John MacArthur Dispels Health Rumors Saying ‘Rumors of My Death Have Been Greatly Exaggerated’
Quipping that the "rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated," pastor John MacArthur said this week he feels great and is ready to preach again. The pastor of Grace Community Church in California had not preached since last year, when a series of health issues landed him in the hospital. He is best known for his books, commentaries, and Grace to You broadcasts. He is 85.
"I feel fine. I'm not ill at all," he said in a video posted on the Grace to You social media accounts. "My heart is working well. My lungs are working well.
"There's nothing terminal that I'm experiencing. There's no heart failure. In fact, my heart is probably stronger now than it's been in the last decade of my life. I'm under good care from the doctors."
MacArthur underwent a series of heart procedures in recent months.
"The issue for me was when they were trying to regulate everything because I had a lung surgery and three heart procedures, they put me in the hospital, and I had to be there seven weeks," he said. "So all I can say at this point is: I feel great. I'm ready to come roaring back into the public and pick up my ministry again."
He wrote on X (formerly Twitter) alongside a smiling emoji, "The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. So thankful to the Lord for your prayers as I continue to recover."
The rumors of my death have been greatly exaggerated. 🤓 So thankful to the Lord for your prayers as I continue to recover. pic.twitter.com/rRCz3ebAIM
— John MacArthur (@johnmacarthur) April 16, 2025
He last preached at Grace Community Church in November and subsequently re-entered the hospital. In March, he missed the Shepherds Conference, an annual event for men in church leadership held at the church.
"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," he said in March. "But I am all thanks and praise to God for everything He's allowed me to be a part of, and everything He's accomplished by His Word in these years of ministry."
Related Article: John MacArthur Says He’s on the ‘Last Lap’ of Life but Hopes to Preach Again Soon
Photo Credit: ©Facebook/John MacArthur
Michael Foust has covered the intersection of faith and news for 20 years. His stories have appeared in Baptist Press, Christianity Today, The Christian Post, the Leaf-Chronicle, the Toronto Star and the Knoxville News-Sentinel.
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Originally published April 17, 2025.
