UMO’s Carolina Sound Performed For Jimmy Swaggart In One Of His Final Live Encounters

BATON ROUGE, LA – In what would become one of the final live music encounters for famed televangelist and gospel music icon Jimmy Swaggart, the University of Mount Olive’s premier acapella ensemble, Carolina Sound, delivered a powerful performance at Family Worship Center in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

As part of their spring-summer tour, the group became the first and only acapella group ever invited to perform on the Family Worship Center stage. The invitations came through personal ties between UMO Music Directors Lester and Holly Rector and the Swaggart ministry.

The Rectors previously served at the center in the early 2000s as worship leaders. Their long-standing relationship with Swaggart Music Director Robin Herd helped open the door for Carolina Sound’s groundbreaking appearance.

On a Sunday morning service broadcast worldwide via the SonLife Television Network, Carolina Sound sang “Jesus Saves” and a moving medley titled “I Speak the Name.” The performance reached an estimated 275 million viewers, making it one of the most far-reaching
platforms ever for the student group.

The highlight came days later when the group was invited into Jimmy Swaggart’s personal office. Though 90 years old and in declining health, Swaggart spent time with the ensemble, shared stories, and graciously listened as they sang Be Thou My Vision for him. Also present was Donnie Swaggart, who captured the heartfelt moment with the ministry’s social media team.

For many students, the spiritual and historical weight of the visit was just sinking in.

While some were too young to fully grasp Swaggart’s global impact—selling more than 22 million records and leading the charge in the worldwide Pentecostal movement—the encounter left a lasting impression.

“They realized they were in the presence of someone whose ministry shaped modern Christian television and worship,” Rector explained.

The significance of the moment wasn’t lost on the University either. “This was more than a performance,” Rector added. “It was a chance to represent the University of Mount Olive and its Christian mission on a global stage. We don’t know who was watching that morning—somewhere in the world, someone may have been moved closer to Christ by hearing those two songs.”

Despite initial concern over how traditional viewers might respond to the group’s vocal percussionist, the crowd’s enthusiastic reaction proved music truly transcends style, generation, and expectation.

“When I introduced the students, the loudest applause came for the beatboxer,” Rector laughed. “It was a risk—but it reminded everyone that the Holy Spirit moves through all forms of praise.”

As Carolina Sound continues to uplift audiences, their time with Jimmy Swaggart—one of his final in-person musical moments—will remain etched in memory as a sacred opportunity where music, ministry, and legacy harmonized one last time.

Swaggart passed away on Tuesday, July 1.

To view the video performance, visit https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_XY_HPTK1XE