Father Naeem Youssef – Pastor of the Evangelical Union Church in Al-Malikiyah – Derik

Father Naeem Youssef – Pastor of the Evangelical Union Church in Al-Malikiyah – Derik

Prepared by: Milad Korkis

Project Leader: “Persons Who Shaped the Nation’s Memory”

Father Naeem Youssef was born in the heart of Al-Malikiyah, the city that embraced his childhood and paved the way for his spiritual journey, sharing with him the experiences of his formative years. He grew up surrounded by the warmth of his family and friends, attending the city’s schools until he completed his high school education. From an early age, his thirst for knowledge and inner inclination toward serving others and contemplating higher values that make a person better were evident. He understood from childhood that life is not merely passing days, but an opportunity to make a meaningful impact on the lives of others, and that service is a calling requiring love, dedication, and attention to every detail in people’s lives.

After finishing high school, the church nominated him to study theology. Despite working as a government employee at the time, he felt a profound yearning to answer the call. This inner calling directed him toward following Christ’s path, and he accepted it wholeheartedly, moving to Beirut to pursue his theological studies—a journey filled with challenges and profound spiritual lessons. There, he not only studied the Holy Scriptures and theological principles but also learned how to live fully as a human being, inspired by the example of Christ, whom he saw as the ultimate model of love, compassion, generosity, and the highest moral values that guide humanity toward a meaningful and spiritually rich life.

Upon completing his studies, he began serving with the youth, offering spiritual guidance, support, and nurturing their development with love and mentorship. He recognized in the youth a valuable treasure and the future of the nation, which requires wise spiritual leadership. These early years of service were filled with both challenges and opportunities; they demanded patience and dedication, yet brought great joy, as he realized that his work was not mere routine, but a life shared with others, leaving a lasting impact on their souls.

With time, he was elected pastor for several years, a position that brought even greater responsibility, requiring meticulous attention to every aspect of parish life. After years of service and dedication, he was ordained as a priest, carrying a profound sense of responsibility toward his congregation. He fully recognized that priesthood is not merely a title, but a true calling to be a role model in every step, every word, and every action.

Father Naeem describes his first service with a mixture of awe and joy, emphasizing that realizing he was Christ’s ambassador instilled in him a deep sense of responsibility, knowing that every word and action could influence people’s lives. For him, the spiritual and social roles are inseparable; spiritual life is manifested practically through daily interactions with people and supporting them in various aspects of life.

What brings Father Naeem joy and lightens his burden is spiritual fellowship with the faithful, which generates true happiness and a sense of peace and serenity. At the same time, he approaches difficulties and problems according to the principles of the Gospel, aware that daily life is full of challenges and that problems will never cease as long as humans live in the flesh. What matters most is that the priest serves as a refuge for people’s secrets and encourages spiritual fellowship, which offers solutions and inner peace.

In his personal devotion, Father Naeem finds the opportunity to strengthen his relationship with God, meditate, spiritually renew himself, and prepare for each new service. He emphasizes that suffering is part of human nature, and one cannot serve sincerely without being close to the people and feeling their struggles. Therefore, he treats people both as a priest carrying the message of the Gospel and as a spiritual father offering consolation, encouragement, and guidance, adhering to the golden rule: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you.”

Father Naeem believes that faith and works are inseparable; true faith must produce tangible deeds that serve others. Faith and love are closely linked, because “whoever does not love does not know God, for God is love.” He thus calls upon everyone around him to love one another and to embody faith through acts of love and integrity, as these values form the essence of Christian life.

For him, the homeland is the place where he lives the days of his exile with honesty and dedication. He emphasizes the crucial role of spiritual education and Christian values in shaping the youth, planting the spirit of service and the supreme mission in their hearts, so that future leaders in the East remain steadfast in their values and faithful in serving their people. To the youth, he offers clear advice: “Live your Christianity wherever you are, and you will reap blessings and joy,” encouraging them to carry the Gospel in their daily lives, be role models, and elevate the nation through Christian values.

Father Naeem Youssef concludes by stressing humility as a fundamental virtue in the life of every believer and urges all to read the Bible daily so that their thoughts become gospel-centered in every action and word. Carrying the message of the Gospel with full dedication elevates both the nation and the spirit of the individual and community alike.

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