As World Cup fever lightens the mood in many Middle East nations, Turkey races towards historic elections and Yemen faces a new crisis, but Algerian Christians are giving thanks after several churches closed in a government crackdown were reopened. In Turkey, the nation is in the last week of campaigning before historic elections on 24 June. Citizens will vote both […]
THE BRIEFING – JUNE 2018
ALGERIAN CHURCH REOPENS AFTER POLICE CLOSURE
PRAYERS ANSWERED! After seven months of closure, in June 2018, the authorities finally opened the church in Aïn Turk! Praise the Lord! SAT-7 friends and producers in Algeria had asked for prayer after their church was closed by the local authorities. The church in Aïn Turk, near the north-western town of Oran, was sealed off in late 2017 by police, […]
A changed life and a reborn church in Antalya
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 […]
Iraqi refugees “closer to God” after fleeing terror
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 […]
Being God’s family to lonely children
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 […]
Young Iranian Asylum Seeker Prays for SAT-7
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 […]
Iranian children draw their dreams for SAT-7 PARS
SAT-7 PARS children’s programme A Girl’s World recently asked children to share their hopes and dreams in pictures. The drawings give a fascinating insight into the lives of Persian-speaking children and the challenges they face. “I dream about a world with happiness for kids and their parents, a world without war, hunger, and without any fears for all children,” one young girl wrote […]
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 […]