Stories
313 items in the archive.
2021 30 items
A letter to the world from an Afghan girl
“Is this life? Is this humanity?” pleads Armineh*, a young Afghan girl, in a heartbreaking open letter sent to SAT-7 PARS. Living under the Taliban, Armineh speaks of how “this is the end of all my dreams” and calls for the world to hear her voice.
Breaking down Lebanon’s “transparent walls”
“One activity after another broke down our transparent walls,” says Marie-Belle Milan, a 19-year-old participant in the project Lebanon: Our Story . As crisis-hit Lebanon waits on a knife-edge to see if its newly confirmed government can offer hope, this project has begun its first Storytelling Clubs, bringing together youth from different backgrounds to create change from the ground up. Here is Marie-Belle’s experience in her own words.
How does God work when we are at rock bottom?
Maged Shafik’s life was once so full of danger and darkness that he was the target of attempted murder three times. Today, he is a well-known worship leader in Egypt, a man of peace and faith. To encourage the many SAT-7 ARABIC viewers, from Lebanon to Yemen, who feel they are at rock bottom, Maged shared his testimony on the worship program Keep on Singing .
Setting Iranian children on the right path
“Thank you for telling these [Bible] stories to our kids so they can find the right path in life,” says Zohreh *, an Iranian Christian mother whose daughter watches SAT-7 PARS. As we hear the family’s story, Presenter Parastoo Poortaheri and Audience Relations team member Rahel * share how the channel guides young people on their life journeys.
Urgent prayer needed for “terrified” Christians in Afghanistan
SAT-7 calls for urgent prayer for Afghanistan , especially for Christians who fear torture and execution and are asking fellow believers to be their voice . “People are terrified , everyone is afraid ,” one Christian girl says . “ I am only 16 years old and cannot take what is happening around me. I’m crying out to God right now . ”
Isolated believers: Iran
“Regarding our circumstances, we have nothing, yet we thank God,” says Laleh *, who lives in a remote village in Iran. “I am content because we live with God and have peace.” During our Open Studios events, we heard Laleh’s story – and how SAT-7 PARS is a lifeline for isolated believers who follow Christ amid extreme difficulty.
SAT-7 calls for prayer as Afghan Christians fear the future
“Our friends, our brothers and sisters in Christ in Afghanistan, are telling us how afraid they are – that their lives will be snuffed out. It is a very dire situation,” says Mikael Tunér, a SAT-7 PARS Partner. Following the shocking Taliban takeover, SAT-7 calls for prayer as the channel responds with intercession and special programming to support viewers.
Pray for Afghanistan as fighting intensifies
SAT-7 appeals for prayer as tens of t housands of Afghan families attempt to escape the fighting between the insurgents and Afghan military , currently liv ing in fear of what a return to Taliban control after 20 years might mean in their districts and cities.
Bereaved mother shares her testimony of forgiveness
Sereen* from Lebanon, whose daughter was tragically killed, shared her brave and powerful story on SAT-7 ARABIC programme Spiritual Evening . Presented by two well-known Lebanese figures with their own amazing stories of transformation, the show offers Christ’s hope to large audiences through testimonies and worship music.
Courage, faith, and hope from families at the Beirut blast site one year on
Families from across the city who lost loved ones share how the blast changed their families forever, as well as inspirational messages of resurrection and hope for all in Beirut one year on from the devastating explosion.
From presenter and viewer to friends and sisters
Mariam used to present SAT-7 PARS ’ children’s program Golpand in Cyprus. During her time as presenter, she developed a strong friendship with Anousheh, a 12-year-old girl living in Iran. Through this friendship, Mariam shares how she was able to help Anousheh through a very challenging time.
Isolated believers: North Africa
“As Christians, we always felt few and lonely. Now, as part of the SAT-7 family, we are excited to support the growth of the Church and its ability to witness to Christ,” shares Samia Kessai , SAT-7 Producer and Presenter in Algeria. Samia joined Open Studios along with her husband Salah and Pastor Moez Mediouni from Tunisia.
A viewer’s life transformed: Maya’s story
Mariannne Awaraji Daou , Arabic Audience Relations Manager, shares the story of a viewer whose life has been changed . We are telling “ Maya’s ” story here with her permission, and with her name changed to protect her identity.
Guiding viewers on their journey
As part of the digital transformation of SAT-7’s Arabic media, both our social media and our Audience Relations departments are making a vital shift. Once, both acted only as support functions for SAT-7’s satellite broadcasts. While they will continue to do this, they are now also becoming platforms for God’s love in their own right – platforms that interact seamlessly to support viewers on their journey.
SAT-7 PLUS: God’s love made accessible
SAT-7 is once again pioneering in the Middle East and North Africa. SAT-7 PLUS, the region’s first on-demand streaming service of Christian content, launched in early 2021. Antoine Karam, Broadcast and IT Director, shares how this platform is a key element of SAT-7’s digital transformation.
Nurturing new branches of SAT-7’s ministry
Jan Ørskov , SAT-7’s Chief Operations Officer, joined the ministry in January 2020. After an extraordinary first 18 months , in which crisis propelled innovation and great faith was required, he shares how SAT-7’s operations are evolving as the ministry turns 25.
Leading the way after 25 years of serving SAT-7
Twenty-five years ago, Rita El- Mounayer was standing at a crossroads, unsure where God was calling her. In this special reflection, SAT-7’s CEO remembers how a chance encounter with Dr Terence Ascott and his team from SAT-7 opened a door –– a door she was hesitant to walk through, but one that led to a rich journey o f service and faith.
Growing up with SAT-7
In a message on the 25th anniversary of the channel, a woman shared a personal message of her lifelong journey and long-term relationship with SAT-7.
Gods encouragement through the Holy Spirit
Maggie Morgan, a creative film director who partners with SAT-7, has produced a culturally pioneering project to help Arab viewers feel seen, connected, and understood when dealing with difficult emotions.
Afghan presenter speaks of fear and hope as troops withdraw
Afghan pastor and presenter Shoaib Ebadi shares how locals fear the impact on their safety and human rights as the United States and NATO forces withdraw from Afghanistan. Despite this, Pastor Shoaib is heartened by his faith and by the strength of Afghanistan’s young people – and he calls for unity at this crucial moment.
The cry for women’s legal rights in Turkey
As thousands of women in Turkey prepare to protest the country’s formal exit on July 1 from the Istanbul C onvention , an international treaty to prevent violence against women, G ü ls ü m I., Deputy Executive Director of SAT-7 T Ü RK , s hares how the channel supports women to know their legal rights to protection from domestic abuse.
World Refugee Day: Iranian Christians “in exile”
“Iranian Christian refugees feel they are living in exile,” says Reza Jafari, Presenter of the SAT-7 PARS live program Signal . In this blog written for World R efugee D ay (20 June) , Reza shares how the challenges Iranian Christians face do not end when they leave I ran , and how SAT-7 PARS is a lifeline to them.
Syrian boy: SAT-7 Worship songs helped me during kidnapping
Jad*, a 17-year-old Syrian boy, called in to SAT-7 KIDS to tell his favourite presenter how much the channel’s programs mean to him. When he was displaced and kidnapped by militants in 2015, Jad says, recalling songs from a sing-along worship show brought him comfort.
Exposing mothers' lack of legal protection: Samira's story
For five years and six months, Samira* shares, she was separated from her two young children with no recourse to see them or fight for custody. A recent episode of SAT-7 ARABIC’s You are Not Alone tells Samira’s story and highlights the lack of legal protections that can leave Middle Eastern women, and their children, very vulnerable.