Michael Youssef: Christians More Persecuted Today Than at Any Time

Evangelicals Should Focus on Persecuted Nations Despite Bad Economy at Home, Pastor Said During the NRB Convention

The bad economy should not stop evangelical Christians from sharing the Gospel and also humanitarian aid in nations with high Christian persecution, Pastor Michael Youssef, founder and president of Leading The Way ministries, said in a speech earlier this week.

Despite having "problems at home," evangelical Christians should not ignore the need for missionary work and they should sacrifice resources even at a time of recession, which is not the case currently, Youssef said at the National Religious Broadcasters convention.

Besides being the founding pastor of The Church of The Apostles in Atlanta, Ga., Youssef is also a media personality with his weekly television and daily radio programs broadcasted in 20 languages and reaching into more than 200 countries.

Youssef continued that a "half-hearted effort to support global mission" is not enough. Evangelicals need to get out of their "comfort zone" in order to truly follow the biblical teachings. Staying in that "comfort zone" puts lives of Christian minorities at stake, Youssef suggested.

"When God's people refuse to get out of their 'comfort zone,' tragic consequences follow," the minister said, quoting grand historical examples. Would the Vikings have had ravaged Britain if someone had taken the Gospel to them, he asked.

"Christians are being more persecuted today than at any time except in the first century," Youssef stated. Keep reading