Home Christian News 83-Year-Old Pastor John MacArthur Has Successful Surgery To Clear Artery Blockages

83-Year-Old Pastor John MacArthur Has Successful Surgery To Clear Artery Blockages

John MacArthur
IslandsEnd, CC BY 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

The Grace Community Church (GCC) elders shared on Friday (Jan. 13) that their 83-year-old pastor-teacher John MacArthur had successfully undergone a medical procedure to clear blockage in his arteries.

MacArthur’s procedure took place nearly two weeks after he had to refrain from preaching GCC’s second Sunday morning worship service on New Year’s Day (Jan. 1) after falling ill.

One of GCC’s elders addressed MacArthur’s pulpit absence, saying, “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.”

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

“Thank you for praying for Pastor John over the last two weeks,” the elders’ recent statement said. “After a week of tests, the doctors determined that a procedure was needed to clear some blockage in his arteries. That procedure took place earlier this week and was very successful.”

The elders explained that MacArthur is at his home recovering and doing well.

“He will take the next few weeks off from preaching to recover and to prepare for Shepherds Conference,” the statement said.

The conference will take place over three days and is scheduled to start on March 8. Along with MacArthur, the conference will feature keynote speakers Steven J. Lawson, H.B. Charles Jr., Phil Johnson, and more, including James Coates, who was placed in jail by the Canadian government after refusing to comply with their COVID-19 mandates.

“God has answered our prayers and we can add to those prayers thanksgiving that his situation was identified and resolved. Our pastor is feeling better and is grateful for the opportunity to rest in the coming weeks,” the elders’ stated, concluding with a quotation Psalm 28:6-7 and asking for continued prayers for MacArthur’s recovery.