John MacArthur Passes Away at 86
John MacArthur, who served as the pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, has died at the age of 86 after struggling with pneumonia.
“Our hearts are heavy, yet we find solace in sharing that John MacArthur, our cherished pastor and teacher, is now with the Savior,” read a post last night on the Twitter account of his media ministry, “Gathering for You.” The message continued, “His faith has finally transformed into sight. He remained steadfast until the end of his journey.”
This announcement follows MacArthur’s statement to his congregation about being hospitalized due to illness during a service on Sunday, July 13th. Reports mentioned he had contracted pneumonia earlier that week, prompting concern from the church.
“Pastor John is dealing with pneumonia this week,” said Patton during the service. “He may face hospitalization and could soon be before the Lord.”
MacArthur began his ministry at Grace Community Church after graduating from Talbot Seminary in 1969. Over his tenure, the church expanded its two morning services to fill a 3,500-seat auditorium, drawing thousands into various training and fellowship programs.
In 1985, he took on the role of president at Masters University, a Christian liberal arts college in Santa Clarita. The following year, he established a graduate program focused on training individuals for ministry and missionary work, according to the church’s website.
Additionally, he served as president and lead teacher for Grace to You, which focuses on creating and sharing audio recordings, books, and media content. MacArthur authored nearly 400 books, including notable works like According to Jesus, the Gospel and Our Sufficiency in Christ, which have been translated into more than 20 languages.
He gained national attention in 2020 when a judge ruled that his church could continue in-person services despite state restrictions during the pandemic.
MacArthur had faced several health challenges over the years, particularly following a sudden illness while preaching a service in 2023. He underwent multiple surgeries related to atrial fibrillation and other health issues but unfortunately continued to experience health declines.
Patton relayed to the congregation that MacArthur was recovering more slowly than anticipated after undergoing three surgeries in late 2024 and dealt with various complications affecting his heart and lungs.
This year, he was hospitalized for a “second procedure” involving his lung, according to reports.
He is survived by his wife, Patricia, four children, and 15 grandchildren.
