The Celebration of Life for Jimmy Swaggart, the revered evangelist, preacher, and gospel musician, was a powerful and emotional tribute to his seven-decade-long ministry and the extraordinary impact he had on millions of lives around the world. Known for his fiery passion, unwavering faith, and heartfelt commitment to spreading the message of Jesus Christ, Brother Swaggart’s legacy continues to resonate in the hearts of all those who had the privilege of hearing his message.
Born on March 15, 1935, in the small town of Ferriday, Louisiana, Jimmy Swaggart was destined for greatness. From a young age, he felt the call of God and began his journey in faith. At eight years old, he gave his heart to Christ and asked God to show him how to play the piano—setting the stage for a ministry that would later see him influencing the world through his preaching and music. Along with his cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, and David Beatty, Swaggart was part of a musically gifted family from this small farming community, and he would go on to make an indelible mark on gospel music.
In 1952, Jimmy married Frances Anderson, and together they began a humble yet passionate ministry rooted in faith and obedience. With little more than a Bible and his piano, the couple traveled the rural backroads of the South, preaching in outdoor camp meetings and small churches, fully relying on God for their provision. This period marked the beginning of a journey that would see Jimmy Swaggart rise to global prominence.
Throughout his career, Swaggart accomplished incredible feats. In 1958, he recorded his first album. In 1969, he began his radio program, The Camp Meeting Hour, and in 1973, launched The Jimmy Swaggart Telecast. His television ministry would go on to reach millions, broadcasting his evangelistic messages to homes around the world. In the 1980s, his national and international crusades touched countless lives, bringing the Pentecostal message of the cross to the forefront of modern Christianity.
Brother Swaggart’s heart for missions was evident in his work. He dedicated himself to the building of hundreds of schools and churches, providing children in need with education and daily meals. His commitment to spreading the gospel through every possible avenue, including his 24-hour television network, SonLife Broadcasting Network, allowed his message to reach over 300 million television homes globally. He also left a remarkable legacy in gospel music, with over 20 million albums sold, and a vast collection of biblical writings and commentaries that have inspired generations.
A voracious reader and writer, Swaggart published numerous books, commentaries, and a monthly magazine filled with inspired biblical teaching. His crowning achievement was the creation of The Expositor’s Study Bible, a project that he felt was divinely guided. Over twenty years, this study Bible was translated into six languages and distributed to millions of pastors around the world, helping to deepen the faith of countless believers.
Base in Baton Rouge, Swaggart founded Family Worship Center, Family Christian Academy, and Jimmy Swaggart Bible College, and established a multimedia broadcasting facility. His ministry not only impacted the local community but also shaped the spiritual landscape of the area.
Throughout seventy years of faithful service, Swaggart adhered to his grandmother’s wisdom: “Jimmy, God is a big God, so ask big.” And through his bold requests, God did. Swaggart never wavered in his commitment to world evangelism, bringing the gospel of Jesus Christ to the ends of the earth.
Brother Swaggart was preceded in death by his parents, Willie Leon (W.L.) and Minnie Bell Swaggart, his baby brother Donnie Swaggart, his sister Jeanette Ensminger, and his cousins Jerry Lee Lewis, Mickey Gilley, and David Beatty. He leaves behind a cherished legacy through his beloved wife Frances, his son Donnie Swaggart, his grandchildren Jennifer Swaggart Mullis, Gabriel Lee Swaggart, and Matthew Aaron Swaggart, and his nine great-grandchildren. His faith, passion, and vision will continue to live on through their lives and the millions of people touched by his ministry.