Louisiana
Here’s the latest on the condition of Louisiana televangelist Jimmy Swaggart following heart attack
Louisiana televangelist the Rev. Jimmy Swaggart continues to cling to life in a Baton Rouge hospital without regaining consciousness following a heart attack at his home on June 15.
A spokesperson for Jimmy Swaggart Ministries said Swaggart “is in the same condition — no change” in an email to USA Today Network on Wednesday.
“He is currently in ICU surrounded by his family,” ministry spokesperson Megan Kelly said. “There’s still been no change. We are still in a holding pattern.”
Swaggart, 90, has led his Baton Rouge-headquartered ministry for decades with an international reach.
His son, the Rev. Donnie Swaggart, said his father suffered cardiac arrest about 8 a.m. June 15.
Donnie Swaggart said his father has been in grave condition following the heart attack.
“Without a miracle, his time is short,” Donnie Swaggart told the Jimmy Swaggart Ministries congregation. “But we believe in God. We’re not giving up. We’re going to give the Lord an opportunity to work.”
Swaggart is a native of Ferriday, growing up with famous musical cousins Jerry Lee Lewis and Mickey Gilley. He is the last surviving member of the musical trio.
Swaggart’s TV ministry reaches millions of Christians, but his career isn’t without controversy.
He admitted to adultery during a tearful confession to his congregation in 1988. Swaggart was defrocked by the Assembly of God church but continued his ministry.
Swaggart’s social media platforms have seen an outpouring of support for the minister, which his wife Frances said has comforted the family.
“I wanted to take a moment and say thank you for your prayers — we feel them, and not your prayers only but also the love lifting them up before the Lord,” Frances Swaggart said in a Facebook post. “Knowing that so many of you are praying for my husband and for us as a family — some of you praying by yourselves, others as entire congregations, even across denominations and from around the world — all of it is such a comfort and so moving, thank you.”
Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1.