FAITH «LIVE» ON AIR: HOPE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

SAT-7, a network of satellite television and digital media channels, channels, began broadcasting its first program in 1996, and many of its millions of viewers grew up with its faith-based content.   

For those who do not come from Christian families, SAT-7's children's shows are often their first encounter with the good news of Jesus. One of these young viewers is Jad from Syria.

For many years, he secretly watched SAT-7 programmes and longed for the day when he could be baptised and freely attend a local church. During the years of civil war and unrest in Syria, the media service strengthened Jad's faith and accompanied him through many trials in life.

UNFORGETTABLE PROMISES

Jad first contacted SAT-7 in 2021 when he called in to the live children's programme ‘Allo Marianne’ at the age of 17. He said that he had been following SAT-7 since he was ten years old and that it had helped him to know and love God.

During the telephone call, presenter Marianne Awaraji from Lebanon asked how the violence around him had affected him. ‘When the war started, everything changed,’ replied Jad. ‘I left my home, my region. I was far away from my siblings and my father.’ He recounted two harrowing experiences: how his father survived an assassination attempt and how militants kidnapped Jad himself in 2015.

Dealing with these traumatic events was not easy. But the songs of praise he had learned, which had taken root in Jad's heart through SAT-7 KIDS, helped him greatly. ‘Even when I was kidnapped,’ he said, ‘I remembered the songs. I sang them over and over again.’ His favourite song was ‘Because God So Loves You,’ which Marianne had written herself.

Jad also mentioned his dream of being baptised – publicly.  However, his family did not yet know about his faith. But God had long since heard his prayer.

A HEART'S DESIRE FULFILLED

‘Today was finally the day! I was baptised!’ Jad announced to Marianne in a telephone message in December 2024. ‘I have you to thank for all of this. You were like a lighthouse that showed me the way and led me to Jesus! I thank you from the bottom of my heart – both from the heart of little Jad and from the heart of big Jad.’

Jad describes how his prayers were answered completely: he had told his family about his faith and found a vibrant church community. ‘I go to a wonderful church and feel at home there,’ Jad enthuses. ‘I have great friends who support and love me.’

‘The day before my baptism, I saw your programme. You talked about the work of the Holy Spirit,’ Jad said. ‘You can't imagine how much that episode touched me.’

Just a few days after Jad's message to Marianne, events in Syria took a completely unexpected turn at the end of 2024.  

WE SEE THE HAND OF GOD

In December 2024, after 13 years of civil war in Syria, President Bashar al-Assad was suddenly overthrown by Hayat Tahrir al-Sham (HTS). The dramatic loss of power by the Assad regime was a cause for celebration for many people in Syria and beyond.

At the same time, there was enormous uncertainty about the country's new leaders and what their rule would mean for minorities in Syria, including Christians. A suicide bombing at a church in Damascus in June 2025 shocked the Syrian community and made them question their safety.

‘Unfortunately, most Syrians are afraid,’ Jad reported recently. "Christians are afraid of tomorrow. They are afraid of what will happen. Nevertheless, our heavenly Father cares for us, and that is our greatest pride. We are not afraid of persecution because we are committed Christians. We see the hand of God. We thank God that the churches are open and we can gather for worship."

SAT-7 – A CONSTANT COMPANION IN LIFE

Despite the turbulent events that have shaped Jad's life so far and the uncertainty about his future in Syria, it is clear that his faith is maturing and that SAT-7 has played a crucial role in his journey. ‘Honestly, SAT-7 has a place in our hearts,’ Jad says. ‘It strengthens my faith. It supports and accompanies me... As a child, I watched SAT-7 KIDS, and now, as an adult, I watch SAT-7 ARABIC.’

SAT-7 continually encourages viewers to get in touch via live programs, messaging apps, and social media. Each of the four channels has its own viewer support team that responds to messages, questions, and prayer requests.

Marianne, who has accompanied Jad for years, is deeply encouraged to witness the growth of his faith – and the faith of thousands of other children and young people – over the years.

“Jad’s story reminds us that even in the most difficult circumstances, God’s light can shine brightly,” observes Marianne. “What began as a secret seed of faith planted in Jad’s little heart through our programmes has grown into a bold and open confession of Jesus as Lord.”