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Summary:

Michael Easley talks with Pastor Daniel Batarseh about God’s unexpected call to ministry and Scripture-centered church life.
Daniel shares leaving the Lord as a teenager, returning to Christ in college, and sensing a call to ministry. Outreach to young Middle Eastern believers grew into a multi-ethnic, multi-generational church centered on Scripture, prayer, and community. Instead of complex programs, Maranatha Bible Church gathers regularly for prayer, Scripture teaching, and shared life. Daniel explains how Scripture transforms lives, unites believers across cultures, and inspires young men toward godliness and leadership. He encourages pastors and members to trust God’s Word and the Holy Spirit over ministry strategies. This conversation shows that when churches prioritize Scripture, prayer, and discipleship, God faithfully builds His people.

Takeaways:

• God often calls people into ministry through unexpected circumstances and surrendered lives.
• Scripture-centered teaching remains the foundation of spiritual growth and church health.
• Simple biblical practices like prayer, discipleship, and fellowship still transform communities.
• Multi-ethnic unity in the church grows naturally when believers gather around God’s Word.
• Young believers are hungry for authentic faith and clear biblical teaching.
• The sufficiency of Scripture—not programs—ultimately builds the church.

ABOUT DANIEL BATARSEH

Daniel Batarseh is the pastor-teacher at Maranatha Bible Church.  While living in Canada and pursuing a degree in Creative Advertising (2012), Daniel sensed the call to ministry shortly after being born again.  Through God’s providence, he was led to Chicago, Illinois in Jan. 2015 to serve as a young adults pastor, teaching the Bible twice a week, while studying at Moody Bible Institute for his Masters in Biblical Studies. It was through a series of events and  God’s clear timing  that led Daniel and others with him to begin Maranatha Bible Church in Nov. 2021. Daniel is married to his wife Joelle.

Links Mentioned:

Maranatha Bible Church

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