The Christian Arabic Church

The Arabic Christian Fellowship began in Richmond in 1990. A small group of people from Egypt gathered for prayer and fellowship after the Easter service at Christ Presbyterian Church and decided to hold regular prayer meetings.

Fakhri and Taragy Yacoub came to the U.S. in November 1996, shortly after their marriage. The fellowship could not afford to give them a salary, and the Yacoubs could not afford to live in Richmond on their small stipend from the Presbytery of the James. For nearly two years, they lived in North Carolina and drove to and from Richmond every Sunday afternoon. In May 1997, the Yacoubs received and hosted the first immigrant family from Egypt. They began to learn how to receive new immigrant families and refugees from the Middle East.

Ordained in the Presbyterian Church USA, Rev. Yacoub received an MA in Christian Education from Union Theological Seminary and the Presbyterian School of Christian Education in 2000.  He currently serves as pastor of the Christian Arabic Church and director of the Arabic Christian Community Center. This ministry, part of Third Church since 1999, helps immigrants and refugees both spiritually and practically through various programs.