Years later, God opened the door for that dream to come true. Today, Shady is a host on SAT-7 KIDS, using his platform to encourage children as Lebanon faces new turmoil.

Shady has lived through two conflicts, including the latest Israel-Hezbollah war which has rattled Lebanon. Tensions still continue under a precarious ceasefire. Yet, Shady is using his platform to point Lebanese and refugee children to Jesus.

(Photo courtesy of SAT-7 KIDS)

Joe Willey with SAT-7 explains, “Instead of saying, ‘Wait, God, why me?’ [Shady] is presenting and saying, ‘I understand what you are going through. I have lived through it, and I’m living through it again. And there is no hope like the hope that Christ gives.'”

Shady recently saw the lasting impact of SAT-7 KIDS firsthand when he visited a displacement camp. There, he met two young sisters watching the channel, singing along to worship songs, and reciting the Bible verses from the shows.

“Our situations can change,” says Willey. “In the life of [Shady], it changed drastically and quickly. But he also celebrates that Jesus Christ never changes. So that is something that young people in the Middle East and North Africa are hearing and need to hear.”

Praise God for how He is working in the hearts of children in Lebanon through SAT-7!

Willey emphasizes, “Making God’s love visible to people who are in a difficult time is important and it will matter – and it will matter for eternity.”

Read more of Shady’s story at SAT-7’s website here!

Header photo: Shady Tarzi with two refugee sisters who enjoy watching SAT-7 KIDS. (Photo courtesy of SAT-7 KIDS)

(Image courtesy of SAT-7 USA)

Meanwhile, parents in Lebanon are concerned their children could be radicalized by extremist groups like Hezbollah, which are eager for new recruits.

Joe Willey with SAT-7 USA says, “When there is instability there, and whether a government is toppled, whether there are natural disasters, whether there is conflict between other nations, there are voids. And into that void, something will go.

“That concern of any parent, whether it’s in the US or around the world, is, ‘Are my children safe?… Will my children survive?'”

Even beyond Lebanon’s borders, the threat of radicalization is felt globally.

Germany is still reeling after a Syrian refugee sped a car through pedestrians at a Christmas market, killing five people and injuring over 200.

In the United States, a car-ramming terror attack targeted New Year’s revelers on a packed New Orleans street. At least 15 people died and dozens were injured. The attacker, a US citizen and army veteran, was potentially radicalized and had an ISIS flag in his possession.

Radicalization can happen suddenly or slowly over time, starting at a young age. Hezbollah’s recruitment tactics in Lebanon even include summer camps for kids, targeting children as young as six years old, according to The UN Refugee Agency.

(Photo courtesy of SAT-7 USA)

For parents in Lebanon seeking safe entertainment options, SAT-7’s satellite television program, SAT-7 KIDS, offers Gospel-focused entertainment for children.

Willey explains, “Not only do Christian families and Christian children watch it, but we also have messages — and we’ve had many — from parents of children of other faiths who say, ‘I can put SAT-7 KIDS on and I can be confident that my children are going to hear something that’s good.’

“‘They’re not going to hear something that could radicalize them. They’re not going to hear something that I don’t want them to hear. They’re family values.’ And of course, what we know is they’re speaking about biblical values.”

Pray for children in Lebanon to put their trust in Jesus Christ rather than the false promises of extremist groups. Ask God to give parents wisdom, that they may also follow Jesus and point their kids to biblical truth.

“We certainly at SAT-7 have a mission to really minister to children because these children that are living and have lived in war zones have lived in such chaos,” Willey says. “They are being shaped – and they will either be shaped by that violence, or they can be shaped by the Gospel.”

Learn more about SAT-7 KIDS.

Header photo: Hezbollah fighters train in southern Lebanon, May 2023. (Photo courtesy of Tasnim News Agency/Wikimedia Commons)

The SAT-7 KIDS show Why is That? was created to address trauma, both from a psychological perspective and through the story of Jesus. Joe Willey says, “It’s a new 13-part series. Each episode begins with a drama featuring a problem or a traumatic event and how it affects children. The children, after the drama, will then go and see Geddo, who is a grandfather character.”

“He helps them process really what they’ve seen and experienced, using games and activities to explain biblical truth.”

Geddo shares that no matter what the kids have experienced, God is always with them. The show also teaches kids that what happened is not their fault, especially since many have been blamed for their trauma.

Parents

The show deals with sexual abuse, religious persecution, and the trauma of extreme poverty.

Since adults principally cause childhood trauma, SAT-7 wanted parents to be able to watch as well. Willey says, “Trauma impacts your relationships with others, and it impacts your relationship with God. So trauma cannot be hidden in darkness. It needs to be brought into the light. Even if it’s a children’s program, it does show adults that God does amazing things when we bring difficulties and trauma into the light.”

Childhood trauma doesn’t just happen in the Middle East and North Africa. Pray kids around the world would encounter Jesus’ love.

Why is That? is currently in production and will be broadcast on SAT-7 KIDS starting in January 2023.

The header photo shows Gedda with the kids. (Photo courtesy of SAT-7 USA)

Two teams of four answer biblical questions, race in wheelbarrows, go through obstacle courses, and more. Each set for the show is modeled after a different biblical location.

Joe Willey with SAT-7 USA says the contestants come from around the region. “Perhaps most importantly, some come from traumatic or difficult backgrounds. So this show is really created to be a fun and safe way for them to experience the teamwork with others that they some have not had before.”

“It happens in a Christian environment, so it really modeling Christian cooperation with brothers and sisters in Christ.”

One girl, Thalia, grew in confidence during the first season. She began expressing her thoughts without fear of judgment. Oliver had his first experience working in a team.

Pray Challenge Accepted will show the love of God to families around the Middle East, “even in their struggles,” Willey says. “And their struggles may be economic. They may be an isolated believer in a sea of people who don’t share their beliefs. And that’s difficult. We also pray that viewers would be encouraged by God’s Word.”

Ask God to strengthen the producers of Challenge Accepted as well.

Header photo courtesy of SAT-7 USA. 

COVID-19 continues to be a problem, especially without hygiene supplies available. But remote work or learning can be difficult as well since many people don’t have electricity for the internet most of the day.

Joe Willey with SAT-7 USA says the SAT-7 Lebanon office has a generator but has to conserve fuel. Many of the staff work from home to keep programs like SAT-7 KIDS, SAT-7 ARABIC, and SAT-7 ACADEMY on the air. “There have been special programs, with prayer times and testimonies that have focused on the Lebanon crisis. And SAT-7 continues to offer personal follow-up with those who contact our audience relations team. That is a unique way that SAT-7 can help and reach out to people who you really need hope.”

Many people have reached out, saying they found hope in Jesus through SAT-7 programming. Read some of the replies here.

How to pray

Willey asks listeners to pray that God will work in amazing ways. “Not just in Beirut, not just for the SAT-7 studios, but for the nation and people that are within its borders. We are praying that there would be hope and peace for those who are struggling through job losses or loss of just daily needs. They face what I think I could truly characterize as a very dark discouragement.”

Ask God to strengthen SAT-7 employees trying to keep programs on the air. Pray their needs would be provided for, and that they would feel God’s presence always.

Header photo courtesy of SAT-7. 

The SAT-7 KIDS channel is especially focusing on educating and supporting children during the confusion of COVID-19 restrictions.

Katerina Parpa with SAT-7 says, “Well, SAT-7 as a whole, is a holistic ministry. Meaning that we cater to all the needs – spiritual and educational and development needs – of our viewers. So, the programming that we’ve been broadcasting these past five weeks that we’ve been in lockdown, has been focused on instructional as you said. It’s educating children on hygiene, on washing hands, but at the same time we’re bringing the spiritual element into it.”

From segments talking about active hygiene habits to counseling programs for parents, the programs on SAT-7 KIDS help families through a difficult time.

An Increase Online

The formats of the programs vary. For instance, some kids on the program Puzzle have created music videos for those who watch. Parpa says, “They’re basically written by children and teens and they’re aimed to help our kids, our viewers, feel that they are… they’re not alone in this isolation, and that other kids just like them are having the same feelings and thoughts.”

Regular presenters are also creating and sharing content, not just on the channels, but on social media as well. And people are seeing it. Recently SAT-7 KIDS has seen an 500% increase in their Facebook audience. That means new kids hear they have value, rights, and a loving God.

“…all they have is God…”

Many of the problems both refugee and non-refugee children face day to day are increased during this time, including the risk of increased domestic violence, uncertain provisions, and more.

“Right now children are, depending on their circumstances, depending on their family, depending on the spiritual maturity of their parents – they might be at a point where they feel like all they have is God or Jesus in their life,” Parpa notes.

Allo Marianne Program airs on SAT-7 KIDS (Image courtesy of SAT-7)

That’s why this programming is so important. It provides an outlet for fun and play. Different programs offer educational resources for children and for parents while providing a Biblical view of suffering, joy, and life.

For instance, one program presenter shared with the children that, “The Word of God says out of the mouth of babes and nursing infants, you have ordained strength because of your enemies. You may silence the enemy in the event.”

Parpa continues, “This was psalms eight, verse two and many kids are calling into the live program and they’re sharing their prayers. They’re sharing their thoughts. It’s so simple for kids to know that just by praising they can fight off the fears and the stress of what is happening.”

Kids hear this, feel the hope of the message, and share Gospel truths with friends and family. Hope is being absorbed and proclaimed through SAT-7 KIDS programming.

Our Daily Bread

The reports of impact are encouraging and show how much SAT-7 KIDS has the potential to encourage children.

“We are dealing with this situation as well and yet we need our daily manna. We need our daily encouragement. We need our daily strengths,” Parpa states. “And how much more so are these children who are in refugee camps, or displaced, or their families have lost their jobs? Their parents are frustrated and angry and can’t provide for them. So it’s important that we keep sharing the message that God is with them. That God is taking care of them that their security is not in things. It is not in people, but it is in God.”

(Image courtesy of SAT-7 USA)

Even in these uncertain times, SAT-7 KIDS depends on the support of partners to continue their work. Parpa encourages people to join ministry work in a number of ways.

“They can support a channel or the ministry with a donation. They can share our content with their friends as well. We post a lot of content on our social media and our website that updates our supporters who are interested. We post almost daily.”

Join the financial support of SAT-7 KIDS  here.

Header image courtesy of SAT-7 USA.

SAT-7 KIDS Reaches Milestone

SAT-7, located in Cyprus, has five different channels and broadcasts in Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish. Sharing more about SAT-7 KIDS, SAT-7’s Rex Rogers says;

“Of course, it’s in Arabic, and it broadcasts throughout the Arab world. [It] aims at children pretty much 12-years of age and younger. Though, we know all the way up to the grandpas my age watch it, too.”

(Photo courtesy of SAT-7)

To celebrate, SAT-7 KIDS is noting the channel’s birthday on air as well as doing some fun and colorful programming for the kids. Rogers shares the staff also celebrated last week, with an anniversary cake.

After a decade of programming, SAT-7 Kids has been a part of many kids’ lives, influencing them for Christ as they matured.

And while many people in the Arab World aren’t willing to admit they’re watching a Christian channel, SAT-7 has received a lot of phone calls, letters, emails, and social media messages on a regular basis from kids and their parents who watch SAT-7 KIDS.

“[They] love the positive programming. They love the upbeat nature of the programming, the colorfulness, the optimism,” Rogers shares. “[It’s] a real contrast to what many of them see in their own countries and cities. And a contrast to sometimes what their religious worldview offers them.”

A Decade of Impact

Now, some of SAT-7 KIDS’ viewers are their 20s and many have reached out to tell the ministry its impact on their lives.

“We have heard from young people who’ve grown up…And they’ve said, ‘I grew up watching SAT-7,’ they’ve come to Christ [through it],” Rogers shares.

“[Some] are working in Christian television. I know one guy … in Morocco, great story of how he came to the Lord, it’s too long to tell here, but he’s now a Christian kids television program producer. And he often sends his work to SAT-7 KIDS and it ends up on the air.”

(Photo courtesy of SAT-7)

SAT-7 KIDS is also concerned about the children they’re ministering to and their needs. Many refugee kids in the Arab World are growing up without an education.

These kids aren’t being taught how to read, write, or even basic math skills. This deficiency is grooming these children to become more vulnerable to extremist recruitments in the future. To counter this and help these kids have a chance at being a productive part of society, SAT-7 KIDS is now airing a program called “My School.”

To counter this and help these kids have a chance at being a productive part of society, SAT-7 KIDS is now airing a program called “My School.”

“We’re teaching Arabic and English and mathematics, to begin with,” Rogers explains. “We’re going to add science. Again, [it’s] aimed at younger children. Just something supplemental and basic to help them.”

The Parents’ Blessing

SAT-7 continues to be a part of kids’ lives with even non-Christian parental approval.

“[Parents] say over and over the same phrase, ‘I feel so good about my children being safe, watching this program or watching this channel,’” Rogers shares.

“Because again outside, depending on what country they’re in, there’s literally violence or conflict or some kind of pressure, oppression…And watching other Arab television channels, they’re seeing, again, violence portrayed and sometimes [on] the children’s programs, believe it or not, they’re asking these kids to blow themselves up in the name of their god.”

(Photo courtesy of SAT-7)

SAT-7 KIDS is a bright option in contrast to some channels kids could be watching. And, it helps teach children to celebrate life, identity, and a healthy sense of tolerance.

And for many, this type of programming is a culture shock, but in a positive way.

“It’s a bigger population than the United States, a very important area, and if we want to change the future of the Middle East we need to learn more about them. Learn where we can cooperate, learn where we can get along literally and respect each other, even if we’re different,” Rogers explains.

Getting Involved

Here are three main ways to get involved

Be Informed: Learn about what’s happening in the Arab World including the religious thinking, theologies, and cultures there. One of the easiest ways to learn about the Arab World is through SAT-7. The ministry does have videos in English and even has an app so you can watch them wherever you’re at.

Be Prayerful: Pray for the kids and families watching SAT-7 KIDS and other SAT-7 channels. These people include refugees who are often times struggling to find shelter, food, and jobs. And as they try to move forward in life, some are having babies who, because of the refugee stature of their parents, are born without birth certificates and other important documents. So please, pray for their providence, for aid, for them to be able to start rebuilding their lives, and for Christ to enter their lives and transform them.

Also pray for SAT-7’s impact, through all five of its channels, in the Arab World. Pray for lives to be transformed by the Gospel and for peace to come to the region.

Be Generous: Another way to help is by giving to SAT-7. All it takes is $1 to provide programming for a year for one person in the Middle East. Imagine how many lives could be impacted if you gave a one-time donation, or even ventured to commit to a monthly gift. Either way, it’s used to share the Gospel with people who might not be able to hear it through any other medium than their television screens. So please, will you consider giving?

To give, click here!

Learn more about SAT-7 KIDS here!

(Photo courtesy SAT-7)

Iraq (SAT7/MNN) — Think about this for just a second: Iraq has been in armed conflict since 1980, when Iraq invaded Iran, seized Khuzestan (a border province in Iran), and declared it a new province of Iraq.

At the time, Iraq’s leader Saddam Hussein was seen as “the defender of the Arab world” against Iran. Not long after that, evidence came to light of chemical warfare in an 8-year war that ended in a stalemate. The bitterness between the Sunni and Shia wasn’t over, and tensions threatened to flare between Iraq and Kuwait. In 1990, Iraq invaded Kuwait, and the Gulf War came into reality.

Today, it’s ISIS and the rapid expansion of the so-called Caliphate across Syria and Iraq. Their advance has created the world’s largest humanitarian crisis in the form of refugees.

The time span of war engulfed more than one generation. In fact, it’s distressing to realize that there are adults who have never known anything but war in their lifetimes.

It’s part of why SAT-7, a Christian satellite television network to the Middle East and North Africa, is so vital to the region. Here’s one impact story from Martin, a SAT-7 KIDS viewer:

Looking back, Martin says, “We grew up in war. There is no other reality for people under 35. It has become the norm for how people live.” Martin and his siblings used to escape the darkness surrounding them by watching SAT-7 programs.

Early episodes of the Lebanese show “Asanabel” transported their minds to a different place. “We fell in love with the characters,” Martin says. “Rita [the presenter] once replied to my letter. I cannot express the joy I felt.” After all these years, he still holds onto the card that Rita mailed him.

In time, it became too dangerous for Martin to continue living in Iraq. In 2006, he left and sought safety in the United States. At 15 years old, he was lonely and far from family. Watching familiar SAT-7 episodes again gave him solace.

18 months ago, Martin requested episodes of “Asanabel” to be sent to him. He says, “Whenever I get homesick, I just pull those out. I don’t think SAT-7 could have known they would impact so many kids in rural northern Iraq. A 10-minute skit on ‘Asanabel’ will really bless someone’s life 10 or 15 years down the line. I’ve lived it.”

(Graphic courtesy SAT-7 KIDS)

Support for this ministry is investment into the lives of another war generation who are part of the body of Christ. Realizing that it could be introducing one child to Christ who could become a church leader makes the prayer and financial support even more potent.   Martin shared a final thought to those considering helping the SAT-7 family: “You are not just supporting a television station. To know there is someone thousands of miles away caring for you is so powerful.”

(Screen capture courtesy SAT-7KIDS)

Iraq (MNN/SAT7) — Mr. Know — a TV program host for SAT-7 KIDS program Why is That? — recently returned from Kirkuk, Iraq, and shares a message from refugee children that shows an uncanny depth.

He went to an evangelical church and asked a group of children, “When you pray to God, what do you say?”

Their responses were astounding because even with all that has happened to turn their lives upside down, there is no hate: only love and mercy. One girl, wearing a red poppy barrette in her hair, answered Mr. Know, “I ask Him to forgive those who sinned.”

(Screen capture courtesy SAT-7KIDS)

Mr. Know asked a girl name Vatica what she thanked God for. Her answer was immediate and confident. “For everything.”

For ISIS? For being chased out of their homes? Out of the schools? There’s a whole generation of displaced children who have been on the run for years. Some have never been to school, living the life of a refugee, unwanted, scorned, ignored, forced into poverty.

This is how generational war begins. Yazidi refugees have congregated in Dohuk. When ISIS attacked them, the eradication was absolute. Most fled. Those who stayed behind often died. It was such an affront that a U.S. lawmakers are asking President Barack Obama to label ISIS’ targeting of Christians and Yazidis in the Middle East a “genocide.”

Mr. Know asks a group of boys, “If you see one of them in front of you, would you forgive him?” The oldest promptly answers, “Of course I would forgive him.”

It’s easy to dismiss their answers as overly simplistic, naïv,e or coached for a camera, given the atrocities they’ve survived. Yet, this is where the Gospel comes in. With a heart transformed by Christ, there is forgiveness and hope where there would otherwise be anger and disillusionment.

Next, Mr. Know travelled to Dohuk to talk to the kids there. His first question was a big one: “If you have one thing to say to God now, what would it be?”

The group fidgets a little, before a girl answers. “We want to return to our homes.” It’s the reality these kids face, making the next comment even more down-to-earth in response to the question, “How can you forgive?” One boy says, “Our Father, Jesus, died on the cross and forgave all our sins.”

(Screen capture courtesy SAT-7KIDS)

God has used SAT-7, a Christian satellite television ministry to the Middle East and North Africa, to share God’s grace, love, and forgiveness in the lives of those who follow him, even little children. Pray for the innocent children still looking to Jesus for peace.

(Screen capture courtesy SAT-7 KIDS)

Iraq (SAT7/MNN) — Do you ever wonder what happened to Myriam, the little girl who forgave ISIS in a video that went viral?

Just in case you didn’t track that story, here’s the background: a year ago, SAT-7 KIDS presenter Essam (AKA Mr. Know of the program Why Is That?) visited Iraqi Kurdistan where he met and interviewed 10-year-old Myriam.

The young girl was with other tens of thousands of refugees in Ankawa, a suburb of Irbil, Iraq, who were driven from their homes and villages from the Nineveh Plains by ISIS. Despite the trauma and personal loss, in the interview Myriam asks God to forgive ISIS and says, “I won’t do anything to them, I will only ask God to forgive them.”

It was the ultimate example of childlike faith and forgiveness–a mix of innocence and the sudden awareness of war and persecution. In the original interview, she mentioned she had a friend, Sandra, whom she loved very much but had lost track of in her family’s escape. Her simple faith and grace toward the terror group and the world they brought to her actually brought hope and comfort to all the Assyrian refugees and all Assyrians around the world.

(Screen capture courtesy SAT-7KIDS)

Fast forward to the present. Mr. Know went back to Erbil, Iraq, met with Myriam again, and saw that two of her prayers–to go to school and be reunited with her best friend, Sandra–had been answered. SAT-7, a Christian satellite television ministry to the Middle East and North Africa, joined the reunited the girls at school for another interview to see how they were doing.

What they found was a lot of God’s love and mercy. Despite displacement, the girls shared what was top of mind awareness for them: the Lord’s Prayer, especially the phrases, “On earth as it is in heaven” and “Give us this day, our daily bread.” For refugees, life is pretty much out of their control. Complete surrender to God brings with it an understanding of His provision and His care for His children.

(Screen capture courtesy SAT-7KIDS)

For one so young to understand this already is humbling. Through trauma, Myriam clung to her faith in God. Through loss, she never lost hope. When given the opportunity to share other thoughts, Myriam played a worship song of her own on a guitar. Her lyrical thoughts read like a Psalm of David: “My beloved Jesus captured my heart by His love. Glory be to God. With My love, Glory be to God….”

In the end, although ISIS terror continues to dominate international headlines, Myriam’s faith is a sign of hope for the future. When asked, “What would you say to world leaders?” she answered, “Walk with love and mercy in your hearts.” Out of the mouths of babes, indeed.

Click here to see what else is in the SAT-7 family of channels.