One year after his death, John MacArthur’s church has announced his successor. Grace Community Church (GCC) in Sun Valley, CA announced that 48-year-old Nathan Busenitz will take over as the church’s lead pastor, succeeding one of the United States’s most recognized evangelical voices. MacArthur died last year at the age of 86 after contracting pneumonia and following several years of poor health. He was no stranger to controversy, refusing to close down his church for COVID restrictions that made GCC a target of the Newsom administration. He was also outspoken against false preachers, women pastors, and the charismatic movement. MacArthur had served at GCC for 56 years, with the news of his replacement coming upon the one-year anniversary of his memorial service.

Busenitz is no stranger to GCC, with the church describing him as “having grown up at Grace” and stating that he is “beloved by our church family.” He served at GCC’s college ministry, Crossroads, while attending seminary and co-pastored GCC’s Cornerstone Fellowship Group. During the last few years of MacArthur’s life, Busenitz had served as his personal assistant, helping him research six Bible commentaries and three books. Busenitz has also authored his own book, Long Before Luther: Tracing the Heart of the Gospel From Christ to the Reformation and served as the church’s “interim pastor” during the transition. His confirmation was unanimous from the GCC elders. “In the months since Pastor John’s homegoing, the elders have sought the Lord’s wisdom with prayer, patience, and careful deliberation. Their unanimous decision reflects both their confidence in God’s providence and their conviction that Nathan has been uniquely prepared by God to serve our church in this next season,” the church said in its statement. Busenitz spoke with gratitude of his new position. “What a joy it is for me to have the opportunity to serve alongside all of you. I can’t imagine a sweeter group of saints to get to sojourn through this pilgrimage towards heaven alongside,” he told the congregation.

Social media responded positively overall to the news. “A very hearty congratulations to Nathan Busenitz on becoming the Senior Pastor of Grace Community Church,” wrote Owen Strachan on X. “Busenitz succeeds John MacArthur (what a sentence to type that is). Thankful for this godly and gifted brother and this faithful congregation.” “Congratulations to Pastor Nathan Busenitz on being named the preaching pastor of Grace Community Church,” wrote Todd Friel of the Wretched Network. “They could not have made a better selection. Nathan is an excellent choice.”