“This SAT-7 ARABIC channel changes lives”

For Christians in North Africa, hearing the gospel in their own dialect is a priceless gift. Sarah, an Algerian viewer, is witnessing first-hand the impact of SAT-7 ARABIC’s Algerian-dialect shows. “This channel changes lives,” says Sarah. “The Holy Spirit touches viewers, because faith comes by hearing.”

Before she became a Christian, Sarah’s life was a mess. “God saved me from darkness and hell,” the 60-year-old says.

But Jesus has transformed her life. “Now I’m a believer, I feel great,” Sarah says. “I love God, and I see His hand at work. I’m free in Christ.”

Speaking a heart-language

Sarah and her friends love watching SAT-7’s Algerian-dialect shows. Although Sarah can understand other forms of Arabic, she only actually speaks the local tongue.

“I’m so happy with the Algerian programmes, because I understand them,” she says. “Programmes in our dialect are very easy for us, and they touch our hearts.”

Touched by testimonies

It’s not only believers whose lives are being touched by these programmes. Sarah explains that viewers who don’t come from a Christian background often respond to hearing the stories of Algerian Christians.

“They change when they hear these testimonies,” she says. But, she explains, seekers often watch SAT-7 in secret, for fear of how their families and friends would react.

New believers in Algeria often face pressure or rejection from their family and friends, and Sarah herself is unable to live with her two sons because of her Christian faith.

Learning and growing

For these new Christians, learning more about their faith can be a challenge. Christian resources in general can be hard to come by in Algeria.

“Even if we are believers, we might not show Jesus’ light in our lives, because we lack knowledge about how to live as true Christians,” Sarah explains.

SAT-7’s shows are a vital support for believers at all stages of faith. Sarah and her friends especially love the women’s programmes presented by Samia Kessai, a local SAT-7 presenter and producer.

“Whenever she speaks, God uses her”

A favourite is You are Precious, which Sarah watches every week. The show, which tackles difficult social issues in which women often remain voiceless, also has Kabylie subtitles for Amazigh (Berber) viewers.

“We are blessed by this programme,” Sarah says. “Samia speaks for us Christian women. Many people have testified that they’ve been transformed by watching her programme. She is amazing. Whenever she speaks, God uses her.”

“I ask God to work in my heart”

As viewers grow in faith, they often experience renewal in their everyday life, sometimes with the help of SAT-7’s telephone counselling teams. “Many women call the number on-screen to seek help for their marriages,” Sarah adds.

As for Sarah herself, she is now experiencing the joy of being able to support others. Despite being separated from her sons, she has found purpose and fulfilment in being a mother figure to others in her church.

“I am the eldest sister in my church, I’m like a mother to them,” she says. “I ask God to work in my heart, so I can be a mother to all of them. Everything is for the glory of Jesus Christ.”