Looking Back on 1,000 Turkish “Words of Hope”

SAT-7 TÜRK’s longest-running program Words of Hope has now sent God’s Word to Turkish speakers more than one thousand times. As SAT-7 marks 15 years of Turkish broadcasts, Words of Hope Presenter and Pastor Haluk Bilgen reflected on the program’s years of witness and impact.

“In the beginning, I used to worry and wonder, ‘What am I going to share with viewers today?’ But week, after week, after week, God brought more and more varied topics into my life and heart that I wanted to share with viewers through the program. As time went on, I was so amazed at how God spoke to me. And He still speaks to me, so I want to continue to serve this ministry and share my heart through this program as much as I can,” said Haluk.

Over one thousand episodes of Words of Hope have been produced since SAT-7 first began broadcasting Turkish programs in 2006, initially on the SAT-7 ARABIC channel. Through short biblical devotions addressing different issues in everyday life, the program shares the Good News with viewers in Turkey and beyond in a fresh way each day.

“I thank God for the work that this channel is doing. I am so happy that you exist. You communicate hope and mercy to the people,” viewer Abbas wrote to SAT-7 TÜRK.

Haluk reflected that during the time he has been presenting the program, SAT-7’s Turkish ministry has been completely transformed. The channel was able to begin broadcasting on satellite in 2015; its programs are now also shared on the video-on-demand and streaming service SAT-7 PLUS, and the team now reaches a whole new audience with video content designed especially for social media.

“When we first started, there were only five or six of us, but God has blessed the effort. Now, there are around 50 people working at the SAT-7 TÜRK studios. I am just privileged to be part of this team. What we watch on-air is the result of amazing teamwork. I would like to take this opportunity to say thank you to all of those people out there that pray for this ministry,” says Haluk, who was born in Turkey and has spent his entire career in ministry.

There remains a great need for God in Turkey, where the Christian faith is widely perceived in a very negative way despite its ancient roots in the country.

Please give thanks for how God has continued to use Words of Hope and many other SAT-7 TÜRK programs over the years. Pray that His hope will continue to transform lives in Turkey.