John F. MacArthur, the pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, for more than 56 years, died on July 14 after being hospitalized with pneumonia. MacArthur, an author of nearly 400 books and Scripture study guides, was 86.
Grace to You, MacArthur’s Biblical resource distribution ministry, announced his passing on X.
“Our hearts are heavy, yet rejoicing, as we share the news that our beloved pastor and teacher John MacArthur has entered into the presence of the Savior,” the ministry posted. “This evening, his faith became sight. He faithfully endured until his race was run.”
Throughout the beginning of 2025, MacArthur faced health difficulties that reportedly kept him from remaining as active in his ministry role. His initial, rapid health decline began in 2023, when he had three heart surgeries and a lung procedure in a 7-week-span.
MacArthur was born in Los Angeles on June 19, 1939, into a ministry family. His father, Jack, was a Baptist pastor, and his grandfather was an Anglican pastor. MacArthur became head pastor of Grace Community Church in 1969 after he attended Talbot Theological Seminary and earned a Master of Divinity. The same year, MacArthur founded Grace to You, which distributes his books, audio resources and radio and television programs. The ministry’s website contains over 3,000 of his sermons. MacArthur became president of The Master’s University in 1985 and founded The Master’s Seminary in 1986.
MacArthur was known for his expository teaching style, centered on teaching God’s Word through studying and understanding the intent and meaning of a Biblical text. In his life testimony shared on the Grace to You website, he spoke about his commitment to faithfully teaching Scripture.
“I just really want to be known as someone who was a servant of the Lord. You know, Paul uses the word hupēretēs, a galley slave, under rower,” MacArthur said. “Just that I was faithful to the Word of God, faithful to the teaching of the Word of God and to the unfolding of the mysteries of the Gospel of the New Testament. That’s—it’s not about how many schools or how many books or how many radio programs. It’s just about being faithful to the Word of God.”
Hearing the news of his passing, evangelical leaders across the U.S. honored MacArthur’s life, including Franklin Graham, CEO and president of the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association and Samaritan’s Purse.
“One of America’s great Bible teachers, Pastor John MacArthur, has stepped into the presence of Almighty God,” Franklin posted. “He passed away Monday evening at the age of 86. He could get more out of a Bible verse than anyone I’ve ever known. Today, the New York Times recognized him as a ‘Firebrand Preacher and Culture Warrior’ and said that he influenced generations of evangelical preachers—that is true. His voice will be greatly missed.”
Albert Mohler, president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, shared how his friend impacted his life in an essay for World News Group.
“John MacArthur made a massive impact on my life,” Mohler said, “and I saw him in so many different settings, from his home to so many public events. He was the same, constantly. He was generous and gracious and kind, even as he had the courage of a lion.”
Another personal friend of MacArthur, Greg Laurie, pastor of Harvest Christian Fellowship in Riverside, California, also posted about his legacy.
“John leaves behind a powerful legacy: his beloved family, his faithful congregation, his far-reaching media ministry, and of course, his epic library of Biblical commentaries that will continue to impact generations,” Laurie said. “But above all, his greatest legacy is this—he lived a life well-lived. He was faithful to the very end. He will be deeply missed, but I’m confident he has already heard those words we all long to hear: ‘Well done, good and faithful servant. Enter into the joy of your Lord.’”
Other ministry leaders, such as John Piper, theologian and founder of Desiring God; Jack Graham, pastor of Prestonwood Baptist Church in Plano, Texas; and Skip Heizig, pastor of Calvary Church in Albuquerque, New Mexico honored his life and commitment to teaching the Word of God.
MacArthur is survived by his wife, Patricia, whom he married in 1963, as well as their four children, 15 grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
