Gratitude for Dr. John MacArthur

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Shannon (’97) and Danielle (Seehusen) (’99) Hurley

Class of 1997 and 1999

Shannon: “In 1993, I had essentially no theological girding but was hungry for the truth and zealous to serve the Lord. Then, by God’s grace, I was led to TMC and the ministry of John MacArthur. TMC’s discipleship environment and truth-based education radically impacted my worldview. John MacArthur has been a model, friend, example, supporter, and inspiration to us these past 32 years. The fingerprints of his ministry are all over our ministry here in Uganda. His legacy is now spreading throughout East Africa.”

Dr. Tai-Danae Bradley

Visiting Research Professor, Mathematics and Computer Science

“I attended both college and graduate school at a secular university — a time that could have been disastrous. But God faithfully protected me in those years, and He used Pastor John’s sermons and New Testament commentary to cause that environment to be a great time of sanctification. That was also the period of my life when I fell in love with God’s handiwork in creation and, inspired by Pastor John’s book, “The Battle for the Beginning,” I decided to pursue a career in mathematics.”

Linda (Campbell) First

Class of 1966

“When I learned that John had taken the leadership of LABC (now TMU), I was overjoyed that God had worked such a miracle. When I married Larry, he brought me to Grace Community Church, and it became our home church back more than 50 years ago now! When we moved to Alabama, we took John with us in the form of his recordings. Now that we are retired, we can begin each day in God’s Word, using John’s messages to take us, verse by verse, through whole books of the Bible, and it is the highlight of every day.”

Dr. Shelbi Cullen

Assistant Professor, Biblical Counseling and Women’s Ministries

Through Dr. MacArthur’s faithful preaching and the resources from Grace to You, God has sparked within me a deep love for biblical truth. Dr. MacArthur’s commitment to expository preaching has had a lasting impact on how I approach Scripture. His emphasis on sound doctrine has been crucial in solidifying my commitment to biblical orthodoxy. And most of all, his passion for the Scriptures has stirred in me a deeper love for God’s Word.

Nathan Zide

Class of 2012

“While many preachers fly through a text without slowing down to help people see the details, Dr. MacArthur took the time to mine into individual words and phrases to aid his listeners’ understanding. I have been specifically edified by Dr. MacArthur’s sermons on the life of Christ. When it comes to unpacking the teachings and miracles of Jesus, Dr. MacArthur was second-to-none in bringing the Bible to life.”

Nathan Dougherty

Associate Director of Corporate Partnership

I have been blessed to grow up under Dr. MacArthur’s verse-by-verse teaching. He was a gifted teacher and leader whom I deeply respect, but more importantly, he taught me that God’s Word has power. Toward the end of high school, when I began to seriously doubt my claim to be a Christian, I knew I needed to turn to Scripture, and God used that to save me. I’m so thankful for Pastor John’s faithfulness to let the “living and active” Word do its work (Heb. 4:12).

Dr. Thomas Halstead

Dean, School of Biblical Studies

I began going to Grace Community Church in 1971, and I can attribute much of my spiritual growth over the years to being under Dr. MacArthur’s ministry. He has had such a tremendous influence on me for the past six decades.

Dr. Ken Mays

Professor Emeritus

Dr. MacArthur totally supported my standard of teaching and performing the music of the church at a high level, one that would be a worthy sacrifice to the King of Kings. I have been so blessed by his legacy of faithfulness to God’s Word. He lived it out daily and was a loving, supportive example to each of us on the faculty and staff.

Dr. Paul Plew

Professor Emeritus

I have seen John always display godly living. His faithfulness to the Lord, his family, and his ministry was an example to me that became the theme of my life and eventually the School of Music: God, family, craft. God must be first in all things. That certainly has had an impact on our family and our ministry.

Susannah Gwinn

Class of 2019

“Dr. MacArthur’s unwavering commitment to truth, his profound love for God’s Word, and his passion for leading others to that truth have had a ripple effect that has touched lives across the globe. Yet, of all the roles God has used him in, the most influential role he played in my life is that of Grandpa. He was a steady, faithful, and loving grandpa here at home — embodying a man of deep conviction and strength in the pulpit, while being one of the gentlest, most gracious people I know.”

Betty Price

Former Dean of Women

“Being the dean of women for 14 years was one of the hardest things I ever did in my life, and John was so supportive of us in Student Life. There were times when things were really hard, and we had to deal with challenging, complicated situations, and he always had our backs.”

Justin Erickson

Class of 1998

“When I was a brand-new believer, I was given two treasures: John’s landmark book, ‘The Gospel According to Jesus,’ and a MacArthur tape titled, ‘Issues of the Heart.’ Since that day, no single individual has had a greater impact on my ministry than John MacArthur. When I learned that he was the president of The Master’s College and Seminary, I came for a visit and never looked back.”

Dr. Mark Tatlock

Former Executive Vice President and Provost

“John MacArthur was a man who unapologetically was committed to the authority of God’s Word and the honor of Christ, and he was one of the most gracious men I know. John is a wonderful testimony that those who are really committed to the truth should be loving and gracious at the same time, just as the Lord is.”

Marco Bovino

Class of 2019

“While studying at a Bible school, I wanted to learn English to access more theological resources. One day, I noticed a YouTube video featuring John MacArthur. Providentially, I clicked, and the rest is history. Video after video, Pastor John didn’t just teach me English — he unveiled to me the beauty and glory of Christ. Through his preaching, my love for the Savior deepened. I arrived at TMU, and not long after that Pastor John embraced me like family. Watching him preach with boldness gave me zeal for the truth and put steel in my spine.”

Dr. Harry Walls

Former Vice President of Student Life and Campus Pastor

“The thing I’m most thankful for is Dr. MacArthur’s faithfulness to the truth, united with a heart to both live that truth and love people in the advancement of the truth. He is one of the best Bible teachers in the last century, but it’s coupled with a love for people, a love for the Lord, and a generous way of living and giving.”

Jeff and Gena (Butler) Cole

Class of 1991

Gena: “The profound impact of Dr. MacArthur’s ministry in my life is seen from childhood to college, and his influence continues into our marriage and the raising of our three children to love God and His Word. We are thankful for Dr. MacArthur’s faithfulness to exposit the Scriptures and are keenly aware of how the Lord has used his ministry to shape ours, as well as our personal growth, parenting, and doctrinal distinctives.”

Scot (’96) and Mariah (Yates) (’97) Chadwick

Class of 1996 and 1997

Scot: “One of my most valued classes was a weekly, hour-long Q&A session with Dr. MacArthur in RAC23. We both appreciate his consistent devotion to Christ and Scripture and his earnest desire to equip men and women for service to our Lord. We thank God for Dr. MacArthur’s ongoing impact on our family, including our daughter Naomi, who graduated from TMU in 2023.”

Peter Goeman

Class of 2010

“Outside of my own father, few men have had the impact on me that John MacArthur has had. God used him at the very outset of my spiritual growth through his faithful exposition of the Word. I am also very thankful Dr. MacArthur was willing to talk with an average Joe like me. I remember having a handful of opportunities to chat with him at basketball games, and I will always treasure those times.”

Todd Sorrell

Class of 2016, MABC

“Dr. MacArthur’s voice made its way through the radio when I was growing up, he led the seminary that formed my pastor’s preaching, he cemented the biblical foundation of the university where a couple of my kids grew into the faith, and he jettisoned psychology in favor of biblical counseling at the school, which is what drew me as an adult to study there. I believe God grants each generation a limited number of firm truth-tellers who fear Him enough to speak truth without apology. Dr. MacArthur is in that line.”

Angelina Korotki

Class of 2021

“When I was serving in the Israeli military, I would listen to John MacArthur’s sermons almost every morning as the military bus was taking me to the IDF base. Later on, I had the great opportunity to sit under his preaching at Grace Church and TMU. In the winter of 2016, he visited me in the hospital after a life-changing car accident. He left a card with words from 2 Corinthians 1:3-4. Throughout the years, Pastor John and his sermons have been an encouragement during my recovery and painful days.”

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