SAT-7 calls UK Christians to discover joy alongside Middle East believers
A bold new campaign being launched by Christian broadcaster SAT-7 next week will invite UK believers to see the Middle East through new eyes.
“It’s time to see beyond despair,” says SAT-7 UK Executive Director, Rachel Fadipe.
“Conflict, poverty and persecution. These are the words we probably associate with the Middle East. But Christians across the region refuse to bow to negativity. They have so much to teach us.”
The Choose Joy campaign will launch at the New Wine festival, East of England Showground, Peterborough next week with messages reinforcing the campaign aired on Premier Radio across the next 12 months. It will issue an invitation to UK Christians to stand with their fellow believers in the Middle East and North Africa – around 20 million* of the 550 million inhabitants- and choose joy.
Choose Joy will do this by sharing the powerful stories of Christians from Iran, Syria, Egypt, Turkey and many of the 20 other countries where SAT-7’s locally produced satellite television programmes bring joy to hard-pressed believers.
UK Christians who join the campaign will receive a free Joy in the Midst photobook containing inspiring true stories and photography. Along with regular updates, this will lift the lid on how SAT-7’s programmes help the millions who watch to discover joy and hold confidently to their faith.
“Amidst insecurity, poverty and much else, Middle East people look for joy in their everyday lives,” Rachel Fadipe says. “As we hear their stories, we can join them in caring, praying and giving. We can reach across to the Middle East with the message of God’s love.”
The benefits are two-way, she adds: “We can learn to look at our own challenges, though smaller in comparison, through eyes of faith. Think of how our own lives can be different if we too take a stand for joy.”
Details on how to join the campaign can be found at www.sat7uk.org/joy
Choose Joy will launch at SAT-7’s pop-up studio at stand 7 in the New Wine exhibition area from Saturday 27 July. Two seminars “Witness despair – Choose joy” will be held on Friday 2 August (2.30 pm) and Tuesday 6 August (2.30 pm) in the Showcase. Members of SAT-7’s UK and Persian-language team will be at the stand during both weeks of New Wine (27 July-2 August; 4-10 August)
*World Christian Database, 2018
