How SAT-7 Is Funded
SAT-7 is a ministry, a nonprofit organization that exists “To provide the churches and Christians of the Middle East and North Africa with an opportunity to witness to Jesus Christ through inspirational, informative and educational television services.” Like any organization, to fulfill its mission it must develop a business plan that identifies a revenue stream providing financial resources to support operations, personnel, and programs.
Businesses typically charge for their products or services. Governments charge fees and assess taxes. But nonprofit organizations generally do neither. They are “nonprofit” or “not for profit,” so they do not exist to enhance their bottom lines.
While some ministries assess or otherwise seek legitimate fees for certain products or services, SAT-7 does not charge for its programming. Yet the ministry must pay considerable costs for program production and airtime on satellite platforms. So how does SAT-7 secure necessary income?
For the fifteen-plus years of its existence SAT-7 has depended upon the faithful generosity of interested friends of the ministry. SAT-7 does not ask for money on the air. Nor does SAT-7 sell airtime to advertisers or sponsors. Viewers in all Middle East and North Africa countries may access SAT-7 for free—all they need is a television and a satellite connection.
To handle fundraising or what’s known as “development,” in addition to the international office, SAT-7 works through four “support offices,” SAT-7 Europe, SAT-7 UK, SAT-7 Canada, and SAT-7 USA. These offices design materials, send staff to church denominational conferences, interact with mission agencies, develop websites and mailings, and otherwise engage in a wide variety of ways to share how SAT-7 is addressing spiritual challenges and opportunities via Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish language Christian television programming—virtually the only way to present Christianity safely, efficiently, and effectively in closed or largely closed countries.
Staff members from these offices (and sometimes volunteers) also regularly meet with individuals and couples, corporate, foundation, ministry, and in some countries government leaders presenting SAT-7’s initiatives and asking for their prayer and financial support. People respond faithfully and generously. Meanwhile, other staff members in the support offices respond to prayer requests, share viewer testimonies and requests, and administer financial gifts donated in all the ways now possible. Some supporters have even set up bequests that later come to the ministry as part of their estates.
This column has focused upon financial support. But another kind of support is essential as well—prayer. Literally hundreds of individuals and churches pray regularly for God’s Word to be shared, understood, and received in the Middle East and North Africa. And they pray for SAT-7’s part in this aspect of the Great Commission.
God has provided each year, and he has made possible SAT-7’s growth in outreach and quality. For all this SAT-7’s Board and staff members are truly grateful.
© Rex M. Rogers – All Rights Reserved
Opinions in this column are Dr. Rogers’s and do not necessarily represent SAT-7 or SAT-7 USA. Good News from the Middle East may be reproduced in whole or in part with a full attribution statement. Contact Dr. Rogers at rexrogers@sat7.org. Follow at www.twitter.com/RexMRogers
lp us to share with others how God is using SAT-7 to take His Word to the Middle East and North Africa! Consider hosting a SAT-7 Ministry Briefing in your home for your friends and family. We’ve already compiled the informational resources. All you have to do is set a date and send invitations! Once they hear about the changed hearts and lives of our Middle Eastern viewers, most people want to support SAT-7’s ministry through prayer and monetary gifts.
, hi,the God who gave you the mintsiry is the one to establish it for the glory of his name. Just take heart and God shall bring your vision to pass. God is alpha and omega the beggining and the end. Pasist in prayers and you will see his favor increasing day by day in your mintsiry God bless on 14 March 2009 / 8:50 AM
, hi,the God who gave you the mintsiry is the one to tssablieh it for the glory of his name. Just take heart and God shall bring your vision to pass. God is alpha and omega the beggining and the end. Pasist in prayers and you will see his favor increasing day by day in your mintsiry God bless on 14 March 2009 / 8:50 AM