SAT-7 News and Prayer Diary February 2010
An Anchor in Stormy Times
The news isn’t good in the Middle East at the beginning of 2010: Arab Christians in Iraq and Egypt were attacked and several were killed as they left a church service on Christmas Eve, in Iran political unrest continues unabated, and in the Palestinian areas instability and economic suffering threaten the very existence of the Christian community in Bethlehem, the city of Christ’s birth.  Despite these discouraging reports, we know that all Christians “…who have fled to take hold of the hope offered to us may be greatly encouraged. We have this hope as an anchor for the soul, firm and secure.” Hebrews 6:18, 19. As followers of Christ, we can be comforted by this anchor, which is firm and secure, and is Christ himself. Thank you for helping SAT-7 introduce so many viewers to “the anchor” so they may know His peace during these difficult days. We at SAT-7 are also forced to hold on to our anchor during these challenging economic times. We recently had to cut back on programme production and to lay off some of our staff. But with your on-going prayers and financial support we will be able to broadcast hope to the hopeless living in the Middle East and North Africa throughout 2010. With sincere thanks,
Terence Ascott
SAT-7 CEO
First-Ever 'Daily -Live' Show Being Planned
In 2009 SAT-7 ARABIC created and broadcast more live programmes than ever before—and by the end of the year the channel aired two live shows every Thursday, one on Saturday, and one on Sunday. These shows proved to be very popular with viewers, enabling them to ask questions and receive answers directly and immediately from their favourite hosts.
 Now SAT-7 ARABIC is in the early stages of planning its first ever 'daily-live' programme. It will take the format of a 'magazine' style show, with many kinds of segments—for women, youth, etc. The new programme will take the place of several existing shows, enabling SAT-7 to both save money and provide an exciting new, interactive format for our viewers.
SAT-7 ARABIC recent viewers' comments:
"I am not a Christian but I would like to tell you that there are millions who are watching your programmes. I would like to suggest you teach us the basics of Christianity." - A man in Saudi Arabia.
"I would like to thank SAT-7 for being part of my life. You have been a great help and support to me. Thank you for your prayers when my mother died. I felt the Holy Spirit comforting me as you were praying for me. Thank you also for praying for my son and for my fears. May the Lord bless you and use you more for helping millions." - A woman in Egypt
Prayer points:
- Praise God for all the live shows that SAT-7 ARABIC was able to broadcast in 2009 and for the impact they had on viewers.
- Pray for the channel's plans to broadcast its first ever daily live show. Pray that the Holy Spirit will give wisdom to the producers working to create this show and that it will be ready by March.
- Pray for the protection of Christians all over the Middle East and North Africa as they attend church services, and, for those who are unable to attend a church, that they will find encouragement and teaching through the live church service that is broadcast every Sunday.
- Praise God that viewers in Saudi Arabia are able to watch SAT-7's programmes - pray that many will come to a saving faith in Jesus
 First 'Live' Programmes a Success!
SAT-7 PARS has followed in the footsteps of the successful 'live' programmes on SAT-7 ARABIC and in December broadcast its first ever 'live' programmes. These three shows were very well received. PARS is now broadcasting a live hour-long programme every Thursday evening, and each Thursday they receive many phone calls. Producers are hoping they can expand to two nights a week by March.
Responses during the live programme:
A lady called us during our live show and said: “I really like your programmes. Thank you for SAT-7 PARS channel. Can you please pray for my daughter who is seriously ill.” We prayed for her and her daughter at the end of our programme.
A man called from Shooshter, Iran and said: “Thank you for your programmes. Can you please pray for me as I have financial and family problems and I am feeling hopeless.” We also prayed for him at the end of our programme.
Other responses to SAT-7 PARS programmes:
A man sent us an e-mail from Iran saying: “Thank you for SAT-7 PARS programmes. I like all your programmes and especially the teachings as you are our only source of Christian learning. I attach a list of my questions so you can forward them to your teachers. Thank you.”
A man from Tehran sent us an e-mail saying: “Thank you for your nice programmes. And a big thank you to the entire SAT-7 PARS team who always encourage me through their e-mails. I would like to ask you to pray for my spiritual growth in Christianity. I want to be filled with the Holy Spirit. I also want to ask you to pray for that I would find the right woman to marry.” - A man in Tehran
Prayer points:
- Praise God that PARS' first live programme went out without any technical hitches and for the impact it had on viewers.
- Pray for the live programme that is broadcast every Thursday and especially that the presenters will have wisdom in answering viewers' questions.
- Pray for the resources to expand the live programme to two nights a week by March.
- Pray for the millions in Iran and Afghanistan, particularly young people,who feel their lives are hopeless and have turned to drink and drugs. Pray that SAT-7 PARS' progammes will give them the hope they are looking for and that they will find salvation in Jesus
New On-Air Slogan: 'Where Your Kids are Safe'
Rita El Mounayer, Executive Director for the SAT-7 ARABIC and SAT-7 KIDS channels says that, “the broadcast media play a vital role in shaping the minds of people at an early age. It’s important to shape children’s minds with the love of God, rather than with the messages of hate and violence children see on so many other TV channels.”
Rita, and the team working to create programmes for SAT-7 KIDS, have always sought to create a safe media zone where children can learn more about God’s love for them. Many viewers have written to SAT-7 KIDS to say how glad they are to know that they can trust their children with SAT-7 KIDS. Recently Rita decided to begin using the slogan 'Where Your Kids are Safe' as a way to attract new viewers to the channel.
“In many areas, like Iraq and around Palestine, many children can’t play outside, so we want to provide a refuge for them, where they can learn about God’s love and also have educational, intellectual and even physical activities.”
Recent viewers’ comments:
"My greetings to all working in SAT-7 KIDS. Thanks for all the efforts you are doing to help my children grow in knowing Jesus. Thanks for all the entertaining programmes you are presenting." - A father in Egypt
"This is my first time watching the progamme. Would you please accept my friendship. I would like to have the Holy Bible for children. I love Assnabel Net also." – A boy in Egypt
"Hi SAT-7 KIDS. I am 27 years old but my son and me love you so much. Would you please send me the Holy Bible for children because my son loves the stories of the Bible. Would you also send me more stories about Jesus." - A mother in Egypt
Prayer points:
- Pray that through SAT-7 KIDS, many children will come to know Jesus.
- Praise God that many parents and families sit and watch the KIDS programmes with their children - pray that they too will come to a saving faith in Jesus.
- Pray for Rita and her team, as they work on creating new programmes for children. Pray for the ideas and the resources to be available to them.
- Pray that the Bibles and Christian story books that are sent out to young viewers will reach them safely
SAT-7 TÜRK - Now On The Air!
 On 1st January 2010 SAT-7 TÜRK went on the air (finalising the merger of TURK-7 into the SAT-7 network of channels) and is currently airing two hours of Turkish programming every morning and every evening, on the same frequency as SAT-7 PARS. More details about SAT-7 TÜRK can be found on our website.
In the upcoming months the SAT-7 TÜRK staff will be working on a number of projects, including dubbing one of SAT-7’s well known drama series 'The Way' into Turkish. The team also just completed work on a new programme translated as 'Seeking Answers' in which local Turkish pastor Levent Kinran answers basic questions about the Christian faith.
"I am very grateful to God for the programme 'Cevap Ariyorum' (Seeking Answers) and the whole crew who turned a long-time dream into reality. 'Cevap Ariyorum' aims to help viewers to understand the basics of Christianity, answering their questions and clearing up misunderstandings by challenging prejudices in a friendly manner. The programme can also equip Christians to answer these questions in a more effective way." – Pastor Levent Kinran
Prayer points:
- Praise God for the merger of TURK-7 into the SAT-7 network.
-Pray that many viewers will benefit from the new programme "Seeking Answers" and for wisdom for Pastor Kinran as he answers questions.
-Pray for the TURK programming staff as they work on new series for broadcast in 2010.
-Pray that many more people in Turkey will find the SAT-7 TURK broadcasts and that God will transform their lives through the programmes
GENERAL PRAYER POINTS:
- Pray for wisdom for Terry Ascott and others as they make difficult decisions regarding financial issues.
- Pray for the telephone counselling centres all over the Middle East, North Africa and Europe as they respond to viewers' enquiries.
-Pray for spiritual protection for all the programme makers and staff of SAT-7.
- Thank God for the recent generous financial support for SAT-7 KIDS from the Lutheran State Church of southwest Germany
by kind permission of SAT-7 Trust
| 