Prominent Pastor Shifts Focus to Global Ministry
After decades of leadership, Michael Youssef, the founding pastor of the Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia, is transitioning to a broader ministry role. This shift will see Youssef stepping down from his pastoral responsibilities next summer to concentrate on Leading The Way, his international ministry organization.
In a public statement on Sunday, Youssef, a best-selling author, disclosed his plans for the transition. His son, Jonathan, will assume the position of lead pastor at Church of the Apostles, a move announced during the annual congregational meeting that has been in motion for several years.
“Now that God has raised up my son Jonathan to lead The Church of The Apostles for its next stage of growth, I will be devoting my full attention to Leading The Way,” Youssef declared. He expressed gratitude for being invited to remain as the ‘Founding Rector Emeritus’ to ensure continuity within the church.
Emphasizing his commitment to evangelical outreach, Youssef remarked, “I want to take as many people to heaven with me as possible,” highlighting the urgency of utilizing the current opportunities to share the Gospel.
Born in Egypt in 1948, Youssef embraced Christianity at the age of 16. His academic journey includes studies at Moore College in Sydney, Fuller Theological Seminary in California, and a doctorate in cultural anthropology from Emory University.
Youssef established the Church of the Apostles in 1987, nurturing its growth from 40 members to over 3,000. Furthermore, in 1988, he founded Leading The Way, a radio ministry originating in Atlanta, which has expanded into a global multimedia endeavor available in 28 languages, reportedly reaching millions weekly.
The ministry’s website highlights its use of technology to promote Christian teachings, stating, “The result? Lives changed. Families transformed. Cities and villages awakened. This is the power of the Gospel.”
Youssef’s vision includes empowering the younger generation to assume leadership roles. He shared with The Christian Post last month, “The younger generation is into technology, and I’m bringing them into leadership now, not waiting until they get older.”
Jonathan Youssef, aged 41, has been increasingly active in preaching at the Church of the Apostles. “We’re raising up the next generation. I tell them, ‘You have to carry the baton. You can’t wait until we’re gone,'” Youssef emphasized, underscoring the responsibility of continuing evangelical work.
This article was originally written by www.christianpost.com
