The world's eyes have been on the Catholic and Coptic Orthodox churches in Egypt following the Pope and his visit over the weekend.

But Egypt also has thousands of evangelical Christians, continuing to follow their faith in God in spite of growing persecution by Islamist extremists.

Following the Palm Sunday attacks on two Coptic churches, which claimed 45 lives, evangelist and author Dr Michael Youssef, founder and president of the Christian charity Leading The Way, also visited Egypt, the country of his birth, in an attempt to aid the search for peace.

He joined Nick Ayers, campaign manager for US Vice President Mike Pence, for strategic talks with Egypt's key parliamentary leaders to discuss how the US and Egypt can work together to eradicate terrorism.

Youssef said the meetings were 'very effective'.

He said: 'We strongly believe that God has appointed Egypt's President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi for such a time as this, to lead this nation and influence the world to stamp out terrorism.'

Youssef, who in his book The Barbarians Are Here calls on Christians to take a stand for the Gospel against radical extremism, also preached to a congregation of thousands in Cairo of 'God's faithfulness and sovereignty in the face of great evil and injustice'. His book, published by Barnes and Noble, was commended by Southern Baptist seminary president Dr Albert Mohler among others.

Egypt is number 21 on the Open Doors World Watch List of countries where Christian persecution is most severe.