Over the past several years, Lutheran Hour Ministries has partnered with the SAT-7 network on the development of satellite and digital television programming that shines the light of Christ into dozens of countries throughout the Middle East and North Africa, and several in Central Asia. Many viewers watching these broadcasts hear about Christ for the first time.
A program titled, What’s Up, is wrapping up our sixth season of youth broadcasts that reach the entire Arabic-speaking world. The 26 episodes began airing last October and have delivered a fast-paced, youth-centric program addressing key life topics. In a context of increasing media influences, the program covers issues youth and young adults often face, such as disappointment, parental pressure, and challenges in finding their place in the modern world. A recent airing discussed feelings of frustration and despair that people can experience by comparing their lives to what they see others displaying on social media. Using references to Matthew 23:27, the episode encouraged the audience to focus on their own lives and their relationship with God. Each episode includes real-life stories of young people and innovative segments, such as short dramas, biblical reflections, and social media reels.
In addition to a successful quartet of programs airing on the SAT-7 PARS channel for Persian-speaking Christians, a new multi-language project launched earlier this year on each of SAT-7’s channels for adults: SAT-7 ARABIC, SAT-7 PARS, and SAT-7 TÜRK (for Turkish speakers). Using topical content from LHM’s Project Connect booklets as a framework, each channel created a brand-new program to introduce people to the Gospel by addressing the challenges of daily life with biblical truth. Each channel’s program is tailored to the unique language, culture, and felt needs of its audience, and points viewers to additional resources to help them further explore the topics covered.
One of these programs, GPS, supports Persian-speaking Christians, particularly those who are subjected to persecution and other forms of oppression, by covering significant issues that are pertinent to their personal and church communities. QR codes are incorporated into each episode to direct viewers to additional downloadable resources that have been adapted from LHM’s booklets.
“I’ve watched several episodes, and they have all been enriching for me,” says a viewer from Iran. “There’s a simplicity and fluidity in the program that I really love; the discussions don’t come off as overly theoretical and are very down-to-earth and practical. The examples they use are also very applicable to everyday life, which I appreciate a lot. Most programs dive into a more scholarly and theoretical realm, but with this one, I can understand how the verses can be applied to my daily life.”