When SAT-7 first launched in 1996, a Christian viewer in Egypt was so startled to see an Arab presenter wearing a cross on TV, he called the channel straight away. “Mish Ma’oul! This is unbelievable!” he said. For more than 21 years, SAT-7 has been committed to being a voice for Christians and for many others who often go unheard in the Middle East and North Africa.
Since those first days, SAT-7 has given the region’s Christians the ability to go out from behind church walls (the only place where many MENA states legally permit them to teach and preach) to share God’s love wherever people live and are watching.
It also enables them to speak up for the equal value of women and children in patriarchal societies, to give support to people with disabilities in countries where disability is often associated with shame, and to promote dialogue and reconciliation across divided communities.
Parents sometimes don’t give children a voice to explain that ‘I need to be respected; I need to be cared for; I need to be talked to in a positive manner and I will listen.’
“For 800 years Christianity was destroyed in Afghanistan. Now the church is growing rapidly. From a handful of Christians 20 years ago, today we have thousands. Afghanistan doesn’t permit official churches. They meet in pockets of small groups and most are under 25 years old. They are the hope of the country that they will build the church.”
An array of programmes for women seeks to show them their God-given value. Semsa Deniz, presenter of Homemade, says, “the correct image of a normal Christian woman does not exist in Turkey. This programme wants to show a modern but ethically strong Turkish Christian woman.” Programmes like Insiders for viewers in Iran, Needle and Thread and Start from Here for Arabic speakers do a similar job of inspiring women and grappling with the challenges they face – from pressure to marry to domestic abuse.
SAT-7 has tackled the burden of stigma attached to disability in various ways, from a game show where able and disabled children competed together through to Obstacle Overcomers, a series that counters negative stereotypes by telling the stories and achievements of individuals with a range of impairments.
Programmes like Arabic current affairs show Bridges frequently spotlight cases of discrimination and persecution of Christian believers. But the show also invites representatives of different churches and faiths and various political and civil society leaders to offer a range of perspectives so that viewers can be better informed. The SAT-7 TÜRK Haber news programme is a unique TV news service for Turkish viewers, sharing worldwide news from the Body of Christ.
“I see no hope for the future of our people if they are dependent on the frivolous youth of today.” The grumpy words of Hesiod, a Greek poet of the 8th century BC, show that the generation gap is nothing new and, most likely, belongs to all cultures. But in the Arab cultures of the Middle East and North Africa, where […]
For most of her life, Iranian viewer Yasimin* lived in fear of God and death. Her life changed forever after witnessing a miraculous transformation in her niece’s life. Now, through SAT-7 PARS, Yasimin and her family are growing in their faith daily. “No amount of fasting or prayer dispelled my fear of God and death.” Yasimin remembers. “When I prayed […]
10 July 2018 A recent viewer survey by Christian satellite and digital TV channel SAT-7 produced hundreds of viewer testimonies, demonstrating how SAT-7 is changing perceptions towards Christianity and providing valuable support for believers across the Middle East and North Africa (MENA). Over 5,000 people responded to an online viewer survey[1], which was promoted on social media and on three […]
People are coming to faith in Iran in larger numbers than ever before. But sadly, a lack of Christian teaching, combined with the isolation that many new Iranian believers face, causes many to fall away. SAT-7 PARS show Question Mark seeks to support new believers in these critical early stages of their journey. The 90-minute live show is entirely dedicated […]
SAT-7 UK has launched an online video portal featuring a wealth of Arabic and Farsi programme clips to help those who are working with people from the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) in their local communities. The video clips are presented by Arab and Iranian theologians and answer some fundamental questions of the Christian faith, such as, “Who is […]
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 […]
As this year’s World Refugee Day arrives (20 June), the Middle East retains the unenviable record of being both source and host of the largest number of displaced people in the world. But amidst their hardships, large numbers of refugees who have been shown practical love by Christians are finding a new relationship with God. In Greater Amman, Jordan, SAT-7 […]
Children affected by conflict in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) can feel miserably lonely and vulnerable. With Family of Jesus, a new live prayer and worship show, SAT-7 KIDS shows these and other isolated young people that with Christ, they never have to be alone. Across the MENA, childhoods are in crisis. Conflicts in Yemen, Syria, and Iraq […]
Live calls to SAT-7 children’s shows are usually to answer quiz questions or to participate in games and contests. But David, a ten-year-old Iranian boy, called in to Persian kid’s show Golpand to pray for SAT-7 and its staff. David and his family are currently living in Turkey – the decision on their asylum claim is pending. Following Jesus while living […]
