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SOUTH AFRICA OFFICE:

PO Box 72646

Lynnwood Ridge, PRETORIA 0040

southafrica@sat7.org

+27(12)807 2763

+27(83)628 6488/+27(84)506 3399

This is one reason SAT-7 launched its new ACADEMY

channel on 1 September. Another is the substandard educa-

tion the majority of the region’s young people receive –

dominated by rote learning without understanding or critical

analysis and often infected by attitudes of discrimination.

“Education is one of the greatest answers to the problems

of the Middle East.” This is the view of Bishop Angaelos,

General Bishop of the Coptic Orthodox Church in the UK.

“While many don’t have access to education, they are able

to be manipulated and radicalised.

Dr Mike Bassous, General Secretary of the Bible Society

of Lebanon, adds: “Our cry for an education channel dates

back about a decade. We have all types of channels but no

one has really invested in the education of our young

people. SAT-7 ACADEMY comes as an answered prayer

and an answered call. Only through educating the new

generation will we be able to cast new values in the region.

We find that the timing of SAT-7 ACADEMY is perfect

for the region.”

Copyright © 2017 SAT-7

www.sat7sa.org

The Arab World comprises just 5% of the world’s popu-

lation. But in 2014 it was home to 45% of global terror

attacks; 58% of the world’s refugees; 47% of its Internally

Displaced Peoples (IDPs) and 70% of total battle-related

deaths. Those numbers have dramatically worsened since

then, as by 2016 the ongoing conflicts in Libya, Syria,

Yemen and Iraq directly affected 60 million people.

Dr Ascott said “One ray of light in this dark vale is

SAT-7. In 2016 we responded to many of the huge needs

facing the region with special programmes about overcom-

ing trauma and giving tips on how to survive life in a refugee

camp. We have also built a growing library of educational

programmes for broadcast to children who are not only

unable to attend school – but who also have no realistic

prospect of ever doing so.”

Ascott concluded “In the midst of all this turmoil, pain

and grief, and with the growing influence of ‘fake news’,

people are hungry for authenticity, truth and hope. There

has, therefore, never been a more important time to be

a Christian broadcaster and digital media provider in the

Middle East.

“We have the right to sing despite all the difficult circum-

stances around us… We thank the Lord because He is

with us just as He was with the three men in the furnace

and with Daniel in the lion’s den.” One viewer of

SAT-7’s live praise and worship programme, Keep on Singing, captured the very essence of the show when

they recently phoned in with this encouragement.

Ruth from Cairo, also called to share her experience

of coping with breast cancer aged just 32. Ruth shared,

“The Lord said “Peace I leave with you; my peace I give

you. I do not give to you as the world gives.”...This is

what I am experiencing. In the midst of the pain, the

Lord provides joy and peace.”

Sibling members of worship band, The Good News Team, who regularly lead the live on air worship for

Keep on Singing, recently lost their mother after a long

illness. Singer Victor Fawzi shared, “I want to say that

there was no sorrow nor depression. Our mother knew

how to live the kingdom of God here on earth… That’s

why we could sing hymns when we were celebrating

her passing away.”

Praise and worship programmes are a vital part of

SAT-7’s ministry to empower the Church and be a

catalyst for spiritual renewal in the Middle East and

North Africa. As producer, Andrew Gamal, explains,

“offering the messages of the Bible through songs

can touch people’s souls and help them feel God’s

presence.”

Please pray for the following viewers

while reading their messages:

From a viewer in Morocco – “I know the church is a

group of believers, and I want that too. I feel so alone.

Pray I can find a Christian friend for me and one for

my daughter.”

From a viewer in Turkey – “My friends and I are trying

to improve ourselves by watching your programs. Show

us the way of Christianity. We have no other source.”

From a viewer in Iran – “Tonight I watched your

program by accident. How can I open my heart to Jesus

and talk to Him? Pray for me to be guided in the right

direction.”

From a viewer in Lebanon – “Thank you for your

SAT-7 KIDS programs that are safe for children and

that treat girls the same as boys. Pray for the impact of

your shows on the next generation.”

George Makeen, Programming Director for SAT-7’s

ARABIC channel, is one of the driving forces behind

SAT-7’s vision to help meet the educational needs of

families in the Middle East. After witnessing first-hand

the struggles of refugee children dealing with depres-

sion, anxiety, nightmares and behavioural problems,

Egyptian-born Makeen says, “It pushes me to pray,

asking God for justice and to be a Father to them.

May we be part of God’s plan to protect them.”

Please pray for the following viewers

while reading their messages: From a viewer in Iran – “Our church pastor and some

church members are in prison. Their Bibles were

found. Pray for God to protect them and shine His

light through them.”

From a viewer in South Sudan – “I found Christ’s love

and I no longer feel rejected. I told my mother that

I love her even though I was treated cruelly. Now she

asks for prayer for herself.”

From a viewer in Egypt – “The boys at school mock me

and don’t invite me to their parties. I forgive them, and

I’m glad God accepts me. Pray they will know Jesus

loves them too.”

From a female viewer – “I gave my heart to Christ. I

want to shout, “Jesus has chosen me, and I’m a chosen

one.” Last night I slept like a baby.” (Pray for her

growth.)

From a viewer in Afghanistan – “Drugs are ruining my

son and most of his friends. Pray for me to know how

to tell them about Jesus and how He can show them

a better life.”

From a viewer now in Europe – “The book of John

changed my life, but my Father beat me as if I was an

infidel. I have been roaming for ten years, in need of

a home. Pray I get refugee status in some country.”