When he began preaching in 1969, MacArthur said, “All I did was plan to be prepared [for the] next Sunday.” He said he views his ministry as “55 years of Sundays” and considers all the sermon prep work and preaching “the greatest investment of my life.” “I still find that preparation the real joy and delight of my ministry,” MacArthur said.
In February 2019, while celebrating 50 years in ministry, MacArthur told his congregation, “I have never had a split-second desire to be anywhere else. This is my home; this is my life. You are my love. You are my joy and crown of rejoicing, and we will share this fellowship forever in heaven.”