Naeem and Ashley Fazal’s journey to planting Mosaic Church began long before they ever imagined becoming pastors.
Born and raised in Kuwait as a Sunni Muslim, Naeem came to the United States in 1992 after the Gulf War. One night, everything changed when he had a radical encounter with Jesus in his room. He didn’t know what ministry was. He wasn’t thinking about church planting. He simply knew God was calling him to give his life fully to Him.
That calling eventually led Naeem to Seacoast Church, where Pastor Greg Surratt took a chance on him as one of the church’s early interns. Over time, Naeem served as a youth pastor, young adult pastor, and eventually as the first campus pastor at Seacoast.
Then came the question that would change the course of his life again: What if you planted a church?
When Naeem and Ashley began dreaming about starting a church in Charlotte, North Carolina, they knew they were not simply building another place for people to attend on Sundays. They believed God was calling them to create a space that would serve the city, build relationships, and bring hope to the community.
“We realized Mosaic was not going to be another church building,” Naeem shared. “Charlotte did not need another church building. What it did need was a Hope Center.”
Today, Mosaic Church has become exactly that.
From hosting TEDx events and creating opportunities to speak into the culture, to opening their doors for a Montessori school, to helping other church plants launch from their building, Mosaic has continued to grow in favor and impact throughout Charlotte.
For Naeem and Ashley, being connected to ARC has also been a vital part of their journey. In seasons when they needed resources, prayer, encouragement, or practical support, ARC was there to help them keep moving forward.
Their story is a reminder of what can happen when a leader says yes to God, a church believes in sending, and a community is served with faithfulness and love.
