Who Is Art TerKeurst? All About Lysa TerKeurst’s Ex-Husband

In the glittering world of Christian literature and motivational speaking, few names shine as brightly as Lysa TerKeurst. She has inspired millions through her bestselling books and leadership at Proverbs 31 Ministries. But behind her remarkable journey lies a deeply personal chapter involving her former husband, Art TerKeurst. His life, struggles, and the couple’s relationship story have drawn attention not only because of their shared faith background but also due to the lessons their marriage and eventual separation left for those who followed their journey.

This article dives deep into Art TerKeurst’s life his early years, marriage to Lysa, challenges, and what became of him after their divorce. Beyond the headlines, his story offers a glimpse into the realities of love, faith, and redemption in the modern world.

Quick Bio

Attribute	Details
Full Name	Art TerKeurst
Birth Year	1960s (exact date not publicly available)
Age	In his 60s (as of 2025)
Birthplace	United States of America
Nationality	American
Religion	Christianity
Profession	Businessman
Known For	Former husband of author Lysa TerKeurst
Marital Status	Divorced
Ex-Wife	Lysa TerKeurst
Children	Five (including adopted son)
Residence	Charlotte, North Carolina (reported)
Notable Events	Marriage and divorce with Lysa TerKeurst

Early Life and Background

Unlike his well-known ex-wife, Art TerKeurst has largely lived outside the limelight. Very little is publicly available about his upbringing, family background, or education. What is known is that he was a businessman by profession and came into the public eye primarily because of his marriage to Lysa. His reserved personality stood in contrast to Lysa’s more public ministry role, which made him something of a mysterious figure to those who followed her work.

Marriage to Lysa TerKeurst

Art and Lysa’s story began with faith at its center. They married in 1993, and together they built a life that included raising five children three biological daughters and two sons they adopted from Liberia. Their household became known for its openness, warmth, and strong Christian values.

During the early years of their marriage, Art TerKeurst provided support as Lysa’s career grew. She would go on to become a bestselling author of books like Uninvited and It’s Not Supposed to Be This Way, while also leading Proverbs 31 Ministries, a nonprofit dedicated to helping women grow spiritually. Art, though less visible, was considered a grounding presence in the family’s personal life.

The Challenges Behind the Marriage

Despite their shared faith and family, the couple faced struggles that eventually became public. In 2017, Lysa announced that she was pursuing divorce, citing Art’s infidelity and struggles with substance abuse. The revelation shocked many in the Christian community, as their marriage had often been viewed as an example of faith-driven partnership.

Lysa’s candidness about the difficulties they faced brought both empathy and criticism. For Art TerKeurst, this meant his private struggles were suddenly subject to public scrutiny. While Lysa received support from her followers, Art retreated further into privacy.

Reconciliation and a Second Chance

In a surprising twist, in 2018, Lysa shared that she and Art TerKeurst had reconciled. The couple renewed their vows in a small ceremony, presenting their reunion as a testimony of forgiveness and redemption. Many celebrated this decision as a powerful example of grace in action.

During this period, Art’s presence in family photos and ministry events briefly resurfaced. For a time, it seemed like the two had found a way to heal the wounds of their past and move forward stronger together.

The Final Divorce

However, in 2021, Lysa once again announced the end of their marriage. This time, the separation was permanent. She explained that repeated betrayals made it impossible to continue in the relationship. In January 2022, she confirmed the legal divorce.

For Art TerKeurst, this marked the end of nearly three decades of marriage. While Lysa continued to lead Proverbs 31 Ministries and inspire audiences worldwide, Art chose to remain out of public discussions. His story, however, remains deeply tied to hers, as their marriage had been central to both of their lives.

Life After Divorce

Post-divorce, little has been reported about Art TerKeurst’s activities. Some sources suggest that he continues to live in North Carolina, focusing on his personal life and family. His children remain connected to both parents, and while he avoids the public eye, his role as a father continues to define him.

In many ways, Art represents the reality that not all personal stories align with the public image of success. His journey highlights the struggles many face in marriage, faith, and personal choices, even when under the watchful eye of a community.

Legacy of the Relationship

Though their marriage ended, the story of Art and Lysa TerKeurst leaves a lasting impact. It reminds us that faith does not guarantee perfection and that even leaders and their families face human struggles. For some, Art’s story is one of regret; for others, it is a cautionary tale about the importance of accountability, forgiveness, and honesty.

For Art TerKeurst, his legacy is closely tied to being Lysa’s former partner, but beyond that, he is also remembered as a father and a man who experienced both the blessings and the burdens of living in the shadow of public ministry.

Lessons from Art TerKeurst’s Story

1. Faith and Struggles Coexist – Even in Christian marriages, challenges such as addiction and betrayal can occur.
2. Forgiveness Is Powerful but Complex – The couple’s reconciliation showed the beauty of forgiveness, but it also highlighted the difficulty of rebuilding trust.
3. Private Lives Deserve Respect – While Lysa continues to share her side openly, Art’s preference for privacy reflects another valid way of coping.

Conclusion

The story of Art TerKeurst is one of quiet complexity. While much of the public knows him only through his connection to Lysa, his life has been shaped by love, mistakes, forgiveness, and loss. His journey underscores that behind every public figure is a private partner whose story often goes untold.

By looking at Art TerKeurst’s life, we see the human side of faith, the challenges of marriage, and the enduring importance of family even when relationships do not end as expected. His story remains a reminder that resilience, though quiet, is just as meaningful as the louder stories of triumph.

FAQs

1. Who is Art TerKeurst?
Art TerKeurst is an American businessman best known as the ex-husband of bestselling Christian author and speaker Lysa TerKeurst.

2. How long were Art and Lysa married?
They were married for nearly 29 years, from 1993 until their divorce was finalized in 2022.

3. Did Art TerKeurst and Lysa ever reconcile?
Yes, after filing for divorce in 2017, the couple reconciled in 2018 and renewed their vows. However, the marriage ended permanently in 2022.

4. How many children do Art and Lysa have?
They share five children together, including two adopted sons from Liberia.

5. Where is Art TerKeurst now?
Art lives a private life in North Carolina and avoids public attention, focusing mainly on his family and personal life.