"My childhood was shaped by the brutality of war and the loss of my mother", reflects Rita El-Mounayer, SAT-7's international CEO.
Growing up in Lebanon, Rita experienced both profound loss and God’s sustaining presence. Looking back, she describes her life as being shaped by “the fierce protective love of my father … and by a God who wipes away every tear”.
Then, in her twenties, God placed an unexpected call on her life: “I became a producer and children’s presenter for SAT-7, the first Arabic Christian TV station to broadcast across the Middle East”. Thirty years later, Rita leads the international ministry she helped build. Her journey from presenter to CEO mirrors SAT-7’s wider story: one of faith, perseverance and transformation.
This year, SAT-7 celebrates 30 years of media ministry across the Middle East and North Africa. What began as a weekly two-hour satellite broadcast in Arabic has grown into a multi-platform, multi-language ministry reaching 25 countries, every day, all year round. Yet the heart of the mission remains unchanged: to bring joy, strengthen faith and share God’s love by reaching people in their own languages and in culturally relevant ways. For me, SAT-7’s greatest strength is its commitment to local Christian voices – people from the region sharing the hope of Christ with their own communities in ways that are authentic and deeply relatable.
Jad’s story demonstrates the impact of this commitment: a young man from Syria whose faith journey has unfolded alongside SAT-7’s ministry. Jad first discovered SAT-7 as a child. Growing up in a non-Christian family, he began watching programmes in secret and learnt about Jesus through our dedicated children’s channel, SAT-7 KIDS. By the time he contacted us in 2021, aged 17, he had been watching for years and longed to be baptised and attend church openly.
His journey, however, was far from easy. “When the war started, everything changed”, Jad wrote to SAT-7 presenter and audience relations manager, Marianne Awaraji. Years of conflict had forced Jad from his home, separated him from his family and exposed him to violence no child should experience, including kidnapping. Yet amidst those hardships, the songs and biblical truths he learnt through SAT-7 remained with him. “Even when I was kidnapped, I used to remember the songs”, he told Marianne. “I used to sing them again and again.”
Three years later, Jad got back in touch with the message Marianne had long prayed for: “Today is my big day, because I have been baptised! You were like a lighthouse for me, lighting the way and guiding me to Jesus!” Not only had Jad been baptised, but he had also told his family about his faith and found a vibrant Christian community where he felt at home. “I never stopped watching you”, he told Marianne. “SAT-7 is in our hearts. It is the basis of my faith. It built my faith.”
Stories like Jad’s remind us that SAT-7 is not simply broadcasting programmes; it is accompanying people on their faith journeys. Through biblical teaching, conversation and prayer, viewers find encouragement and discipleship that can shape their lives over many years. For those with limited access to a church community or other Christian resources, SAT-7 becomes a familiar voice, helping them grow in faith and discover they are not alone.
That spirit of connection was powerfully on display this June, when SAT-7 partnered with Langham Arts to celebrate 30 years of ministry at Prom Praise: To the Ends of the Earth at London’s Royal Albert Hall. For Marianne, who performed on the night, the evening was a reminder of the lives behind the screens.
“As I stood there singing, my thoughts turned to the children, families and believers finding hope through SAT-7 across the Middle East and North Africa”, she reflected. “I wanted the global church to remember that behind every screen is a real person deeply loved by God.”
Yet one of the most encouraging moments came after the event, when Marianne received a message from a young woman: “You may not know me personally, but I grew up watching SAT-7 KIDS and singing along to your songs. Seeing you standing on that stage worshipping before thousands of people made me so proud.”
For Marianne, the message was a reminder of the ways God is at work in the region; the songs she once shared with children are now encouraging a new generation of young adults. She was particularly moved by the sight of believers worshipping together from different nations and backgrounds: “It was a reminder of a verse I love — that God will give us “a crown of beauty instead of ashes” (Isaiah 61:3). With everything going on in the [region], being with all these people worshipping on that amazing stage was so beautiful and really connected me with God and His beauty.”
"I wanted the global church to remember that behind every screen is a real person deeply loved by God."
Across the Middle East and North Africa, communities continue to face conflict, displacement and economic hardship. Yet stories like Rita’s and Jad’s remind us that God continues to work powerfully through His people. As UK Christians, we can stand alongside believers in the region through prayer, encouragement and partnership. My prayer is for peace, protection and the viewers who, like Jad, are quietly discovering the love of Jesus through ministries like SAT-7; may this be your prayer too.
Looking ahead, Rita remains focused on the same calling that first drew her to SAT-7 three decades ago: choosing hope. “My story is a powerful reminder that even in the ruins of war and personal loss, God’s love can still build something eternal”, she says. “I continue to choose hope for my life and peace for the Middle East.”
As SAT-7 enters its fourth decade, that same hope continues to inspire our mission: bringing joy, strengthening faith, and sharing God’s love. I pray SAT-7 will continue to amplify Jesus’ love through local Christian voices across the region for generations to come.
