US evangelist, Jimmy Swaggert, has died aged 90. He leaves behind a complex legacy, that includes scandal as well as service to the gospel. Sin should not be excused, says Billy Hallowell, but grace can be extended in remembrance too
When it comes to pastors and public figures in the Christian arena who have built mega ministries before later falling from grace, a public failure can sometimes become the most memorable moment of their career.
Decades of good deeds, sermons and church work can be erased - or, at the least, muted - by the whims of the flesh. I was reminded of this reality recently when evangelist and firebrand preacher Jimmy Swaggart died aged 90 following a cardiac arrest.
All of the headlines surrounding Swaggart’s death focused on the orator’s massive ministry impact, which was undeniable. But many also mentioned the scandals that became a tragic part of his memory.
US President Donald Trump called him an incredible man of faith
“Jimmy Swaggart, TV Evangelist and Cousin to Jerry Lee Lewis Who Became Enmeshed in Scandal, Dies at 90,” Variety’s headline read. The Associated Press went further, proclaiming: “Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart, Whose Ministry Was Toppled by Prostitution Scandals, Dies at 90.”
Who was Swaggert?
So, who was Swaggart, and why was his life and legacy notable enough for the biggest media outlets in America to highlight his death, revisit his accomplishments and struggles, and reflect on the impact of his ministry?
As the AP noted, Swaggart was a big deal. Decades ago, the popular preacher became a “household name,” with his multimillion-dollar ministry having a profound impact across the US. Millions of people heard his sermons or in some way consumed his materials.
But in 1988, Swaggart hit the headlines when he was caught with a prostitute. He made a heartfelt and tearful public apology, dubbed by Time magazine “the most dramatic sermon ever aired on television” but the revelation led to a more diminished audience and questions about his moral standing - especially as Swaggart had previously denounced fellow TV evangelist Jim Bakker as “a cancer that needed to be excised from the body of Christ” following Bakker’s own sexual indiscretions.
Swaggart was suspended from preaching for a year by the Assemblies of God, but took to the pulpit again after three months and was then defrocked. In 1991, he was found in a car with another suspected prostitute, sparking further chaos for his ministry.
The scandals that surrounded Swaggart rocked the evangelical Christian world and threatened to overshadow the other elements of his life. Despite his failings, Swaggart was also a dad, grandfather, the son of a pastor and a man who inspired many to follow the Lord.
Early life and career
Swaggart’s rise to fame and prominence is also worthy of attention. He was born on 15 March 1935, in Ferriday, Louisiana, and grew up in poverty.
Swaggart was the cousin of rock and roll performer, Jerry Lee Lewis, and country crooner, Mickey Gilley. While the trio’s inevitable career paths were somewhat different, all took them to places far beyond Swaggart’s early destitution.
For his part, Swaggart, too, was also a musician. He was nominated for a Grammy for best traditional Gospel performance in 1981, and he produced dozens of albums throughout his career. It was preaching, though, for which he was most known.
The full story surrounding Swaggart is much more complex than a headline could ever capture
Swaggart’s foray into ministry began at a young age. “When I was eight years of age, the Lord called me to ministry,” he wrote in a Facebook post last year. “At nine years old, He told me I would preach to the nations of the world, and that is exactly what is now happening.”
He was preaching part-time by the time he was 23, and as time progressed, this extended beyond the pulpit and permeated the airwaves. The evangelist launched radio and TV programs, as well as a magazine - all well before people had the luxury of going viral on social media.
By 1973, he had launched his first telecast, 13 years after being ordained by the Assemblies of God. In a Fox News obituary, the media outlet called him “America’s longest-serving TV evangelist.”
Legacy
His scandals, of course, tempered his prominence. Afterward, he somewhat retreated from the public, but his preaching and media ministries continued.
Charisma News noted that Swaggart left behind a “legacy of impassioned preaching, heartfelt worship and a lifelong dedication to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.” The outlet also shared sermon notes released after Swaggart’s death, including one that focussed on brokenness and God’s refining power: “When He took you, it was a holy moment,” Swaggart wrote. “He knew all about you before He chose you. The breaking process is necessary…the flesh is too dominant in us and must be broken.”
Swaggart was well acquainted with the pain of brokenness and refinement. His life, ministry – and the scandals that surrounded him – have sparked various responses. But, nonetheless, he paved the way for other preachers to deliver the gospel through TV and media audiences.
Following his death, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry praised Swaggert’s past preaching: “He devoted much of his life to bringing people to Christ,” he said. “Our prayers go out to the Swaggart family during this difficult time.” US President Donald Trump called him an “incredible man of faith”.
Swaggart continued to serve at Family Worship Center, the church in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, that he founded in the 60s, until his death. He inspired his son, Donnie Swaggart, and grandson, Gabriel Swaggart, to join the pastorate and spread the gospel, a mission that both men continue to this day.
Ultimately, it’s easy to define a person by their past mistakes; yet, if we’re honest, none of us would want the same standard applied to our own lives. Humans are complex, and while sin should never be excused, grace and fairness should also be our posture.
No comments yet