“And who knows but that you have come to your royal position for such a time as this?”(Esther 4:14)

These words, spoken by Mordecai over Queen Esther as she embarks to advocate for her people, are indicative of the way Haggai leaders are selected. The Haggai model — to equip strategically positioned leaders to share the Gospel — depends on men and women in well-timed places of crucial influence.

Equipped through the Haggai Leader Experience in 1999, His Holiness Pope Tawadros II of Egypt is one of those leaders.

With roots dating back to the first century, the Coptic Church is a denomination of Christians following Jesus across the Middle East and North Africa — arguably one of the most difficult regions for believers to worship and live safely in during the modern age. Born Wagih Sobhi Baki Soliman, Haggai leader Pope Tawadros II left a career in pharmaceutical manufacturing for the priesthood in the 1980s, and today serves as the 118th Coptic Pope of Alexandria and patriarch of the Holy See of St. Mark.

Pope Tawadros II was called to the highest position in the Coptic Church of Alexandria in 2012 during the Egyptian Revolution, the spread of the “Arab Spring,” and the early days of ISIS. Christians — majority Coptic — represent only 10% of Egypt’s population, and as religious turmoil has increased in the last decade, Coptic Christians have faced increasing marginalization.

But in the face of radical change and persecution, Pope Tawadros II stands out as a picture of peace and perseverance.

In 2013, His Holiness made history as only the second Coptic Pope in 1,500 years to meet with the Vatican, working alongside Pope Francis and the Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity. Just two years later, His Holiness became the first Coptic Pope to visit Jerusalem since 1832, reopening relationships with Israel after years of Arab-Israeli tensions.

Most recently, Pope Tawadros II has made inroads in Saudi Arabia, playing a key role in efforts to protect the religious freedom of Coptic Christians in that nation. In January — when Coptic Christians celebrate Christmas — the first ever public Christmas celebration was allowed in Saudi Arabia and led by Bishop Marcos of Egypt’s Coptic Orthodox Church. This was a momentous occasion for the 3,000 Coptic Christians in Saudi Arabia, as well as for a watching world.

“We reach the heart of Christ, walking hand in hand. These are the criteria that guide us in our relations with all the Churches in the world,” His Holiness says.

Pope Tawadros II’s role in guiding the future of Christianity in Egypt — the most populous country in the Arab world — is critical. His leadership is currently guiding the future of Christianity in this region of the world, and beyond.

Written by Janay Boyer