Ep. 60 / From Operating Room to Digital Mission Field with Rafik Barsoum

A young Egyptian physician trades hospital corridors for a global pulpit—and discovers that satellites, smartphones and small groups can carry hope when church doors stay closed. In this episode we sit down with Rev. Dr. Rafik Barsoum to unpack how a calling forged in med school, a 40‑day fast and Oxford‑honed apologetics became a digital lifeline for Arabic speakers around the world.

Consider these statistics: 14 satellites beam biblical teaching to a potential audience of 100 million, social media platforms turn broadcasts into online conversation, resulting in nearly a million monthly points of engagement. The secret isn’t just content - - it’s the follow‑up. Dr. Rafik shares the story of a man in a prison cell who found a digital church on a smuggled phone, asked hard questions, watched the Jesus film, and prayed for salvation—proof that thoughtful evangelism plus persistent care can reach the unreachable.

In the conversation we also explore why a “virtual” church is anything but pretend. Weekly services, live interaction and encrypted small groups provide discipleship for those who can’t safely gather. Rev. Barsoum talks about funding “door openers,” the providential push to social media just before 2020 and how decades of upheaval in the MENA region has resulted in a surge of seekers. Through it all, he returns to three anchors: God’s faithfulness, breaking fear and keeping Jesus at the center of every decision.

If you'd like to learn more about Rafik Barsoum's online ministry (Message to All Nations), you can go to the website and follow them on Facebook. 

And please don't forget to share this episode and join the conversation on YouTube! 

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