Lebanon
(SAT7/MNN) — For the first time in 15 years, SAT-7 program production work
in Lebanon will be housed under one roof.
The
team broke ground nine days ago at the site of a new studio complex–a
significant step in a growth direction for the Christian satellite television
outreach to the Middle East and North Africa. Lebanon, with its creative work force and religious
freedom, has always been an important production center for SAT-7.
Aside
from boosting morale, the single facility will increase the team's operational efficiency, as well reduce the wear and
tear on production equipment that, up until now, has been transported between
multiple locations each week.
The first phase of the project
is expected to take two years to complete and will cost just over two million
dollars (USD). Initial funds have been
provided by a generous donor, to support both the purchase of the land (about
6,000 sq. meters/60,000 sq. feet) and the initial construction work. This first
phase will include 4 different studio areas and much-needed meeting and
administrative space.
Marking
the occasion, the SAT-7's International Board Chair, Rev Dr Habib Badr,
shared the ministry's vision and mission statements, which are now even more
relevant and vital than when SAT-7 was founded in 1995, because of the current
changes in the region.
SAT-7
CEO Terence Ascott gave a brief overview of the history of SAT-7 and the
growth of its work in Lebanon, stressing that even though we will see many
changes in the way television is consumed in the future, there will always be a
need for quality Christian programming that is truthful, relevant and
creative. It was his prayer that this new facility would provide a
home for such productions for many years to come.
Samples of recent music and informational videos were shown, which both showed
the high standard of SAT-7's programming output and its relevance to the great
challenges faced by many Christians in these days of seismic change across the
Arab World.
Attending the ceremony
were: The Minister of Information, His Excellency Walid Daouk, representing
General M. Suleiman, The President of the Lebanese Republic; Colonel George
Salameh, representing the Minister of Interior; and Rev. Dr. S. Sahiouni,
president of the Supreme Council of the Evangelical Community in Syria and
Lebanon. In addition, many of Lebanon's Christian denominations and
ministries were represented. The Minister of Information enthusiastically
joined SAT-7 and Church leaders in the final act of placing cement for the
memorial stone to mark this historic day.
SAT-7 has 3 different 24/7 Arabic satellite
channels: SAT-7 ARABIC, SAT-7 PLUS and the region's only Christian channel for viewers
under 15 years old, SAT-7 KIDS.
