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
Growing up in war-torn Syria, it is no surprise that Hagar abandoned her hopes of becoming an actress. But after finding faith in Jesus and appearing on SAT-7, the Kurdish teenager is now living out her dreams.
Throughout her recent interview with SAT-7 KIDS director Mark Awaraji, Hagar is holding a mug with a poignant Bible verse printed on it: “All things are possible to those who believe” (Mark 9:23). Hers is a story of God capturing the heart of a downcast teenager and proving to her that all things really are possible with Him.
Escaping War, Finding Jesus
Now age 16, Hagar grew up in a village near Afrin in northwest Syria. It is in a region where Kurdish families used to reside in large numbers, but it has changed massively over the past decade as the area has become embroiled in the country’s civil war. Nearly half of northern Syria’s Kurdish population have fled their homes.1
Hagar’s family went to Lebanon, and one day, at a school run by international charity Kids Alive, Hagar had a life-changing encounter with Jesus. “A teacher was talking about her testimony,” Hagar said. “That touched my heart. So I started crying and I prayed with her. And from that day, I started my journey with Jesus.”
Hagar could not hold back her passion for God. “I was telling every person I met that I’ve given my life to Jesus,” she enthused. “It was one of the best moments of my life… I told my parents about Him because He is great.
Starring on Screen
Hagar’s dreams started to become a reality when she appeared on the SAT-7 youth program Challenge Accepted. She took part as a contestant on the gameshow, during which the presenters uncovered her passion and skill for acting. They promised her, live on air, that she would soon feature in a SAT-7 drama. Hagar was that drama: an eponymous short film about her childhood, the war in Syria, and finding safety in Jesus.
The film depicts Hagar recalling beautiful memories of her upbringing in Afrin: her family home, the colors of her hometown, the joy of playing with her friends outside. Her coping strategy after being so suddenly uprooted was to draw pictures of those precious times, images that come to life in dream-like sequences in the film.
As she reminisces, fears for her homeland and her loved ones still living there become increasingly overwhelming for the young Hagar, but she finds peace as she takes her concerns to God in prayer.
The film ends with this moving prayer from Hagar:
Dear Jesus, you protected me and will continue to protect my family. Please safeguard Syria, my cherished homeland, and all my dear friends who I love in Afrin. I believe that even though I’m far away, you’ll never leave me alone. You have always looked after me… With you, Jesus, I always feel safe.”
Her next appearance on screen was on the SAT-7 KIDS program Behind the Door. After she had shared more of her testimony with viewers, her uncle made a surprise phone call to the show and explained how her faith had inspired him. “I want to tell you, you’re a daughter of God. Jesus entered our lives because of Hagar, and we got baptized,” he said.
Hagar’s latest project for SAT-7 was a short film called Adonai, in which a group of friends encounter the living Jesus after an adventure in the forest. Next up will be a social media program featuring Hagar and her mother, as well as a role presenting one of SAT-7 KIDS’ live shows.
God continues to show Hagar – and those who are witnessing her journey – that all things are possible, and Hagar is certainly in no doubt. “God blessed me so much through SAT-7 KIDS,” she said.
I watch all of your live shows. Sometimes I watch for 4-5 hours a day. I owe the changes in my life to SAT‑7’s programs; I don’t have any other source, as I have no Christian friends and no Bible."
