Nathan Busenitz Named Pastor of Grace Community Church Following John MacArthur’s Passing
The elders of Grace Community Church were in total and complete agreement on who would lead their church next as senior minister following the passing of John MacArthur. The church leaders voted in unanimous fashion, making Nathan Busenitz its new senior pastor.
Grace Community Church Chairman of the Elderboard Chris Hamilton publicly introduced Busentiz as their permanent pastor on Sunday, as he had been serving as the church’s interim pastor following MacArthur's passing last July.
“Well, for the first time this morning, we're so pleased and excited to introduce Nathan as the new pastor-teacher of Grace Community Church,” Hamilton said after stating Busentiz would be preaching that morning, Protestia reported.
Also in his remarks, Hamilton mentioned that after the church's leaders voted for Busentiz, they gathered around their new senior pastor, praying for both him and his family as he prepares to take on his new role.
"After the elder unanimously and enthusiastically affirmed Nathan for this role, we gathered around him for an extended period of time in prayer for him, and for his family and for this church," Hamilton added. "We know that God, and we are absolutely persuaded that Nathan is the man that God has raised up for just this time. Prepared for this work, and we're eager to follow him in the next chapter of Grace Community Church."
Later in the clip posted on social media, Busenitz also delivered remarks following his introduction, expressing gratitude for the selection.
“I'm deeply humbled by that and want to say thank you to our elders and thank you to all of you for your kindness to me and your affirmation,” Busenitz told the congregation.
“First and foremost, I want to give thanks to the Lord. This is His church,” the new pastor contended. “Grace Community Church belongs to the Lord Jesus Christ. And everything that we do is for his glory and to make his name great. Having grown up here at Grace, I am profoundly grateful for all of you.”
“So many of you have invested in me personally and in my family. And so I want to say thank you for that. And 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,” he concluded.
Similarly, the elders issued an announcement regarding the pastoral transition on the church's website.
“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 elders noted that Busenitz grew up at GCC and is “already known and beloved by our church family,” including attending The Master’s University and Seminary, serving as a Bible study shepherd in Crossroads college ministry and later as a co-pastor in the Cornerstone Fellowship Group.
“Nathan’s giftedness for preaching and shepherding became evident in these ministries through his clear teaching and humble leadership,” they added.
Busenitz had also served as Pastor John’s personal assistant, executive vice president of The Master’s Seminary and teaching as a professor of church history. After MacArthur passed away, Busenitz served as GCC’s interim staff pastor.
“As Nathan steps into his new role and transitions from leading the seminary, the elders ask the congregation to faithfully lift up him and his family in prayer. We enter this new season of ministry with gratitude to God for His faithfulness in the past and with joyful confidence in His plan for the future,” the elder’s statement concluded.
The church, in the release on its website announcing its new senior pastor, also noted that the appointment comes on the one-year anniversary of the memorial for MacArthur, who had led Grace Community Church for nearly 60 years.
“This announcement comes on the one-year anniversary of the memorial service for John MacArthur, who served as the pastor of Grace Community Church for fifty-six years. Pastor John’s ministry was marked by an uncompromising commitment to the lordship of Christ and the authority of His Word. Our elders remain steadfast in holding to those same priorities."
Photo Credit:©GraceCommunityChurch
Originally published August 24, 2026.
