From Me to You: June 2025
As I write this, it’s only been a few weeks since my birthday extravaganza, and I’m still sifting through a fair-sized pile of cards and letters. As much as I appreciated all that was done for the occasion, and there was a lot done by so many to make it what it was, it’s also humbling to receive such honors, a certain few in particular. The letter from President Trump, for one, is something I’ve read more than once. I appreciate him taking the time to do that. He has a birthday himself this month, he’ll be seventy-nine, and I’m praying that the Lord continues to guide him, give him wisdom, protect him, and keep the president in good health as he leads thiscountry forward. Being inducted into the Southern Gospel Music Hall of Fame & Museum was also unexpected, but meaningful to this evangelist. The official induction ceremony, I’m told, will be in September. Spirit-anointed singing and music proclaim petition, prayer, praise, and prophecy, which makes the ministry of music so very important and, these folks in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, they seem to understand that.
DR. GABRIEL SWAGGART
Well, he did it, and I speak of Gabriel completing his doctorate program at ORU. His graduation ceremony was held in May, and his grandmother and I are so very proud of him, as we’re proud of all our grandkids and their service to the Lord. Frances and I believe the Lord will use what Gabriel has learned over the course of these past seven years of school to help him take the Bible college in the direction the Lord desires it to go. Regarding the accreditation process, we should hear any day now if JSBC made candidacy status. Also, Gabe and the team have been updating the school’s curriculum, adding more general education classes so that starting this fall, students can add to their core Bible studies new classes in math, science, history, and English to help round out their education—and when JSBC reaches accreditation, as we believe it will, these credits will be transferable.
ANOTHER NEW ALBUM COMING SOON
At the tail end of March, with our musicians and backup singers, Joseph and I cut an album. And, I’m telling you, the young man got up on his hind legs and sang. Whenever this albumcomes out, which will be when it comes out, you’ll want to get a copy. Joseph sang harmony for me all the way through the album and, as always, he did a great job.
THE WORD OF GOD
I love the Word of God, and I know you do too. I could sit here all day and regale you with illustration after illustration of The Expositor’s Study Bible being placed into the hands of those who desperately needed it. Nearly 7 million of these Bibles have gone out all over the world, but I’ve asked the Lord to help us distribute 100 million. There is nothing more important than the Word of God. It is the most important thing—it is the Word of God. It’s error-free because its author is the Lord.
Just the other day, at a camp meeting Donnie was preaching in North Carolina, a pastor there was sharing with the people a story about an experience regarding our Bibles. This pastor told how his church does a lot of missions work in Trinidad and Tobago. He was getting ready to make a trip and thought, “I would love to have some Bibles to take.” So he called our office and said, “I know it’s late; I’m going on this missions trip, and I’d love to take some of your Bibles. Can you help us?” The person on our staff asked how many he needed. He said, “Five hundred of the Crossfire edition,” because this was a ministry to teenagers. So, we got the Bibles there to him, and this pastor was just so thankful for the help. After the service, he met Donnie and showed him pictures of these young people receiving Bibles. It is such a privilege to play a part in stories like this one. When a person receives a Bible like that, not only does it have an impact on theirheart and life, but it also equips that person to share it with others in these countries in desperate need of the Word of God.
WHAT THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST CAN DO
I’ve related this before, but it wont’ hurt to relate it again. Going back many, many years ago, when I was just a teenager, my dad was going into Arkansas, he and my mother, to preach a meeting, which they did. Mickey Gilley and I went to provide the music, which we did. And a lot of people were saved, which is the greatest thing on the face of the earth. but I remember one incident that took place, something I’ve never forgotten. My dad was giving the altar call, and a man came down the aisle, and he was so drunk, to be blunt, that he could not walk straight at all. He lurched from one side of the aisle to the other. I’ve never taken a drink of any nature, so I don’t know what alcohol does to you—but after my dad preached that night, I watched this man stagger to the front of the church and fall to his knees at the altar. I don’t know how long he stayed there, fifteen, maybe thirty minutes, whatever it was. Then, all of a sudden, he stood to his feet. He was sobered up immediately, and he could walk just as straight as anybody else in the church. That’s what the gospel of Jesus Christ can do. Now, this a perhaps a minor thing, but yet it isn’t. It left a mark on me as a teenage boy watching that man sober up under the influence of the gospel of Jesus Christ. This is our business, ladies and gentlemen, and it’s the greatest business on the face of the entire earth, preaching the gospel, the story of Jesus Christ and His power to save, glory to God.
In the Master’s service, yours,
Jimmy Swaggart
