This makes programs like Hashtag on SAT-7 PARS critical for young believers.

SAT-7’s Farsi-speaking channel, SAT-7 PARS, is a Christian satellite TV broadcast in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. All three of those countries rank on the World Watch List for Christian persecution. Iran and Afghanistan especially are in the top 10 with extreme persecution levels.

Parastoo Poortaheri is a Broadcast Officer, Presenter, and Producer with SAT-7 PARS. Their program Hashtag is aimed at Christian kids and teens ages 8 to 16.

(Photo courtesy of SAT-7)

Poortaheri says Hashtag is a mix of educational and biblical programming. “It has different parts in the program such as ‘Around The World.’ We take them every few weeks to one country or a specific place, let’s say, and just talk about that place so that they get to know the place or the area or the city of that country.”

Hashtag started running on SAT-7 PARS last year and it was well-received. They are currently on season two.

“We have ‘Heroes of the Bible’ and we talk about a certain part of the Bible every week,” Poortaheri says. “Every time we are on the show, we are introducing next week’s theme or the part of the Bible that we’re going to talk about. Then through our social media…every Monday morning, they can find a voice file of the story plus the video which is on Instagram. For some people who don’t have a Bible, that would be easier because it’s like a brief part of the story that we’re going to talk about. But we also mention (in case they have a Bible) where they have to go and read that part.”

Then they host a game on Hashtag featuring 12 questions from the Bible story that week.

Poortaheri says, “This way, we’re asking of them to learn those Bible stories. It [is] amazing because many times when they answer the question, they know it and they love it. Some of them for example, like Noah and Abraham might be a little bit familiar for them and they already know about it. But…many other stories, they don’t know about it and they’re so happy when they know it.”

(Photo courtesy of SAT-7)

Hashtag also features a time of worship, celebrates viewers’ birthdays, and more! Ultimately, they want to engage Persian kids and teens with Christian community and God’s Word.

SAT-7’s channels operate on the generous support of the global Body of Christ. Support SAT-7 PARS and their Gospel ministry here!

And please pray for young Christians in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan to grow deep roots of faith. Ask the Lord to use SAT-7 PARS for the growth of His Kingdom.

Header photo of Parastoo Poortaheri on Hashtag, courtesy of SAT-7.

SAT-7 is a Christian satellite television broadcast in the Middle East and North Africa. Parastoo Poortaheri, Presenter with the SAT-7 PARS program Hashtag, says they asked Iranian kids to draw post-pandemic life as a way to celebrate Universal Children’s Day on November 20.

(Image courtesy of SAT-7)

“Especially for children, it might be so hard to stay at home and not have hope about their futures or not have time to hang out with their friends. And of course at SAT-7, we always share the message of hope. So we thought it was necessary to share the message of hope to them and remind them that God is with us.”

They weren’t sure what to expect, but what did kids actually draw? Love. Each picture depicted family or friends or even the whole world together again.

Poortaheri says, “They were really focusing on…people are loving each other more. They were putting hearts or they were just putting the people around the world. They were showing more love in their painting, more calmness, more green. There were a few who were talking about how still we have to care about ourselves a lot even after the COVID[-19] situation because of what we learned out of it.

“There was also one girl saying that after COVID[-19], she can go back to the church with her parents without wearing masks!”

These kids have been impacted by the pandemic, but the story isn’t over. SAT-7 PARS broadcasts to Persian-speakers in Iran, Afghanistan, and Tajikistan. Their programs are showing kids they can find joy and peace through Jesus even in the waiting.

Please pray with SAT-7 for God to give kids in Iran hope for the future that comes from Christ.

(Image courtesy of SAT-7)

Click here to learn more about SAT-7 PARS!

Header image courtesy of SAT-7.