A Calling to Hurghada
In early 2021, my wife Francine and I felt a strong calling from the Lord to move to Hurghada. It wasn’t just about relocating; we believed God was opening a door for us to serve in a unique way. Hurghada, a city on the Red Sea, is not just a tourist destination—it is a meeting place for people from all over the world. We saw an opportunity to bring the Gospel to expatriates, travelers, and non-Egyptians who might not otherwise find a Christian community.
At first, the idea seemed impossible. We didn’t have work in Hurghada, and our apartment was still unfinished. But we started praying and seeking wisdom. We shared our vision with our home church, the Anglican Church in Heliopolis, and with our bishops—Bishop Munir, who was transitioning out, and Bishop Sami, who was stepping in. Their prayers and support confirmed that this was not just our idea; it was God’s plan.
Finding an Unexpected Connection
As we researched, we discovered that there had been an English-speaking ministry in Hurghada before. A pastor and his wife—Pastor Sis and Cindy—had been leading it from 2018 until 2020. However, when the COVID-19 pandemic struck, they had to leave, and the ministry was left without a leader. When we reached out to them, they were overjoyed. They had been praying for an Egyptian couple who could take up the mission and continue what they had started.
We met with them over Zoom, and they shared everything they had learned about ministry in Hurghada. They introduced us to the few remaining people from their congregation and gave us valuable advice. This was a confirmation for us—God had already been preparing the ground.
From Small Beginnings to a Church for the Nations
The First Steps: Moving in Faith
In March 2021, even though our apartment was still unfinished, we packed our things and moved to Hurghada.
At the same time, I spoke with my company in Cairo, where I was working as a sales manager and technical office manager.
I proposed the idea of opening a branch in Hurghada.
They agreed, which gave us the financial stability to begin our ministry.
By July 2021, we hosted our first Bible study in our home.
Only three people attended—Francine, my niece, and me.
But we believed that small beginnings could lead to great things.
Slow and Steady Growth
From that point, people began to join us little by little.
Some came through personal invitations, others through online searches.
Over time, more and more expatriates, tourists, and residents started joining our gatherings.
We served people from at least twenty-three different nationalities—some staying for weeks, others for just a single meeting before continuing their travels.
One of the things that amazed me was how non-Egyptians, unlike many Egyptians, actively searched for a church even while on vacation.
Every week, someone new would find us through our Facebook page or word of mouth.
This constant flow of visitors showed us how important it was to have a stable, welcoming place for people to come and worship.
Building a Church, Not Just a Bible Study
until December 2022, we were only holding Bible studies, as I was not yet ordained.
We longed to offer full church services, including communion, but Anglican tradition requires an ordained minister to lead the sacrament.
So, we regularly invited pastors from Cairo or visiting ministers to come and serve communion.
Then, in August 2022, Francine and I were ordained as lay leaders in the Anglican Church.
This was a big step forward, but we still needed a fully ordained leader for communion.
Finally, in November 2023, I was ordained as a deacon, allowing us to hold full services.
From that point on, we started having regular monthly communion services in addition to our Saturday Bible studies.
We also introduced a Wednesday prayer meeting in February 2024, giving people a midweek opportunity to come together in worship and intercession.
A Church That Feels Like Home
One thing that makes our community unique is the deep sense of family.
We always make sure that after each meeting, people don’t just leave.
We have coffee, tea, snacks—sometimes even pizza—so that people can stay, chat, and feel at home.
What often happens is that no one wants to leave!
People linger for hours, building friendships and finding a place where they truly belong.
This welcoming atmosphere has drawn people who wouldn’t normally step into a church.
One time, in September 2022, a man was invited by someone from our congregation.
He was an atheist, but after just one meeting, he said, “This is the first time I have truly met God.”
We continued to follow up with him and connected him with churches in his home country.
In another case, a German man who had visited us several times came to faith.
We helped him take the next step by arranging his baptism.
These moments remind us why we are here—to bring people closer to Christ, whether for one meeting or for a lifetime.
A Ministry Without Borders
Since our beginning, we have served over six hundred people—residents, expats, and visitors.
Some have stayed with us.
Others have come and gone.
But each one has been touched by the ministry.
The transient nature of Hurghada means our church is always changing.
But one thing remains the same: the Gospel is being preached, and people are encountering Jesus.
Looking back, I can see how God prepared the way long before we arrived.
He placed the vision in our hearts, provided connections through Pastor Sis and Cindy, and brought people into our lives who would help build this ministry.
What started as a small Bible study with three people has become a church that reaches nations.
And we believe this is just the beginning.