Lydia Swain

Rev. Lydia Maurice Swain, 94, of Baton Rouge, LA, passed away peacefully Resurrection weekend on Saturday evening, April 11, 2020. Born March 20, 1926, in Pawtucket, RI, Lydia was the daughter of the late Andrew and Agnes Maurice. Raised in Miami, FL, Lydia first heard God’s call of ministry on her life as a teenager at Evangel Temple Assembly of God. She went on to graduate from Central Bible Institute in Springfield, MO, and was an Assemblies of God minister for more than 65 years. Lydia and her husband Henry Swain planted Calvary Assembly of God in Port Charlotte, FL, before embarking on a life devoted to world missions. As Assemblies of God missionaries, they ministered extensively in South Korea before transferring to Thailand. When Henry died in 1981, Lydia returned to South Korea, working at Yoido Full Gospel Church as Dr. David Yonggi Cho’s personal assistant. Upon retirement, she moved to Louisiana to be near family. During the past two decades, Lydia was a faithful member of Bethel Temple Assembly in Baton Rouge. She also continued to minister across the country for many years as a writer and speaker. Until her final days, she shared her faith with others through ministerial counseling and intercessory prayer. Besides her parents and husband, Lydia was preceded in death by two brothers and two sisters. She is survived by her children, daughter Karen Lake and son Lorne Swain, and their spouses; four grandchildren and their spouses; five great grandchildren; one brother; and a host of family and friends. Interment will be in Springfield, and a memorial gathering will be planned at a future date. Gifts in her memory may be made to the Assemblies of God World Ministries.