The oldest son of the late Pastor John MacArthur delivered an emotional and powerful eulogy as he reflected on his father’s nearly 60-year ministry.
"His bravery and faith were especially evident in his final days," Matt MacArthur told the congregation.
According to The Christian Post, MacArthur eulogized his father for 20 minutes during a two-and-a-half-hour memorial service at Grace Community Church.
"Dad was lucid, incredibly brave; a loving husband, dad, and grandfather," he added. "His determination never wavered. The man who stood as a lion in this pulpit also stood at the edge of eternity with the same steadfast courage."
And as he shared his father’s final words, he began to choke up with his fatherly advice.
"His last words to me were: 'Son, be faithful.' He didn't say, 'Write a book.' He didn't say, 'Be the keynote speaker at a conference.' He said, 'Be faithful.'"
Pastor MacArthur died on July 14 at the age of 86 after being hospitalized with pneumonia.
"It is with both sadness and hope that the elders of Grace Community Church announce that Pastor John MacArthur has gone to be with the Lord after 56 years of faithful ministry," the church said on Facebook. "Last week, Pastor John unexpectedly contracted pneumonia, and the Lord took him home on Monday, July 14."
MacArthur had reportedly struggled with his health for two years and was hospitalized in 2023 after struggling to breathe while delivering an hour-long sermon.
Grace Community Church in Sun Valley made national headlines when it repeatedly defied health restrictions during the COVID-19 pandemic. Despite the ban, the church, led by MacArthur, continued to hold indoor services, ABC 7 Los Angeles reports. The church also refused to enforce mask-wearing and physical-distancing requirements for churchgoers.
The church later sued the state and county, then received $800,000 after claiming the COVID rules amounted to constitutional violations of religious freedom.
MacArthur is survived by his wife Patricia, four children, 15 grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.