SAT-7 has a new international CEO! Rita El-Mounayer assumed the role on 1 April, taking over from Dr Terence Ascott. Dr Ascott will continue to serve in a new role, as Founder and President of SAT-7.
“SAT-7 is a unique ministry – reaching so many people in the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) who have no other way of learning about God’s love. I feel honoured to have been asked to lead it,” Rita says.
“My prayer is that we will continue to see God’s message change people’s lives and we will help to bring about positive change in our region.”
Rita has been with SAT-7 since the very beginning. Born in Lebanon, she was the first presenter to brave being on-screen in 1996, when SAT-7 broadcast just a two-hour weekly Arabic programme.
“These past 23 years have been a great journey as I witnessed and met people whose lives were changed because of the programmes SAT-7 produces,” Rita says.
Empowering others
The appointment of a female CEO as leader of a media organisation is extremely unusual in the Middle East and North Africa and reflects SAT-7’s commitment to empowering women and encouraging all people to reach their God-given potential.
“I pray that, with my new role as CEO, I will empower, encourage, and motivate people around me, as each of them can become the kind of great leader that the next decades will require,” Rita adds.
Looking to the future
Dr Terence Ascott endorsed Rita, saying, “It has been exciting to see how far Rita has come since the early days when she scripted, produced, and presented SAT-7’s first children’s programmes. She has always been a quick learner, keen to study, read widely and develop herself… I really believe that she is going to be exceptional in the role of CEO.”
As Rita starts out in her new role, Dr Ascott will make himself available to her for any requested guidance and support. He will also continue to travel and represent SAT-7 internationally. “I also aim to do more writing, hopefully including a book about the first 25 years of the ministry,” he adds.
PRAY
- Pray for God’s guidance and wisdom for Rita El-Mounayer in her new role. Pray, as Rita asks, that she will “empower, encourage and motivate” the people around her and lead SAT-7 well.
- Thank God for Dr Ascott’s leadership of SAT-7 for the past 23 years. Pray that he will know God’s peace as he adjusts to this new chapter of his life.
- Praise God for SAT-7’s growth – from a weekly Arabic-language programme, to broadcasting 24/7 across 4 channels in 3 languages to 25 million people!
