A Call for a Miracle: Jimmy Swaggart Hospitalized in Baton Rouge After Cardiac Arrest

By The Bayou Insider Staff

Evangelist Jimmy Swaggart, one of Louisiana’s most well-known religious figures and a global icon in Pentecostal circles, is in critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest at his Baton Rouge home on Sunday morning, June 15. The incident, which occurred around 8:00 AM on Father’s Day, has sparked an outpouring of prayers and concern from across the state and the nation.

According to family members, Swaggart collapsed at home and was found unresponsive. His son, Donnie Swaggart, and grandson, Gabriel Swaggart, immediately performed CPR while awaiting emergency responders. Paramedics were able to restore his heartbeat and transported the 90-year-old minister to the hospital, where he remains in intensive care.

“Without a miracle, his time is short,” said Donnie during a Sunday evening livestream on SonLife Broadcasting Network.

The family has asked for continued prayers and privacy during this time. In an official statement released through Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, they shared:

“At this time, there has been no change in his condition. We ask that you continue to lift him up in prayer and believe God for a miracle. Further updates will be provided through official channels.”

A Baton Rouge Legacy

Jimmy Swaggart has been a fixture in Baton Rouge for decades. From the Family Worship Center to the SonLife Broadcasting Network, Swaggart built one of the most recognizable ministries in the world — headquartered right here in Louisiana. His sermons have reached millions, his music has topped gospel charts, and his name has become synonymous with fiery preaching and Southern revivalism.

But Swaggart’s legacy has not been without controversy. In the late 1980s and early 1990s, personal scandals rocked the ministry and damaged his national reputation. Yet despite it all, Swaggart remained a resilient figure — continuing to preach, sing, and broadcast from his Baton Rouge pulpit well into his nineties.

To many in Louisiana, he is more than a televangelist — he is a symbol of perseverance, redemption, and faith in action.

Family, Faith, and the Future

The Swaggart ministry is a family affair. His son Donnie and grandson Gabriel have become integral to daily operations, often preaching, teaching, and leading major events. While they have gradually taken on more responsibility, Jimmy Swaggart remained active, often preaching multiple times a week as recently as this spring.

Now, with Swaggart’s health uncertain, many are beginning to reflect on what the future might look like for a ministry so deeply tied to one man’s voice and vision.

Churches across Baton Rouge and beyond are holding prayer vigils and asking their congregations to intercede. Comments have poured in on social media from longtime followers, fellow pastors, and community members — many of whom grew up listening to his sermons or watching his broadcasts.

An Era Nearing Its End?

Whether or not this becomes the final chapter of Swaggart’s life, one thing is certain: his influence has shaped the spiritual landscape of Louisiana for over half a century. His booming voice, gospel piano playing, and passionate calls to repentance have defined a generation of Christian broadcasting.

His reach extended far beyond Louisiana, but he never left the state that gave him his start. From small revivals in rural churches to building an international media network, Jimmy Swaggart carried the name of Baton Rouge with him into homes around the world.

His life — marked by both failure and redemption — reflects a spiritual journey familiar to many Louisianans: gritty, emotional, unfiltered, and full of grace.

Waiting, Watching, Praying

As of this writing, Swaggart remains in critical condition, and no further medical updates have been released. The Swaggart family has assured the public that updates will come through Jimmy Swaggart Ministries and the SonLife Broadcasting Network.

In the meantime, many are simply doing what Donnie Swaggart asked: praying.

“He’s been a voice in my house since I was a little girl,” one Baton Rouge resident commented on Facebook. “My family is praying tonight, and we’re believing for a miracle.”

A Community’s Invitation

As Louisiana watches and waits, The Bayou Insider will continue to cover this story with care and respect. If you have a story, memory, or message you’d like to share about Jimmy Swaggart, we invite you to email us or comment on this story. Whether you are a follower of his ministry or not, his impact on our culture and our city is undeniable.

This is more than a news item — it’s a moment of reflection on faith, legacy, and the power of prayer in the life of one of Louisiana’s most iconic sons.

Comments or reflections?

Has your life been impacted by Jimmy Swaggart and his ministry? Email us at thebayouinsider@protonmail.me or comment below with your stories and tributes.