America’s longest-running TV evangelist, Rev. Jimmy Swaggart, is in critical condition after suffering a sudden and unexpected cardiac arrest, according to his family.
Swaggart, 89, remains hospitalized and is fighting for his life.
The Christian broadcaster’s son, Rev. Donnie Swaggart, urged believers to pray for a miracle during Sunday’s service at the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
In a post on Facebook, Donnie Swaggart wrote:
“On this Father’s Day, we urgently ask you to pray for Brother Swaggart.
“He needs a miracle from heaven right now, this morning.
“We must have the Lord intervene in this situation, and we need your prayers.”
In another post, Donnie added:
“He’s my rock and my hero, and he needs the Lord’s healing power today.”
Swaggart has preached the gospel on television for nearly seven decades.
He has outlasted peers and built one of the largest independent Christian ministries in American history.
At his peak in the 1980s, the Louisiana preacher reached millions of viewers every week through fiery sermons, Pentecostal worship, and Bible teaching.
Born in 1935 in Ferriday, Louisiana, Swaggart began full-time ministry in 1955 and later founded Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
He has long served as senior pastor of the Family Worship Center and became a household name through his television show, “The Jimmy Swaggart Telecast.”
However, his legacy has not been without scandal.
In 1987, Swaggart was famously caught in a prostitution scandal that shook the evangelical world.
Though he never publicly confessed to specific actions, Swaggart made headlines with a now-infamous televised apology in which he sobbed and declared, “I have sinned.”
A few years later, he was again caught in another incident involving a suspected prostitute in California.
The fallout diminished his reach, though he continued broadcasting and rebuilding his ministry over time.
Swaggart also drew criticism for past controversial remarks, including a moment in a televised service when he quipped that he would “kill” a gay man who looked at him romantically.
Swaggart later said the comment was meant in jest and apologized for any offense.
Despite the turbulence, many evangelicals continue to credit Swaggart with introducing them to the gospel and discipling generations of believers through his preaching, music, and television ministry.
As of Monday, his family said he remains in critical condition and in need of divine intervention.
“He’s been a rock to this ministry, and to our family,” Donnie Swaggart said.
“Now we’re asking the church to be a rock for him through prayer.”
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