SAT-7 is Christian satellite television by and for the People of the Middle East and North Africa. In a part of the world where religious freedom is often limited, a group of Middle Eastern Churches and other ministries saw and seized upon the opportunity when large numbers of people began watching satellite television. The appeal was that they wanted to receive news and other programming that was not censored by their governments. Since the satellite signal goes directly from the satellite in space to the receiver's dish, it cannot be censored.
Although satellite dishes were illegal at first, they became so popular that the governments generally just gave up trying to control them. At present, more than half of the people in the area have satellite television, and the numbers are growing. Satellite dishes can be seen on virtually every rooftop throughout the area.
In the Middle East, Christianity is often described as a "western" religion, although it started in the Middle East. SAT-7 breaks down that prejudice because virtually all of the faces and voices seen and heard on the network are from the Middle East and North Africa. Programs are produced in SAT-7 studios in Egypt, Lebanon, and Cyprus. For this reason, SAT-7 broadcasts are tremendously encouraging to Christians in the Middle East, where they are often an invisible minority. By watching SAT-7, they see that the churches in the Middle East are not invisible or powerless, as they may have thought. They receive sound Biblical teaching and encouragement in living a Christian life in a difficult situation. They worship with Christians of various Middle Eastern nations and across denominational lines. Many pastors of tiny congregations (some secret) have little, if any, theological education, but they receive sound teaching from SAT-7, which they can then pass on to their congregations.
Partners needed.
Although SAT-7 is by and for Middle Eastern Christians, partners in other parts of the world are needed to help SAT-7 expand and reach its full potential. There are many kinds of giving opportunities available – from broadcast time and program sponsorship, to donations of equipment and help with the purchase of land and construction of buildings. If you would like to receive more information about partnership opportunities please email usa@sat7.org or phone the U. S. office at 410-770-9804 or toll free at 1-866-744-SAT7 (7287).
Check out the new website http://www.sat7usa.org/
Wednesday, January 28, 2009
Saturday, January 10, 2009
Broadcasting Prayers of Peace for the Middle East
For more than a week, as bombs have fallen in Gaza and Israel tragically taking innocent lives, SAT-7 has encouraged its viewers to pray for peace. Shortly after the fighting intensified, SAT-7 began running a text crawl at the bottom of its screen asking viewers to intercede on behalf of those who were suffering. SAT-7 has also recorded prayers from Christian leaders and is broadcasting them continuously.
“What’s happening right now is particularly tragic for children in Gaza. In one of the prayers, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb of Bethlehem mentions seeking God as a refuge. More than 50% of the people living in Gaza are children or youth under the age of 17, but there is simply no place available for them as a refuge, other than in the Lord,” says Terence Ascott, SAT-7 CEO. “We feel that it’s important for our viewing audience to see that Christians are serious in believing that prayer can change situations, even ones as tragic and serious as that transpiring in Gaza and Israel today.”
The prayers, with recorded audio and an accompanying photo of the pastor, are from leaders of the Evangelical Church in Egypt and the Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. Three prayers are listed below:
· We pray to God for the women, children, and the elderly people in Gaza who are suffering from a lack of water, electricity and are under attack. We pray to God for real peace in this land and for freedom for the Palestinian people. We also pray for the politicians to have wisdom to seek peace not war. Christians in the West Bank pray day and night for the protection of the people of Gaza, Christians and Muslims, during these difficult moments. We ask our brothers across the world to join us in prayer. Jesus Christ by his death and resurrection changed this land from being a land of war to a land of good news. We pray that He will do the same today in Palestine and particularly in Gaza. God, you are our refuge and to you all the glory and power.
Rev. Dr. Mitri El RahebLutheran Church, Bethlehem
· As we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ (celebrated in Egypt today on January 7), instead of hearing hymns of peace we hear the sound of fighting in the Promised Land- the land of peace. We appeal to the conscience of both sides and to the global community and to all Peacemakers around the world to stop this bloodshed and save the lives of innocent children. May peace prevail in the land where Jesus was born and may they accept the words of the Savior of the world, who commanded us to make peace. He said, “blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called the Sons of God.” We pray this land will experience joy instead of tears.
Rev. Dr. Safwat El Baiady Head of the Evangelical Church in Egypt
· Dear God, as we celebrate Christmas, our brothers in Gaza are suffering. God hear our prayers today. You are the God of peace – You are the Lord of peace – You are the Peacemaker. God have mercy on us. We ask this of you not only as a church, but as a community of worldwide believers. Hear our prayers, for you are merciful and compassionate.
Rev. Dr. Sameh MauriceKas El Dobara Church in Egypt
(the largest Evangelical church in the Middle East)
Around 1,500 Arab Christians of several denominations live among the approximate 1.5 million people who inhabit the Gaza strip, though in recent times many have fled because of the increasing instability and violence.
“What’s happening right now is particularly tragic for children in Gaza. In one of the prayers, Rev. Dr. Mitri Raheb of Bethlehem mentions seeking God as a refuge. More than 50% of the people living in Gaza are children or youth under the age of 17, but there is simply no place available for them as a refuge, other than in the Lord,” says Terence Ascott, SAT-7 CEO. “We feel that it’s important for our viewing audience to see that Christians are serious in believing that prayer can change situations, even ones as tragic and serious as that transpiring in Gaza and Israel today.”
The prayers, with recorded audio and an accompanying photo of the pastor, are from leaders of the Evangelical Church in Egypt and the Lutheran Church in Bethlehem. Three prayers are listed below:
· We pray to God for the women, children, and the elderly people in Gaza who are suffering from a lack of water, electricity and are under attack. We pray to God for real peace in this land and for freedom for the Palestinian people. We also pray for the politicians to have wisdom to seek peace not war. Christians in the West Bank pray day and night for the protection of the people of Gaza, Christians and Muslims, during these difficult moments. We ask our brothers across the world to join us in prayer. Jesus Christ by his death and resurrection changed this land from being a land of war to a land of good news. We pray that He will do the same today in Palestine and particularly in Gaza. God, you are our refuge and to you all the glory and power.
Rev. Dr. Mitri El RahebLutheran Church, Bethlehem
· As we celebrate the birth of our Lord Jesus Christ (celebrated in Egypt today on January 7), instead of hearing hymns of peace we hear the sound of fighting in the Promised Land- the land of peace. We appeal to the conscience of both sides and to the global community and to all Peacemakers around the world to stop this bloodshed and save the lives of innocent children. May peace prevail in the land where Jesus was born and may they accept the words of the Savior of the world, who commanded us to make peace. He said, “blessed are the Peacemakers for they shall be called the Sons of God.” We pray this land will experience joy instead of tears.
Rev. Dr. Safwat El Baiady Head of the Evangelical Church in Egypt
· Dear God, as we celebrate Christmas, our brothers in Gaza are suffering. God hear our prayers today. You are the God of peace – You are the Lord of peace – You are the Peacemaker. God have mercy on us. We ask this of you not only as a church, but as a community of worldwide believers. Hear our prayers, for you are merciful and compassionate.
Rev. Dr. Sameh MauriceKas El Dobara Church in Egypt
(the largest Evangelical church in the Middle East)
Around 1,500 Arab Christians of several denominations live among the approximate 1.5 million people who inhabit the Gaza strip, though in recent times many have fled because of the increasing instability and violence.
Christmas Continues in the Middle East
SAT-7 provides special programming for Coptic and other Christians who celebrate Christ’s birth on January 7th.
Nicosia, Cyprus: The Christmas holidays may be over in much of the Western world, but for many Christians living in the Middle East, especially in Egypt, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th. This is due to a difference between the Western (Julian) calendar and the Eastern (Gregorian/Coptic) calendars. In 2003 Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak declared the date as a national holiday, not only for Christians, but for all Egyptians.
To reach and bless viewers who will be watching the channels throughout the extended Christmas season, SAT-7 ARABIC and SAT-7 KIDS will continue to broadcast special Christmas programs until January 7th. Programs airing on the channels include the first ever live program for children on SAT-7 KIDS. During this program, children from countries including Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Kuwait, the Gulf, and Iraq phoned to talk to the hosts live on air. The program also received many SMS messages from children living across the region.
The response was overwhelming says Naji, host of “The Naji Show” (a teaching program featuring science experiments), who also served as one of three hosts on the special live KIDS Christmas special. “We were amazed by the response. I wasn’t expecting that we would get so many people calling. The phones were ringing all the time and people were texting to say they couldn’t get through.” The KIDS team made the program fun, but also wanted to offer a Christian alternative to the usual holiday programming. “We had Santa come on later in the show, but he was upset. When we asked why, he said ‘because people have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. It’s not about me, but about Jesus and that he came for the salvation of all people.’ So the show helped our young viewers remember the true meaning of Christmas,” added Naji.”
The live SAT-7 KIDS Christmas special was delayed 45 minutes because of technical problems, but despite the delay it was hugely successful and more children called in to talk than the phone lines or on-air hosts could handle. SAT-7 KIDS producers say the learning experience will help them with plans to transmit many more live programs in 2009.
SAT-7 ARABIC also transmitted a live Christmas Eve service from the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, and will rebroadcast it, along with the live KIDS show later. Additionally, the channels are broadcasting numerous musicals, cartoons, films and original Christmas programs to help viewers understand the true meaning Christmas. Please Click Here to watch a live feed from the SAT-7 KIDS channel.
Nicosia, Cyprus: The Christmas holidays may be over in much of the Western world, but for many Christians living in the Middle East, especially in Egypt, Christmas is celebrated on January 7th. This is due to a difference between the Western (Julian) calendar and the Eastern (Gregorian/Coptic) calendars. In 2003 Egyptian President Hosni Mubarak declared the date as a national holiday, not only for Christians, but for all Egyptians.
To reach and bless viewers who will be watching the channels throughout the extended Christmas season, SAT-7 ARABIC and SAT-7 KIDS will continue to broadcast special Christmas programs until January 7th. Programs airing on the channels include the first ever live program for children on SAT-7 KIDS. During this program, children from countries including Egypt, Lebanon, Syria, Kuwait, the Gulf, and Iraq phoned to talk to the hosts live on air. The program also received many SMS messages from children living across the region.
The response was overwhelming says Naji, host of “The Naji Show” (a teaching program featuring science experiments), who also served as one of three hosts on the special live KIDS Christmas special. “We were amazed by the response. I wasn’t expecting that we would get so many people calling. The phones were ringing all the time and people were texting to say they couldn’t get through.” The KIDS team made the program fun, but also wanted to offer a Christian alternative to the usual holiday programming. “We had Santa come on later in the show, but he was upset. When we asked why, he said ‘because people have forgotten the true meaning of Christmas. It’s not about me, but about Jesus and that he came for the salvation of all people.’ So the show helped our young viewers remember the true meaning of Christmas,” added Naji.”
The live SAT-7 KIDS Christmas special was delayed 45 minutes because of technical problems, but despite the delay it was hugely successful and more children called in to talk than the phone lines or on-air hosts could handle. SAT-7 KIDS producers say the learning experience will help them with plans to transmit many more live programs in 2009.
SAT-7 ARABIC also transmitted a live Christmas Eve service from the Christmas Lutheran Church in Bethlehem, and will rebroadcast it, along with the live KIDS show later. Additionally, the channels are broadcasting numerous musicals, cartoons, films and original Christmas programs to help viewers understand the true meaning Christmas. Please Click Here to watch a live feed from the SAT-7 KIDS channel.
Christmas Present for Iran
“Sometimes people don’t want to use their names over the phone or in a text message, so I use their phone numbers instead when I pray,” says a SAT-7 PARS counselor. She adds, “One day I was talking to a woman who didn’t want to say her name, so I prayed, ‘Lord, please bless number 123, and lead her and help her. Lord, I know that you know her and that you want to touch her life.” This unique prayer style is just one example of how SAT-7 PARS is helping its viewers.
For the last two years, since it first launched on December 18, 2006, SAT-7 PARS has provided a satellite television platform for Iranian Christians to bring the Good News of Christ to their neighbors and help them build their own congregations.
Christians in Iran have limited access to Christian training materials, and satellite TV provides a means to bring inspirational, educational, and encouraging programs to young Christians who need support. “Your channel gives me hope, “said one viewer during a recent phone call. “When I watch SAT-7 PARS, I see I’m not alone. I see my brothers and sisters on your programs, and that gives me energy to go on.”
While Christians have lived in and around Iran for centuries, they currently make up less than 1% of the Iranian population, though their numbers are reported to be growing significantly. SAT-7 PARS offers a variety of programs for young people (around 60% of Iranians are under age 25), children, families and women. The channel also offers in-depth theological training and basic Christian discipleship programs which viewers say they desperately need.
In 2008, SAT-7 PARS experienced dramatic growth in both the volume of programs produced and responses. “The highlight of the year for me has been God’s faithfulness,” says Sara, SAT-7 PARS Executive Director. “We survived with only a small team and limited finances. And actually, we did more than survive; we saw the number of responses from viewers and the number of programs we produced more than double!”
To watch a live Internet stream of SAT-7 PARS programs click here: http://www.sat7.org/tv2/TV2_pars.html
For the last two years, since it first launched on December 18, 2006, SAT-7 PARS has provided a satellite television platform for Iranian Christians to bring the Good News of Christ to their neighbors and help them build their own congregations.
Christians in Iran have limited access to Christian training materials, and satellite TV provides a means to bring inspirational, educational, and encouraging programs to young Christians who need support. “Your channel gives me hope, “said one viewer during a recent phone call. “When I watch SAT-7 PARS, I see I’m not alone. I see my brothers and sisters on your programs, and that gives me energy to go on.”
While Christians have lived in and around Iran for centuries, they currently make up less than 1% of the Iranian population, though their numbers are reported to be growing significantly. SAT-7 PARS offers a variety of programs for young people (around 60% of Iranians are under age 25), children, families and women. The channel also offers in-depth theological training and basic Christian discipleship programs which viewers say they desperately need.
In 2008, SAT-7 PARS experienced dramatic growth in both the volume of programs produced and responses. “The highlight of the year for me has been God’s faithfulness,” says Sara, SAT-7 PARS Executive Director. “We survived with only a small team and limited finances. And actually, we did more than survive; we saw the number of responses from viewers and the number of programs we produced more than double!”
To watch a live Internet stream of SAT-7 PARS programs click here: http://www.sat7.org/tv2/TV2_pars.html
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