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