Pastor Ramazan Arkan leads two congregations in Antalya, southern Turkey, just 12 miles from where Paul and Barnabas planted a church in New Testament times. He shares his own journey to Christ and how a growing church is reaching out to many young seekers in this city of two million people. Like most people, Ramazan Arkan is often faced with […]
The Briefing – May 2018
It has been a month of startling moves and developments that will have a seismic impact in the region. Four major developments dominated the news this month. Firstly, the official opening of the US Embassy in Jerusalem (14 May). When President Trump first announced this last December, some saw it as a political move for domestic voters that would, nevertheless, […]
SAT-7 AUDIENCE IN IRAN AND AFGHANISTAN DOUBLES
15 May 2018 The launch of SAT-7’s Persian television channel on a second satellite has seen the overall number of viewers contacting the channel double within its first year, including a surge in responses from Afghans. On 15 May 2017, SAT-7 PARS significantly expanded its audience reach by launching on the Yahsat satellite and, in doing so, became the only […]
Lebanon: writing the Gospel in the landscape
Although rich in history and natural beauty, Lebanon’s countryside has been ravaged by war, unchecked development and poor stewardship of the land. But Christian-led environmental projects with local communities are restoring wetlands and creating green spaces that locals are proud of. Chris Naylor, Executive Director of environmental charity A Rocha, reports on a recent visit. History is written in the […]
“OUR PEOPLE” SPARKS VILLAGE EXCITEMENT
When a SAT-7 team invited villagers in Upper Egypt to take part in a teaching and worship programme, the response was overwhelming: almost the whole village turned out. Our People, which is airing on SAT-7 ARABIC, is a short creative programme in which poet and pastor Dr Shady George explains Jesus’ teachings through storytelling, poetry and song. The show was recorded in a predominantly Christian […]
The Briefing – April 2018
Syria again took centre-stage in the Middle East after a suspected chemical attack threatened to spark a wider international confrontation. On 7 April, a suspected chemical attack on Douma, the last rebel-held area in Eastern Ghouta, triggered the latest crisis in the conflict in Syria. After an intensified bombing campaign by Syrian and Russian forces, rebel groups had already […]
Uncovering the Middle East’s lost Christian history
A new SAT-7 ARABIC discussion show is revealing the important role Christians have played in building Arab societies and culture. With the input of guests from across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA), House of Wisdom raises awareness of the region’s Christian past and key historical figures, including poets, physicians, and scientists. The programme’s title comes from the name of a landmark academic […]
A year after Palm Sunday attacks, joy returns to Egypt
Lindsay Shaw reflects on a visit to Egypt over Eastern Palm Sunday Last Saturday I stood on the spot where 18 people lost their lives to a suicide bomb just one year ago. I was in the gateway of St Mark’s Coptic Cathedral in Alexandria, with local SAT-7 colleagues and three UK journalists. We had come to see SAT-7’s work […]
SAT-7 CELEBRATES NOROUZ WITH PERSIAN BELIEVERS AROUND THE WORLD
Today millions of Persians around the world will celebrate Norouz, the Persian New Year and the first day of spring. SAT-7 PARS is celebrating with a special Norouz programme aimed at connecting with Persians around the world. CONNECTING WITH ISOLATED BELIEVERS Norouz, which translates as ‘New Day’, is a special time for Persians to spend with family and friends, […]
THE BRIEFING – MARCH 2018
Spring is around the corner! On 21 March many Middle Eastern communities will mark the Norouz new year festival, an ancient day shared by many as the start of the Spring and a time of hope and renewal. Yet the region feels further from renewal than it was even a year ago. By the end of last year, we thought […]