Aim for a bright future
SAT-7 TÜRK’s brand-new Careers programme inspires teenagers to aim for a bright future. At a challenging time for Turkey, the show is helping viewers to thrive, not only in their spiritual lives but also in the workplace.
Unemployment in Turkey has risen by 1.6 per cent in the past year, marking a seven-year high. Turkey is also home to three million refugees. The UN has praised the country’s efforts to host refugees and help them integrate into society. However, this endeavour throws up practical challenges, particularly in the workforce. With more people willing to work for less money, lower job availability is ultimately increasing unemployment. Many young people in Turkey, on the brink of finishing education and beginning their careers, are wondering what options are open to them. Careers supports them by preparing them for what to expect from working life.
Inspiring the young viewers is presenter Mehmet Ahif Kum, a well-known businessman. “Christians should not only be successful in their walks of faith, but also in their careers,” he says. Kum has vast business experience as a member of the UN’s Chamber of Commerce, author of two books on personal development and management, and a columnist for Bloomberg magazine. After becoming aware of SAT-7 TÜRK, Kum pitched the idea of the program to the production team. “The channel has not approached working life from this angle before,” he says. “With my background and experience, I want to encourage youth and prepare them for what to expect at the beginning of their careers.”
Twenty episodes have been planned, but it has been a challenge to find successful Turkish Christians willing to speak openly on television. Nevertheless, production has been in full swing since early May. Kum recently filmed an episode with Nükhet Everi, a professional in the tourism industry who enjoys educating both locals and tourists about Christian sites in Turkey. “Featuring a variety of successful guests inspires our young audience to dream big, and to stand firm in their faith while pursuing their careers,” says Programming Manager, Cuneyt Arıkan. “God will provide the right guests to speak into our viewers’ lives.”
Pray
- Pray for young people in Turkey who are feeling demoralised at not being able to find work. Ask that the stories of successful Christians would inspire young people to “dream big and stand firm in their faith”.
- Give thanks for the initiative of Mehmut Ahif Khan to use his experience to inspire others. Please continue to pray for the recruitment of gifted Christian presenters and staff for SAT-7 TÜRK.
- Ask that more successful Christian business people would be willing to share their stories on SAT-7. Give thanks that SAT-7 TURK is able to provide such a positive witness for Christianity in Turkey.
- Pray for Turkey as a whole as its infrastructure struggles to meet the needs of large numbers of refugees.
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40 foxes in my head
The name of this long-running programme comes from a Turkish saying, “40 foxes have been racing in his mind”, meaning that a person has many ideas in their mind at once. Young people everywhere will find this feeling familiar! The presenters raise questions on topics such as student life, relationships and entertainment.
Worship and Devotional Programmes
For millions of isolated Christians, SAT-7 worship programmes and broadcasts from church services are a lifeline that enables them to be part of a worshipping community and the much wider Body of Christ. Seekers, too, can safely learn what Christians believe and start to grasp what a relationship with God through Christ might be like.
Current affairs programmes
SAT-7’s current affairs programmes provide vulnerable Christians in the Middle East and North Africa with a vital means of engagement. By giving a Christian point of view on the big issues of the day, these programmes encourage believers to move from the margins of society and become active citizens.
Stories in the Sand
An innovative programme on SAT-7 KIDS tells Bible stories using the creative talents of Egypt’s first sand artist. In Stories in the Sand (in Arabic, “Ramleya fi Hekaya”), artist Michael Romany brings parables to life as he pours sand through his fingers and paints moving images on an uplit, glass table.