Author and preacher John MacArthur died earlier this week at the age of 86. After MacArthur’s more than five decades as pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, many are now asking about succession.
“I’m not indispensable,” said MacArthur in an older video that is now being reshared.
Who Will Fill John MacArthur’s Shoes?
Through several decades of ministry, John MacArthur spoke of wanting to do two things in ministry: “Preach the Word of God and train up other men to do likewise.” In addition to pastoring Grace Community Church, MacArthur created Grace to You, an organization that globally distributes his sermons. He also led The Master’s University and The Master’s Seminary.
Since his death, numerous people have paid him tribute. Many are wondering who will take his place.
Grace to You Executive Director Phil Johnson found an old video in which John MacArthur addresses the topic of succession. It’s unclear what event the footage captured, but clearly there was a time for Q&A with MacArthur.
“I know that Grace is a kind of church today because of your relentless, passionate love for sound doctrine,” someone from the congregation shared. “Just wondering, what’s gonna happen to Grace when you’re gone?”
“I don’t know anybody else in the world that has the same kind of love, the same kind of aggressive pursuit and exposure for truth to get it out there than you,” the audience member said.
MacArthur quoted Charles Wesley: “The Lord buries his workers, but his work goes on.” The California preacher compared his own departure from this world to when someone removes a hand from a bucket of water. There’s no hole in the water where the hand was. “It fills in,” he explained.
“God has his people in every time and every age,” said MacArthur. “I’m not indispensable. I’m just the servant for whatever time the Lord gives me.”
MacArthur served as the pastor-teacher at Grace for more than 56 years. His preaching ministry was known for his “careful study and verse-by-verse exposition of Scripture.”
MacArthur said that he had been asked for years about a succession plan.
John MacArthur’s reply to a question many are asking: pic.twitter.com/FKabl1G5DC
— Phil Johnson (@Phil_Johnson_) July 15, 2025
