Pastor John MacArthur could be set to miss the Shepherds Conference in California for the first time, after undergoing heart surgery last year.
The pastor of Grace Community Church and host of the TV programme Grace to You is 85 and has spent prolonged time in hospital over the last year following a heart valve replacement in July 2024.
MacArthur is scheduled to speak at this year’s Shepherds Conference, which takes place from the 5th-7th March.
However, Grace Community Church elder Phil Johnson has posted on X that the pastor faces a “long uphill recovery”.
Johnson himself has been diagnosed with multiple myeloma, an incurable blood cancer.
I spent an hour with John MacArthur in his home this morning. Though his illness is not the same as mine, we've faced an incredible number of the same trials and frustrations.
— Phil Johnson (@Phil_Johnson_) March 2, 2025
Keep him in prayer. He may be gaining strength incrementally, but he still has a long uphill recovery. pic.twitter.com/XzBRFk3QMJ
One user wrote: “Sounds like the first time ever neither of you can make Shepherds?”
“That is yet to be seen for certain, but you may be correct.” Johnson responded.
The theme of this year’s conference is ‘Proclaiming Christ to the ends of the earth’. Other keynote speakers include Michael Reeves, H.B. Charles Jr., Paul Washer, Conrad Mbewe, and Bob Kauflin.