We’re still learning from Pastor John MacArthur. His homegoing gives us an opportunity for reflection—and action.

The recent homegoing of beloved pastor and Bible teacher Dr. John MacArthur has had me reflecting on his wonderful legacy of partnership with SGA through the years. As SGA president emeritus Bob Provost noted in this month’s feature Good News Report article, perhaps no other man has had such a deep, profound impact on Bible-preaching churches across the former Soviet Union.

The pastors and Bible students that SGA serves always eagerly awaited translations of John’s books and theological works. When he was able to travel over to the former Soviet Union and hold pastors’ conferences with SGA, the pastors would joyfully sit for hours and listen as John taught, followed by question-and-answer sessions that would last for quite a while. They were so eager and hungry for God’s Word, and they couldn’t get enough. John MacArthur’s impact in strengthening the pastors and their churches in sound biblical theology cannot be overstated.

SGA is thankful for his friendship and partnership through the years, and we will remain in prayer for John’s family, as well as for Grace Community Church—a congregation he pastored for 56 years. We will also be in prayer for The Master’s University and The Master’s Seminary as they prayerfully seek the Lord’s will in the days ahead.

Considering John’s rich legacy, I am also pondering a larger question that all of us ought to ponder with prayer. What sort of legacy will we leave behind when the Lord calls us home?

By all means, we must remember what God’s Word says about the different roles in His church. All are not apostles, are they? All are not prophets, are they? All are not teachers, are they . . . (1 Corinthians 12:29)? The Apostle Paul goes on in the same vein and his meaning is clear.

We are not all expected to be a pastor or teacher like Dr. John MacArthur. We all have differing gifts and abilities from the hand of the Lord. But what are we doing with those gifts and abilities? Are we using them for the glory of God, and to do His good works while we are here? Are we ready and willing to share the hope that lies within us as He grants opportunity? I pray that is the case with me, and trust that is the case with you as well. We can all leave a godly legacy of faith. And we are deeply thankful to God for the one left by John MacArthur.

For our Savior,

Michael Johnson
President