Even before he was born, it was evident that God had a vision for Michael Amerhom Youssef. Against doctors’ recommendations to terminate the at-risk pregnancy, his parents chose life after God intervened, sending the family pastor to reassure them that this child would be “born to serve the Lord.” His mother gave birth and lived to see him surrender his life to the Lord in 1964 at age 16.
Dr. Michael Youssef was born in Egypt and lived in Lebanon and Australia before coming to the United States and fulfilling a childhood dream of becoming an American citizen. He holds degrees from Moore College in Sydney, Australia, and Fuller Theological Seminary in California, with a Ph.D. in cultural anthropology from Emory University. He founded The Church of The Apostles in 1987 with fewer than 40 adults with the mission to “Equip the Saints and Seek the Lost.” The church has since grown to a congregation of over 3000. This church on a hill was the launching pad for Leading The Way’s international ministry.
While heard by millions at home and abroad, behind every message preached over the airwaves is a pastor’s heart, longing to feed and care for people. God has gifted Dr. Youssef with a bold voice to bring Biblical clarity to today’s issues and speak to a worldwide audience. The path he has walked has given him a thorough cross-cultural understanding and a firm grasp of Scripture.
Leading The Way claims Dr. Youssef as the ministry’s number one volunteer. He receives no compensation for his time, nor does he receive royalties from the sale of any of the resource materials he produces. Dr. Youssef has authored more than 50 books, including popular titles Saving Christianity, Never Give Up, Is the End Near?, and Life-Changing Prayers. He and his wife reside in Atlanta and have four grown children and 14 grandchildren.
