Today, July 14, 2025, is a glorious day for Dr. John MacArthur. He is home with our Lord.  It is a very tough day for his wife of over 60 years Patricia and their family. Please pray for them. It is a difficult season for Grace Community Church where he served as Pastor for 56 years. They loved their shepherd. Please pray for them.

    It is the end of an era for those of us who looked to him as a model of faithful, Biblical, expository preaching. By example he taught us what a Pastor/Teacher who equips the church looks like. In addition, he embodied the role of Pastor/Prophet. John MacArthur was a man of strong convictions. His convictions sometimes caused controversy. For instance:

MacArthur’s book, The Gospel according to Jesus, first published in 1998, may very well have been the most important evangelical book of the 1980’s. It made the church re-evaulate what it means to be a disciple. It cost him some friends and some radio stations that carried him on their air.

MacArthur’s book, Strange Fire, first published in 2013, called the Charismatic Movement to task. In my opinion, it resulted in that movement better policing itself. It no doubt made him some enemies.

    I first came across his writings and tapes (yes, tapes, you could borrow them for the cost of postage) in the late 1970’s and early 1980’s. His love of  and confidence in the Scriptures was contagious. His command of the Bible text was thorough. When he preached it was with authority because he had studied and studied and studied.

   I never met him personally, but I loved listening to his recordings and to him on the radio on Grace to You. I loved his books and commentaries.  In 1987 I drove 12 hours from Blacksburg Virginia with my wife Deb and my then Senior Pastor Alan Cox and is wife Melody to a Shepherd’s Conference in Schroon Lake NY.  We were anxious to hear him in person. MacArthur did not disappoint. He was such blessing to all of us. He fed us from the Scriptures. He shepherded us.

     I last heard him in person in 1989. It was December. I was on my way to beginning my first, and only so far, pastorate at Calvary Chapel in NYC.  It was 35 years ago. I stopped in for a day to hear him. Again, I was so blessed. He fed us from the Scriptures. He shepherded us.

    Dr. John MacArthur leaves behind an incredible legacy. His wife, children, grandchildren and great grandchildren who love the Lord. He leaves behind Grace Community Church, a beacon for Jesus Christ in the Los Angelos area with an incredible legacy of its own. He leaves behind the Master’s College and Seminary. He leaves behind 400 publications of all sorts including the MacArthur New Testament Commentary and the MacArthur Study Bible both of which have been translated and distributed world-wide. He leaves behind The Grace to You radio and TV programs which are available in the native language of so many. He leaves behind countless Pastors all over the world touched by his Shepherd Conferences and writings.

    I am one of those Pastors. I am part of that legacy. My understanding of the Church and Pastoral ministry has been greatly influenced by the ministry of Dr John MacArthur. There is no doubt he will be missed but precious in the sight of the LORD is the death of His saints. Well done Pastor John. You have run your race, you have finished your course, you have kept the faith. Henceforth there is laid up for you a crown of righteousness which the Lord, the righteous judge will award to you. Enter into the joy of your Lord.

Blessings, Pastor Dave Watson, Senior Pastor, Calvary Chapel Staten Island