In a culture where Christianity is distorted and stereotyped, and in the context of a myriad of channels that oftentimes glorify violence and death, SAT-7 is upbeat and colorful, seeking to embody the love of Christ in all of
its programming.

Our Mission

"SAT-7 is a brilliant effort to beam the gospel of Jesus directly into homes in a region where traditional religious identity and high levels of social control have made access difficult. I commend SAT-7 for its creative Gospel programming by Middle Easterners for Middle Easterners. SAT-7 has avoided presenting a Westernized message that could be either distorted or incomprehensible to its intended audience. SAT-7's combination of up-to-date technology and indigenous voices should be the goal of every mission organization." -David Neff Executive Director, Christianity Today

SAT-7: The Forefront of New Opportunities

The largest and most watched Christian television station in the region, SAT-7 exists to provide the Churches and the Christians of the Middle East and North Africa an opportunity to witness to Jesus Christ through inspirational, informative, and educational television services.

When SAT-7 launched with just two modest hours of programming per week, few people envisioned that a little over a decade later God would bless this fledgling operation in such a way as to position it at the forefront of an historic opening to hundreds of millions of unreached and spiritually thirsty people in a turbulent part of the world.

Today, SAT-7's annual budget and total viewership is greater than all other Christian broadcasting agencies in the region combined, bringing the Gospel to an independently estimated total audience of between 9 and 10 million people:

• SAT-7 ARABIC, is our flagship channel. Programs range from documentaries, to films, cartoons, and live interactive programs. SAT-7 ARABIC also produces a wide variety of teaching and discussion programs. The channel regularly confronts issues in the region from a Christian point of view. Launched May 31, 1996, SAT-7 ARABIC broadcasts 24 hours-a day, 7 days-a-week from a satellite which covers all of the Middle East and North Africa as well as Europe.
• SAT-7 PARS provides a vital platform for Farsi-speaking Christians who live in Iran and the wider Persian world (including Afghanistan and Tajikistan). "PARS" is a Farsi word which indicates the Persian culture, and the channel is operated by Persian Christians. SAT-7 PARS reaches viewers who seek basic knowledge about Christianity and those who need encouragement in their Christian faith. Each day the channel airs specific blocks of original programming for children, youth, and women, as well as teaching programs for a general audience. SAT-7 PARS has been broadcasting since September 12, 2002, sharing time on SAT-7 ARABIC, but was officially launched as a stand-alone channel on December 18, 2006. SAT-7 PARS can be watched 20 hours a day. Four hours of Turkish programming, provided by the independent Christian ministry TURK-7, also air each day on SAT-7 PARS.
• SAT-7 KIDS is the first and only Arabic Christian channel exclusively for children. Approximately 60% of the Arab world is under the age of 25, so huge numbers of children (around 100 million) live in the region. SAT-7 sought to minister to these children from its very first broadcast, and after eleven years of creating quality Christian programming for children, launched SAT-7 KIDS. This channel aims to make the Gospel of Christ available to an entire generation of young Arabs in a way meaningful to them. The channel airs original dramas, fun interactive shows, educational material, cartoons, music programs and other shows that capture the attention of young viewers. Launched December 10, 2007, SAT-7 KIDS broadcasts run 24 hours-a-day, 7 days-a-week.

Among the hundreds of satellite television stations beaming into this area, SAT-7 stands out in a way that is immediately apparent. In a culture where Christianity is distorted and stereotyped, and in the context of a myriad of channels that oftentimes glorify violence and death, SAT-7 is upbeat and colorful, seeking to embody the love of Christ in all of its programming.

Doing the Impossible, Impacting the Region for Christ

As commendable as SAT-7's growth and development has been, our impact pales when compared to the resources allayed against us. There are those who ask: can we truly make a difference? Can we really impact this region for Christ? In response, we return again to the words of Jesus, who says, "Humanly speaking, it is impossible, but with God all things are possible."

We believe we can make a difference, that the Gospel message of love and redemption can overcome the prevailing messages of hate and violence that emanate from so many others in this region of the world. In Christ we can achieve the impossible. The Spirit is at work in this region and leaders of this ministry feel a strong sense of calling to be a part of it, often working in the face of significant personal risk. But what we have started so far is only a small beginning. We must do more in order to make a difference on the scale that is possible. Is it possible to double or triple the size of our audience? Could a Christian channel become one of the most watched and trusted channels in the Middle East?

The Board and Executive Leadership of SAT-7 have laid out a bold and ambitious plan that includes these four strategies to achieve "impossible" goals:

1. We will increase the audience on our current channels:
   1. By improving programming on all three channels through the development of compelling new programs and improvements to the overall quality of existing ones.
   2. By adding current affairs and news programming to stimulate dialogue and bring a well-reasoned Christian voice to the Middle East and North Africa market square.
   3. By building infrastructure for more live programming, Video On Demand (VOD), and new Audience Relations services (such as improved websites, chat rooms, VOIP) to engage and retain viewers through greater levels of interactivity.
2. We will expand the SAT-7 network with additional programming and channels to target specific demographics and interest groups:
1. A "TEACH" (Theological Education for Arab Christians at Home) program is being developed for pastors and church leaders who do not have access to regular Bible teaching.
2. Other specialized channels may follow, including the potential development of a channel dedicated to news, bringing a much-needed on-going source of Christian commentary to current affairs.
3. We will include SAT-7 channels on newer and more popular satellites:
1. An increasing number of Arab viewers are buying low-cost Nilesat or Arabsat satellite systems. We have recently made arrangements for SAT-7 programming to be shown on select Nilesat channels, but acquisition of our own channel on one of these systems would approximately double SAT-7's potential viewership.
4. We will build and secure the facilities and equipment necessary to support the ministry, now and in the future:
1. International Broadcast Center, Cyprus. SAT-7's Master Control Room is now housed in rented space in a six-story office complex. Satellite dishes are located on a common roof area and the power generator is in a rented car parking space. Offices are crowded and vulnerable to disruption. Appropriate, permanent facilities are needed to sustain current broadcast operations and provide for future expansion. Within the political and economic territory of the European Union, Cyprus is the ideal location, providing a level of stability and security not presently found in any Arab country. It is hospitable to Christian organizations due to the influence of the Greek Orthodox Church, and easily accessible to the Middle East region.
2. Equipment and Studio Space, Egypt and Lebanon. SAT-7 has such a shortage of equipment that projects often have to wait for a camera to be available. Additional equipment and re-purposing of studio space is needed in both Egypt and Lebanon to handle the increased production needs. As the "Hollywood" of the Middle East and home to the Arab world's largest Christian churches (more Christians live in Egypt than all other Arab countries combined), Egypt is a primary site for the production of original SAT-7 programming. Lebanon also has a historically high percentage of people involved in satellite TV production who have demonstrated a unique flair for programming. The Lebanon center was SAT-7's first production center and–despite recent conflicts – we believe Lebanon remains an important site for the future of Middle Eastern satellite TV.

Only Together Can We Make the Impossible – Possible

The Christian community in the Middle East – though highly involved with SAT-7 – is small and impoverished compared to North America. Only in the West do we have the resources to help SAT-7 impact this region on a scale that is possible. Despite Jesus' mandate to teach the entire world, compared to what we are investing in other parts of the world, we invest very little into the Middle East – a region that was literally the birthplace of Christianity and is at the very forefront of today's most pressing cultural and spiritual concerns. After centuries in the offing, there is a spiritual movement afoot in this region. We do not know how long these conditions will persist.

We cannot afford to wait. We must act boldly and we must act now.