The Rev. John MacArthur, the outspoken evangelical preacher who led Grace Community Church in Los Angeles for more than five decades, died Monday at age 86 after being hospitalized with pneumonia, the church said. A fellow pastor, Tom Patton, told congregants over the weekend that MacArthur’s condition had worsened and that he was “likely to be in the presence of the Lord soon.” MacArthur passed away at 6:17 p.m. Pacific time on 14 July. MacArthur took the pulpit at Grace Community Church in the Sun Valley neighborhood in 1969, building the nondenominational congregation into a global ministry through his Grace to You radio program and a prolific publishing career that produced almost 400 titles, including the best-selling MacArthur Study Bible. Widely regarded for his verse-by-verse exposition of Scripture, he also served as president and later chancellor of The Master’s University and The Master’s Seminary in California. Never shy of controversy, MacArthur gained national attention during the COVID-19 pandemic when he refused to halt indoor worship services. Grace Community Church sued Los Angeles County, arguing that health restrictions violated religious-freedom rights, and in August 2021 the county agreed to pay US$800,000 to settle the case. MacArthur had also been a prominent critic of charismatic Christianity and of allowing women in pastoral leadership. Born in Los Angeles in 1939 and the fifth generation of preachers in his family, MacArthur is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia; their four adult children; 15 grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced.