Public invited to hear minister tell his story, journey of faith
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ST. IGNATIUS — Hicham Chehab grew up in a world of bitter animosity between Muslims and Christians, which he experienced personally in a physical attack when he was only seven years old. By age 13 he was recruited by the Lebanese branch of the Muslim Brotherhood and later fought against Christians in the 1975 war in Lebanon. He was preparing to become a Muslim Preacher (Imam) when a car accident, which incapacitated him for a year, changed his path forever.
In 1980, while in his first semester at an American college in Beirut, his brother was killed by Christian militia.
Hicham’s response was to study by day, and by night take out his revenge in attacks on Christians. However, during a course of cultural studies in college, after hearing an excerpt from the Sermon on the Mount, he came to have faith in Jesus Christ.
Later, Hicham earned an M.A. in the history of the Arabs and did his Ph.D. studies in the history of Islam. Hicham finished his pastoral education at Concordia Theological Seminary in Fort Wayne, Ind., in 2009, and is currently in the Ph.D. Missiology program there.
Presently, Hicham is an ordained LCMS minister and pastors Salam Christian Fellowship in Chicago, Ill. and works as a missionary to Arabs and Muslims.
On March 23, Pastor Hicham will speak at Zion Lutheran Church, on the corner of Second Avenue and Diamond Street in St. Ignatius at 5 p.m.
Potluck dinner, with meat and beverages provided, will be served afterward. The public is invited to attend. There will be a free will offering.
