Equipping North Africans “To Tell Their Own Stories”

“I first heard about Jesus through SAT-7. For a full year, SAT-7 was my only discipleship source – my church on screen – before I knew another believer. Now I want to create content to reach others the way SAT-7 reached me.”  

These words from a young Tunisian who took part in SAT-7’s media training workshops highlight the importance of equipping the next generation of North Africans in content creation.

The two in-person workshops took place in October in Agadir and Tunis with 34 participants from Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria, and Libya, all eager to learn how to use media to communicate the Christian message within their own cultures.

Many shared how watching SAT-7 had been a key part of their own journey to faith.

“I have ideas for drama and animation for children’s programs, and I pray that God opens a door so we can do more work in this field,” one of the participants said.

Bearing Fruit

The media training workshops covered different aspects of production, including filming, audio, lighting, mobile editing and digital storytelling. Sessions were conducted by Rami Al-Halaseh, Arabic Channels Executive Director, Andrew Gamal, North Africa Projects Manager, Maroun Bou Rached, Lebanon Studio Executive Director, and Nancy Awny, Arabic Channels Digital Manager.

The training started to bear fruit immediately as participants put themselves forward to contribute to upcoming productions as well as create short videos for digital platforms.

Two development groups have been established, with follow-up activities including monthly group meetings and one-on-one mentoring for some participants.

“This initiative significantly advances SAT-7’s goal to empower North African believers to tell their own stories,” Andrew said. “The strong engagement, testimonies, and continued mentoring structure demonstrate a sustainable movement of young Christian creators committed to reaching their communities for Christ.”

New Productions

The training initiative is part of an upsurge in SAT-7 support for the Church in North Africa over the last year, which has resulted in a variety of new programs in local languages for different audiences including children and women.

Some of the workshop trainees are now taking part in the production of upcoming programs including Reflections on Christian Heritage in Tunisia and Path of Light in Morocco.

Over Christmas, three special testimony-focused programs filmed in Tunisia were broadcast. Presented in a docudrama style, the episodes featured the stories of three women and their journeys to faith. One of the women shared the moving story of her battle with cancer and the comfort she feels with Jesus by her side.

“I was deeply moved to visit North Africa and hear real-life stories, testimonies of faith and divine interventions,” Rami said. “It was humbling to fellowship with our North African brothers and sisters and witness their hunger and thirst to make God’s love visible in their own communities and culture through media. Our calling is to help advance their testimony and impact.”