The story of Leading The Way is a story about God and His faithfulness. It’s a story about His search for people who are willing to trust and obey. What began as a small Atlanta-based radio ministry in 1988 has grown into a worldwide ministry blanketing the globe with the Word of God. The road has not always been smooth—but by God’s sustaining grace, our focus hasn’t changed. We at Leading The Way continue to proclaim the uncompromised Truth and preach Christ alone.
Today, we broadcast more than 18,000 times a week in 28 of the world’s most spoken languages, reaching six continents with the Gospel message. It has been an amazing accomplishment, but I cringe every time someone gives the credit to me. They do not understand that all I did was trust and obey—reluctantly at that.
For many years, I said, “I will never go on television. I have a face for radio.” I didn’t believe television audiences would respond to the serious-minded preaching of the Gospel. Thankfully, I was wrong. Through the thriving global ministry of Leading The Way, thousands are coming to Christ as God penetrates their hearts with the Gospel message.
Over the past 35 years, God has guided us, and we have done our best to follow. Through His mercy, we will do the same with even more passion and energy in the coming years.
To God be all the glory.
The story of Leading The Way is a story about God and His faithfulness. It's a story about His search for people who are willing to trust and obey.
Dr. Michael Youssef
1988: The Beginning of a Legacy
A founding member of the church encourages Dr. Youssef to setup a radio ministry. Dr. Youssef says, "We don't need another preacher on the radio." His colleagues persist and Dr. Youssef obliges.
1989: Local Radio Broadcasts Begin
Designed to share the Good News with the unchurched and invite people to The Church of The Apostles, the church begins producing and airing short, Biblical teaching lessons to Atlanta audiences.
1996: Leading The Way goes Global
Dr. Youssef teams with his former English teacher, Baki Sadaka, to air his sermons in English followed by an Arabic translation. Field ministry teams are established to accommodate the overwhelming response.
2000: Leading The Way TV is Launched
Ben Haden of Changed Lives shares, “For the past two and a half years, the Lord has been telling me to give you my radio and TV ministry.” After much prayer, Dr. Youssef decides to trust and obey. Programs begin airing in the United States and in the Middle East.
2009: The Kingdom Sat goes on air
Five years after the Lord gives Dr. Youssef a vision for a 24/7 Biblical teaching channel reaching the Muslim world, the channel is launched. Follow-up continues to expand to accommodate the response.
2009: Navigators Cross the Technological Divide
Leading The Way partners with MegaVoice to create the solar-powered Navigator audio device, reaching remote areas with God’s Word and building the underground church. The first Navigators are shipped to Albania and Indonesia.
2018: LEADING THE WAY LAUNCHES VISION 2025
Dr. Youssef introduces the strategic Vision 2025 initiative, a groundbreaking ministry expansion plan to see one million souls come to Christ by 2025.
2019: LEADING THE WAY LAUNCHES CANDID PODCAST
With the goal of targeting a new generation, Dr. Youssef’s son Jonathan launches a new podcast bringing Biblical clarity to hot topics.
2023: EVANGELISTIC CELEBRATIONS BEGIN
Dr. Youssef launches a new ministry outreach: massive, city-wide Evangelistic Celebrations designed to impact entire communities for Christ.