and music. His sermons reached millions worldwide, and his unwavering message was centered on “Jesus Christ and Him crucified.”
“He wasn’t just a preacher—he was a worshiper, a spiritual warrior, and a living testament to God’s grace. His faith never wavered, and he walked through every door the Lord opened for him,” the statement added. It also called for prayers for his wife Frances, son Donnie, and extended family.
Born on March 15, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana, Swaggart had a profound religious experience at age 8 that led him to pursue ministry. He married Frances Anderson in 1952 at age 17, and they had a son, Donnie.
Swaggart was ordained in 1961 by the Assemblies of God, the largest Pentecostal denomination in the U.S.
Apart from preaching, Swaggart was also a celebrated gospel musician. A cousin of rock and roll icon Jerry Lee Lewis, he sold over 17 million gospel albums throughout his career.
His ministry grew through media, beginning with a radio show, The Campmeeting Hour, in 1969. He went on to launch The Evangelist magazine in 1970 and began his television ministry in 1973 with The Jimmy Swaggart Evangelistic Association Presents Jimmy Swaggart. His church services were broadcast in various languages worldwide.
In the 1980s, Swaggart led massive revival crusades both in the U.S. and abroad. One of the largest was held in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in October 1987, drawing an estimated 125,000 people.
Though his legacy was marred by scandals in the late 1980s, Swaggart remained an influential figure in Christian broadcasting and music until his final days.
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