Rev. John MacArthur Passes Away at 86
John MacArthur, the pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, died on Monday at the age of 86 due to complications from pneumonia.
In a heartfelt post shared on the social media account of his ministry, Grace to You, it was stated, “Our hearts are heavy, but also delighted, to share that our beloved pastor and teacher, John MacArthur, has entered the presence of the Savior. Tonight, his faith became sight. He endured faithfully until the end of his race.”
This announcement follows MacArthur’s revelation to his congregation that he had been hospitalized during a service on July 13. A church leader mentioned earlier that MacArthur had contracted pneumonia and indicated he could soon be facing the Lord.
MacArthur began his ministry at Grace Community Church in 1969 after graduating from Talbot Seminary. Over the years, he oversaw significant growth, with the church’s capacity reached in its two morning services, which drew thousands of participants for various programs and fellowship activities.
In 1985, MacArthur became president of the Master’s Degree University in Santa Clarita, a Christian college. He later founded a graduate school focused on preparing individuals for full-time ministry and missionary work.
Additionally, he was the president and lead teacher of Grace To You, a nonprofit dedicated to disseminating audio recordings, books, and programming across various media. MacArthur authored nearly 400 books, including titles like According to Jesus and Our Sufficiency in Christ, which have been translated into more than 20 languages.
He made headlines in 2020 when a California judge ruled the church could continue in-person services despite statewide restrictions during the pandemic. Unfortunately, MacArthur had struggled with health issues for years, including a sudden illness mid-sermon in 2023, leading to multiple surgeries for heart conditions.
In recent updates, it was noted that his recovery was taking longer than expected, with ongoing complications affecting his heart, lungs, and kidneys.
Survived by his wife Patricia, four children, and 15 grandchildren, MacArthur leaves behind a legacy of faith and teaching.
