Many of SAT-7’s viewers in the Arab World live with the harsh realities of war, social unrest,...
Race, sexuality and gender, pandemic/masks/vaccines, criminal justice, and politics dominate the U.S. news these days, along with a long list of other controversies.
The Middle East and North Africa experience these issues, too; along with conflict, war, regime change, failed governments and official corruption, refugee crises, unemployment, and rampant inflation, poverty, and suppression of basic freedoms like religion, speech, and mobility.
Consequently, while SAT-7’s ministry opportunity always involves Christian evangelism, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and instruction in the Word of God, what we call edification or discipleship, it involves more too.
With its satellite television broadcasts and now online video streaming, SAT-7 conscientiously works to present the “whole counsel of God” (Acts 20:27).
One of SAT-7’s key values for its programming is “holistic ministry.” In SAT-7’s terms, this means the ministry is interested in the whole person, spiritual, intellectual, emotional, physical, social; every aspect of what it means to be a human being created in the image of God.
SAT-7 recognizes that a biblical understanding of humanity affirms the value and dignity (temporally and eternally) of every person, no matter the person’s demographics, i.e., sex, race, ethnicity, age, marital or family status, religion, nationality, education, occupation and income, geographic location.
Sharing the whole counsel of God means SAT-7 presents a Christian worldview, starting with human beings made in God’s image at Creation (Gen. 1:26-28), moving to humanity’s Fall into sin (Gen. 3: 1-19), and God’s provision of his Son, Jesus Christ, as a way of Redemption (John 3:16), and concluding in divine Restoration (Is. 65:25; Rom 8:19-22; 2 Cor. 5:17).
So with this, the non-believing Middle Eastern viewer (one of more than 25 million), perhaps a “Seeker,” finds programming presenting Christian love in the person of Jesus, a message of available forgiveness in the Gospel, a means of reconciliation, and an expression of hope, whether via films, comedies, documentaries, music videos, even cartoons.
SAT-7’s incredible opportunity is to communicate the life-changing truth of God’s Word to millions of people who may not have ever heard it before.
SAT-7 also speaks to individuals, religious and irreligious, showing them how biblical Christianity applies to their everyday lives.
SAT-7 is privileged to show viewers how the Bible is indeed practical. That what it says actually “works.” And viewers learn that the God of the Bible is holy but also merciful, loving, and “there” for them. For people who have come of age in Middle Eastern cultures, these Christian presentations about a meaningful faith and a gracious God are truly “out of the box,” something new and astounding.
In a time when sexual immorality, confused gender identities, and twisted family dynamics dominate the secular airwaves, and in a time when racial/ethnic distrust and division are rife, SAT-7 lovingly but clearly presents a biblical understanding of sexual, racial, and family values, guiding viewers away from the enslavement of sin while pointing them to the truth that can set them free.
In a time when secular airwaves often propagate a culture of fear, whether regarding the pandemic or medicine or social-political conflict, SAT-7 provides viewers with trustworthy information because God expects us to be good stewards, using the intelligence He gave us.
SAT-7 also reminds viewers God is sovereign; that he is not surprised or perplexed by 21st Century politics and predicaments.
It’s comforting beyond words for viewers to come to understand that the God of the Bible is not a detached deistic god adrift in the universe, uninvolved and uncaring, but rather God the Father, about whom Jesus said, “Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? And not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. But even the hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not, therefore; you are of more value than many sparrows” (Matt. 10:29-31).
SAT-7 does not engage in partisan politics. But as an avowedly Christian ministry committed to sharing the whole counsel of God, SAT-7 regularly presents programming that helps viewers understand their human rights, which is to say their divinely bestowed value and purpose as human beings made in God’s image.
This Christian understanding of human rights includes a right to life and liberty, freedom of conscience, religion and worship, freedom of speech, and mobility.
Other basic rights SAT-7 may discuss include references to how governments should provide law and order, equal treatment before the law, economic opportunity, and education.
Finally, SAT-7 recognizes that some people in society, especially under repressive regimes, are particularly vulnerable or marginalized, including women, children, ethnic or religious minorities (which includes Christians in several countries), the disabled, the poor, and refugees. SAT-7 teaches a biblical concern for loving our neighbors who are less fortunate (James 1:27).
With respect to all these concerns, in its programming, SAT-7 attempts to develop a ministry that encourages human flourishing, one that proclaims the Lordship of Christ in all of life and cares for the eternal destiny of every created soul.
It is a privilege and honor to serve our great God in so worthy and timely a ministry.
Dr. Rex Rogers
President, SAT-7 USA
Top photo: Presenters Rawad and Marianne on set of SAT-7 ARABIC program From Heart to Heart
In 2023, at least 82% of your gift went directly to fund programs building up women, children, and families across the Middle East. Functional expenses (all entities).
