The Late 'Billy Graham of Egypt' Leaves Indelible Legacy

CAIRO -- While the world lost many well-known celebrities in 2015, perhaps less recognized was the passing of a man known as the "Billy Graham of Egypt."

Menes Abdul Noor pastored the largest evangelical church in the Middle East.

I met recently with his family to learn how God used the evangelist to spread the Gospel in the land of the ancient pharaohs.

Although he may have been unknown to many Americans, Pastor Noor was a giant of the faith -- not only in Egypt but throughout the Middle East. He was a fearless Christian, who despite fierce opposition introduced hundreds of thousands of Muslims and others to Christ.

Last September, he died from Parkinson's disease at the age of 85.

Five days after his passing, I was invited into Pastor Noor's home to meet with his son Farid, daughter Violet, and his widow Nadia. I wanted to share my condolences, and also hear about what he meant to them as a father and husband.

"He was an easy going person," his widow, Nadia, explained. "He was always smiling, always making things simple with a big love, a big smile."

She spent 65 years, two months, and two days with Menes. She shared ministry work with him -- working on church publications, conferences, and radio broadcasts.

But it was his simple message of hope--first shared while pastoring in a small village in Middle Egypt -- that perhaps inspired her and others the most.

"He said, 'I'm coming here to preach, to teach those people about Jesus Christ. I'm not going to live academically," Nadia recalled. "(He said), 'I'm going to reach them with my simple words, about Jesus and the Bible, words about Jesus.' And since that time he started to reach the hearts of the people."

Noor's daughter Violet said her father's sermons touched her heart.

"I would see what he was saying is true," she said. "They were very clear, very touching and speaking to the mind and emotions and that's the thing I liked about my dad."

Violet said she also appreciated her father's gift of hospitality. People were always staying in the guest room of their house, some for months at a time.

And she told me she'll always remember those special times spent alone with her dad.

"He was a friend to me. I would sit with him and talk, talk about college and different circumstances I faced. He would give me his advice. I cherished and loved that time a lot."

Noor's son Farid said his father practiced what he preached.

"He believed it. Many people differed with him, some violently, but he just believed it and believed it quietly and confidently and things turned his way," he said.

Pastor Sameh Maurice took over when Noor retired in 2008. He said the pastor received daily threats by mail, email, and phone.

"'We will kill you, we will kidnap your kids, we will rape your wives' and he was not afraid," Maurice said. "So, this man defeated the spirit of fear and influenced the whole church to have the same, the same courage."

Because of it, he led many non-believers to faith in Christ. During Noor's more than 30 years as pastor, regular attendance at Kasr El-Dobara Church grew from 300 in 1976 to as many as 8,000 worshippers today.

Members of his church family and those who worked with him say they will miss the man they called "Abouna," Father Menes.

In 1999, Ibrahim Abd el-Masih Fawzy started working as Pastor Noor's driver.

"He taught me how to love people. He taught me how to be humble because Jesus was humble," he said. "He taught me to show love for others without expecting anything in return, that fruitful service is the greatest blessing every honest servant seeks after."

Church member Sharif first met Noor before he became senior pastor at Kasr El- Dobara Church.

"At that time I was very young, but his sermons were coming to my heart very deep and very concise, so I loved him so much," he said.

Nasmy is a saxophonist in the church praise band. He described Pastor Noor as a blessing.

"Father Menes always poured joy into the heart of everybody who met him. We loved him so much," he said. "Though I'm sad about his passing, he deserves to have his crown in Heaven. As it's written, 'I have finished the race.'"

Fawzy said, "Baba, I love you so much. The righteous will be remembered forever. Pastor Menes Abdul Noor still speaks, even though he is no longer with us."

"I miss him and as I walk now in the house and his study and remember things, I really feel taken by emotions at moments, but he's not dead. He's more alive than I am," Farid said.

Nadia said she'll miss her husband's company, love, and words.

"I lift up my heart and my eyes to God," she tearfully explained. "If my husband was able to say a word, he would say, 'Give all the glory to God; give all the glory to Jesus. I'm a vessel of clay, but with a treasure inside. And that treasure is Jesus Christ.'"