Hicham Chehab grew up in a world of bitter animosity between Muslims and Christians, which he experienced personally in a physical attack when only about 7. By age 13 he was recruited by an extremist Muslim group and later fought against Christians in the 1975 war in Lebanon. He was preparing to become a Muslim preacher (Imam) when a car accident laid him up for a year.

In 1980, in his first semester in college, his brother was killed by Christian militia. Hicham’s response was to study by day, and by night take out his revenge in attacks on Christians. However, hearing the Sermon on the Mount, in a course of cultural studies (in college), brought him to faith.

Later, Hicham earned an M.A. in the history of Arabs and did Ph.D. studies in the history of Islam. Hicham finished his pastoral education at Concordia, Fort Wayne, IN.

Presently, he pastors Salam Arabic Church, the first Arabic LCMS church planted in Chicago land out of converts in 2008, and works as a missionary to the Muslims in Illinois.