THE BRIEFING – FEBRUARY 2020
February 2020War and peace have been the dominant themes of the Middle East this month. Iran and the United States stepped back from a major confrontation, and a much-delayed US peace plan was unveiled for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. But Syria’s suffering has continued, and there are risks of a new front opening up after clashes between Syria and Turkey. Since 2018, […]
Lebanon crisis and the Church as priesthood
February 2020Since the start of nationwide protests last autumn, Lebanon has entered a new and uncertain chapter. Elie Haddad, President of the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beirut, highlights the biblical model of priesthood as the key to how Christians should respond in an uncomfortable time for all Lebanese including believers. We have been living through an uprising in Lebanon since […]
Sudan: of the people by the people for the people
New government heralds an epoch of change After popular protests removed President Omar al-Bashir last year, Sudan has been engaged in a three-year transition towards democracry. Teresa Sfeir, who lectures at the Arab Baptist Theological Seminary in Beirut, examines the progress made and the significant challenges still to be overcome. The people of Sudan refused to back down this time. […]
ALGERIA: “THEY CAME WITH GUNS, BUT WE TOLD THEM ABOUT JESUS”
February 2020When armed authorities came to close down Riki Church in north-eastern Algeria, they were met with the peace of Christ. In a new SAT-7 documentary, Riki Church’s leader and other Algerian pastors speak out, sharing their stories of injustice and how believers are standing for their rights while remaining peacemakers in their communities. “Three cars showed up here with men […]
Immanuel, God is With Us: A Testimony
January 2020He was born in Iran. His parents were not Christians. He grew up in a time when persecution was hitting the Iranian Church hard. So how did Reza Jafari (below) become the presenter of new SAT-7 PARS show Signal, which inspires and encourages so many Christians? In one word: Immanuel. “I’d never heard or known anything about Christianity or other […]
Curious About Christianity?
Questions about faith, requests for Bibles, and messages of thanks and encouragement make up most of the feedback SAT-7 TÜRK receives from its viewers. Surprisingly, however, many of these come from non-Christians. Since it began broadcasting, SAT-7 TÜRK has been providing its viewers with reliable and accurate information about Christianity, and this is being acknowledged by its viewers. “I’m not […]
Little Girl’s Favourite Show Changes Family
Hovan* grew up in a strict religious environment in Iran, but he never believed in God. It was only when his daughter started watching a children’s show on SAT-7 PARS that Hovan became curious about Christianity. “I grew up learning about religion, but I just couldn’t accept it in my heart,” Hovan remembers. “I wanted to avoid religious events, and […]
Healing is a Miraculous Work of Art
At SAT-7, we receive many testimonies. To hear of how SAT-7 has played a part in people’s journeys is always a privilege, but it is clear that God is at work in people’s lives long before they encounter our channels. Soroush*, a SAT-7 viewer from Iran, recently told us his incredible story, which begins with his discovering a piece of […]