It was announced on Sunday, July 13, that John MacArthur, 86, pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church (GCC) in Sun Valley, California, has contracted pneumonia and is expected to be in the presence of Jesus soon.
MacArthur celebrated 56 years as GCC’s pastor-teacher in February, but due to his health, he was unable to preach more than half of 2024 and all of 2025 so far.
During GCC’s morning worship services on Sunday, staff pastor Tom Patton shared the news regarding MacArthur’s health.
RELATED: Grace Community Church Announces 20% Cut to Budget Amid John MacArthur’s Latest Health Setback
“You need to know that this week, Pastor John contracted pneumonia. He was admitted in a hospital, and may be in the presence of the Lord soon.”
Patton asked the congregation to keep MacArthur’s family in their prayers, which includes his 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
“We place our dear pastor at the feet of the glorious Savior whom he has served so faithfully for so many years and now awaits his final command to be in his presence forever,” Patton said.
RELATED: John MacArthur’s Kidneys Are Failing, but He Doesn’t Believe ‘God Is Through With Me Yet’
“The entire service, if you have noticed, has been focused on the greatness of God,” Patton continued. “Because no matter the trial, no matter the pain, no matter the difficulty for us to grasp the greater purposes of our Savior, we know without a shadow of a doubt that he is great and he is good.”
Patton then led the congregation in praying for MacArthur. He prayed:
Heavenly Father, you have granted us a love for you by planting that love within us when you rescued us from the penalty of our sin, and that love consumes us and redirects us and flows out from us towards our pastor, your faithful servant and your trustworthy messenger. We ask for the greatest expression of your kindness to be bestowed upon our pastor now as he grows ever nearer to the completion of the mission that you had granted him before the beginning of time,.We ask for that also on behalf of that wonderful family, give the most plentiful outpouring of your compassion to the MacArthurs, to Patricia, who has been so faithful, so excellent in her love and support for her husband for so many years, and to the children who trust you and love you and have seen you over and over again. Open up the floodgates of heaven in blessing and joy and kindness to them. Support them in this hour as they join hands in gratitude and grief for the incomparable life and ministry of their father and our dearest friend. Grant them all grace upon grace at this time for your glory. We pray in the name of the most tender savior, Jesus, Christ, Amen.
