Pastor John MacArthur, Defender Of Religious Liberty During COVID Lockdowns, Dies At 86

Christian Pastor John MacArthur, a well-known preacher and speaker who fought against California’s COVID mandates, died Monday at the age of 86.

MacArthur, who was the pastor of Sun Valley’s Grace Community Church for 56 years, was hospitalized last week after contracting pneumonia. His media ministry, Grace to You, confirmed his death on Monday night. 

“Our hearts are heavy, yet rejoicing, as we share the news that our beloved pastor and teacher John MacArthur has entered into the presence of the Savior,” Grace to You posted. “This evening, his faith became sight. He faithfully endured until his race was run.”

Our hearts are heavy, yet rejoicing, as we share the news that our beloved pastor and teacher John MacArthur has entered into the presence of the Savior. This evening, his faith became sight. He faithfully endured until his race was run.

2 Timothy 4:1-8 pic.twitter.com/5JplmC0Dvp

— Grace to You (@gracetoyou) July 15, 2025

MacArthur pastored Grace Community since 1969 and saw weekly attendance rise to around 7,000. Throughout his lengthy ministry, he authored nearly 400 books, including the bestselling “The Gospel According to Jesus.” His Grace to You ministry broadcasts sermons in English across every continent and in Spanish in Europe and Latin America. 

Already a well-known pastor among Christians, MacArthur and his church garnered national attention during the COVID lockdowns. 

After initially complying with COVID restrictions imposed by Los Angeles County and California, MacArthur and Grace Community reopened in defiance of local rules. That prompted a legal battle, which ended with the county and state each paying the church $400,000 after the Supreme Court ruled that California was targeting churches. 

“We know that there is no circumstance that can cause the church to close,” MacArthur said in a letter at the time. “The church is not only a building but is the bride of Christ and exists to proclaim the truth.”

MacArthur was a harsh critic of California Democratic Governor Gavin Newsom, slamming him for his advocacy of pro-abortion policies.

MacArthur appeared multiple times on the “Ben Shapiro Show Sunday Special,” where they discussed Christianity and the state of religion in America. During his most recent appearance, Shapiro asked MacArthur how he might convince a skeptic of Christianity to start attending church. MacArthur replied by saying he would recommend that people read the Bible. 

“Read the Bible. Just read the Bible. It has the ring of truth. It defends itself,” he said. “It’s like a lion. You don’t defend it. You don’t defend the lion. You open the cage and let it out. It’ll be okay. And the scripture is like that. But it’s like that even morally, there’s something in the heart of people that resonates with biblical morality.”

MacArthur is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia, four children, and 15 grandchildren.