A former member and longtime friend of NRB, Arthur’s legacy as a passionate student and teacher of God’s Word has left an indelible mark on the world—and on the hearts of all who knew her.
Born on November 11, 1933, in Jackson, Mich., Arthur experienced both deep hardship and remarkable transformation early in life. Following a painful divorce and a season of personal crisis, she gave her life to Christ on July 16, 1963. That morning marked the beginning of a life devoted to studying, teaching, and living the truth of Scripture.
Shortly after coming to faith, Kay met and married Jack Arthur in 1965. Together, they served as missionaries in Mexico before returning to Chattanooga, Tenn., due to Jack’s health issues. It was there, in the Arthurs’ living room, that the seeds of what would become an international ministry were first planted.
In the late 1960s, Kay Arthur began leading Bible studies for local teenagers—studies marked by a distinctive inductive approach that invited participants to observe, interpret, and apply God’s Word for themselves. The response was overwhelming. As more and more people joined the study, the Arthurs purchased a 32-acre farm in the Tennessee Valley in 1970, launching Reach Out Ranch to accommodate the growing outreach. By 1972, Jack had left his position as a Christian radio station manager to serve full-time in the ministry.
Eventually renamed Precept Ministries International, the organization would go on to disciple millions through Scripture across the globe. Under Kay Arthur’s leadership, Precept became known for its unwavering commitment to helping people engage personally and deeply with God’s Word. Arthur wrote over 100 books and Bible study resources, which have been translated into approximately 70 languages and distributed in over 180 countries.
Arthur receiving NRB’s Television Teaching Program of the Year Award in 2009.
From 1999 to 2019, Arthur hosted Precepts for Life, a daily radio, television, and online Bible teaching program that walked viewers through the Bible book by book, verse by verse. At its height, the program reached over 75 million households in more than 30 countries and was honored as NRB’s Television Teaching Program of the Year in both 2004 and 2009.
Arthur’s dynamic and accessible teaching style helped countless individuals grow in their understanding of Scripture. Her hallmark inductive method equipped believers around the world to discover the truth of God’s Word for themselves—a legacy that continues through the ongoing work of Precept. Kay and Jack co-led the ministry until 2012, when their son David assumed the role of CEO.
“When my mom surrendered her life to Christ,” David Arthur said, “she truly gave her all to Him. She moved wherever He called her to be.”
Throughout her life, Arthur was also a beloved speaker at conferences and events around the world. At NRB’s Proclaim 18 Convention in Nashville, she spoke passionately about her love for Israel, a country she visited many times.
“God gave them that land,” she said. “Someday all the earth will know that Israel is the beloved of God.” Quoting the Apostle Paul, she added, “I am guilty of the blood of no man for I have not shunned to declare to you the whole counsel of God. May we put the Word of God back in the preeminence of our message and may we live it.”
Precept Ministries has received numerous honors over the years, including NRB’s Television Teaching Program of the Year Award (2004, 2009). In addition, Arthur was the recipient of the Hall of Fame Award (2011), NRB’s most prestigious award honoring invaluable contribution to the field of Christian communications, exhibition of the highest standards, and evidence of faithfulness to Christ. During the 2020 NRB International Christian Media Convention Arthur was the recipient of the NRB Milestone Award recognizing her more than five decades of faithful ministry.
Arthur receiving the Milestone Award at NRB 2020.
Precept Ministries reflected on Arthur’s passing in a message, saying how one small outreach that started in her living room “has grown into an international ministry discipling millions through Scripture. …We are so grateful for Kay’s gifts and her obedience to God’s call on her life.”
Kay Arthur knew her God, and her life was a testimony to His strength. She was faithful to immerse herself in God’s Word and proclaim it with boldness and clarity—and the world was changed.
“Get the message out,” she urged fellow Christian communicators at NRB in 2018. “When that last one comes in and the body of Christ is complete, we’re out of here. Then eventually He’ll come, and you and I will live in his presence forever and ever.”
Arthur speaking at NRB in 2018.
Kay is survived by her three sons, Tom Goetz, Mark Goetz, and David Arthur (Margaret); nine grandchildren, Meg Day (John), Joseph Goetz, and Daniel Goetz; John Goetz (Whitney), Ryan Goetz and Alexandra Goetz; Jesse Callahan (Zach), Abigail Edens (Robert), and Ann Arthur; and seven great-grandchildren.
To read the official obituary of Kay Arthur, click here.
In lieu of flowers, the family asks for any gifts to be directed to Precept for the Kay Arthur Memorial Fund, which will be used by the ministry to continue to engage people in relationship with God through knowing His Word.
If you would like to give in honor of Kay, you can give at this link. The National Christian Foundation is hosting all donations on behalf of Precept for the Kay Arthur Memorial Fund. When you follow the link to give, you will be redirected to the NCF giving page.
To leave a message for the Arthur family, please email arthurfamily@precept.org.