Pastor John MacArthur delivered a video message to the Shepherds Conference last week, his first appearance since a series of health issues kept him from the pulpit since the second half of 2024.
The well-known pastor of Grace Community Church, who has only been home since the beginning of February, spent weeks in hospital after complications from a heart valve replacement.
On Jan. 7, Grace Community Church elder and staff pastor Tom Patton updated congregants saying that pastor John MacArthur, 85, had required several surgeries and his recovery had been slower than expected with occasional setbacks affecting his heart, lungs and kidneys.
On Friday, MacArthur addressed his health issues in a video at the Shepherd's Conference.
"For me, it's the highlight of the year, so you have to know my disappointment in coming to you through video. It really came down to being the only option because I haven't had such a speedy recovery as I hoped to have," said MacArthur. "I feel great, I just lost a lot of strength being seven weeks in the hospital."
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He said the extended time in the hospital has taken a toll on him physically.
"I'm seeing physical therapists, trainers and trying to get back as soon as possible," said MacArthur.
He had a message on his heart that he wanted to share at the Shepherd's Conference, but due to lack of energy, the church decided to print up his sermon in a booklet.
"The good news is you don't have to listen to me and you don't have to take notes because you're going to get the sermon in a booklet form," MacArthur joked.
At the end of the video, MacArthur let congregants know that he was in his last lap of life.
"That takes on new meaning when you know you're on the short end of the candle," said MacArthur. "I am all thanks and praise to God for everything that he has allowed me to be a part of and everything he's accomplished by his word in these years of ministry."
The church is asking that congregants and people who follow MacArthur's ministry to continue to pray for him.
Pastor John MacArthur has been involved with Grace Community Church since 1969. He is also a best-selling author.