John MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church in Los Angeles, dies at 86 after hospitalization

John MacArthur, pastor of Grace Community Church in Los Angeles, died at 86 after being hospitalized for pneumonia.

MacArthur was hospitalized last week and died on Monday.

"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's website said.

"Last week, Pastor John unexpectedly contracted pneumonia, and the Lord took him home on Monday, July 14. Dr. MacArthur was 86 years old. He is survived by his wife of 61 years, Patricia; four children; fifteen grandchildren; and nine great-grandchildren."

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Grace Community Church continued to hold indoor services and didn't require masks and social distancing despite the state and county's ban on such gatherings, ABC7 reported. The church sued both the state and county and received $800,000 for its claim that the COVID rules violated the constitutional right to religious freedom.

MacArthur built a following through his Grace to You broadcast ministry, authored dozens of theological books and biblical commentaries, and served as president -- and later, chancellor -- of The Master's University in Santa Clarita, Calif.