TV station ministers to Arab Christians

Insight on the News, April 22, 2002 by Joanne Hudson

The Middle East, populated mainly by Muslims and Jews, also has plenty of Christians in need of ministry, according to a Cyprus-based Christian satellite TV company. SAT-7 seeks to "put an Arabic face on Christianity," says its North American Executive Director Ron Ensminger, who estimates that 17 million Arabic-speaking Christians live in the Middle East and want entertainment and family programming.

SAT-7, which stands for "satellite" and alludes to the biblical significance of the number 7, has studios in Beirut and Cairo (its U.S. headquarters is in Wayne, Pa.). The network broadcasts 12 hours of Christian programs per day. Its reception area ranges from northern Europe to the Saham Desert, targeting 21 Arabic-speaking countries. The area, growing by 1 million people per month, encompasses about 430 million residents in one of the world's most volatile regions. "Ninety-five percent of houses have TVs," says Ensminger, who says satellite broadcasting often is the best source of uncensored news and entertainment in the Middle East.

Shows are scripted and produced by indigenous Arabic Christians, says Ensminger, whose goal is to produce more than 60 percent original and in-house programming ranging from music videos to business features -- including biblical teaching and prayer. The most popular children's program, As-Sanabel, which translates as "ears of wheat," airs five days a week, says Rita Younes, director of children's programs for SAT-7.

SAT-7 was conceived in November 1995 by 25 Christian agencies and churches from the Middle East, Europe and North America. "We are very partnership-oriented with the local church," Ensminger says. The ministry gathers about 30 percent of its support from within the Middle East and Europe and the other 70 percent of its $7 million budget from North America. The ministry is endorsed by Campus Crusade, the Baptist General Conference, several members of Congress, including Sen. Rick Santorum (R-Pa.), and members of the British Parliament.

JOANNE HUDSON WRITES FOR Insight'S SISTER DAILY, THE WASHINGTON TIMES.