John MacArthur, a long-time pastor at Grace Community Church in California, suffers from pneumonia. Church leaders announced Sunday that the 86-year-old’s health is declining and “may soon be in front of the Lord.”
MacArthur has spent more than 50 years in the pulpit in Sun Valley, California, but has not preached much of the year due to health challenges.
Tom Patton, staff pastor at Grace Community Church, provided the latest updates on MacArthur Sunday, asking the congregation to pray for the longtime pastor and his entire family.
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“We need to know that Rev. John contracted pneumonia this week. He may be recognized in the hospital and be in front of the Lord soon,” he said.
“We have placed our dear pastor at the feet of our glorious Savior, who has served so faithfully over the years, and now we are waiting for his final command to be forever in His presence,” Patton added.
Patton then led the congregation in prayer for MacArthur and his family.
HB Charles Jr., pastoral teacher at Shilo Metropolitan Baptist Church in Jacksonville, Fla., filled out MacArthur during Sunday service and told the congregation that his mission was a direct result of MacArthur’s teachings.
“Most of you don’t know me,” Charles said. “Some of you may know me on behalf of my life, faith, and mission are the fruit of this pulpit’s faithfulness and the witnesses of this local church.
The 86-year-old became a pastoral teacher in 1969 and preached over 3,000 sermons.
He is the voice behind the bounty for you, reaching thousands internationally through radio and digital media. He also writes dozens of theological books and biblical commentaries.
MacArthur made a national headline in 2020 after a California judge determined that in-person services could continue despite statewide restrictions put in place by Gov. Gavin Newsom during the Covid-19 pandemic.
MacArthur’s health began to decline in 2023 after experiencing diffuse breathing after sermoning.
He was hospitalized and later underwent three heart and lung surgery. MacArthur stayed at the hospital for seven weeks before heading home.
MacArthur reportedly limited his ministry role after facing more health challenges earlier this year. When he recovered, he tackled rumors circulating online about his condition in video messages that Grace shared with you.
“Rumours of my death are very exaggerated,” MacArthur told the congregation.
“I’m not sick at all… my heart is probably stronger than my last decade of my life,” he added. “I am grateful to see God’s good, graceful, kind and providential hand in every variation in my life.”
He was absent at this year’s Shepherds Conference in March.
In an interview in 2024, MacArthur recalled: “I found myself on the last rap, which takes on a new meaning when you know you’re on the short edge of a candle.”
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