The power of stories to attract audiences in the Middle East
By Rita El-Mounayer, SAT-7 International CEO
Jesus was undoubtedly a great storyteller. His parables captivated the attention of large crowds as he used metaphors and illustrations from people’s everyday experience to teach important spiritual truths.
In Matthew 13, we are told that the crowd was so large that Jesus got into a boat and addressed the people gathered on the shore. In this chapter, we hear some of Jesus’ most well-known stories, and verse 34 says: “He did not say anything to them without using a parable.”
The Middle East and North Africa (MENA) has a long tradition of oral storytelling, and we see this enduring love of stories in the popularity of drama and film in the region today. Stories are powerful because they get people’s undivided attention; they’re memorable; and they engage the emotions in a way that pure facts and information often do not.
As a media ministry creating content for a range of platforms, SAT-7 utilises storytelling in a variety of creative ways to engage viewers and point them to the love of God: from the courageous sharing of personal testimonies that encourage viewers in their faith; to animated children’s productions that bring biblical stories to life; and high-quality films and dramas that promote Christian values.
We provide a platform, too, for others to share their stories, especially young people. Hagar is a teenage girl from Syria who abandoned her hopes of becoming an actress during the country’s civil war. But after moving to Lebanon, she became involved in a SAT-7 KIDS gameshow, and the team discovered her skill for acting. We went on to make a moving short film about her childhood, the war in Syria, and how she found safety in Jesus. In the film, named Hagar, she beautifully depicts her journey from pain and loss to peace and faith in a story that brings hope and comfort to many other young people suffering in the region’s wars.
“Over the last year in particular, we have seen how powerful storytelling is opening up opportunities for us to reach wider audiences.”
REACHING DIFFERENT AUDIENCES
Over the last year in particular, we have seen how powerful storytelling is opening up opportunities for us to reach wider audiences, as several SAT-7 productions have been taken up by other media networks. Sharing our content in this way means taking our message to different viewers – people who would never think of tuning into SAT-7 to watch a live church service or Bible teaching programme.
SAT-7’s first feature-length film, Toxic, is now available on the in-flight playlists of five major Middle Eastern airlines: Emirates, Qatar Airways, Saudia, Kuwait Airways and Turkish Airlines. As tens of millions of travellers use these busy airlines, they can watch this thrilling film and experience its powerful message of forgiveness.
SAT-7 ARABIC’s drama series, For Your Eyes Only, will be shown on two other networks this year – LBCI (Lebanese Broadcasting Corporation International) and Alsumaria TV, an Iraqi satellite television channel. The drama was shown on SAT-7 last year and clearly made an impact on those watching: 67 per cent of viewers said they learned about humanity and 55 per cent felt inspired to accept those different from them1.
After watching SAT-7 drama series For Your Eyes Only:
67% of viewers said they learned about humanity
55% felt inspired to accept those different from them
A number of SAT-7 films have been screened at and also received acclaim from international festivals. Yakamoz, SAT-7 TÜRK’s historical feature film about the population exchange between Türkiye and Greece, has won several awards. Perhaps God Sees Me, which tells a powerful and moving story of overcoming mental health issues and finding self-worth, won the Best Humanitarian Short Film Award at the Alexandria International Film Festival for Mediterranean Countries in October.
“We must pray for those watching SAT-7’s content, whether on our own channels or on other networks, that the Holy Spirit will open their heart to the message and stir them to respond.”
EARS TO HEAR
While it is wonderful to see SAT-7 productions reaching wider audiences and winning awards, this is not an end in itself. Many people among the large crowds who heard Jesus’ parables did not understand His message – only those with eyes to see and ears to hear. And so we must pray for those watching SAT-7’s content, whether on our own channels or on other networks, that the Holy Spirit will open their heart to the message and stir them to respond.
After watching a short film on SAT-7 KIDS called Adonai, in which a group of children have a life-changing encounter with Jesus during a forest adventure, one young viewer said: “I was so touched when I saw the kids sitting with Jesus. I felt that I wanted to meet Jesus, sit with him, and talk with him.”
May many viewers across the MENA want to meet Jesus as they encounter Him through SAT-7 productions this year. And may we all have opportunities to share our own stories to encourage others and testify to the goodness of God in our lives.
GIVE
Your gifts are helping us tell a new story in the Middle East – a story of God’s faithfulness, love and joy. Could you give an extra gift today to support SAT-7’s broadcasts? £27 supports one hour of powerful, faith-filled broadcasting on SAT-7, enabling millions across the region to watch powerful productions like Adonai and For Your Eyes Only. You can make a donation here. Thank you.