Found this on my FB page this AM:
Daniel D. Henderson ·
eoonpsrSdt040lt Mi 461Ji5ca0f6A665 gyut67c160c1:a5a1gg0f9cg ·
In April 1987, I received a call from Dr. John MacArthur, whom I had never met but deeply admired. He invited Rosemary and me to visit Southern California, in view of a call to serve as his Personal Assistant and Associate Pastor. He extended that call. We accepted. In the late 80s, while I was in my late 20s, I had the immense joy of officing next to John. While I served alongside him in various capacities, my greatest joy was observing his life up close and personal as we worked together daily, traveled together frequently, and prayed together faithfully.
FIVE MEMORABLE LESSONS (among others) stand out as I reflect on those years.
LESSON ONE: ANGER - One day, John’s wife Patricia expressed that in their decades of marriage, she had never seen “Johnny” lose his temper. I was astounded. Later that day, I was with John in his office and asked him about her observation. He was surprised at her remark. Then, reflectively, he stated, “I guess it is my theology. Anger is a control mechanism – and I have such a high view of God’s sovereignty that there’s not a whole lot I have to get angry about.”
LESSON TWO: YOUR KIDS - Often, as the Sunday evening services ended, groups of people would surround John to talk with him. One night, our son Jordan (3 years old at the time) broke through the crowd to hug John’s leg. We were embarrassed. John encouraged us, “Never apologize for that because you can tell how someone really feels about you by how their kids treat you.” Jordan loved John, as we all did, both at work and at home.
LESSON THREE: LOVE FOR GOD’S WORD – One day, John and I were standing at the pick-up curb after flying into the Denver airport. Our ride was running late. John nonchalantly turned to me and said, “You know, I don’t enjoy preaching that much.” I was baffled. He continued, “What I love is studying God’s word – and preaching is what gives me the privilege of studying God’s word.” Then he noted, “And preaching is a ‘blessed bondage.’ Sunday keeps coming, no matter what kind of week you’ve had.”
LESSON FOUR: COURAGEOUS BUT GRACIOUS – When asked over the years about my observations about John, I have stated that some preachers are teddy bears in the pulpit but grizzly bears out of the pulpit. In many ways, John was the opposite of this. Strong, courageous, and bold in the pulpit. Gracious, thoughtful, and generous out of the pulpit. John and Patricia insisted that we stay with them in their home for a week when we first moved to California. As I managed his schedule and traveled with him to his speaking engagements, he demonstrated humility, kindness, and thoughtfulness in countless ways. He regularly insisted on buying me gifts as an expression of his gratitude.
LESSON FIVE: ATTENTION TO DETAIL – I learned quickly as I managed his daily schedule, frequent travels, regular correspondence, and elements of the weekend services – details mattered to John. He was observant and constantly aware of anything that could be better for the Lord’s honor. Often we would pull into the church after a meeting or meal, and inevitably, he would notice and pick up any trash in the parking lot. This was his regular habit.
Indeed, John was not a perfect man. But his love for God’s truth, enduring faithfulness in pastoral ministry, and resolute passion for the church will endure for many years as a Christ-honoring legacy in countless lives.
I would not be who I am today apart from John’s gracious encouragement. I remember after the first time I preached at Grace Community Church in 1988, John put his arm around me and said, “You have a gift and you need to use it.” His affirmation trumped some deep feelings of self-doubt and helped set a trajectory for my future ministry.
I am grateful for the privilege he gave me to serve with him. I am still humbled by the weeks of prayer he allowed me to lead in more recent years at The Master’s University. I am especially grateful for the many Wednesday mornings when we would kneel in the prayer room at the church, with Bibles open, worshiping the Lord and praying together in extended fashion. He noted in a video interview that I helped him to pray. In truth, John helped me, and the Lord helped us both. And, through John’s influence, my entire life has been shaped by his authentic example of passionate devotion to “prayer and the ministry of the word.” (Acts 6:4)
My prayers join those of millions around the world on behalf of Patricia, Matt, Mark, Marcy, and Melinda and their families. May the Lord’s comfort abound as the hope, reward, and glory of heaven seem more real than ever before
