Pastor John MacArthur provided an update regarding his health during a question and answer session at The Master’s Seminary (TMS) on Tuesday. The event was his first public appearance since undergoing heart valve replacement surgery on July 15.
The 85-year-old chancellor emeritus of TMS and pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church (GCC) in Sun Valley, California, last preached at GCC on July 7.
On July 14, when MacArthur had planned to continue his sermon series on Revelation, Steve Lawson, professor of preaching at TMS, informed the congregation that MacArthur needed to undergo a procedure. Lawson indicated that MacArthur’s condition was serious and reminded GCC that God is the one who has “determined” MacArthur’s days “before the foundation of the world.”
The following week, GCC elder Tom Patton told the congregation, “Thank you for praying for our pastor. On Monday, he had a new aortic valve installed, and the procedure was very successful.” Patton added that MacArthur was feeling great and was at home recovering.
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During GCC’s services on Aug. 11, Patton read a text message from MacArthur that said,
Here’s a note for the Grace family. I am doing well after the replacement of the aortic heart valve. The operation was successful. Now I have to go through the process of getting my strength back. I feel fine and I’m gradually getting back to normal activity and ministry.
MacArthur told the congregation, “A few more weeks and I hope to return to my beloved Grace Church pulpit and congregation. Thank you for your continued prayers and love. Love to all of you.”
Appearing before new class of seminary students on Tuesday, MacArthur showed signs of a weak voice, something he said was a result of him not preaching. “One of the things you find out pretty soon when you get into preaching is that if you don’t preach regularly, you kind of lose your voice. It’s a muscle that needs to be used.” He then jokingly encouraged, “So preach as often as you can. When you don’t…you start sounding like an old man.”
MacArthur acknowledged that he is near the end of his time on earth. “I am not under any illusions about my mortality, so I don’t know how much time the Lord is going to give me,” he said, adding that it is “far better to part and be with Christ, but if it’s more needful to be here, I’m incredibly blessed to be here.”
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While this was not MacArthur’s first heart procedure, he said not only was the surgery “very successful” but also that he is feeling fine overall.
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