Jimmy Swaggart facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Jimmy Swaggart
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Swaggart in 2009
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| Born |
Jimmy Lee Swaggart
March 15, 1935 |
| Died | July 1, 2025 (aged 90) |
| Occupation |
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| Years active | 1955–2025 |
| Television | The Jimmy Swaggart Telecast (1971–2025) SonLife Broadcasting Network (2007–2025) |
| Spouse(s) |
Frances Anderson
(m. 1952) |
| Children | Donnie Swaggart |
| Relatives | Mickey Gilley (cousin) Jerry Lee Lewis (cousin) |
Jimmy Lee Swaggart (born March 15, 1935 – died July 1, 2025) was an American religious leader. He was a Pentecostal televangelist, pastor, author, and gospel music artist.
Swaggart was officially made a pastor by the Assemblies of God church. He became one of the most famous televangelists in the United States. In the 1980s, his large religious gatherings, called crusades, were very popular. They attracted many people and got a lot of media attention.
He started Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, which runs the SonLife Broadcasting Network (SBN). He also founded the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College. Swaggart was the main pastor of the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. He wrote about 50 Christian books and sold over 15 million gospel music records. In 1980, he was nominated for a Grammy Award.
Contents
Who Was Jimmy Swaggart?
Jimmy Lee Swaggart was a well-known religious figure. He used television to share his messages with many people. He was also a talented gospel singer and writer. His ministry grew very large, reaching audiences around the world.
Early Life and Family
Jimmy Lee Swaggart was born on March 15, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana. He was the first of two children. His father, Willie Leon Swaggart, was a sharecropper, fiddle player, and Pentecostal preacher. His mother, Minnie Bell Herron, was a housewife.
Jimmy Swaggart was related to famous musicians. He was the cousin of rockabilly pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis. He was also a cousin to country music star Mickey Gilley.
In 1952, when he was 17, Swaggart married 15-year-old Frances Anderson. They met at a church where he was playing music with his father. They had one son named Donnie. To support his family, Swaggart worked many different part-time jobs. He also began singing Southern Gospel music in churches.
In the 1950s, Swaggart and his family lived in poverty. He preached in rural Louisiana, earning about $30 a week. They often lived in church basements, pastors' homes, or small motels. A music producer named Sam Phillips wanted Swaggart to record gospel music. This offer could have brought him a lot of money. However, Swaggart turned it down, saying he felt called to preach the gospel instead.
Starting His Ministry
Swaggart began working full-time as an evangelist in 1955. He preached from a flatbed trailer that someone had given him. He started to gain followers at revival meetings across the American South.
In 1960, he began recording gospel music albums. He also started broadcasting on Christian radio stations. In 1961, the Assemblies of God officially made him a minister. A year later, his radio ministry began. In the late 1960s, Swaggart started a small church. It was called the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. This church later became connected with the Assemblies of God.
In 1971, Swaggart started a weekly 30-minute TV show. It aired on local TV stations in Baton Rouge. He also bought a local AM radio station, WLUX (now WPFC). This station played Christian music and featured preaching. Swaggart sold many of his radio stations in the 1980s and early 1990s.
Reaching Many People Through TV
By 1975, Swaggart's TV ministry had grown. It was shown on more stations across the United States. Television became his main way of sharing his message. In 1978, his weekly TV show became an hour long.
In 1980, Swaggart started a daily weekday TV show. It featured Bible study and music. The weekend, hour-long show included a service from his church or a crusade in a major city. By 1983, over 250 television stations were broadcasting his programs.
Facing Challenges
In 1988, Jimmy Swaggart faced a difficult time in his ministry. He was accused of personal misconduct. This led to him being suspended by the Assemblies of God. On February 21, 1988, Swaggart gave a public speech on live television. He tearfully said, "I have sinned." He asked for forgiveness from God and his followers.
The Assemblies of God later removed his official minister status. This was because they felt he did not fully follow their rules for repentance. After this, Swaggart became an independent minister. He continued his work through Jimmy Swaggart Ministries. This ministry is based at the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge. It also runs the SonLife Broadcasting Network (SBN).
In 1991, Swaggart faced another personal challenge. He temporarily stepped down from leading his ministry. He said it was for "a time of healing and counseling."
His Ministries Today
Jimmy Swaggart Ministries continued its work after these events. It focused on broadcasting and publishing.
Radio and TV Programs
Swaggart started SonLife Radio on the noncommercial FM band. This station was different because it did not have commercials. All the preaching and teaching were produced by his ministry. It mainly played Southern gospel music. SonLife Radio is also available online. The main station for the network is WJFM in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In 1973, Swaggart started The Jimmy Swaggart Telecast. It included music, a short sermon, and updates on ministry projects. By 1981, he launched a daily TV show called A Study in the Word. These programs aired on major Christian cable channels.
Bible College
In autumn 1984, Swaggart opened Jimmy Swaggart Bible College (JSBC). The college offered degrees in education and communication. After 1988, the number of students at JSBC decreased. This was due to the challenges Swaggart faced. In 1991, the college was renamed the World Evangelism Bible College. It closed some programs and reduced staff.
Books and Music
Swaggart wrote about 50 Christian books. These books were offered through his ministry. He wrote the Expositor's Study Bible, 13 study guides, and 38 commentaries on the Bible. His ministry also publishes a monthly magazine called The Evangelist. In 1985, Swaggart published Religious Rock n Roll: A Wolf in Sheep's Clothing.
In 1981, Swaggart was nominated for a Grammy Award. This was for his album Worship in the Best Gospel Performance, Traditional category. On June 30, 2025, he was inducted into the Southern Gospel Hall of Fame.
Later Life and Legacy
Jimmy Swaggart married Frances Anderson on October 10, 1952. They had one son, Donnie Swaggart. Donnie and his son, Gabriel Swaggart, are also preachers. This means four generations of the Swaggart family have been involved in ministry.
On June 15, 2025, Swaggart was hospitalized. He was in intensive care after having a cardiac arrest at his home. His son, Donnie, said his father's time would be short without a miracle. Jimmy Swaggart died in Baton Rouge on July 1, 2025, at the age of 90.
Political Views
Jimmy Swaggart was a leading figure in the rise of the Christian Right. However, he did not officially belong to any political party.
See also
In Spanish: Jimmy Swaggart para niños
