Prominent evangelical pastor John MacArthur, head of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, has reportedly contracted pneumonia after dealing with ongoing health struggles, with Grace staff Pastor Tom Patton saying that MacArthur “may be in the presence of the Lord soon” before ardently praying for MacArthur.
For background, during a Sunday, July 13, 2025, service at Grace Community Church (GCC), it was announced that Pastor John MacArthur, 86, had contracted pneumonia. Staff Pastor Tom Patton broke the news to the congregation, asking for prayers for MacArthur and his family, which includes over a dozen grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren.
Speaking to the GCC congregation on July 13, Pastor Patton said, “You need to know that this week, Pastor John contracted pneumonia.” He added, “He was admitted in a hospital, and may be in the presence of the Lord soon.” Pastor Patton continued, “We place our dear pastor at the feet of the glorious Savior whom he has served so faithfully for so many years and now awaits his final command to be in his presence forever.”
Continuing, Pastor Patton led the congregation in prayer for MacArthur, saying, “Heavenly Father, you have granted us a love for you by planting that love within us when you rescued us from the penalty of our sin, and that love consumes us and redirects us and flows out from us towards our pastor, your faithful servant and your trustworthy messenger.”
Next, the pastor asked for “the greatest expression of your kindness” to be given to Pastor MacArthur, “as he grows ever nearer to the completion of the mission that you had granted him before the beginning of time.” Patton continued, “Open up the floodgates of heaven in blessing and joy and kindness to [MacArthur’s family].”
The sad news of MacArthur’s failing health came just a few months after he announced that he had undergone intensive surgery for his failing kidneys. He explained on an episode of the MacArthur Center Podcast, “I had the need for surgery on my veins to keep me alive. I had surgery on my lungs to keep me alive.”
Moreover, MacArthur said that he is being kept alive by “stints,” a “cow valve,” and “dialysis,” telling listeners, “My kidneys have essentially come down to the final stage.” He added, “Over the last two months, I’ve been in a long, elongated hospital setting, and I’ve come out of that and entered into the world of dialysis.”
During that podcast episode, MacArthur thanked God for his health over the decades, saying that his body had “been through a lot.” He continued, “It’s been a lot of places, done a lot of things. It’s carried me in and out of virtually every part of the world.”
Featured image credit: Pastor John MacArthur via Facebook