Jimmy Swaggart Ministries is an evangelical Christian organization based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, founded in 1984 by televangelist Jimmy Swaggart. It oversees entities such as Jimmy Swaggart Bible College and Family Worship Center. The latter, now led by his son Donnie and grandson Gabriel, functions as a megachurch. The ministry also maintains an international outreach.[1][2]
 Headquarters in Baton Rouge, Louisiana | |
| Formation | 1984 |
|---|---|
| Founder | Jimmy Swaggart |
| Purpose | Evangelical Ministry |
| Headquarters | Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States |
| Leader | Gabriel Swaggart |
| Subsidiaries |
|
| Website | https://www.jsm.org/ |
History
editFollowing a highly publicized sex scandal, Jimmy Swaggart was stripped of his Assemblies of God ministerial credentials and continued as an independent, non-denominational minister. He subsequently established Jimmy Swaggart Ministries as the administrative organization for his church, radio station (WJFM), and television programs.[3][4]
Jimmy Swaggart Bible College
edit| Jimmy Swaggart Bible College | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Location | |
 | |
7320 Bluebonnet Blvd. 70810 United States | |
| 30°23′6.2″N 91°5′44.7″W / 30.385056°N 91.095750°W | |
| Information | |
| Other name | World Evangelism Bible College |
| Type | Private Christian |
Religious affiliation | Christian |
| Established | 1984 |
| Founder | Jimmy Swaggart |
| President | Gabriel Swaggart |
| Faculty | 10 |
| Enrollment | 370 (1991) |
Student to teacher ratio | 37:1 |
| Campus | 100 acres (400,000 m2) |
| Revenue | $150 million (1987) |
| Website | www |
Jimmy Swaggart Bible College, located on Bluebonnet Boulevard in Baton Rouge, once reached a peak enrollment of approximately 1,451 students[citation needed]. Enrollment then declined by approximately 72% following the 1988 sex scandal involving Jimmy Swaggart.[5][6] In response, the institution was renamed World Evangelism Bible College ["WEBC"] in 1991. At one point, enrollment had fallen so sharply that classes were relocated to facilities originally used for the ministry's high school program.[7] The college remains operational today, maintaining a seminary on campus and offering degrees primarily in ministry, though current enrollment figures are unavailable.
2024 to 2025
editJimmy Swaggart Bible College underwent a major two-year campus renovation (starting around 2024–2025) described by leadership as a "rebirth". While temporarily suspending its online program to pursue, the institution remains open, focusing on on-campus, Spirit-filled, Pentecostal education.[citation needed] The college isn't accredited as of Spring 2026.[citation needed]
According to research by Ministry Watch Jmmy Swaggart Bible College, has revenue of less than $900,000. However, it pays its president, Dr. Gabriel Swaggart, [grandson of Jimmy Swaggart] more than $1 million per year.[8]
Family Worship Center
editFamily Worship Center, the flagship church of Jimmy Swaggart Ministries, was originally established by Swaggart in the late 1960s as an Assemblies of God congregation.[9] Since the 2010s, leadership transferred to his son Donnie and grandson Gabriel. The church is considered a megachurch.[citation needed]
References
edit- ↑ "JSM Ministers". Jimmy Swaggart Ministries. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ↑ Kellner, Mark A. (June 17, 2025). "Jimmy Swaggart, Televangelist Tarnished in Sex Scandal, Clinging to Life After Coronary". The Roys Report. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ↑ Jackson, Robert L. (March 14, 1988). "Ministry Makes $150 Million a Year: Rich Life Style Reflects Swaggart Empire's Wealth". Los Angeles Times. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ↑ "Swaggart's Empire Shrinks--and so Do the Donations: Televangelism: Preacher has been unable to maintain his ministry's onetime prosperity after a highly publicized scandal". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. June 4, 1994. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ↑ "Enrollment Expected to Drop 72% at Jimmy Swaggart Bible College". Los Angeles Times. Associated Press. July 23, 1988. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ↑ "Swaggart Faces Suits by Creditors, Seeks Members for His New Group: Cash problems: The minister who left the Assemblies of God after a sex scandal has sold off some of his holdings while trying to build his World Evangelism Fellowship". Los Angeles Times. Religious News Service. March 16, 1991. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ↑ "President of Jimmy Swaggart's bible college resigns". United Press International. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
- ↑ Smith, Warren Cole (January 15, 2026). "100 Highest-Paid Christian College And University Executives — 2026". MinistryWatch. Retrieved March 30, 2026.
- ↑ Freiman, Jordan (June 16, 2025). "Televangelist Jimmy Swaggart in critical condition after cardiac arrest, family says". CBS News. Retrieved June 21, 2025.
External links
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