For more than 50 years, John Fullerton MacArthur Jr., a renowned American clergyman, and writer, has overseen Grace Community Church, an interdenominational congregation in Sun Valley, California.
He also hosts the Grace to You radio and television program, broadcast globally.
MacArthur is a fervent advocate of expository preaching, which entails elaborating and applying biblical passages in their original historical and cultural contexts.
His expertise in this area led Christianity Today to recognize him as one of the most influential preachers ever.
He has authored or edited over 150 publications, including the popular MacArthur Study Bible, which has surpassed a million copies in sales and received the Gold Medallion Book Award.
MacArthur currently serves as the emeritus chancellor of The Master’s Seminary and The Master’s University in Santa Clarita.
John MacArthur’s Well-being
Pastor John MacArthur was jocularly requested by another clergyman, Ligon Duncan, to share a health update during a recent conference.
MacArthur disclosed that though he feels excellent following successful heart procedures, managing his medications has proved to be his greatest challenge.
Duncan recounted how MacArthur jokingly mentioned the conference being sponsored by Pfizer at a recent pastors’ gathering.
- Further Reading: Pastor John Gray: He Hauled Himself Onto the Stage in a State of Suicidal Depression
This holds significance due to GCC’s legal battles stemming from their decision to hold in-person gatherings during the pandemic.
MacArthur shared that despite never being this old, he spent ten days in the hospital and is making progress daily.
He anticipates feeling better or returning to normal within a few months. An upcoming documentary titled “Essential Church” will delve into the legal challenges that GCC is facing.
Grace Community Church addressed John MacArthur’s health in a statement on Monday.
The statement asserts that he is in good health following a doctor’s visit on Sunday afternoon.
According to the statement, MacArthur required some time off following the hectic holiday week.
The church did not provide additional details regarding MacArthur’s condition or the purpose of his doctor’s visit.
However, they reassured their followers that he was doing well and required some rest. MacArthur is 82 years old and has been a prominent figure for many decades.
MacArthur serves as the pastor of Grace Community Church in California.
He has also been a vocal critic of pandemic-related restrictions on religious gatherings, leading to legal disputes with Los Angeles County and California.
John MacArthur’s Heart Surgery
Pastor John MacArthur recounted to host Phil Johnson the events that transpired on the morning of New Year’s Day at the commencement of the May 8 program.
He recalled his sermon from Grace Church on January 1: “I suddenly felt short of breath as I rose to deliver the sermon in the first service—we have two identical services. I had never experienced that before.
MacArthur stated, “I think I told the congregation, “Please excuse me while I take a deep breath.”‘” That was quite unexpected. I continued to preach for 50 minutes after feeling better at that moment.
After the initial service, the pastor headed to his office to await the second service. His elders and a few medical professionals who had gathered there informed him that he was done. You are off the game. You are benched. According to MacArthur, after measuring his blood pressure, medical professionals “determined that I had some form of atrial fibrillation and took me to the emergency hospital.”
On January 13, MacArthur underwent surgery to clear blockages from his heart’s arteries. He stated that as a result, they placed four stents in my arteries, which were 80–90% obstructed.
The positive aspect is that I did not suffer a heart attack. And my heart is very strong. And my heart is now akin to that of a 16-year-old’s.
The clergyman remarked, “So I was thankful to the Lord that my heart remained unharmed and that they were able to rectify the condition.
John MacArthur’s Health Background
GCC has a history of concealing John MacArthur’s health issues.
While engrossed in a legal battle with California and Los Angeles County for defying restrictions on indoor worship in December 2020 and January 2021, MacArthur missed several weeks of preaching. Since then, MacArthur has acknowledged contracting COVID.
However, GCC stated that MacArthur was “resting” and preparing for the forthcoming Shepherd’s Conference.
According to reports published by The Roys Report (TRR), GCC concealed a serious COVID outbreak at the church, and the church did not address those reports.
In a declaration submitted to the Superior Court of the State of California on April 9, 2021, MacArthur reaffirmed that his earlier absence from the pulpit was due to “my decision to rest and allow another Pastor to preach instead.”
There is nothing suspicious about me allowing another Pastor to preach, MacArthur continued in my 81st year. I do occasionally take breaks from speaking.
Nonetheless, MacArthur acknowledged the COVID outbreak at GCC and his own experience with COVID in August, just before GCC prevailed in their legal battle with the state and county.
A few days later, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors paid GCC $400,000 to settle their legal dispute with the church.
