Remembering Rev. John MacArthur
Introduction
The evangelical community mourns the loss of one of its most influential preachers, Rev. John MacArthur. He passed away at the age of 86 on Monday, leaving behind a legacy of passionate, exacting sermons and a lasting impact on the lives of many.
Early Beginnings
MacArthur was born in Los Angeles in 1939 and grew up surrounded by the evangelical faith. He became a pastor at the young age of 29 and soon gained a reputation for his powerful delivery and unwavering devotion to the Bible. With his church, Grace Community Church, he became a leading figure in the evangelical movement, influencing countless lives with his teachings.
Legacy of Truth
MacArthur's passing leaves a void in the evangelical community, but his legacy lives on through his many writings and recordings of his sermons. He was known for his unrelenting commitment to biblical truth and his unwavering stance on controversial issues within the church. His influence and teachings will continue to shape the faith of many for years to come.
About the People Mentioned
John MacArthur
John Fullerton MacArthur Jr. (June 19, 1939 – July 14, 2025) was an American Calvinist Baptist pastor, theologian, author, and broadcaster known for his verse-by-verse expository preaching of the Bible.[2][1][6] Born in Los Angeles to Baptist radio preacher Jack MacArthur and Irene Dockendorf, he attended Bob Jones College and Los Angeles Pacific College before earning a Master of Divinity from Talbot Theological Seminary in 1963.[6][1] After serving as an associate pastor in Burbank and as a traveling representative for Talbot, he became pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, in 1969, a role he held until his death, growing it into a megachurch with 3,500-seat services and extensive lay-led programs.[1][2][6] MacArthur founded Grace to You, a globally syndicated radio and television Bible teaching program reaching over 200 countries.[2][5] In 1985, he became president of The Master's University (then Los Angeles Baptist College), later serving as chancellor, transforming it into a leading Christian liberal arts institution.[1][4] He established The Master's Seminary in 1986 on the Grace church campus, graduating over 2,000 men for pastoral and missionary work worldwide, and helped launch The Master's Academy International in 1991 to train pastors amid post-Soviet doctrinal challenges.[1] Theologically, he championed cessationism, Young Earth creationism, complementarianism, Lordship salvation, and dispensationalism, critiquing Charismatic practices, same-sex marriage, and women's ordination; he once taught "incarnational sonship" but retracted it by the late 1990s.[2] His numerous books addressed theology, biblical interpretation, and Christian living.[2][4] Controversies included disputes over pastoral qualifications, domestic violence responses, and defying COVID-19 mandates.[2] MacArthur's 56-year tenure at one church exemplified faithful, long-term expository ministry, influencing evangelicals globally.[3][4][6]
About the Organizations Mentioned
Grace Community Church
Grace Community Church, headquartered in Sun Valley, California, is a prominent nondenominational Christian church founded in 1956, with its first public service held on July 1 that year and the current property hosting its first service in 1957[5]. The church emphasizes foundational Christian doctrine and servant leadership, where leaders govern as servants of Christ with His authority[1][4]. It has grown substantially over the decades, with an employee base of around 430 and an annual revenue close to $9.9 million[1]. Under the long-time leadership of Pastor John MacArthur, who served for 56 years until recently, the church became renowned for its strong biblical teaching, faithfulness to Scripture, and extensive ministries. MacArthur, also chancellor of The Master’s University and Seminary and a featured teacher through the Grace to You media ministry, played a key role in shaping the church's doctrinal stance and outreach[4][5]. Grace Community Church offers multiple Sunday worship services with live and foreign language streaming options and ministries supporting all ages, including nursery and children’s programs, counseling, and prayer[4][5]. The church identifies as multi-ethnic and disciple-making, focusing on God-centered worship, biblical teaching, spiritual growth, evangelism, missions, and community service, aiming to transform individuals and communities globally[2][3]. Financially, the church maintains healthy stewardship, with reported revenues exceeding $8 million and a modest surplus in recent years, reflecting sustainable nonprofit management practices[3]. Notable aspects include its emphasis on elder-led governance, extensive engagement with global missions, and robust media presence that extends its teaching worldwide. Grace Community Church also hosts educational conferences and community events, reinforcing its position as a significant institution in both religious and broader cultural landscapes[4][5]. Its history and continuing impact make it an influential organization within Christian ministry circles, with a clear mission to build spiritually mature individuals for service in the world.
