Jimmy Swaggart Obituary

Brother Swaggart said he preached his first message to a handful of people standing on a flatbed truck parked in Mangham, Louisiana, and he preached everything he knew in ten minutes—twice. Some might say that he preached for the last time sitting in a chair, looking into a television camera broadcasting his message—the message of the cross—to millions of viewers. But that isn’t quite right. Today, by way of the SonLife Broadcasting Network, Jimmy Swaggart is still preaching and teaching the gospel of Jesus Christ to the world.

Evangelist Jimmy Lee Swaggart was born on March 15, 1935, in the small town of Ferriday, Louisiana. At eight years old, he gave his heart to Christ and with childlike faith asked God to show him how to play the piano. This small farming community would produce four recognized musically talented cousins—Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, Jimmy Swaggart, and David Beatty.

In 1952, he married Frances Anderson, and together they began a ministry rooted in faith, humility, and obedience. With little more than a Bible and his God-given talent to play the piano, Jimmy and Frances started on the edge of the evangelistic field, traveling the backroads of the South, preaching outdoor camp meetings and inside rural churches, depending solely on the Lord for provision.

He recorded his first album in 1958, began his radio broadcast, The Camp Meeting Hour, in 1969; launched his television program, The Jimmy Swaggart Telecast, in 1973; and held national and international crusades in the 1980s. Always with a heart for missionaries, Brother Swaggart found a way to help with the building of hundreds of schools and churches where children in need could receive a daily meal and education. His commitment to that which God had called him would see him bring the Pentecostal message to the forefront of modern Christianity, millions of lives to Christ, and a gospel music legacy that would see over 20 million albums sold. And, in the “latter” days of his life, he created a 24-hour television network that would bring the message of the cross around the world to over 300 million television homes.

Brother Swaggart was a voracious reader. He was also a writer, publishing a monthly magazine and dozens of books and commentaries filled with inspired biblical teaching. His greatest written achievement was developing The Expositor’s Study Bible exactly the way God told him to do it. In the course of twenty years, he had it translated into six languages and distributed donated copies to millions of pastors in other countries.

He based his ministry in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, starting a local church, Family Worship Center; two schools, Family Christian Academy and Jimmy Swaggart Bible College; and a multimedia facility for radio and television broadcasting. His ministry changed the local landscape of the area.

World evangelism—this was Brother Swaggart’s calling. Throughout seventy years of ministry, he held faithfully to his grandmother’s words, “Jimmy, God is a big God, so ask big.” He asked and God did.

Brother Swaggart was preceded in death by his loving parents, Willie Leon (W.L.) and Minnie Bell Swaggart; baby brother, Donnie Swaggart; sister, Jeanette Ensminger; and cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, and David Beatty. He is survived by his devoted wife, Frances; his son, Donnie Swaggart (Debbie); granddaughter, Jennifer Swaggart Mullis (Clif); grandson Gabriel Lee Swaggart (Jill); grandson Matthew Aaron Swaggart (Joanna). He leaves behind a cherished legacy through his nine great-grandchildren: Samantha, Ryder, Abby, Lola, Harper, Navy, Harrison, Caroline Frances, and Mackenzie.

It’s harvest time, harvest time,
The Savior’s calling, the grain is falling.
Do not wait; it’s growing late,
Behold, the fields are white; it’s harvest time.