I am deeply grateful for your precious prayers and encouraging programs. There is no church here, but thanks to you I never feel alone."
— Viewer from Türkiye
A new beach-inspired youth program on SAT-7 PARS is helping young viewers navigate the storms and droughts of life and faith through dynamic discussions in an eye-catching coastal setting.
Coastal Café introduces viewers to a group of students who stumble upon a café with a curious owner who gets younger every day! They learn that he has lived a difficult life but, as a result, has much wisdom and insight to share. Their profound conversations, many of which are wrapped up in marine metaphors, unpack challenging topics including overcoming hopelessness and fear, mental health struggles, relationship issues, and forgiveness.
The beachside setting was deliberately chosen because of its significance in the Bible as well as in many prestigious works of literature and philosophical writings. “The Bible contains beautiful stories and examples of how people encounter water, waves, and the shore and learn about themselves, God, and faith’s trials,” says Nader Taghizadeh, producer of the program.
The first season of Coastal Café has been broadcast on SAT-7 PARS, and clips from the program are being shared on the channel’s social media page for youth, Church4Youth. One female viewer commented, “So many interesting points were made. Fear and worry are big obstacles to growth, and they paralyze you. God heals and helps us grow more in Him and opens up ways to deal with fear, so we can walk with more understanding and knowledge of God.”
Another viewer added, “You are right. The only hope of the Christian people of Iran is Jesus Christ. His name encourages and strengthens Christians. Glory to the name of Jesus Christ.”
Shaped by the Sea
In one episode of Coastal Café, the conversation centered on personal growth during times of crisis and difficulty. Kiana, who plays one of the students, shared about an experience she had in the sea in Greece, before using the metaphor of beautiful stones weathered by waves to illustrate how life’s challenges shape individuals.
The discussion then turned to the value of community and friendships with reference to Proverbs 27:17: “As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” One of the other student characters, Asal, encouraged viewers to seek support from others. “A true sign of courage is admitting one’s shortcomings and asking for help,” she said. “This promotes personal development and turns weaknesses into strengths.”
Inspired by the Bible
Many of the Bible’s most memorable stories take place on, in, or near water. From Noah’s ark to the parting of the Red Sea and the story of Jonah, water has significant symbolic value in the Christian faith. Jesus’ ministry got underway with His baptism in the River Jordan, and His mighty works sometimes involved water, from turning it into wine to calming the stormy sea. One episode of Coastal Café discussed Peter’s walking on the water to Jesus and what it teaches us about how trusting in God involves letting go of control over our lives.
A lack of water – during seasons of physical or spiritual drought – is also a major theme throughout the Bible, and two episodes of Coastal Café explored how to deal with these times. Setayesh, one of the students, shared her personal experience of feeling alone and cut off from God but emphasized how God uses these desert experiences to help us grow and prepare for the future.
The episodes encouraged viewers that even when we encounter a desert in our lives – whether that be a series of trials, a period of loneliness, or unanswered prayer – God will always sustain us. “The desert is not a place where He abandons us,” said Daruish, who plays the part of the café owner. “Rather, it is a place where He meets us and demonstrates His presence to us… God is our water, our source of life, and He can guide us across the deserts of life.”
