Tag: John MacArthur

John MacArthur, Influential US Pastor and Author, Dies at 86

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

DAVID INGRAM

John MacArthur Jr., one of the most influential and polarizing figures in American evangelicalism, passed away on Monday. His death was announced by Phil Johnson, the longtime director of MacArthur’s media ministry. The announcement was confirmed by Grace to You, the ministry MacArthur founded and led for decades, which posted on its website, “After dealing with some significant health challenges dating back to early 2023, our beloved pastor and teacher John MacArthur has gone to be with Christ..”

MacArthur’s final years were marked by a series of serious health challenges. In early July 2025, he was hospitalized with pneumonia, following years of heart and lung surgeries. Tom Patton, an associate pastor at Grace Community Church, had previously informed the congregation that MacArthur’s recovery from three major surgeries in the second half of 2024 was “slower than expected,” with complications affecting his heart, lungs, and kidneys. In recent months, it became increasingly evident that his time was drawing to a close.

John MacArthur’s ministry career spanned nearly six decades. In 1969, he became the pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, where he remained until his death. Under his leadership, the church grew into a flagship of conservative evangelicalism.

MacArthur’s influence extended far beyond the walls of his church. Through his Grace to You radio ministry, launched in the 1970s, he reached a global audience. Today, the program broadcasts in nine languages across more than 2,400 radio stations worldwide. His teaching, marked by a meticulous, verse-by-verse expository preaching style, earned him the reputation as “the world’s premier expositor.”

Pastor MacArthur wrote or edited hundreds of books, Bible commentaries, and theological works. His MacArthur Study Bible, first published in 1997, remains a staple in evangelical circles, with more than four million copies sold. He also founded and led The Master’s University and The Master’s Seminary, institutions dedicated to training pastors and Christian leaders in his theological tradition.

His ministry’s slogan, “Unleashing God’s Truth, One Verse at a Time,” encapsulated his commitment to a literal, inerrant, and authoritative interpretation of scripture, an approach that shaped generations of pastors and laypeople.

While revered by many for his uncompromising theological stance and dedication to biblical exposition, MacArthur’s legacy is also marked by controversy. He was a central figure in the resurgence of Calvinist doctrine in the United States and a vocal critic of cultural and theological movements he viewed as incompatible with biblical Christianity.

MacArthur openly opposed feminism, LGBTQ politics, and the teaching of evolution. In later years, he took combative positions in America’s cultural battles, condemning critical race theory and denouncing what he called “wokeness.”

Despite controversies, John MacArthur’s impact on American evangelicalism is undeniable. His unwavering commitment to expository preaching, church leadership, and theological education shaped the faith and practice of countless Christians worldwide.

MacArthur is survived by Patricia, his wife of 61 years, their four children, 15 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren. In the wake of his death, Grace to You affirmed its mission remains unchanged: “As the Lord sustains this work, Grace to You will always and only distribute the Bible teaching of John MacArthur.”

John MacArthur was 86.

Church leaders with Grace Community Church say John MacArthur, ‘may be in the presence of the Lord soon’

Published on by Texas GospelLeave a comment

TEXAS GOSPEL STAFF

John MacArthur, the well-known California author, speaker and pastor, has been admitted to hospital with pneumonia. The news was shared with the congregation at Grace Community Church in Sun Valley during a Sunday morning service. Church leaders spoke openly about the seriousness of his condition, acknowledging that he may soon be called home to be with the Lord. Pastor Tom Patton, a longtime member of the church’s leadership, invited the congregation to pray for MacArthur and his family during this difficult time.

Over the past couple of years, MacArthur’s health has faced ongoing setbacks. In early 2023, he experienced breathing complications shortly after preaching, which led to multiple heart surgeries and a lung procedure. Following an extended hospital stay, he returned home but was unable to resume his regular preaching schedule. Though he remained hopeful and expressed a desire to return to ministry, his physical challenges have kept him from public appearances and key church events throughout 2024.

During the Sunday service, Patton offered a heartfelt prayer, asking for strength and peace for MacArthur’s wife, Patricia, along with their children, grandchildren, and great-grandchildren. He spoke of MacArthur’s lifelong faithfulness and devotion to his calling, and prayed for God’s grace to surround the entire family as they walk through this uncertain time. The church community was encouraged to rally in prayer and support for a man whose ministry has shaped lives for generations.

For over five decades, MacArthur has been a significant figure in Evangelical circles, known both for his preaching and his Grace to You broadcast, which reaches audiences worldwide. He has written extensively on theology and Scripture, leaving a lasting legacy through thousands of sermons and published works. In a reflective interview last year, MacArthur acknowledged the realities of aging, saying he was aware he was nearing the final chapter of his earthly journey — a truth he faced with faith and gratitude.