John MacArthur, the esteemed 86-year-old pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church (GCC) in Sun Valley, California, has been hospitalized with pneumonia, prompting an outpouring of prayers and concern from his congregation and the wider Christian community. The announcement was made during Sunday services on July 13, 2025, by associate pastor Tom Patton, who informed the church that Pastor MacArthur’s condition was serious, stating he "may be in the presence of the Lord soon." This news was widely reported by outlets including Fox News and CBN News.
Pastor MacArthur’s hospitalization follows a period of ongoing health challenges. According to reports, his health began to decline in 2023 after he experienced difficulty breathing during a sermon. Since then, he has undergone multiple procedures, including three heart surgeries and a lung procedure in the second half of 2024. While a lung procedure earlier this year was deemed successful, his recovery from the 2024 surgeries has been "slower than expected," with "occasional setbacks affecting his heart, lungs and kidneys," as noted by Patton. Despite these struggles, MacArthur had previously addressed rumors about his health in a video message, humorously stating, "The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated," and affirming that his heart was stronger than it had been in a decade. He was notably absent from the Shepherds Conference in March 2025, and in a 2024 interview, he reflected on his advanced age, saying, "I realize I’m on the last lap."
John MacArthur has served as the pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church for 56 years, having assumed the role in February 1969. Under his leadership, GCC has grown into a prominent non-denominational, evangelical megachurch, known for its commitment to expository preaching and its Calvinist theology, including beliefs in the cessation of supernatural spiritual gifts and the sufficiency of Scripture. The church, founded in 1956, holds multiple worship services each Sunday at 9 am, 11 am, and 6 pm PST, with livestreams available for those unable to attend in person, as detailed on the Grace Community Church website.
Beyond his pastoral duties, MacArthur is widely recognized as the president of Grace to You, a non-profit media ministry that distributes his teachings globally through radio and digital platforms, including YouTube. He has authored nearly 400 book titles and delivered over 3,000 sermons throughout his extensive ministry.
In recent years, Pastor MacArthur and Grace Community Church have also been in the public eye due to their stance on various issues. Notably, in 2020, the church defied statewide COVID-19 restrictions by continuing to hold in-person services without masks or social distancing. This led to legal battles with the State of California and Los Angeles County, which ultimately resulted in a settlement of $800,000 paid to the church in legal fees, as reported by Wikipedia. The church also announced in March 2022 that it would produce a feature-length documentary, "The Essential Church," about the global church’s response to pandemic restrictions. Additionally, the church has faced accusations regarding its handling of domestic abuse cases, which the pastoral council has publicly denied as "lies."
As the Grace Community Church family and supporters worldwide rally in prayer for Pastor John MacArthur, his profound impact on Christian ministry and his unwavering commitment to his faith continue to be a central focus. The church community remains hopeful for his recovery while entrusting their beloved pastor to God’s will.
