Rev. Dr. Fahed Abu–Akel was born 25 miles northwest of Nazareth in Galilee, Palestine in 1944. His parents were Palestinian Orthodox Christian parents who belonged to a church 800 years old. After immigrating to the United States in the 1960s, he earned his BA from Southeastern University in Lakeland, FL in 1966, his Master of Divinity from Columbia Theological Seminary in Decatur, GA in 1970, and his Doctorate in Ministry from McCormick Theological Seminary in Chicago, IL in 1980.  Thereafter, he served as minister at the Presbytery of Greater Atlanta, GA, and was the founder and executive director of the Atlanta Ministry of International Students for 34 years, which began with 2,500 students and today has 17000 international students and scholars from 160 nations. He was the mission pastor at First Presbyterian Church of Atlanta for 25 years and served the Presbyterian church in every level including Congregation, Presbytery, Synod and the General Assembly. In 2002, Rev. Dr. Abu–Akel was elected as Moderator of the 214th General Assembly of the Presbyterian Church –USA, the highest elected office in the national church. Rev. Fahed is a member of the Fellowship of Reconciliation – USA Atlanta Chapter, Friends of Sabeel North American, Joining Hands for Justice in Palestine and Israel, Palestinian Christian Alliance for Peace – US, and the Laurice Khoury Foundation. He retired from the Presbyterian Church -USA in 2012 and has since focused on the establishment of justice and peace in Palestine and Israel.