Grace Community Church Installs New Senior Pastor as Successor to John MacArthur
Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, has installed a new senior pastor to succeed John MacArthur, who led the congregation for more than five decades. The transition marks a significant moment for one of the country's largest evangelical churches.
Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, California, has installed a new senior pastor to succeed John MacArthur, who led the congregation for more than 55 years. The installation service drew thousands of members and drew attention from evangelical leaders across the country.
MacArthur, now in his mid-80s, stepped back from the senior pastor role after building Grace Community into one of the most influential Reformed evangelical churches in the United States. His tenure included founding The Master's University and Seminary and producing the widely used MacArthur Study Bible.
The new pastor, who was selected after an extended search process, has served in ministry leadership for more than two decades. Church elders said the selection process prioritized doctrinal alignment with the church's Reformed theological commitments and a track record of expository preaching.
MacArthur will retain an emeritus role and is expected to continue speaking and writing. Church leaders said the transition was planned over several years to ensure continuity for the congregation of roughly 7,000 members.
Grace Community gained national attention in 2020 when it defied California's COVID-19 restrictions on indoor gatherings, a decision that led to a legal battle with Los Angeles County that the church ultimately won.
The installation service included remarks from longtime elders and a charge to the new pastor drawn from 2 Timothy 4, a passage MacArthur himself has preached on repeatedly throughout his ministry.
