Meet the Staff

USA
International

Rex Rogers

President

Dr. Rex M. Rogers has served as President, SAT-7 USA, since 2009. He grew up in Ohio with wonderful Christian parents, accepted Christ as Savior at 6 years of age, and is grateful for the opportunity to serve the Lord in Christian ministry and leadership. He loves the people and cultures of the Middle East and sincerely believes God has perfectly positioned SAT-7 for Christian teaching and testimony in a region hungry for hope.

Rex pursued a career in Christian higher education for 34 years. From 1991 to 2008, he served as president of Cornerstone University, Grand Rapids, MI. He was responsible for the undergraduate college and the graduate program, Grand Rapids Theological Seminary and Asia Baptist Theological Seminary based in Singapore. During that time, he managed the University’s Christian radio stations, including an internationally syndicated program, Mission Network News, and a nationally distributed children’s radio ministry, His Kids Radio.

Rex’s published works include Living for God in Changing Times (Unlikely Leaders, ebook, 2011); Gambling: Don’t Bet on It (Kregel, 2005), previously published as Seducing America: Is Gambling a Good Bet? (Baker, 1997); Christian Liberty: Living for God in a Changing Culture (Baker, 2003); and co-authored with Rick E. Amidon, Today You Do Greatness: A Parable on Success and Significance (Unlikely Leaders, ebook, 2011). He writes regular blogs at his website www.rexmrogers.com.

From 1993 to 2009, Rex wrote and recorded Making a Difference, a daily radio feature applying biblical principles to a wide range of contemporary issues. From 2003 to 2008, the program was syndicated weekly in print with more than 100 newspapers in 33 states. In 2011, Dr. Rogers launched a weekly video column of the same name.

Rex holds a Ph.D. in political science from the University of Cincinnati, an M.A. in political science from the University of Akron and a B.A. in social science from Cedarville University. Rex and his wife, Sarah, have four adult children and their spouses, and four grandsons. He speaks regularly, as does Sarah, at special events and in churches, schools, and business venues.

You may contact Rex Rogers at rexrogers@sat7.org

Rex Rogers

Ruth Thomas

Vice President for Finance and Administration

Ruth joined SAT-7 USA in 2003 and manages the USA office in Easton, MD where she oversees personnel, finance and IT systems.

Ruth’s experience in human resources, accounting and IT management equipped her for the fast-paced environment and growth of SAT-7’s ministry. Ruth recently served three years as president of the Immanuel Lutheran Church, Preston, MD.

Married for over 30 years, Ruth lives with her husband Dale in Preston, MD.

Matthew 6:33-34 “But seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Therefore do not worry about tomorrow, for tomorrow will worry about itself. Each day has enough trouble of its own.”

You may contact Ruth Thomas at ruththomas@sat7.org

Ruth Thomas

Debbie Brink

Senior Vice President

With over 30 years of ministry and development experience, Debbie has served SAT-7 in a variety of roles since 2001.

Before joining SAT-7, she served as vice president of ministry advancement at Far East Broadcasting Company, regional director of advancement for Prison Fellowship Ministries and director of development stewardship at Fuller Theological Seminary. She also served 12 years with Campus Crusade for Christ.

A graduate of Slippery Rock University, Debbie holds a BA in business management. She also completed a certificate program at the Institute of Biblical Studies and received certification in fundraising from the University of California, Irvine.

Debbie lives in Easton, MD with her two cocker spaniels and is a member of Shore Harvest Presbyterian Church. She serves on both the missions and new building committees for her church. Most weekends are spent helping to renovate an old Moose Lodge into Shore Harvest’s new church home.

You may contact Debbie Brink at debbiebrink@sat7usa.org

Debbie Brink

Dennis Wiens

Director of Church Connections

Dennis was raised in West Africa by missionary parents. He and his wife Cindy have spent most of their life on the mission field and work as a team to apply their experience and knowledge of cross-cultural ministry to the advancement of SAT-7, speaking and teaching throughout the United States. Cindy Wiens was raised in Omaha, NE where her father was one of the founders of Grace University. She graduated from a two-year course at Grace University, Omaha, NE.

Before joining SAT-7, Dennis and Cindy served in the US, France, Mali and Cote d’lvoire in a variety of ministry roles including Bible school education, field leadership, urban church planting, dorm parenting, guest house ministry and media. Dennis helped pioneer the FM radio project in Mali, using specially-designed, solar-powered FM radio stations and he continues to consult for the on-going Mali Media project.

You may contact Dennis Wiens at denniswiens@sat7usa.org

Dennis Wiens

Bob Weszely

Senior Development Officer

Bob has a real passion for the Middle East and truly enjoys sharing with others about how SAT-7 is making God’s love visible in the region. His diverse background includes over seven years with Campus Crusade for Christ, three years with World Christian Magazine, four years in corporate development with World Vision, and a year of ministry in the Middle East living in Turkey.

A graduate of Bradley University in Peoria, IL, Bob resides in Chicago with his wife and two children.

You may contact Bob Weszely at bobweszely@sat7.org

Bob Weszely

Terence Ascott

Founder and CEO, SAT-7

Terry has lived in the Middle East and served as the leader for indigenous media ministries for more than 35 years. In 1973 he moved to Beirut, Lebanon and helped launch an Arabic Christian publishing ministry. After the start of the Lebanese Civil War, he and his family evacuated to Egypt where Terry helped begin the Arabic youth magazine, Magalla. This was the first Christian magazine to be successfully distributed on Egyptian newsstands. Magalla was published for 20 years and, according to many Arab Christians, was instrumental in bringing many people to Christ.

While working for the magazine, Terry’s ministry became involved in other media projects including video production. In 1995 he, along with other Middle Eastern Christian leaders and partner organizations working in the region, launched SAT-7, the first Arabic Christian satellite television channel.

Terry holds a first class B.S. degree in civil engineering with honors from Middlesex University, England. In 2011, he was awarded The Honorary Doctor of Chistian Ministries from Belhaven University. He and his wife Jacqueline live in Nicosia, Cyprus and have three adult children and one grandchild.

You may contact Terence Ascott at terenceascott@sat7usa.org

Rita El Mounayer

Executive Director, SAT-7 ARABIC and SAT-7 KIDS Channels

Rita began her media career as a radio host and producer with Far Eastern Broadcasting Associates (FEBA) radio in 1992. She joined SAT-7 in 1995, before it had broadcast a single program. When the channel launched, Rita hosted its first program, As Sanabel, translated from the Arabic as Ears of Wheat. This program ran for 12 years and became one of SAT-7’s most successful.

Initially serving as host and producer, Rita’s role soon expanded to programming director
for all SAT-7’s children’s programs. In 2004, she was promoted to programming director for
all SAT-7’s Arabic programming. In 2007, her dream of launching the first independent
Arabic Christian channel for children, SAT-7 KIDS, became a reality. In 2008, she was name executive director for the SAT-7 ARABIC and SAT-7 KIDS channels, followed by
SAT-7 PLUS in 2010.

In addition to managing the production operations for both channels, Rita continues to host two programs, including the children’s program, Bedtime Bible Stories with Rita and the live talk show, My Story. She also plays a key role of mentoring new TV producers.

Rita was born in Lebanon and, as a young girl, lived through the violence of the Lebanese Civil War. During that time, television (especially cartoons) provided a refuge for she and her sister from the horrors going on around them. She hoped some day to become involved in the media to provide joy to children, as cartoons had done for her, and also to broadcast hope in Christ. Initially servicing with SAT-7 in Lebanon, she moved to Cyprus in 2005. Rita holds an M.A. degree in communications practice from Cardiff University, Wales.

You may contact Rita El Mounayer at ritaelmounayer@sat7usa.org

Sara Afshari

Executive Director, SAT-7 PARS

Sara is an Iranian who came to know the Lord through her curiosity about the faith and through interacting with other like-minded seekers who gathered in an abandoned Anglican church. Her thirst to know more about Christ led her to the UK where she completed a B.A. degree in theology at Bristol University.

In 2002, Sara moved to Cyprus to serve as a liaison between SAT-7 and a newly formed ministry, Iranian Christian Broadcasting (ICB). ICB launched a two-hour-per-week broadcast on SAT-7’s Arabic channel in September 2002. In 2006, ICB increased its broadcasts to two hours a day and fully merged with SAT-7, becoming SAT-7 PARS (Persian).

A theologian at heart, Sara directed the creation of a SAT-7 PARS training series known as Seminary of the Air (SOTA), in which she utilized the talents of Farsi-speaking professors at several seminaries. In addition to helping to create programming, Sara manages a staff of twelve, plus numerous freelance producers.

Sara holds a B.A. degree in Persian literature and an M.A. degree in communications practice from Cardiff University, Wales, in addition to her theology degree.

You may contact Sara Afshari at saraafshari@sat7usa.org

Melih Ekener

Executive Director, SAT-7 TURK

After studying acting at the State Conservatory in 1980, Mr. Ekener was the principal performer in the notable Turkish private theater, “Kenterler.” He later worked for the American company “Fremantle” as writer, producer, executive producer and senior creative executive producer. Mr. Ekener worked in the founding of KANAL 6, one of the first Turkish private television channels. Over the course of his career, he has shot 8 movies, acted in many serials and was among the most listened to national radio broadcasters in Turkey for 14 years.

Regarding the transition from a secular career to ministry, Mr. Ekener said in an interview, “I hope that my political and professional contacts will carry SAT-7 TÜRK to the place it merits… Now I am excited, because I will be able to transmit the truth of Christianity by my knowledge and experiences.” He sees the career move as part of God’s plan to use him in ministry.

You may contact Melih Ekener at melihekener@sat7usa.org

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President

Rex Rogers

Vice President for Finance and Administration

Ruth Thomas

Senior Vice President

Debbie Brink

Director of Church Connections

Dennis Wiens

Senior Development Officer

Bob Weszely

Founder and CEO, SAT-7

Executive Director, SAT-7 ARABIC and SAT-7 KIDS Channels

Executive Director, SAT-7 PARS

Executive Director, SAT-7 TURK