(Photo courtesy Kodak AGFA/Flickr/CC)

Egypt (MNN) — Ousted Egyptian President Mohamed Morsi is slated to stand trial starting on November 4 on charges of committing and inciting violence.

The response of his supporters to a trial is already raising security concerns, and for good reason. AMG International’s Tasos Ioannidis explains, “The violence actually continues. There was some violence earlier this week, and a number of people were killed. It is a difficult time.”

Over 50 people died on Sunday, and hundreds more were injured in street clashes across the country. This surge of violence raises new questions about the interim government’s ability to bring order to the restive nation.

Even as reports surfaced indicating the military was pillaging its way across the country indiscriminately, there were other reports that indicated the village survivors of the campaign were still being victimized. Ioannidis disagrees with the reports. “The way most of the Western news agencies are reporting the situation is not accurate. Our people on the ground are saying that the army has wide support from the people.”

Christians had feared the rise of an Islamist state in which they would suffer open discrimination and persecution. At the same time, moderate Muslims objected to the Islamization of Egypt, in favor of a secular government. It was the apparent government indifference to those objections that led to the ouster.

Aghast at their sudden fall from grace, the Muslim Brotherhood looked for someone to blame. They chose the weakest minority in the country: Christians. The Copts open supported the military takeover of Egypt from the Muslim Brotherhood. They also played an important role in the coalition demanding Morsi’s removal.

Enter: Islamist reprisal violence. After the attacks against Christian villages and churches, the Coptic leaders demanded better protection from their persecutors as well as justice. The good news, “The army has stated that they will help the Christians.” The bad news, says Ioannidis, is, “Right now, the army is also fighting an insurgency in the Sinai Peninsula, so their efforts are focused there and they’re also trying to fight the people from the Muslim Brotherhood that are still in opposition.”

“The Islamists are continuing to try to blame the Christians, to try to incite violence against the Christians.” But, in fact, the country seems to be riding a swell of nationalism similar to what was seen in 2011. Plus, he adds “even moderate Muslims are trying to protect the Christian community.”

AMG partners have shared some apprehension about their vulnerability as Morsi’s trial nears. “There are concerns because again, the Islamists are focusing on the Christian community, and they are trying to basically form a front for Muslims to show that Christians are behind all of this.”

The trouble has been disruptive to the quiet ministry in place in Egypt. Workers are keeping a low profile. However, Ioannidis is quick to add that their partners haven’t stopped living the Gospel of peace. “They are hoping that God will use this whole situation to draw many more people to Him in Egypt that Christianity will spread, that many more people will come to know Christ as Savior through this. They are seeing this already and that gives them strength and hope in the midst of all the persecution that they are facing.”

What can be done while the clock ticks down to the beginning of the trial? Ioannidis answers, “The main thing to pray is for God’s protection for the Christian community that they will continue to remain a light in the middle of this darkness and that God will use them to draw many people to Himself.”

(Photo courtesy of Christian Post)

Egypt (MNN) – Some scholars believe Egypt’s continued onslaught of violence against Christians could be the worst in 700 years. And it’s not over yet. Greg Mussleman is a spokesman with the Voice of the Martyrs Canada. “Talking to those that are plugged in well on what’s going on. They believe that the violence, the destruction, and the assault on the Christian community, will continue for at least several more years.”

The recent headline news may bear that out. It seems like every Friday, after Muslim prayers end, there are riots and protests that erupt among members of the Muslim Brotherhood. A sudden burst of unpredictable violence lurks just beneath the surface, similar to that of 3 July.

The target? Christians. Coptic Church leaders are trying to keep a lid on the tensions. They’re encouraging calm and talking about peace, unity and forgiveness. The most obvious reason behind the message, says Mussleman is that, “When people react with violence against violence (which is totally understandable), it just leads to more violence.”

Easier said than done. The Islamist takeover of a town in Egypt has Christians drowning in fear. Dalga’s takeover followed the ouster of the country’s president, Mohamed Morsi. On 3 July, Morsi’s Islamist supporters attacked Christians, their homes and businesses in the southern Minya province.

(Photo courtesy MNN)

Radicals have yet to leave, promising defiance of the military-backed leadership that has replaced him, and successfully stopping army attempts to send in armored personnel carriers.
Trouble in Sinai could mean a second insurgency could erupt in Minya and Assiut provinces, home to two of the biggest Christian communities in Egypt, while at the same time a foothold for the Islamists. Mussleman considers, “That’s very much possible. You’ve got the Muslim Brotherhood who are not going to sit down and say ‘Ok. I guess we lost this thing. We’re going to forget about it.’ No. That’s not what they’re thinking about.” The problem is that in the security vacuum, it has been Christians largely paying the price. He explains, “Of course we’ve seen dozens of churches destroyed, Christian businesses destroyed, homes destroyed–a lot of intimidation. There’s a lot of fear right now because even the military and police say they can’t adequately protect them.”

While the constitution allows for freedom of conversion, in practice, discrimination is commonplace. What’s more, waiting for a new constitution puts things in limbo. With things as bad as they are for Christians, Mussleman wonders, “Who knows what’s going to be happening two months from now? People are leaving. There’s a lack of trust in what’s going to happen there.” He goes on to add that with the mass exodus of Christians fleeing Egypt, “Who knows how many will be left to vote, or to think at this point in time there’s any reason to even be involved in the constitutional process?”

And yet, there’s opportunity. “In the middle of all this, there’s also been an incredible expression of forgiveness by Christians in places like Minya, south of Cairo. We’re seeing where they are actually writing on their destroyed churches ‘We forgive you.'” The open-handed extension of forgiveness to those who have pulverized their communities speaks volumes for the Christ they follow. It takes guts to speak His name, though, in an atmosphere where you can be killed by a mob just for wearing a cross or being identified as a Christian.

That’s where you come in. “Be praying that they will be strong, that they will not be ruled by fear, but they would use wisdom. And also (be praying) that the Christians, in large masses, would exhibit forgiveness.”

Pray God will strengthen and embolden Christians in this time of political uncertainty and give them new opportunities to share the gospel.

The recent headline news may bear that out. It seems like every Friday after Muslim prayers end, there are riots and protests that erupt among members of the Muslim Brotherhood. A sudden burst of unpredictable violence lurks just beneath the surface, similar to that of 3 July.

The target? Christians. Coptic Church leaders are trying to keep a lid on the tensions. They're encouraging calm and talking about peace, unity, and forgiveness. The most obvious reason behind the message, says Musselman, is that "when people react with violence against violence (which is totally understandable), it just leads to more violence."

Easier said than done. The Islamist takeover of a town in Egypt has Christians drowning in fear. Dalga's takeover followed the ouster of the country's president, Mohamed Morsi. On 3 July, Morsi's Islamist supporters attacked Christians, their homes, and businesses in the southern Minya province.

Radicals have yet to leave, promising defiance of the military-backed leadership that has replaced him, and successfully stopping army attempts to send in armored personnel carriers.
Trouble in Sinai could mean a second insurgency could erupt in Minya and Assiut provinces, home to two of the biggest Christian communities in Egypt, while at the same time a foothold for the Islamists.

Musselman considers, "That's very much possible. You've got the Muslim Brotherhood who are not going to sit down and say ‘OK. I guess we lost this thing. We're going to forget about it.' No. That's not what they're thinking about."

The problem is that in the security vacuum, it has been Christians largely paying the price. Musselman explains, "Of course we've seen dozens of churches destroyed, Christian businesses destroyed, homes destroyed–a lot of intimidation. There's a lot of fear right now because even the military and police say they can't adequately protect them."

While the constitution allows for freedom of conversion, in practice, discrimination is commonplace. What's more, waiting for a new constitution puts things in limbo. With things as bad as they are for Christians, Musselman wonders, "Who knows what's going to be happening two months from now? People are leaving. There's a lack of trust in what's going to happen there." He goes on to add that with the mass exodus of Christians fleeing Egypt, "Who knows how many will be left to vote, or to think at this point in time there's any reason to even be involved in the constitutional process?"

And yet, there's opportunity. "In the middle of all this, there's also been an incredible expression of forgiveness by Christians in places like Minya, south of Cairo. We're seeing where they are actually writing on their destroyed churches, ‘We forgive you.'" The open-handed extension of forgiveness to those who have pulverized their communities speaks volumes for the Christ they follow. It takes guts to speak His name, though, in an atmosphere where you can be killed by a mob just for wearing a cross or being identified as a Christian.

That's where you come in. "Be praying that they will be strong, that they will not be ruled by fear, but they would use wisdom. And also [be praying] that the Christians, in large masses, would exhibit forgiveness."

Pray that God will strengthen and embolden Christians in this time of political uncertainty and give them new opportunities to share the gospel.

(Photo courtesy Globovision)

Hundreds more have been injured. Additionally, the rampage has resulted in the destruction or damage of 212 privately-owned Christian shops and homes and 95 church buildings. Buildings include orphanages, schools and Bible book stores.

Open Doors’ ministry partners are confirming that Christians are living in fear, especially those in the countryside where Muslims are the majority. Many Christian families have lost everything and escaped with only what they were wearing. In the wake of the unprecedented violence targeting Egypt’s Christian community, Open Doors is working closely with local church partners to support and comfort those left traumatized by painful losses.

Open Doors USA is asking for emergency financial support for those suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ. The need is substantial with a goal of $430,000. The funds will be used for what is most needed to bring hope and relief to many suffering and devastated Christians.

“Christians in the West must understand that the rampage against the followers of Jesus is targeted and intentional,” says Open Doors USA President/CEO Dr. David Curry. “Unless we pray, advocate and support those faithful believers who are under attack, the persecution will continue and perhaps widen. Please consider how you might support our brothers and sisters in Christ.”

To make a donation, go to www.opendoorsusa.org and then click the “Help Egypt” icon.

An Egyptian Christian leader states: “What can Christians do? Although the fight seems to be between groups of people, it is clearly a spiritual war. It is written in Ephesians 6:12 that ‘….our struggle is not against flesh and blood….’ Therefore to win the war, believers need to use the right weapons. Egyptian Christians are appealing to people around the world to pray and fast with them.”

His prayer requests for Egypt include:

* An end to the current violence

* The police and army to control the situation and bring long-lost law and order back to the streets of Egypt

* For God to expose the lies and deceptions being told so that the truth will be revealed to the entire world

* That Christians continue to love, forgive and rebuild their country, churches, homes and businesses

* The country’s future leaders bring peace and harmony to all parties and bring Egypt out of poverty and chaos
Egypt is ranked No. 25 on the Open Doors 2013 World Watch List of the worst persecutors of Christians.

For almost 60 years Open Doors has worked in the world’s most oppressive and restrictive countries, strengthening Christians to stand strong in the face of persecution and equipping them to shine Christ’s light in these places. Open Doors empowers persecuted Christians by supplying Bibles and Christian literature, training Christian leaders, facilitating social/economic projects and uniting believers in the West in prayer for Christians, who are the most persecuted religious group in the world and are oppressed in at least 60 countries.

Hundreds more have been injured. Additionally, the rampage has resulted in the destruction or damage of 212 privately-owned Christian shops and homes, and 95 church buildings. Buildings include orphanages, schools, and Bible book stores.

Open Doors ministry partners are confirming that Christians are living in fear, especially those in the countryside where Muslims are the majority. Many Christian families have lost everything and escaped with only what they were wearing. In the wake of the unprecedented violence targeting Egypt's Christian community, Open Doors is working closely with local church partners to support and comfort those left traumatized by painful losses.

Open Doors USA is asking for emergency financial support for those suffering for their faith in Jesus Christ. The need is substantial with a goal of $430,000. The funds will be used for what is most needed to bring hope and relief to many suffering and devastated Christians.

"Christians in the West must understand that the rampage against the followers of Jesus is targeted and intentional," says Open Doors USA President/CEO Dr. David Curry. "Unless we pray, advocate, and support those faithful believers who are under attack, the persecution will continue and perhaps widen. Please consider how you might support our brothers and sisters in Christ."

To make a donation, go to www.opendoorsusa.org and then click the "Help Egypt" icon.

An Egyptian Christian leader states: "What can Christians do? Although the fight seems to be between groups of people, it is clearly a spiritual war. It is written in Ephesians 6:12 that 'our struggle is not against flesh and blood….' Therefore to win the war, believers need to use the right weapons. Egyptian Christians are appealing to people around the world to pray and fast with them."

His prayer requests for Egypt include:

* An end to the current violence

* The police and army to control the situation and bring long-lost law and order back to the streets of Egypt

* For God to expose the lies and deceptions being told so that the truth will be revealed to the entire world

* That Christians continue to love, forgive, and rebuild their country, churches, homes, and businesses

* The country's future leaders bring peace and harmony to all parties and bring Egypt out of poverty and chaos

Egypt is ranked No. 25 on the Open Doors 2013 World Watch List of the worst persecutors of Christians.

For almost 60 years, Open Doors has worked in the world's most oppressive and restrictive countries, strengthening Christians to stand strong in the face of persecution and equipping them to shine Christ's light in these places.

Open Doors empowers persecuted Christians by supplying Bibles and Christian literature, training Christian leaders, facilitating social/economic projects, and uniting believers in the West in prayer for Christians, who are the most persecuted religious group in the world and are oppressed in at least 60 countries.

It finally silenced a church for the first time in 1,600 years. Security issues following last week’s rioting forced officials to consider the risks of a large gathering of people.

At the same time, a scholar at the Hudson Institute’s Center for Religious Freedom was quoted by The Christian Post as saying that last week’s attacks on Christian churches and believers in Egypt were the worst in 700 years. Most of the violence seemed to be concentrated in southern Egypt in a 24-hour time frame.

Human Rights Watch, an international human rights group, visited 11 sites in Minya city and Bani Suef, where last week’s attacks took place. Their investigation took note of attacks on at least 42 churches (though several ministries working in the region cite as many as 60 churches), as well as those on dozens of Christian institutions, schools, homes and business owned by Christians. Their conclusion: this was an intimidation campaign thought to be waged by supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.

In their new report, HRW accused authorities of being “largely absent or failed to intervene” when churches or properties come under attack. While authorities did little to stop the violence, now the military-backed government is trying to capitalize on the church burnings to paint the Brotherhood as terrorists.

(Photo by 8thirty8/Facebook)

The wave of attacks also included drive-by shootings, kidnappings, destruction of church buildings and Christian-owned property, and now lethal shootings. Unidentified vandals marked church buildings and Christian-owned homes and businesses declaring, “Egypt is Muslim, not Christian.” During the rampage, many of the same buildings were destroyed.

AMG International has some quiet work in Egypt. Speaking of their partners, President and CEO Tasos Ioannidis says the trouble has been disruptive. People have to keep a low-profile. “The best thing to do is just avoid being identified at this point because a lot of them will be targeted if they are recognized as members of the Christian community.”

Just how volatile is it? He says in the report they got this week from their partner, “There was a news story about a taxi driver who was pulled over because he had a cross hanging from the mirror of his car and he was killed and the taxi was destroyed.”

He goes on to explain that “The Christians are being blamed for a lot of what is happening right now from the Muslim Brotherhood. They are being targeted so our co-workers are trying to just avoid situations where they would be in danger. There is a lot of property damage, but property can be rebuilt.”

According to The Washington Post, a high-ranking Western official (who spoke on condition of anonymity) doubted the Muslim Brotherhood had orchestrated the assault, blaming vigilantes, instead. However, when that came up, Ioannidis disagreed. “From our people on the ground, they are clear that the violence is coming from the Muslim Brotherhood. They see that as being part of their effort to stay in power to control the situation in Egypt.”

Still, the Gospel is present throughout Egypt. Even though the voices of some of the churches have been silenced, it’s temporary. It’s also just one small part of the larger body of Christ. AMG’s partners haven’t given up hope, but they need the protection of an army to keep going forward. Ioannidis sums it up this way: “This is a very dangerous time for them so they need God’s protection. The first thing to do is pray for them daily and pray, that God keeps them safe.”

If the paradox of persecution still holds true, as historic as the violence is in Egypt, so will be the new believers on the other side of the turmoil. Will you add your voice to the growing chorus?

Security issues following last week's rioting forced officials to consider the risks of a large gathering of people.

At the same time, a scholar at the Hudson Institute's Center for Religious Freedom was quoted by The Christian Post as saying that last week's attacks on Christian churches and believers in Egypt were the worst in 700 years. Most of the violence seemed to be concentrated in southern Egypt in a 24-hour time frame.

Human Rights Watch, an international human rights group, visited 11 sites in Minya city and Bani Suef, where last week's attacks took place. Their investigation took note of attacks on at least 42 churches (though several ministries working in the region cite as many as 60 churches), as well as those on dozens of Christian institutions, schools, homes, and business owned by Christians. Their conclusion: this was an intimidation campaign thought to be waged by supporters of ousted Islamist President Mohamed Morsi.

In their new report, HRW accused authorities of being "largely absent or failed to intervene" when churches or properties come under attack. While authorities did little to stop the violence, now the military-backed government is trying to capitalize on the church burnings to paint the Brotherhood as terrorists.

The wave of attacks also included drive-by shootings, kidnappings, destruction of church buildings and Christian-owned property, and now lethal shootings. Unidentified vandals marked church buildings and Christian-owned homes and businesses declaring, "Egypt is Muslim, not Christian." During the rampage, many of the same buildings were destroyed.

AMG International has some quiet work in Egypt. President and CEO Tasos Ioannidis says the trouble has been disruptive for AMG ministry partners; they have to keep a low-profile. "The best thing to do is just avoid being identified at this point because a lot of them will be targeted if they are recognized as members of the Christian community."

Just how volatile is it? He says in the report they got this week from their partner, "There was a news story about a taxi driver who was pulled over because he had a cross hanging from the mirror of his car: he was killed, and the taxi was destroyed."

Ioannidis goes on to explain that "the Christians are being blamed for a lot of what is happening right now from the Muslim Brotherhood. They are being targeted, so our co-workers are trying to just avoid situations where they would be in danger. There is a lot of property damage, but property can be rebuilt."

According to The Washington Post, a high-ranking Western official (who spoke on condition of anonymity) doubted the Muslim Brotherhood had orchestrated the assault, blaming vigilantes instead. However, when that came up, Ioannidis disagrees. "From our people on the ground, they are clear that the violence is coming from the Muslim Brotherhood. They see that as being part of their effort to stay in power to control the situation in Egypt."

Still, the Gospel is present throughout Egypt. Even though the voices of some of the churches have been silenced, it's temporary. It's also just one small part of the larger body of Christ. AMG ministry partners haven't given up hope, but they need the protection of an army to keep going forward. Ioannidis sums it up this way: "This is a very dangerous time for them, so they need God's protection. The first thing to do is pray for them daily, and pray that God keeps them safe."

If the paradox of persecution still holds true, as historic as the violence is in Egypt, so will be the new believers on the other side of the turmoil. Will you add your voice to the growing chorus?

(Photo courtesy Ruth Kramer)

Since President Mohammed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood were removed from power by the military in early July, Islamist extremists have targeted Egypt’s Christian minority, holding them partly responsible. Tom Doyle is E3 Partners’ Middle East expert explains, “Whenever there is some political change, whenever there is something new, the Arab Spring, whatever arises, inevitably, there’s targets that result in that and typically, it’s Christians.”

Over the weekend, a clash in one southern city between Christians and Muslims saw 15 people wounded, and homes and a church burned. It started innocently enough. Muslim neighbors had a dispute over a speed bump being built in front of a Christian home. Tempers flared and fighting broke out resulting in the ruins seen in the light of day.

When asked why Christians were blamed for the Morsi’s ouster, Doyle said, “They went from having oppression under the government, to now them (being )out of power, and them being the agitators. They really can’t do anything to the military, at this point, because the military is so strong. So they’re going after Christians. They’re unleashing their anger on Christians.”

Applications to leave the country are increasing among both Christians and Muslims. By some estimates, tens of thousands of Christians have fled post-revolution Egypt.

According to corresponding reports from the Voice of the Martyrs USA, radicals have

(Photo courtesy Ruth Kramer)

vandalized Christian-owned shops to identify them. Many Christian shop owners have closed their shops. Christian women and girls are staying at home to prevent being attacked or kidnapped by radical Muslims. Asking for protection provides little comfort. Doyle cited a case where church officials got wind of a threat against them, asked police for help, and only after the church burned to the ground, did help arrive. As cases like these pile up, he says, “God is their protector there because they cannot depend on the government.”

Doyle goes on to say that the paradox of persecution comes to life in times like this. “There’s unrest on both sides, Christian and Muslim. It’s a dangerous situation and people are reevaluating how they think and what they believe.”

As people begin questioning the violence, their dogma and more, ground is being prepared for the seed of hope. “We really need to pray for believers there. There are Christians that are in above-ground churches, like the Coptics. There are underground believers that come from a Muslim background, that are worshipping privately in homes so they’re not in danger.”

Christians in Egypt are asking you to pray with them for protection, but there’s more to it than that. “Pray that the Christians can be known for love and not retaliation”, notes Doyle. When believers respond in the name of Christ, and with boldness, it gets noticed. “Privately, Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus, wanting a different way, looking for a different relationship with God that they can only find through Jesus.”

Since President Mohammed Morsi and his Muslim Brotherhood were removed from power by the military in early July, Islamist extremists have targeted Egypt's Christian minority, holding them partly responsible. E3 Partners Middle East expert Tom Doyle explains, "Whenever there is some political change, whenever there is something new–the Arab Spring, whatever arises–inevitably targets result…and typically, it's Christians."

Over the weekend, a clash in one southern city between Christians and Muslims saw 15 people wounded, and homes and a church burned. It started innocently enough: Muslim neighbors had a dispute over a speed bump being built in front of a Christian home. Tempers flared and fighting broke out, resulting in the ruins seen in the light of day.

When asked why Christians were blamed for the Morsi's ouster, Doyle said, "They went from having oppression under the government, to now [being] out of power and then being the agitators. They really can't do anything to the military, at this point, because the military is so strong. So they're going after Christians. They're unleashing their anger on Christians."

Applications to leave the country are increasing among both Christians and Muslims. By some estimates, tens of thousands of Christians have fled post-revolution Egypt.

According to corresponding reports from the Voice of the Martyrs USA, radicals have vandalized Christian-owned shops to identify them. Many Christian shop owners have closed their businesses. Christian women and girls are staying at home to prevent being attacked or kidnapped by radical Muslims. Asking for protection provides little comfort. Doyle cited a case where church officials got wind of a threat against them, asked police for help, and only after the church burned to the ground did help arrive. As cases like these pile up, he says, "God is their protector there because they cannot depend on the government."

Doyle goes on to say that the paradox of persecution comes to life in times like this. "There's unrest on both sides, Christian and Muslim. It's a dangerous situation, and people are reevaluating how they think and what they believe."

As people begin questioning the violence, their dogma, and more, ground is being prepared for the seed of hope. "We really need to pray for believers there. There are Christians that are in above-ground churches, like the Coptics. There are underground believers that come from a Muslim background, that are worshiping privately in homes so they're not in danger."

Christians in Egypt are asking you to pray with them for protection, but there's more to it than that. "Pray that the Christians can be known for love and not retaliation," notes Doyle. When believers respond in the name of Christ, and with boldness, it gets noticed. "Privately, Muslims are coming to faith in Jesus, wanting a different way, looking for a different relationship with God that they can only find through Jesus."

Egypt's two highest appeals courts also reacted to Morsi's move to grant himself nearly absolute powers by suspending their work. However, not everyone was against the idea. The Muslim Brotherhood and hardline Salafi parties plan to demonstrate across Egypt on Saturday in support of Morsi's declarations.

What's at stake: the edicts make all Morsi's decisions immune to judicial review and ban the courts from dissolving the upper house of parliament. That also affects creating an assembly and writing the new constitution, both of which are dominated by Islamists.

The decrees also allow sweeping authority to stop any "threats" to the revolution, public order, or state institutions. These would last until the constitution is approved and parliamentary elections are held–not likely before spring 2013.

News reports indicate that some of the demonstrators believe Morsi stole the Revolution. Director of *SAT-7 Egypt, Farid Garas, urges prayer for their crew, especially "when they cover the events at the Square and when they broadcast the Friday morning live meeting from KDEC."

Garas notes that "last Friday, the OBVAN couldn't go to the church, and we had to cancel the live broadcasting. We are eager to find a way to go and have the meeting live next Friday, although we know the demonstrations are going to increase."

President of SAT-7 USA, Rex Rogers adds, "We've increased security somewhat–not significantly, but a little bit. We've worked with our staff to make sure they are conscious of how they conduct themselves in the street, so to speak, going back and forth."

The broadcast team will also be using a current affairs show that SAT-7 broadcasts every Saturday covering the week's events. Rogers explains, "We try to interact with our people in terms of how they respond publicly if there are any threats, and then of course, on the air." During that show, not only do they address the news, but they also adapt all the live shows to tackle and pray for the circumstances. According to surveys carried out in 2008, 1.4% of Egypt's population of 80 million people regularly watch SAT-7.

Despite the violence and reported troubles experienced by other Christian groups, none of the staff have been hurt in any of their coverage of the upheaval of the last year and a half, nor have their Cairo studios been threatened.

That may be due, in part, to a strict non-political adherence when covering the events in Egypt. While SAT-7 does talk about them, it's in the context of community impact. Rogers says, "We're constantly talking throughout the Arab world about praying for peace, praying for non-violence, praying for others unlike ourselves, and also interacting in a way that Christ would be presented in a positive way that attracts people to Christianity."

Earlier this week, SAT-7 Egypt aired a live music program called "We Will Sing', they also dedicated a segment to prayer for Egypt, with a split screen showing the square with demonstrations but covering that from the Christian perspective.

It's an approach that has been used with other crises, like the one in Syria. Citizens speak to citizens, addressing a critical situation non-politically, but from a biblical perspective. Rogers says, "That's a way of speaking to people and encouraging the Church in the midst of trial and trying to tell them, ‘Look, you're not alone. There's a church at large in the Arab World, there's a church at large in the western world that's aware of you. We're praying for you, [and reminding you] that God is still in charge.'"

It offers both a forum for discussion and a place to share the peace and hope found in the Bible. Says Garas, "It is good to say that during all that is happening, there is a spiritual movement of unity between churches. The meetings such as the Cave Church gets extended every week: now it is on from 7:00 till 11:00."

*SAT-7 is a Christian Satellite Television ministry to the Middle East and North Africa. The SAT-7 family includes SAT-7 ARABIC, SAT-7 KIDS, SAT-7 PARS, SAT-7 PLUS and SAT-7 TURK. By employing indigenous talent to produce targeted Christian programming for every major demographic, SAT-7 employs both satellite technology and culturally-sensitive theology to speak to the heart of Arab, Persian, and Turkish people groups.