Psalm 116:15 declares, “Precious in the sight of the Lord is the death of his saints.” Certainly this is true for my friend, Jimmy Swaggart’s , who blazed worldwide trails as broadcaster, Evangelist, author, and pastor.

Pastor Benny Hinn joins with other international leaders in honoring his friend’s homegoing, saying:

Even as we grieve Jimmy Swaggart’s passing from this earth, we rejoice at his home-going.

From my earliest memory as a new believer in Canada, I became increasingly intrigued at how mightily he was used by God in so many ways. Like so many others, I grew to love his story of how he rose from humble beginnings in Ferriday, Louisiana (born March 15, 1935), growing up with soon-to-be famous cousins rockabilly pioneer Jerry Lee Lewis and country music star Mickey Gilley.

Eventually he and his young wife, Frances, began traveling throughout the South, preaching from a donated flatbed trailer, eventually becoming one of the most well-known evangelists and gospel musicians throughout America and the world. His crusades drew huge crowds and received significant media attention.

Along the way he pastored the Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, founded SonLife Broadcasting Network and the Jimmy Swaggart Bible College. He wrote over 50 books, including his autobiography, To Cross a River. An outstanding pianist and singer, he also sold over 15 million records worldwide. He preached the gospel of Jesus Christ on television longer than any other American evangelist in history!

I was privileged to spend time and minister with him (including when Jimmy preached at Orlando Christian Center and I ministered at Family Worship Center in the 1980s), offering me the special privilege of witnessing first-hand his intense love of Jesus and his unmistakable passion for lost souls.

Those who knew him understood that he was willing to do whatever was needed to reach out to others with the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Now I ask all my partners to be in prayer for his precious wife Frances, his son Donnie, and all of his family, staff, and ministry partners during these days of bereavement.

And while we join my friend’s loved ones in mourning this great loss, we also celebrate our dear brother’s reunion in heaven with the Lord Jesus whom he served so faithfully during his memorable lifetime. I can only imagine the glory he is experiencing today in heaven with the Savior whom he loved and served faithfully throughout his life!