Home Christian News John MacArthur Sparks Concern After Falling Ill, Unable To Preach Second Service

John MacArthur Sparks Concern After Falling Ill, Unable To Preach Second Service

John MacArthur
Screengrab via YouTube @Grace to You

John MacArthur, 83-year-old pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church (GCC), made headlines after he fell ill and wasn’t able to preach the megachurch’s second worship service on Sunday.

On Monday, GCC released a statement saying, “Many of you are praying for Pastor John’s health due to his absence from the pulpit during the second service. We are pleased to report that he is doing well. He saw a doctor on Sunday afternoon and he is in good health, and just needs rest from a busy holiday week. Thank you for your continued prayers for Pastor John.”

According to polemical news site Protestia, a GCC elder informed worshipers attending the service that MacArthur had become sick earlier in the week.

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“Just so you know, Pastor John had a bug this week and preached our first hour but asked if he might be able to take a break for the second hour. So Mike Riccardi is going to be answering the call. It’s pretty amazing we have guys with sermons in their Bibles wherever you go, and so Mike’s going to be here,” the GCC elder said.

Over the past few years, MacArthur has found himself in the news for refusing to close the doors of GCC or restrict gathering sizes in accordance with California state mandates in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

In an article titled “Christ, not Caesar, Is Head of the Church,” MacArthur encouraged other churches would stand with them, saying, “In response to the recent state order requiring churches in California to limit or suspend all meetings indefinitely, we, the pastors and elders of Grace Community Church, respectfully inform our civic leaders that they have exceeded their legitimate jurisdiction, and faithfulness to Christ prohibits us from observing the restrictions they want to impose on our corporate worship services.”

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GCC and MacArthur were fined and threatened with jail time if they did not comply with the state’s mandates.

With the help of former Trump lawyer Jana Ellis, along with Charles LiMandri, the church filed a lawsuit against California Governor Gavin Newsom, Attorney General Xavier Becerra, Los Angeles Mayor Eric Garcetti, and public health officials.

Last February, MacArthur celebrated 53 years as GCC’s senior pastor.