
Rev. Jimmy Swaggart's family gives update on televangelist's condition
TV evangelist Rev. Jimmy Swaggart remained clinging to life at a Louisiana hospital on Monday, June 17, after suffering a cardiac arrest over the weekend with only a miracle likely to save him, his family said.
"I wish I could tell you that (he's) recovering and things are going better but there has been no change," his son Donnie Swaggart, co-pastor at Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, said in a video released online after visiting his father in the hospital. "The bottom line is that without a miracle ... that's the only thing we can hope for."
At age 90, the Pentecostal preacher and pioneer of televangelism, was hospitalized in critical condition after suffering the medical episode June 15, family members said during a prayer service.
"At this time, there has been no change in Brother Swaggart's condition," the family posted in an update online on June 17. "We continue to trust the Lord and give Him time to work, knowing that His ways are perfect."
The post goes on to ask people keep Swaggart's wife, as well as his family in their prayers.
"These past two days have been especially difficult for her," the post reads, adding family said it was grateful for support at this time.
"For two days all we've been able to do is get her to leave his room just to go home and take a shower, try to get a little bit of food, then she wants to come back to be by dad's side," the couple's son said in the 13-minute video. "This situation is beyond human strength and strength of character."
'More pressure on families.' Nearly half of US states are on the brink of a caregiving emergency
Pastor Donnie Swaggart, 70, said his father was found about 8 a.m. at his home and revived before being taken to a local hospital.
The preacher's son said his father has been in the ICU and never regained consciousness.
'I've never seen so many people arrive at one time, and I want to thank them," the younger Swaggart said. "They were able to get a heartbeat back. Without a miracle, his time will be short. But we believe God − we're not giving up.'
A prominent evangelist for decades, the senior Swaggart is a native of Ferriday, Louisiana. Today he serves as co-pastor of the Family Worship Center.
He is married to Frances Swaggart and the couple share one son (Donnie Swaggart), three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.
During the height of his 1980s exposure, Swaggart became involved in various prostitution scandals leading to his suspension and defrocking. In 1988, Swaggart delivered his infamous "I have sinned" speech on live television.
Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr.

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USA Today
4 days ago
- USA Today
Rev. Jimmy Swaggart's family gives update on televangelist's condition
Rev. Jimmy Swaggart's family gives update on televangelist's condition Show Caption Hide Caption Rev. Jimmy Swaggart hospitalized following cardiac arrest Prominent evangelist Rev. Jimmy Swaggart was hospitalized in critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest, according to family members. unbranded - Newsworthy TV evangelist Rev. Jimmy Swaggart remained clinging to life at a Louisiana hospital on Monday, June 17, after suffering a cardiac arrest over the weekend with only a miracle likely to save him, his family said. "I wish I could tell you that (he's) recovering and things are going better but there has been no change," his son Donnie Swaggart, co-pastor at Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, said in a video released online after visiting his father in the hospital. "The bottom line is that without a miracle ... that's the only thing we can hope for." At age 90, the Pentecostal preacher and pioneer of televangelism, was hospitalized in critical condition after suffering the medical episode June 15, family members said during a prayer service. "At this time, there has been no change in Brother Swaggart's condition," the family posted in an update online on June 17. "We continue to trust the Lord and give Him time to work, knowing that His ways are perfect." The post goes on to ask people keep Swaggart's wife, as well as his family in their prayers. "These past two days have been especially difficult for her," the post reads, adding family said it was grateful for support at this time. "For two days all we've been able to do is get her to leave his room just to go home and take a shower, try to get a little bit of food, then she wants to come back to be by dad's side," the couple's son said in the 13-minute video. "This situation is beyond human strength and strength of character." 'More pressure on families.' Nearly half of US states are on the brink of a caregiving emergency What happened to Jimmy Swaggart? Pastor Donnie Swaggart, 70, said his father was found about 8 a.m. at his home and revived before being taken to a local hospital. The preacher's son said his father has been in the ICU and never regained consciousness. 'I've never seen so many people arrive at one time, and I want to thank them," the younger Swaggart said. "They were able to get a heartbeat back. Without a miracle, his time will be short. But we believe God − we're not giving up.' Who is Jimmy Swaggart? A prominent evangelist for decades, the senior Swaggart is a native of Ferriday, Louisiana. Today he serves as co-pastor of the Family Worship Center. He is married to Frances Swaggart and the couple share one son (Donnie Swaggart), three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. During the height of his 1980s exposure, Swaggart became involved in various prostitution scandals leading to his suspension and defrocking. In 1988, Swaggart delivered his infamous "I have sinned" speech on live television. Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr. Natalie Neysa Alund is a senior reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at nalund@ and follow her on X @natalie


Indianapolis Star
4 days ago
- Indianapolis Star
Rev. Jimmy Swaggart's family gives update on televangelist's condition
TV evangelist Rev. Jimmy Swaggart remained clinging to life at a Louisiana hospital on Monday, June 17, after suffering a cardiac arrest over the weekend with only a miracle likely to save him, his family said. "I wish I could tell you that (he's) recovering and things are going better but there has been no change," his son Donnie Swaggart, co-pastor at Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, said in a video released online after visiting his father in the hospital. "The bottom line is that without a miracle ... that's the only thing we can hope for." At age 90, the Pentecostal preacher and pioneer of televangelism, was hospitalized in critical condition after suffering the medical episode June 15, family members said during a prayer service. "At this time, there has been no change in Brother Swaggart's condition," the family posted in an update online on June 17. "We continue to trust the Lord and give Him time to work, knowing that His ways are perfect." The post goes on to ask people keep Swaggart's wife, as well as his family in their prayers. "These past two days have been especially difficult for her," the post reads, adding family said it was grateful for support at this time. "For two days all we've been able to do is get her to leave his room just to go home and take a shower, try to get a little bit of food, then she wants to come back to be by dad's side," the couple's son said in the 13-minute video. "This situation is beyond human strength and strength of character." 'More pressure on families.' Nearly half of US states are on the brink of a caregiving emergency Pastor Donnie Swaggart, 70, said his father was found about 8 a.m. at his home and revived before being taken to a local hospital. The preacher's son said his father has been in the ICU and never regained consciousness. 'I've never seen so many people arrive at one time, and I want to thank them," the younger Swaggart said. "They were able to get a heartbeat back. Without a miracle, his time will be short. But we believe God − we're not giving up.' A prominent evangelist for decades, the senior Swaggart is a native of Ferriday, Louisiana. Today he serves as co-pastor of the Family Worship Center. He is married to Frances Swaggart and the couple share one son (Donnie Swaggart), three grandchildren and five great-grandchildren. During the height of his 1980s exposure, Swaggart became involved in various prostitution scandals leading to his suspension and defrocking. In 1988, Swaggart delivered his infamous "I have sinned" speech on live television. Contributing: Fernando Cervantes Jr.
Yahoo
06-03-2025
- Yahoo
Washington state prevails over church in abortion coverage appeal
By Jonathan Stempel (Reuters) -A divided U.S. appeals court on Thursday rejected a suburban Seattle church's bid to void a Washington state law requiring insurers that offer maternity coverage in employee health plans to also cover abortions. In a 2-1 decision, the San Francisco-based 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that the Cedar Park Assembly of God of Kirkland lacked the necessary standing to challenge the state's Reproductive Parity Act because some insurers still offer group plans that exclude coverage for abortion services. See for yourself — The Yodel is the go-to source for daily news, entertainment and feel-good stories. By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. The Pentecostal church argued that the 2018 law violated its right to the free exercise of religion under the U.S. Constitution's First Amendment. It sued in 2019 when healthcare company Kaiser Permanente began requiring abortion coverage in its group plan, which the church said it still holds because it could not find an affordable replacement. The church's appeal to the 9th Circuit drew support from dozens of conservative entities, including 18 U.S. states led by South Carolina. Circuit Judge Susan Graber wrote for Thursday's majority that Washington's conscientious objection statute, which excuses payment for coverage of services "for reason of conscience or religion," exempted the church from the Parity Act. Graber said that law had no bearing on the church's ability to find plans, or plans it could afford, that excluded abortion coverage. Graber also rejected as speculative the church's claims that it faced harm because insurers might raise premiums to cover abortion services, or its employees might use those services despite its objections. Circuit Judge Consuelo Callahan dissented, saying the church faced a "Catch-22" between choosing a health plan that covers abortions, violating its free exercise rights or canceling its health plan, violating federal and state law. "The majority's ruling is shocking," said Rory Gray, senior counsel with Alliance Defending Freedom, which represented the church. "We'll be considering our legal options to keep this important case going because no church should be forced to fund abortions." The office of Washington Attorney General Nick Brown appreciated the court's "thoughtful consideration," a spokesperson said. Cedar Park Assembly of God is located in Bothell, Washington, about six miles (10 km) north of Kirkland. A lower court judge in Seattle had in July 2023 dismissed the case, rejecting the church's First Amendment challenge. Thursday's decision did not reach the constitutional question, but ordered a dismissal for lack of standing. Graber and the other member of Thursday's majority, Circuit Judge Lucy Koh, are appointees of Democratic Presidents Bill Clinton and Joe Biden, respectively. Callahan was appointed by Republican President George W. Bush. The case is Cedar Park Assembly of God of Kirkland, Washington v Kreidler, 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, Nos. 23-35560 and 23-35585.