Rev. John MacArthur refused to close the doors of his Sun Valley megachurch during the COVID-19 pandemic, thrusting him into the national debate over whether religious institutions had to follow public health orders.

Many are mourning the death of Pastor John MacArthur of Grace Community Church in Southern California. He was known worldwide as a teacher and author.

John MacArthur, the 86-year-old pastor of Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, Los Angeles, has died after being hospitalized with pneumonia, his church announced on July 14. The longtime leader of the megachurch,