As millions gather with loved ones for Nowruz – an ancient festival marking the Persian New Year...
A revamped youth program on SAT-7 ARABIC has been helping young adults explore difficult issues that affect their development and spiritual growth.
What’s Up is the updated name for the popular youth program Catalyst. The revised program, aimed at 18 to 24-year-olds, has been helping young viewers navigate their emotions and encouraging them to support each other.
“We decided to make a shift in What’s Up by inviting youth to share their personal experiences. These heart-to-heart conversations not only touch young viewers but also give them space to think and reach their own decisions instead of being told in a step-by-step method what to do in certain situations,” said What’s Up producer, Rafik George.
Each episode tackles difficult emotions such as fear, pain, confusion, regret, and depression, and helps viewers to explore relevant biblical teachings.
One particularly powerful episode covered the challenging subject of loss and pain. The last year has seen several devastating wars raging in the region, leaving young people questioning: where is God amid all the suffering around them – and in their own lives?
A short clip from the episode, called “Is God present in the midst of the painful trials in our lives?”, was shared on Facebook, attracting over 150,000 views.
Young participants shared candidly about their own painful experiences. “I feel pain because of all that is happening around me,” said Monika.
“I don’t like to focus on my pain,” shared Kerolos. “I know that my back hurts but if I focus on it, how can life go on? I make music playlists, I remove the apps that make me sad, and I move forward with life. I don’t dwell on pain or sadness.”
Marina Ashraf, a guest on the program, advised that being there for the person who is in pain is the most important thing. She also explained that God allows pain in our lives, but only for a certain time, and that He uses difficult experiences to help us grow in faith.
What’s Up is made in partnership with Lutheran Hour Ministries.
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