Naeem Fazal
7 min read ⭑
“I am fully convinced that it’s the beautiful things in life that give us the power to overcome the most fearful things in life.”
A Pakistani born in Kuwait, Naeem Fazal was raised a Muslim. After living through the Gulf War, he came to the U.S. and filed for religious asylum. One night in his bedroom, he encountered Jesus — and it radically changed his life. He’s since gone on to found and pastor Mosaic Church, a vibrant congregation in Charlotte, North Carolina. He’s also written multiple books, one of which, “Ex-Muslim,” discusses more of his testimony in depth.
Today, he’s sharing his story; his love for lifting, painting and drawing; and the spiritual habits that draw him closer to the Jesus he met years ago — and continues to meet with every day.
QUESTION #1: ACQUAINT
The meals we enjoy are about so much more than the food we eat. So how does a “go-to” meal at your favorite hometown restaurant reveal the true you behind your web bio?
I’m so glad you asked this question because I love to eat. Growing up in Kuwait has spoiled me for all other foods. I would go to a Middle Eastern restaurant and order shawarma, falafel, hummus and baba ganoush. Or I might go to an Indian restaurant that knows how to do it well. Garlic naan and palak paneer are a few of my favorites.
Besides the obvious — that this food is delicious — it’s also connected to childhood memories. “Sharing a meal together” is an expression that people in the Western world use to communicate eating together, but it’s usually people getting their own food to eat at the same time. Growing up in an Eastern culture, we literally share a meal together. It’s one plate that my family would sit around to share and eat.
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QUESTION #2: REVEAL
We’ve all got quirky proclivities and out-of-the-way interests. So what are yours? What so-called “nonspiritual” activity do you love engaging in that also helps you find essential spiritual renewal?
Growing up in the Middle East, I did not have easy access to a gym and didn’t know much about lifting or bodybuilding. The only sports I was familiar with were cricket and soccer. Coming to the U.S., I found a love for the gym, especially in CrossFit. But I’m not quite sure I could say it’s nonspiritual! I do find spiritual renewal in allowing my body to have a space in which it can push itself physically and mentally. It allows me to rejuvenate myself on a consistent basis.
The other thing I have done since I was a kid is to paint and draw. While it’s not something that is as consistent as I’d like it to be, it definitely renews my soul because it allows me to wonder and create.
QUESTION #3: CONFESS
Every superhero has a weakness; every human too. We’re just good at faking it. But who are we kidding? We’re all broken and in this thing together. So what’s your kryptonite, and how do you confront its power head-on?
Comparison is my kryptonite. I know a lot of people can relate to the struggle. I find myself always having to battle comparison to do the things I need to do on any given day. It’s not that I compare myself to other people, but that I compare myself to myself; wondering what more I could accomplish and if I’m really doing my best.
I’m not quite sure if I figured out how to confront this head on, but I do remind myself that I just have to do what is ahead of me and not worry about the rest. Comparison makes me want to speed up my pace and filter my presence; I’m tempted to keep up with people I compare myself to. And if I can’t do that, I find myself trying to put the best filter on everything I do so it looks like I’m doing amazing.
QUESTION #4: FIRE UP
Tell us about your toil. How are you investing your professional time right now? What’s your current obsession? And why should it be ours?
Several years ago, I decided to become a student. Growing up, academics was not my thing, and I wanted to get out of school as fast as I could. I wanted to stop being a student. But now, I’m realizing I have to be a lifelong student.
My current obsession is audiobooks and podcasts of people and ideas that are very different from mine. It has allowed me to expand my imagination, stretch my thinking and broaden my perspectives. As leaders of God’s kingdom, we can’t afford not to be globally minded — because that is what God is. We will miss out on what God is doing in the world if we live in silos, in our own bubbles.
QUESTION #5: BOOST
Cashiers, CEOs, contractors or customer service reps, we all need grace flowing into us and back out into the world. How does the Holy Spirit invigorate your work? And how do you know it’s God when it happens?
I still remember the day when I sensed God asking me, “Naeem, do you recognize me out of context? You know what I look like in context, in a prayer meeting or in a church service or in people of faith. But do you know what I look like in everyday people?”
My answer to that was, “I don’t think I do.” Honestly, there are some people in my life who are invisible. Not that no one can see them; it’s just that I don’t notice them. The Holy Spirit has been working on me for years now, prompting me to look again at the person I’m interacting with in any setting.
I know God is speaking to me when I find myself asking, “God, are you doing something right now?” When I find myself asking questions, I know that God wants to speak. Being in the epicenter of God’s activity and not recognizing him is one of the most regrettable ways to miss the mark.
QUESTION #6: inspire
Scripture and tradition beckon us into the rich and varied habits that open our hearts to the presence of God. So let us in. Which spiritual practice is working best for you in this season?
It was after midnight, and I got stopped by the cops. I will never forget that night. They were just doing their job because it was late, and I was out walking the streets in my neighborhood, as I often do. I was so caught up in worship music that I didn’t even realize they thought I was suspicious. I had no idea what time it even was.
It all worked out, but that’s what my spiritual practice looks like. I walk at night, listen to worship music, pray, talk and maybe even listen to an audiobook. That’s the spiritual practice I couldn’t live without, and I plan to do it for the rest of my life.
QUESTION #7: FOCUS
Looking backward, considering the full sweep of your unique faith journey and all you encountered along the way, what top three resources stand out to you? What changed reality and your heart?
This is a very hard question for me to answer because the things that have changed my reality and my heart have not been resources but people. Looking back on my journey, there have been countless books, sermons and Bible studies that have contributed to my growth, and I’m so grateful for those, but the people who’ve taken the time to invest in me are the ones who have impacted me most.
That is why I am drawn to biographies. For example, Ivine Stone’s “The Lust for Life,” which follows the story of Vincent Van Gogh, has shaped me and the vision of Mosaic, the church I founded. “Culture Care” by Makoto Fujimura is another book that freed me to be who I am.
We all have things we cling to to survive or even thrive in our fast-paced, techno-driven world. How have you been successful in harnessing technology to aid in your spiritual growth?
I wouldn’t say I’m super successful in harnessing technology, but it has allowed me to access a plethora of resources and ideas. I use social media to observe what humanity is doing and to better understand what we as a human race desire, fear and need the most.
With the rise of AI, it’s easy to get outlines for sermons, Bible studies and presentations. I have used them as search engines more than anything else. It’s allowed me to access and compare information faster than ever before, which I’ve been able to benefit from.
QUESTION #8: dream
God’s continually stirring new things in each of us. So, give us the scoop! What’s beginning to stir in you but not yet fully awakened? What can we expect from you in the future?
I’ve got a few ideas of where I’m headed in the future, but I’m trying to wait on God’s call before I choose the next direction. I deeply desire to be braver. I’m a Pakistani, born in Kuwait, raised as a Muslim. I lived through the Gulf War of 1992, then came here as an immigrant and had to file for religious asylum. Then I found Jesus, not in a church but one night in my bedroom where he called me to ministry.
Now, I lead a multi-ethnic, multicultural church called Mosaic. Even though Mosaic is amazing, with so many people who are giving their time and energy to reclaiming the message and movement of Jesus, I still find myself believing the lie that I am alone in this mission at times. Feelings like these have caused me to write about conquering fear, worry, grief, loss and pain with beauty. I am fully convinced that it’s the beautiful things in life that give us the power to overcome the most fearful things in life. I would like to take this message global, and I’m trusting God will let me know how and when to do it.
Earlier in his interview, Naeem got honest about his struggle with comparing himself — and he’s far from alone. While social comparison has been around long before the advent of technology, certain tools like social media have compounded its prevalence and impact.
For instance, almost 90% of young people nowadays compare themselves to others online, and a nearly identical percentage also have negative views of themselves and are unhappy with their lives. Coincidence? Probably not.
The world may tell us we need to measure up to a certain standard set by others, but the Bible tells us that we are “fearfully and wonderfully made” (Ps. 139:14, ESV) and that we “have died and [our lives are] hidden with Christ in God” (Col. 3:3, ESV).
Who will you believe?
Naeem Fazal, a Pakistani, was born and raised in Kuwait. He grew up in a Muslim family, was a teenager in the midst of the Gulf War, and came to the United States in 1992. He had a supernatural experience with Christ that changed the course of his life. He is the author of Ex-Muslim and Tomorrow Needs You and the founding pastor of Mosaic Church in Charlotte, North Carolina. Naeem and his wife, Ashley, have two amazing children and, unfortunately, two cats.
