Jimmy Swaggart, a longtime figure in American televangelism, is fighting for his life after suffering a heart attack at his Baton Rouge home.

According to the Christian Post, the 90-year-old preacher is in critical condition in intensive care following cardiac arrest as his family puts their hope in faith and prayer for divine intervention.

Swaggart, who began his ministry in 1955 and launched his television outreach in 1971, experienced a medical emergency early Sunday morning, June 15, 2025. He collapsed at home, where his son Donnie and grandson Gabe were present when the cardiac arrest occurred.

According to Donnie Swaggart, he and Gabe attempted chest compressions while waiting for emergency services to arrive. Emergency responders managed to restore a heartbeat before transporting Swaggart to a local hospital, where he was admitted to intensive care.

Speaking to the congregation at Family Worship Center Church in Baton Rouge, Donnie described the frightening scene and shared how the family sprang into action in what he called an unprecedented crisis. “This is beyond that,” he said, referring to how the family usually keeps private matters close.

Family Turns to Faith During Critical Hours

Donnie told church members that Swaggart has remained unconscious since the incident. He added the family had advised the medical staff not to give any prognosis as they awaited what they described as an opportunity for divine intervention.

“Right now, he is in the ICU and without a miracle… his time will be short,” Donnie said. However, he emphasized their trust in faith, stating, “We’re not giving up... we’re going to allow the Lord to work.”

A statement posted on the ministry’s official Facebook page on Monday, June 16, confirmed that there was no change in Swaggart’s medical condition. The post asked supporters to continue praying and noted the family’s commitment to trusting what they called “the Lord’s perfect will.”

Decades of Ministry and Global Reach

Jimmy Swaggart remains a prominent voice in the Christian media world. He is the founder and senior pastor of Family Worship Center and launched the Sonlife Broadcasting Network in 2007. The network claims a global viewership reaching up to 2 billion people.

Swaggart has authored more than 60 religious texts, including commentaries and study guides, and is well known for The Expositor’s Study Bible. He also founded the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College to train ministers and Christian workers.

A musician as well, Swaggart released nearly 60 gospel albums throughout his career and sold close to 17 million recordings, establishing himself as an influence in both spiritual and musical communities.

A History Marked by Public Scandals

Despite his achievements, Swaggart’s ministry has also weathered significant controversy. In 1988, he was involved in a scandal involving a New Orleans prostitute, which led to his being removed from his position by the Assemblies of God.

Another incident followed in 1991 when he was stopped by police in California and found with Rosemary Garcia, a known sex worker. That traffic stop resulted in citations for driving violations, including operating an unregistered vehicle and failing to wear a seatbelt.

Garcia later told KNBC-TV that Swaggart had requested her services, an admission that reignited public scrutiny and brought further challenges to the preacher’s public image and ministry credibility.

Legacy and Uncertain Future

Now at age 90, Swaggart represents a generation of televangelists who reached millions through television and later digital platforms. His longevity in ministry, spanning nearly 70 years, has made him one of the most familiar faces in American evangelicalism.

Although marred by personal failings, Swaggart’s influence continues through the institutions he founded and the broadcasts still reaching audiences worldwide. His sermons, publications, and gospel recordings remain staples in Pentecostal and evangelical circles.

As his family waits for further updates, their public plea for prayer reflects both their enduring hope and the grave nature of Swaggart’s condition. “We will make decisions at our own time,” Donnie said, underscoring their reliance on faith rather than prognosis.