Pastor John MacArthur, Charlie Kirk, Kay Arthur, Dr. Voddie Baucham, Dr. James Dobson and Phil Robertson were among the Christian leaders the Church mourned deeply in 2025.
These influential pastors, teachers, authors, advocates and global faith leaders shaped generations and left enduring marks on evangelicalism, Catholicism and efforts to address sexual abuse within the Church.
Some deaths came after long, celebrated lives of ministry, while others were sudden and tragic, leaving congregations and followers reeling. Together, their deaths prompted reflection on faithfulness, courage, repentance, hope and restoration and introduced Jesus to many for the first time.
As the year comes to a close, ChurchLeaders remembers several notable Christian leaders who died in 2025:
Pastor John MacArthur
John MacArthur, 86, pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church (GCC) in Sun Valley, California, died shortly after 6 p.m. PT on July 14.
During the Sunday morning worship services the day prior to his death, it was announced that MacArthur had contracted pneumonia and is expected to be in the presence of Jesus soon. “He was admitted in a hospital, and may be in the presence of the Lord soon,” staff pastor Tom Patton shared.
“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.
MacArthur served as GCC’s pastor for 56 years, authored more than 150 books, served as the president of The Master’s Seminary and The Master’s University, and founded “Grace to You,” a nationally syndicated radio and television Bible teaching program.
Health issues kept MacArthur out of the pulpit for more than half of 2024 and all of 2025 leading up to his death.
The renowned expository preacher leaves behind his wife of more than 60 years, Patricia, their four children, 15 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.
Read the full article: ‘Our Hearts are Heavy, Yet Rejoicing’—Pastor John MacArthur Dead at the Age of 86
