Isaiah 19 shares a prophecy describing how the Egyptian nation will vow to follow and worship the Lord, and He will bless them. This scripture and promise from God guides Pastor Amgad Ghaly as he serves in Bakersfield, CA, (Golden West Conference) where he works to lead the Arabic community to Jesus Christ.
Amgad is originally from Egypt where his family still lives. He made his way to America in 1999. While he had always been a Christian believer, in March of 2011, Amgad was baptized in the Holy Spirit, and his life changed. His “eyes opened and his ears heard the voice of the Lord” and knew he was meant to serve Him. The vision was not clear, but little by little, it was revealed, and in 2018, God called Amgad to serve in Bakersfield.
Bakersfield seemed like an unusual choice when there were other, larger, communities that needed help too. But Amgad obeyed the call, and after arriving in Bakersfield, joined City Serve where he continues to work. City Serve is a Christian organization that helps support churches by providing resources to needy communities. Through this organization, he met Pastor Bill Woods. This relationship helped lead him and his family to planting Hope Arabic Church. Amgad adds, “I’m so happy that IPHC opened the doors for the Arabic community here in Bakersfield.”
Pastor Amgad Ghaly and his wife, MiMi
“Many people told me they were praying for an Arabic-speaking church for years, but nobody wanted to come to Bakersfield,” Amgad reveals. His arrival was an answer to their prayers. These words touched Amgad’s heart and were a strong sign that God wanted this to happen and was leading the way from the beginning. Amgad’s wife, MiMi, is also a great support in his mission. She is the one to push Amgad when he is “slacking” or feeling unqualified, and especially during enemy attacks. “Without her, I don’t think any of this would happen,” Amgad declares. Conference Superintendent Bill Terry shares, “Amgad and MiMi Ghaly are dedicated servants of Jesus Christ, who have a passionate calling to reach the growing Arabic-speaking community of the greater Bakersfield area.”
Amgad recently attained his Master of Ministry degree from Advantage College which he hopes to use to advance God’s kingdom. His thesis focused on whether or not God loves Arabs. The short answer is “yes.” Amgad’s favorite scripture emphasizes God’s love for everyone and how He gives equal opportunity for everyone to come to Him and be saved: “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life” (John 3:16 NIV). “I think God wants to come back to the Middle East. God wants to redeem Middle Easterners regardless of their backgrounds, regardless of what they do, regardless of what they believe, and redeem them and bring them to the knowledge of Jesus Christ who is really their savior,” Amgad declares.
Pastor Amgad Ghaly and his wife, MiMi, celebrate his graduation from Advantage College.
Amgad believes God still has more in store for him and for Bakersfield. “My dream is that one day, Arabs, Jews, Persians, Syrians, all Middle Easterns will worship together and in unity. I dream there will be revival in Bakersfield: that people will come to Bakersfield because the Holy Spirit is there.” Even though some believe this dream to be far from reality, Amgad knows that God is able: “He brought many nations to Him before, and He can do it again.”
