The elders at Grace Community Church have unanimously voted to call Nathan Busenitz as the church’s permanent senior pastor, making the decision on August 20th and then revealing it to the congregation during yesterday’s Sunday service.
Dr. Busenitz has been serving as the interim senior pastor since the passing of John MacArthur in 2025.
An announcement posted to the church’s website reads:
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.
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.
Having grown up at Grace, Nathan is already known and beloved by our church family. While studying at The Master’s University and Seminary, he served 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.
For several years, Nathan served as Pastor John’s personal assistant, helping him with editing projects and a variety of ministry responsibilities. This experience provided Nathan with a firsthand understanding of the blessings and demands of pastoral work. Since last August, he has served as our church’s interim staff pastor.
In addition to his ministry at the church, Nathan has been serving as the executive vice president of The Master’s Seminary and teaching as a professor of church history.
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.
To God be the glory,
The Elders of Grace Community Church
It’s a great choice, and we look forward to see what the future holds for Grace and Busenitz over the next 56 years.
