In the past, I didn’t believe in God, but recently I was baptized. My mother-in-law is not a Christian but supported me in becoming a Christian. We were both watching your channel when you invited us for a prayer. And she lifted up her hands and prayed with you. I was very surprised and impressed. You are making really good and effective programs. The Lord works in places you cannot always see."
— Viewer in Türkiye
When the largest of Algeria’s Protestant churches was closed by the authorities five years ago, the senior pastor made a moving and powerful statement: “You can seal our churches – but not our hearts.” His words have proved true since then as believers have persevered in faith and continued to serve.
The Full Gospel Church of Tizi Ouzou was sealed on October 15, 2019, a move that left the 1,200-member congregation without a meeting place and also brought to a halt SAT-7’s live broadcasts of its weekly services.
The closure of churches belonging to the Protestant Church of Algeria (EPA), an association of more than 45 congregations, began in 2017, and today all but one are closed. Algerian law requires all religious groups to register with the government, but despite repeated attempts by the EPA, none of its churches has been granted a license.
“The church where we were worshipping had more than a thousand members,” said SAT-7 producer Samia Kessai. “And in one day you find everything closed, nothing [left]. I miss the church, and I want to be back in a big church again.”
Learning to Adapt
The closures could have been disastrous for the Church in Algeria and for SAT-7’s broadcasting activities there. Growing congregations were suddenly deprived of fellowship and nurturing, and Christians were left discouraged. But local believers and our program makers have been learning to adapt together.
Samia’s husband and co-producer Salah said congregations were unprepared for meeting as house churches, and many believers were left isolated. Some small groups are forming, though, and SAT-7 is equipping them in this different style of church.
No longer able to film our long-running and popular series My Church in Algeria – live weekly broadcasts of church services – we are now broadcasting an adapted version of this program called Home Church from Algeria.
Filmed in a set styled like a family home, the program features Bible teaching, worship, and prayer with a small group of believers who share food and fellowship. It gives isolated believers an opportunity for teaching and a sense of connection to other Christians across the country, but it also models house church meetings.
“This is very important to the Christians in Algeria right now because it gives them tools and shows them how to meet together in homes and how to form smaller communities,” Salah says.
The program is made in the language spoken by the Kabyle people in the northern part of the country, where the Algerian Church has grown rapidly in recent times. “For Algerians, it’s very important to have programs in your own language,” Salah explains. “This makes you really want to watch these programs.”
“God Loves This Country”
Samia and Salah regularly hear from viewers who are grateful for SAT-7’s programs. “Many people, especially women, have called me personally and said thank you,” Samia shares. “And not only believers – even the non-believers who watch our programs call in.”
Samia also serves as part of SAT-7 ARABIC’s Viewer Support Team, interacting with Algerians who contact us through social media. Salah shared how his wife dedicates countless late nights to connecting with women online. “I try to convince her to go to sleep,” he said, “but she adamantly refuses, claiming that the viewer is on the verge of accepting Jesus.”
Samia admits that she does not know why God has allowed the church closures to happen in Algeria, but through her ministry with SAT-7, she does know that He is undeniably at work. “God has a timing for everything,” she said. “We believe that God loves this country, loves these people, and He has a good plan for them.”
Please Pray
Give thanks for the Church in Algeria and for the perseverance of believers in the face of the church closures.
Pray for those who have been left isolated, that they will find fellowship and encouragement from other Christians.
Pray that Home Church from Algeria and SAT-7’s other North African programs will be a great source of strength to believers, and that they will be granted the freedom to meet together again.
