Jimmy Swaggart, Televangelist, Dies at 90
Jimmy Swaggart, the notable Pentecostal televangelist, passed away at the age of 90. His death, announced on his official Facebook page, was made public Tuesday, though the cause has not yet been disclosed.
On social media, Pastor Travis Johnson expressed condolences, reflecting on Swaggart’s influential presence. He remarked on the significant impact Swaggart’s voice had globally and shared a note of hope found in faith.
Swaggart gained fame in the 1970s and 1980s through his engaging sermons, which reached millions. His ministry was financially robust, bringing in tens of millions annually. His television programs, gospel performances, and Bible University contributed to his reputation as one of the leading televangelists in the U.S.
A Louisiana native, Swaggart showed musical talent from a young age, playing gospel piano energetically, akin to artists like Jerry Lee Lewis. He felt called to the ministry when he was just eight and started preaching full-time after some time in the oil industry.
His career faced turbulence in 1988 when he was implicated in a scandal, being photographed with a prostitute in New Orleans. This event came on the heels of similar controversies surrounding other televangelists at the time. In a heartfelt sermon, he confessed to having “committed a crime against you,” without going into detail about the scandal.
As a consequence of the allegations, Swaggart was defrocked for not completing a two-year rehabilitation program, which included a year-long hiatus from preaching. He ultimately chose to resign from his denomination, citing the need to pursue his mission and sustain his associated Bible college.
In 1991, further issues arose when he was arrested in California while driving with prostitutes. He received citations for various offenses, and during the incident, one of the women claimed he attempted to hide adult magazines from law enforcement.
Although Swaggart continued preaching in the years that followed, he never quite regained the extensive national prominence he once held.
