Youssef was born in
Egypt, where he became a Christian. The
Six Day War in 1967 caused Youssef to flee Egypt with just a suitcase. He lived in
Lebanon and
Australia before moving to the
United States. While in Australia, Youssef studied at
Moore Theological College in
Sydney, was ordained as a
minister, and met his wife, Elizabeth. The Youssefs immigrated to the United States in 1977, and in 1984 Youssef became a
U.S. citizen. He earned additional degrees from
Fuller Theological Seminary in
California and
Emory University in
Georgia. Youssef worked for nearly 10 years with the Haggai Institute, traveling around the world and teaching courses in
evangelism and church leadership to church leaders. He founded the
Church of the Apostles in 1987. He has authored more than 50 books, including
The Barbarians Are Here,
End Times and the Secret of the Mahdi, and
Jesus, Jihad and Peace. Youssef founded Leading The Way in 1988, a ministry in
Atlanta, Georgia, with a focus on reaching Muslims in the Middle East. He is also the founding pastor of the Church of the Apostles in Atlanta. Youssef and his wife live in Atlanta and have four grown children and eight grandchildren. == Publications ==