Lebanon | SAT-7

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History

Lebanon is a country of great cultural, religious and ethnic diversity. Ruled by the Ottoman Empire for almost 400 years, Lebanon was placed under the French Mandate following World War I, and later granted independence in 1946.1  Lebanon was devastated by a civil war lasting from 1975 until 1990.

Government

Lebanon has always embraced its many religious communities.  In the National Pact of 1943, it was agreed that any President of Lebanon must be Maronite Christian, the Speaker of the Parliament a Shiite Muslim, with a Sunni Muslim Prime Minister and a Greek Orthodox Deputy Prime Minister. 2  A tribunal in 2011 to investigate Hezbollah members implicated in the assassination of former Prime Minister Hariri, resulted in the resignation of ten cabinet ministers and a presidential appointee, forcing rushed elections and a suspension of the tribunal.  A new government was formed in July 2011.

Social Issues

Since the end of the civil war, it is estimated that approximately 350,000 Lebanese remain internally displaced. There also remain almost 400,000 Palestinian refugees in southern Lebanon,3 who have not been allowed to return to Palestine following the 1948 Arab-Israeli War.

SAT-7 Viewership

According to surveys carried out in 2008, 6.6% of the population has watched SAT-7 or continue to watch it.4

Religion

Lebanon is 59% Muslim and 39% Christian, with 2% accounting for other religious minorities.  Many Christians claim they are only protected because they are represented in government – a unique trait in a Middle Eastern country.

Prayer Points

  • Pray that the Muslim and Christian communities will be able to co-exist and work together to rebuild Lebanon.
  • Pray that Lebanon can set a positive example of religious diversity and tolerance for other countries in the region.

 

“SAT-7 touched and changed my spiritual life and drew me to Christ. I believe in it as an important ministry to all viewers in the Arab world. The message you convey is like rain on dry land and cold water to a thirsty soul.”  A man from Lebanon

1. CIA World Factbook | 2. Middle East Concern | 3.Middle East Concern | 4. Intermedia survey 2008

CHANNELS IN LEBANON

viewer quotes

"May God bless you all. We ask Jesus to extend His hand, as nothing is too difficult for Him. We pray that He would give comfort to victims’ families in Aleppo and all of Syria. And we pray that He would stop this storm."

A Syrian viewer of 'Just for You'

"I'm Maya, 3 and a half years old from Amman, watching your bedtime story every night and can't go to bed before listening to your stories. Mama also watching with me."

From a young child in Jordan

"In a remote village in Afghanistan a Christian worker met an Afghan man who invited him to his house. There he switched on the TV, showed him SAT-7 PARS and said, “This is where I get my food from.” This man also invites his friends to come and watch SAT-7 PARS in this remote village."

A viewer in Afghanistan

"May God bless your work! This was a very sweet episode! May the programme make a big difference in our country, in the name of Jesus!"

A Syrian viewer of 'Just for You'

"Your programmes provide such a wonderful opportunity for me to explain to my children what we believe as Christians in ways they understand. It really is a precious thing to have this channel."

A MOTHER IN TURKEY

"I am from Morocco. I want to serve Jesus with all my heart. Thank you for being the source of encouragement and my spiritual growth. God bless you."

A woman in Morocco

"Five years ago I started seeking for the truth in different religions. I was lost, confused and wanted to reach out to God. I really needed comfort and peace. Thank God I found peace and the truth through the programmes and the songs on my favourite channel SAT-7."

A woman from Saudi Arabia

"I came to know Christ through your programmes. I tried to talk about Jesus to my family but they didn’t want to listen to me. So I turn the TV on during your programmes and, without saying a word, allow your programmes to talk to my family about Jesus Christ. And now they sit and watch the programmes!"

An Iranian woman from Tabriz

"Hello to you dear SAT-7 PARS team. I would like to thank you for all your nice programmes. I came to Christ a few months ago and your teaching programmes helped me to improve in my Christian faith. I am thinking of getting baptised and I would like you to advise me where can I go to get baptised."

A SAT-7 PARS viewer

"Finally, a Syrian programme has come to us! May God bless you and use you to the glory of His name."

A viewer of 'Just for You'

"I am touched by the sermons that I’m watching every Friday. I’m not able to go to church but God has opened a door for me to attend a church service in my house every week! I never thought that one day I would see bold Algerians worshipping the Lord and not afraid to be shown on TV."

An Algerian viewer

"We have a lot of believers in Israel who watch SAT-7 and we want you to pray with us for the salvation of many people in the Holy Land."

A viewer in Israel

"My son loves many of your programmes. I can leave him to watch SAT-7 KIDS without any fear that he will see information, advice or ideas that are not from the heart of God."

A mother of SAT-7 KIDS viewer

"I came across your website by chance. I never knew that Christianity is such a beautiful religion. Your site has helped correct many of the misconceptions and wrong ideas I had about the Christian faith and about Christ. I desperately need to know more about Christianity to be delivered from the aimless and hopeless life I presently live."

A viewer in Morocco