Prominent televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, 90, is in critical condition after suffering cardiac arrest at his home on June 15. His family says only a miracle can save his life and has asked for prayers.
Swaggart was found at his home around 8 a.m. and has not woken up since the cardiac arrest, according to his son, the Rev. Donnie Swaggart, who spoke during a Father’s Day prayer service at their church.
“He never regained consciousness,” Donnie Swaggart told the congregation. “I’ve never seen so many people arrive at one time, and I want to thank them. They were able to get a heartbeat back. Right now, he is in the ICU, and without a miracle, his time will be short. But we believe God − we’re not giving up.”
Emergency responders quickly arrived at the scene as the family performed CPR. Family spokeswoman Megan Kelly praised the medical team’s efforts during the crisis.
“Ambulances were able to respond very quickly. They gave him CPR, they took turns doing it, and you can imagine how emotional that was and how stressful that was in that moment,” Kelly said.
The younger Swaggart has posted updates on his father’s Facebook page.
“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,” he wrote.
“He’s my rock and my hero and he needs the Lord’s healing power today. If I am able to get away, I will try to be at the service to give everyone an update.”
Jimmy Swaggart Ministries said early Monday there were no updates since his condition was first announced.
“We ask that you continue to lift him up in prayer and believe God for a miracle — but above all, we trust in the Lord’s perfect will,” the ministry said, adding that it would continue to post updates on their Facebook page.
Born March 15, 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana, Swaggart launched into full-time ministry in 1955 and has preached the gospel on television longer than any other American evangelist in history, according to his ministry website. He serves as pastor of the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, and founded Jimmy Swaggart Ministries.
However, Swaggart wasn’t free from scandal. In 1987, he was linked to a prostitution scandal involving a New Orleans motel — a scandadl that peaked in February 1988 when rival televangelist Marvin Gorman publicized photos of Swaggart with a prostitute. This led to Swaggart’s defrocking by the Assemblies of God.
During a tearful televised apology in 1988, Swaggart delivered a famous confession: “I have sinned.” He never offered specifics to anything more during the broadcast.
Swaggart weathered the initial controversy, but in 1991, he was stopped by police during a traffic stop in California and found to be in the company of another suspected prostitute. This second scandal led to several of his broadcasting contracts being canceled.
Despite these setbacks, Swaggart continued preaching independently. In 2010, he opened the SonLife Broadcasting Network, an international Christian television network that aired both live and prerecorded programs.
His evangelist ministry continues to operate from Baton Rouge, where the Family Worship Center has served as the headquarters for his television and ministry operations for decades. Donnie Swaggart has been actively involved in his father’s ministry and frequently preaches alongside him.