Egyptian-born pastor and evangelist Michael Youssef says the world is experiencing “unprecedented turmoil” and is urging Western Christians not to "hide" in their church pews, but rather "go to the wolves’ territories" with the Good News of Jesus. Youssef, the founding rector of the Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, Georgia, spoke Saturday at AWAKE Houston at the Smart Financial Centre in Sugar Land, Texas.
Former Muslim-turned-Christian evangelist Ahmed Joktan and musician Chris Tomlin also appeared at the event, which billed itself as “a powerful night of worship, prayer, and preaching calling God’s people to wholehearted faith, spiritual revival, and bold prayer for a Third Great Awakening in America.” The bestselling author told the crowd the world is facing “an unprecedented turmoil” that has prompted many to believe “we’re really coming to the very end of time and nearness of the return of Christ.” Youssef identified the domination of the “global scene” by “Islamists” as the primary threat facing the world, citing statistics showing that 60% of young adult Christians in America believe that "Jesus is not the only way to salvation and eternal life” as another cause for concern.
Another troubling trend he highlighted is the belief that “the Christian life is all about prosperity … here on Earth.” “Meanwhile, true Christian believers today around the world are facing persecution, torture and death every single day,” he lamented. He then posed a series of questions for the audience to consider: “Will we wake up in time? Will we get serious about the Great Commission?
Will we boldly and fearlessly take the Gospel to our non-Christian neighbors? Will we finally become obedient to the word of God and the Gospel of Jesus Christ and go across the street and across the world?”