Turkey | SAT-7

History

Occupied by the Byzantines and the Mongols, the modern history of Turkey begins with the formation of the Ottoman Empire in the 13th century, which conquered large areas of the Middle East and Eastern Europe prior to its defeat by the Allied forces in World War I. A small group of military cadres, led by future President, Ataturk, resisted the authority of the Allies and successfully formed the Republic of Turkey in 1923.

Government

Turkey is a secular republic, with a popularly elected parliament and President. The President is largely a ceremonial figure, as the prime ministers, elected by parliament, carry much of the executive power.

Social Issues

Turkey is a multicultural and multi-ethnic country, currently facing much civil and political unrest amongst its ethnic minorities, such as the Kurds of south-eastern Turkey, who have been campaigning for several years for greater autonomy and political representation.

SAT-7 Viewership

SAT-7 TURK currently transmits 4 hours of Turkish language programmes across Turkey each day. Precise viewing figures are unknown.

Religion

Turkey currently has an estimated population of 77 million, of which 99.5% are Muslim, and 0.5% Christian; the Christian population is an approximate 110,000.¹ Christianity was recognised as an institution in the Lausanne Treaty of 1923, and the country has some 200 registered churches today.² The Armenian and Syrian churches make up the majority of congregations. Proselytizing is legal in Turkey, but is viewed as socially unacceptable and dangerous, and there have been reports of vandalism of churches and attacks on new believers.

Prayer Points

Pray for the acceptance of Christianity and believers in Turkey.

Pray that believers will be strengthened through SAT-7 TURK's programmes.

“Last night I watched the ‘Words of Hope’ programme. What the host read from the Bible really affected me. My system of belief—the way I’ve been burdened all my life with living under punishment because of how religion was explained to me—has been turned upside down. I would be very happy if you could help me in this matter, the matter of finding God.” From a Turkish viewer

1. International Christian Concern | 2. Middle East Concern

CHANNELS IN TURKEY

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