Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart, born Mar. 15, 1935, passed away on July 1, 2025, surrounded by family. A towering figure in Pentecostal ministry for decades, Swaggart’s life and calling were remembered by his son, Donnie, shortly after his passing.
“About an hour and a half ago, dad went home to be with the Lord,” Donnie shared. “He went peacefully with family. Needless to say, our hearts are broken. But at the same time we know where he is. We know he’s in heaven. We know he’s with the Lord. We know that his race is run.”
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Reflecting on Swaggart’s global impact, Donnie said, “I have no doubt in heaven that those that have gone on before that got saved through the ministry of my dad, that no doubt he’s meeting a lot of them right now in glory.”
Even in mourning, Frances Swaggart made it clear to Donnie to continue doing the good work that his father had started. “I told Gabriel, I said, ‘I want to cancel the Bible-Thon,’ and mother heard me,” Donnie reflects. “She said, ‘Absolutely not.’ She said, ‘This is your dad’s vision. This is what God called him to do.'”
Donnie then made a promise to his father in his final moments. “I leaned over and in his ear I said, ‘Dad, I give you my word that Gabriel and I will continue the work just as the vision God gave you, showed you.’ We will not stop distributing Bibles. We will not stop sharing the gospel. We will not stop proclaiming the message of Christ and Him crucified.”
Donnie mentioned that further details about a celebration for his father’s life will be announced shortly. “We will be making further announcements regarding other celebration of life, service…putting together, knowing that this day was coming sooner rather than later.”
Donnie continued to reflect on his father’s dedication to the Lord and his journey as a minister. “My dad was a warrior. My dad was a preacher. He didn’t want to be anything else except a preacher of the gospel. Matter of fact, mother told us just a couple of days ago…dad, two nights in a row, woke her up as he was preaching in his sleep.”
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While Jimmy Swaggart was also known for his music, his greatest calling was clear: “Oh yes. He was a great singer, a great musician. But that is secondary. He was a great preacher of the gospel. Only heaven knows how many souls have been brought into the kingdom around the world. Through his life and his ministry.”
Continue to lift up the Swaggart family in prayer in this difficult season of mourning.
Prepared by Charisma Media Staff.
Loved Bro. Swaggart And Frances gonna miss his singing. And preaching .
RIP Evangelist to the World!
We Love you and family. Your Legacy is secure.✝️
Condolences to all the family especially to Brother Donnie and Sister Francis
I will continue praying every day for peace, courage and strength for you all
Sister Francis my heart goes out to you I am very grateful for your wonderful ministry and will continue watching daily and we know that Brother Swaggart has been promoted to a higher place and is rejoicing with Jesus and given many crowns
My love goes out to you and I continue to pray every day for you
Media member Sandra Corringham , Cambridge (ex Auckland) New. Zealand
Oh my father my father. You are such an inspiring figure in Church history. Rest on God’s general