From Pulpit to Planet: Michael Youssef Hands Church to Son, Expands Global Gospel Reach

In a significant transition that marks a new chapter for his influential ministry, renowned radio preacher and author Michael Youssef has announced he will step down as senior pastor of the Church of the Apostles in Atlanta, the congregation he founded and has led for nearly four decades. The pastoral baton will be passed to his son, Jonathan Youssef, ensuring a legacy of leadership within the family and the church community. This deliberate move, however, is far from a retirement; it is a strategic redeployment of Youssef’s energy and focus. After 38 years shepherding his local flock, he is shifting his attention to a global audience, declaring his intention to dedicate himself “full time” to his international “Leading the Way” media ministry.

Youssef’s decision underscores the massive scale and urgency he attaches to his work beyond the local church walls. Standing alongside his wife, Elizabeth, he explained that this change will afford him the “opportunity to travel throughout the country” and connect personally with supporters, while also amplifying platforms like the “Awake America” campaign. By moving from the pulpit he built to a broader platform, Youssef is trading a local microphone for a global one. This transition allows him to leverage his decades of pastoral experience to confront what he perceives as a critical cultural and spiritual moment, aiming to awaken faith across the nation and around the world through an intensified focus on broadcasting and public speaking.