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John MacArthur, a longtime pastor and broadcaster in California, has been admitted to the hospital with pneumonia.
Update: John MacArthur, influential pastor and broadcaster, dies at 86
A church leader made the announcement to the congregation on Sunday saying that MacArthur, "may be in the presence of the Lord soon.”
Tom Patton, who serves as a staff pastor at Grace Community Church, asked for prayers for MacArthur and his family. He said their pastor was “at the feet of the glorious Saviour whom he has served so faithfully for so many years and now awaits his final command to be in his presence forever.”
Due to ongoing health challenges, MacArthur has not preached at the church this year, along with being absent much of 2024. His declining condition prevented any preaching engagements or public appearances, including celebrating 56 years as pastor-teacher in February 2025.
Patton spoke highly of MacArthur saying he is "your faithful servant and your trustworthy messenger.”
MacArthur has spoken about his declining health, including in November 2024 saying that he remained thankful to God, "I see the good and gracious and kind and providential hand of God in every vicissitude in my life, every hard experience, every challenge.”
He shared previously on social media in April 2024, that he was ready to resume ministry duties. "The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. My heart is probably stronger now than it’s been in the last decade of my life.”
MacArthur's health decline began in January 2023 while preaching a sermon and experiencing difficulties breathing. He would undergo three heart surgeries and a lung procedure in a seven-week hospital stay.
He shared in an interview in 2024, "I realize I’m on the last lap. That takes on a new meaning when you know you’re on the short end of the candle.”
MacArthur has preached over 3,000 sermons since becoming pastor-teacher in 1969.