News
1,005 items in the archive.
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Advent: lift up your heads
Lebanon’s people are enduring the hardest period since their civil war and an estimated 78% have fallen into poverty. Into this hopelessness, Father Ramzi Jreij, host of Is it Important to Be Christian? , shares an encouragement from Jesus’ words about a time of great tribulation:
Fifteen years of ministry to the Persian world
“SAT-7 PARS has been impacting and changing people’s lives for 15 years,” says Panayiotis Keenan, Executive Director of SAT-7 PARS. “It is also a platform for viewers to express themselves to the world, and a voice for the voiceless, for those who have been silenced and isolated. With the enthusiasm, dedication, and determination of the team, I am positive that we will continue to make Gods love visible for many years to come.”
Advent: teaching the way
Renowned Egyptian apologist and theologian Dr Maher Samuel shares his love for teaching on SAT-7, and his prayer for the Middle Eastern Church:
Advent: the Coptic Orthodox Church
The Coptic Church in Egypt is one of the oldest Christian communities in the Middle East, said to have been founded by the apostle Mark.
Advent: reclaiming Christmas
There is often confusion in Turkey over the difference between Christmas and New Year’s Day, with the common misconception that they are the same celebration. Gülsüm of SAT-7 TÜRK shares her memories of celebrating New Year’s Day as a child in Istanbul in the eighties – and how the channel is now clearing up the confusion:
Advent: witnesses in the Land
The Middle East is a region marked by conflict. Archbishop Youssef Soueif, the Maronite Archbishop of Tripoli in Lebanon, calls on the Middle Eastern Church – and all of us – to embrace the opportunity to be Christ’s peacemakers in a broken world:
Advent: the Maronite Church
The Maronite Church is the largest denomination in Lebanon. Since it was founded by St Maroun in the fifth century, the indigenous Maronite Christians have remained faithful to Christ through invasion, occupation, war and persecution.
Advent: the scent of saffron
For one week in late autumn, the crocus fields of Iran turn pale purple, heralding the arrival of the saffron harvest. Per gram, the fragrant flower’s saffron threads are worth more than pure gold.
Advent: God’s gift to us
SAT-7 presenter Louise Mokhof left Iran 32 years ago, but still tirelessly ministers to the Iranian Church. Here, she reflects on the true meaning of Christmas – God’s gift to us:
Advent: working in the waiting
Since the Algerian authorities closed several churches in October 2019, Algerian Christians have been longing to meet together again. In this reflection, Algerian SAT-7 producer Salah Kessai shares his challenge to the Church – to pray for change, whilst actively working to bring God’s kingdom here and now:
Advent: the Assyrian Church of the East
In Isaiah 19:25, God promises to bless the Assyrians. Over 700 years later, soon after Jesus’ resurrection, some of the very first disciples and evangelists travelled east to preach the Good News in Assyria. And so the Church of the East was born.
Advent: with us in the war
“For to us a child is born, to us a son is given.” In the run-up to Christmas, these well-known words from Isaiah 9 will be spoken aloud in churches around the world. But what’s the story behind the prophesy? George Makeen, Director of SAT-7’s Arabic channels, explains the chaotic context into which God spoke His promise of hope:
Advent: your kingdom come
The Taliban’s swift takeover of Afghanistan earlier this year left the world reeling with shock and fear. In response, Afghan pastor and SAT-7 presenter Shoaib Ebadi turned to the Lord’s Prayer for his country and its Church. Today, simply join him in his prayer:
Pope Francis visit to Cyprus gives hope to refugees and churches
SAT-7 provided extensive live coverage of the recent Papal visit to Cyprus, sharing how it was an opportunity to promote the region’s refugee crises and the importance of collaboration between different Christian communities.
My school provides education to refugees in “hope” centres
A new partnership between SAT-7 ACADEMY and the Lebanese organisation Heart for Lebanon brings the primary education program My School to two centres for Syrian refugees. The HOPE Schooling project, which seeks to improve learning outcomes for children not in formal education, is already changing lives.
Advent: the lion of Judah
When the wait for justice and righteousness in the world seems unending, where do we turn? In her times of sadness, Hengameh Borji, Iranian presenter of SAT-7 women’s program Insiders , reminds herself of the ultimate kingship of Christ:
Advent: watching and learning
16-year-old Tia presents Chato , a comedy and drama programme on SAT-7’s children’s channel. She attends Kasr El-Dobara, a thriving evangelical church in Cairo’s city centre. Here, she shares her heart for SAT-7’s young viewers – that as they watch, they will truly understand Jesus’ love for them:
Advent: waiting for freedom
Many Iranians enjoy the festive season. In the capital, Tehran, Christmas trees can be seen decorating shops and windows, and Armenian and Assyrian believers have the freedom to hold Christmas services in their churches (read more on 5 and 12 December). But for most Iranian believers, celebrating Christmas in public is not an option.
Advent: Christmas in Beirut
Lebanese teenager Markus Kashouh is a popular YouTuber and presenter on SAT-7’s children’s channel. During an unrelentingly difficult time in Beirut, Markus shares what got him through – and his plans to reach out to his hurting city this Christmas:
Advent: the Armenian Church
Christianity is said to have been brought to Armenia by the apostles Bartholomew and Thaddeus in the first century. Today, Armenian churches can be found across the Middle East, particularly in Turkey and Iran.
Advent: building Bridges in Turkey
The Church in the Middle East is a complex mosaic of different Christian communities – and the relationships between them don’t always reflect the love and oneness of Christ. Here, SAT-7 TÜRK’s Annamaria Cedolin shares how the channel is working hard to bring the churches together and demonstrate unity to its viewers:
God’s hand at work in Afghanistan
“We can see that God is working in Afghanistan through the messages we receive from viewers, which often bring tears to our eyes,” shares Panayiotis Keenan, Executive Director of SAT-7 PARS. Amazingly, despite all they have faced since the Taliban takeover, SAT-7 PARS viewers are experiencing transformation in God.
Children show real-world impact of disability inclusion program
“When I watch City of Stars , I pray for the children with disabilities. If they were at my school, I would welcome them,” says a young Egyptian girl who watches the SAT-7 KIDS program that models disability inclusion. As the program produces its third season, viewer comments demonstrate its impact in a generally non-inclusive region.
Advent: a song of expectation
Even though He had been promised in Scripture, the people who lived before Jesus may have sometimes wondered if the Messiah really was on His way. Iranian Christian and SAT-7 Communications Officer Omeed Jouyandé reflects on his favourite Christmas song, and the nature of waiting for God’s promises: