Christian TV network SAT-7 is thrilled to welcome His Eminence Archbishop Angaelos of the Coptic Orthodox Church as the new Chairman of its International Council and Executive Board.
Archbishop Angaelos replaces Revd Dr Habib Badr, Senior Pastor of the National Evangelical Church of Beirut, who stepped down from the role in April 2019.
SAT-7 is also excited to welcome another new member of the council, Dr Martin Accad, Chief Academic Officer of the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary and Founder and Director of the Institute of Middle East Studies in Beirut.
SAT-7’s International Council is made up of around 30 members, and aims to be representative of the Church across the Middle East and North Africa.
Advocate for religious freedom
In November 2017, Bishop Angaelos became the first Coptic Orthodox Archbishop of London, having served as General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the United Kingdom since 1999.
SAT-7’s new Chairman is recognised internationally as an advocate for religious freedom and development and chairs numerous UK-based and international groups working in these areas. He has a pastoral ministry spanning more than two decades and specialises in youth ministry, speaking at youth conventions around the world.
Archbishop Angaelos was awarded an OBE by her Majesty the Queen for “Services to International Religious Freedom” and has been conferred the Lambeth Cross for Ecumenism by the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Coventry Cross of Nails for Reconciliation.
“We are so happy to have Archbishop Angaelos as the new Chairman of our Council,” said SAT-7 CEO Rita El-Mounayer. “His experience, background and dedication to God’s purpose will bring so much to the leadership of SAT-7.”
“It is a privilege to be more centrally involved with this organisation,” said Archbishop Angaelos. “This ministry has touched the lives of millions across the Middle East and North Africa by endeavouring to faithfully portray the image of our living and risen Lord at times of great challenge in our world.
“I pray SAT-7 continues to grow, and that I may, in some small way, be able to assist in its ongoing work and impact,” he added.
Positive transformation
Dr Martin Accad is widely known as a thought leader on Christian witness and peacebuilding in a majority Muslim region.
He said: “As someone whose life vocation is to bring about positive transformation in thinking and practice between Christians and Muslims in the Middle East and beyond, I feel both thrilled and privileged to join SAT-7’s International Council.
“The uniqueness of SAT-7 is its positive and hopeful representation of Christianity and the life of the Church in the Arab world. As such, SAT-7 is a much-needed prophetic voice that encourages the church to follow its calling to live out according to the values and example of Jesus.
“There are few comparable voices to SAT-7’s, that work for peace and the common good of our communities and societies.”
24 years of service
The outgoing Chairman, Dr Habib Badr, joined SAT-7’s International Board in 1995 and served as Chairman of the SAT-7 Executive Board since 1997. In these roles he oversaw SAT-7’s activities since its first broadcasts in 1996, when SAT-7 consisted of just one channel broadcasting in Arabic for two hours a week, until today where SAT-7 broadcasts on four channels 24/7.
“We are so grateful to Dr Habib for his dedication to SAT-7 all these years,” shares Rita El-Mounayer. “His wisdom and support have played a key role in the direction and growth of the ministry.”
About SAT-7
Launched in 1996, with its international headquarters in Cyprus, SAT-7 broadcasts Christian and educational satellite television services to an audience of at least 25 million people in the Middle East and North Africa. Its mission is to make the Gospel available to all, and to support the Church in its life, work and witness for Christ. SAT-7 broadcasts four different 24/7 programme schedules, in Arabic, Farsi (Persian), and Turkish using multiple satellite channels and on-line services.