Growing in Grace: A Young Woman’s Story

From childhood, through adolescence, and into adulthood, SAT-7 is committed to walking with viewers through every stage of life. One young woman’s story highlights the key points of connection that helped her mature in faith over many years of watching.

Madonna, a 25-year-old viewer from Egypt, recently contacted SAT-7 to explain how deeply  her life has been impacted by our content. “I would like to share how SAT-7, through its programs, has impacted my life at different stages and seasons,” her heartfelt message began.

From Childhood

As a child, Madonna found it difficult to get a good grasp of the Christian faith. “When I was young, I couldn’t really understand the meaning or the depth of my relationship with God, how to build a relationship with Him, or how to react when I did something wrong,” she said.

SAT-7’s programs helped Madonna to learn more about Christianity, but beyond that, they helped her to feel truly valued. “What made the difference in my life as a child was not only the children’s programs that speak about Jesus and the Bible, but also the birthday celebrations in the programs,” she said. Viewers’ birthdays are often celebrated on air, a tradition stretching back many years on our Arabic children’s channel, SAT-7 KIDS.

“As a little girl this made me feel that somebody really cared for me. Also, live shows have impacted me so much because I could feel that I am being heard. The idea of calling and speaking live on TV – that was really a big thing.”

Through Adolescence

In the increasingly pervasive online world, it is tempting for teenagers to share only the highlights of their lives. But this can make it hard for young people to be honest about their struggles and to build authentic relationships. Madonna felt that this tendency had even seeped into churches, and it was affecting her walk with God – making her feel that she had to be “good enough” to go to church.

The authenticity of SAT-7 presenters – particularly on the Arabic talk show From Heart To Heart – was a welcome contrast for Madonna. She learned the crucial truth that we do not earn God’s love and acceptance through what we do. “It is only because of His grace, mercy, and unconditional love,” she said. “That’s really made a big change in my ideas, my mentality, and my perspective about how to follow Jesus. I am not ashamed.”

Seeing that SAT-7’s presenters were “normal people like us” was a great help to Madonna as she grew in her understanding of God’s grace. “I understood that even if I am weak, God is able to set me free, and it is not a shameful thing to run to God when I sin, because the truth is, I should run to God when I am sinful and weak because He is the one who will change and perfect me.”

Into Adulthood

Madonna is now navigating early adulthood and recognizes how the range of programs on SAT-7, including drama series, talk shows, worship events, and discipleship discussions, can help her in her next steps.

“What is so special about SAT-7’s programs is that they address each stage of life, from childhood to teenage years, romantic relationships and adulthood, married life, and so on,” she said. “I am very thankful for SAT-7 in such a time as this, and I ask the Lord to bless this ministry and all the people who work behind the scenes. Thank you for your effort and your hard work and for everything you do. May God bless you.”

Give thanks for God’s work in Madonna’s life and pray that He will continue to use SAT-7’s programs to support and encourage people on their journey of faith.