SAT‑7 Annual Report 2014

SAT‑7 Annual Report
2014
1
CONTENTS
4 Letter from the SAT-7 CEO
5 Letter from the SAT-7 USA President
6 SAT-7 TÜRK Channel Update
8 SAT-7 TÜRK Program News
10 SAT-7 PARS Channel Update
12 SAT-7 PARS Program News
14 SAT-7 KIDS Channel Update
16 SAT-7 KIDS Program News
18 SAT-7 ARABIC Channel Update
20 SAT-7 ARABIC Program News
22 Studio Update
24 SAT-7 Staff
25 SAT-7 Partners
26 Long-Term Goals
27 2015 Goals
28 Finances
30 International Council
31 SAT-7 USA Board of Directors
OUR VISION
To see a growing church
in the Middle East and North
Africa confident in Christian
faith and witness, serving the
community and contributing
to the good of society
and culture.
OUR MISSION
To provide the churches
and Christians of the
Middle East and North Africa
an opportunity to witness
to Jesus Christ through
inspirational, informative and
educational television
services.
Established in 1995, SAT‑7 today broadcasts in
Arabic, Farsi and Turkish, using the powerful tools
of uncensored satellite television and social media.
Through multiple channels (SAT‑7 ARABIC,
SAT‑7 PLUS, SAT‑7 KIDS, SAT‑7 PARS and SAT‑7 TÜRK),
it brings the hope of the Gospel to millions of
viewers in the Middle East and North Africa and
seeks to support the life and witness of the region’s
17 million Christians.
Front cover: A SAT‑7 presenter, Essam Nagy, met 10 year old Myriam in a refugee camp in
Kurdistan, Iraq. She told her story and asked him to carry her message about forgiveness
out to the world. Afterwards, the video clip with Myriam went viral online. Watch the clip
here: https://youtu.be/dzLXM_zo2e8.
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LETTER FROM THE CEO
Thank you for your kingdom
investment. For SAT-7, this was a
year of change and some remarkable
advances. Let me tell you more about
what’s happening in our ministry:
SAT‑7 TÜRK was awarded a broadcast license by the Turkish Radio and
Television Supreme Council (RTÜK) and, just a few hours before the end of
the year, was able to secure a television channel on the new, governmentregulated Türksat 4A satellite. This is first time that any Christian channel has
been allowed onto Türksat.
Beautiful new studios for SAT‑7 in Lebanon were dedicated in November by
the Maronite Patriarch, Cardinal Raii. This greatly increases the capacity of the
team in Lebanon to produce new programs for SAT‑7 ARABIC and SAT‑7 KIDS.
SAT‑7 PARS appointed a new Executive Director, Rev. Mansour Khajehpour.
He replaced Sara Afshari, who left to pursue her doctorate at the University of
Edinburgh after investing a very significant 12 years building up SAT-7 PARS
from a few hours a week of broadcasting to a full, 24/7 channel.
As we look ahead to the coming year, we have several goals investing in the
future of the Church in the Middle East and North Africa. (See pages 26–27 to
find out more.)
This Annual Report can only scratch the surface of all the good things that the
Lord is doing across the different offices and channels but I do pray that you
will be encouraged both by reading it, and through your much appreciated
strategic partnership with us.
In His Love,
LETTER FROM THE PRESIDENT
Shining brightly through the darkness
is a beam of hope that presents
Jesus Christ, the Light—accessible to
tens of millions who cannot hear the
Good News in any other way.
The Middle East and North Africa are beset by conditions worse than anytime
since World War II. ISIS is a barbaric part of the problem. Syria remains at war
with itself, counting over two hundred thousand dead. Iran is dangerous,
whatever the country’s intentions. Several Arab countries are borderline failed
states. Refugees and internally displaced people number in the millions. Some
20 million children are not in school and face little hope of schooling anytime
soon—a recipe for humanitarian disaster and a breeding ground for future
radicalized recruits.
Into this turmoil, SAT-7 broadcasts Christian programming with messages
of encouragement, love, tolerance, morality, and respect for life, liberty,
and worship.
This is not to be underestimated. In the West, we simply do not understand
what it is like to live daily under dark clouds of oppression, stifled opportunity,
destruction, or crushing despair.
This annual report is simply a snapshot, but it suggests how vital and effective
SAT-7’s ministry is for this moment in history. SAT-7 is positioned, experienced,
and able…only lacking more resources to introduce more people to the Light
of the World.
Thank you for your generous support for SAT-7’s ministry of reconciliation
touching Arab, Persian, and Turkish hearts.
For Middle East HOPE,
Dr. Terence Ascott,
Founder and CEO, SAT‑7
4
Dr. Rex Rogers
President, SAT-7 North America
5
CHANNEL UPDATE
HISTORIC BREAKTHROUGH
LIVE FROM ISTANBUL
The potential TV audience for
SAT-7 TÜRK is now over 50
million people! As a result of God’s
providence
and years of hard work,
the SAT-7 TÜRK channel acquired a
TV broadcast license from the Turkish
government on September 10, 2014,
approving it to air on the popular
Türksat satellite. Regular programs
on the new satellite officially launched
on February 14, 2015. Get the full
story at www.sat7usa.org/turksat.
SAT-7 TÜRK began airing a live news
program, allowing the audience to call
in and offer feedback to presenters in
real time. News programs are highly
popular among Turks, making this
news broadcast important for attracting
new viewers and shedding a Christian
perspective on current affairs.
PRODUCTION ACHIEVEMENTS
SAT-7 TÜRK produced 325 hours
of new programming during 2014.
These new programs keep viewers
engaged and provide them with a
variety of Christian topics to follow.
IN NEED OF MORE STAFF
Please pray the Istanbul studio can
add to its current team of twenty
full-time staff members. It is a
continuing challenge for SAT-7 TÜRK
to find the right technical staff,
editors, cameramen, producers, and
hosts, because there are so few
Christians in Turkey.
NETWORK CONFERENCE
There was record attendance at the
SAT-7 annual Network 2014 Conference
for partners and supporters. It was
held in Izmir, Turkey, with over 250
people from twenty-five countries.
Many also took part in vision trips to
ancient biblical sites and a tour of the
SAT-7 TÜRK studio in Istanbul. Due to
the success of Network 2014, the
conference was held at the same
location in 2015.
Left: Melih Ekener, Executive Director SAT‑7 TÜRK.
Above: Ilknur Bay Firat, host on SAT‑7 TÜRK.
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7
SAT‑7 TÜRK VIEWER TESTIMONY
PROGRAM NEWS
LIFE WITHOUT OBSTACLES
Rabia Tufan, an influential Christian in
social justice and women’s issues in
Turkey, presents Life Without Obstacles
on SAT-7 TÜRK. She explains that one
episode “features a gifted blind artist
whose beautiful drawings astonish
viewers…The message is that we all
have disabilities, but that there is
hope in every situation because we
have hope in God.”
NICE TALK IN AZERI DIALECT
SAT-7 TÜRK began airing Nice Talk,
its first program in the Azeri dialect,
spoken by
26 million people in
six countries. Presented by Aygün
Camsun, the worship, sermons, and
testimonies are touching Azerbaijanis
in their heart language.
FOOTNOTES OF HISTORY
Footnotes of History presents
Turkey’s rich biblical history,
including the Apostle
Paul’s ministry and
the Seven
Churches of
Revelation. Erhan Yesilırmak and
Marc Madrigal host this series,
uncovering stories of the Church
Fathers and Church history.
“I have been praying secretly like a Christian for twelve years.
I always prayed to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit. But I have
never met any Christians at all. Now I watch you and I cannot
believe my eyes. I give praises to God. Please help me to
meet with local Christians.”—man from Southern Turkey
PROPHECY BOOKS IN
THE HOLY BIBLE
SAT‑7 TÜRK AUDIENCE RESPONSES BY METHOD 2014
Christians who want to deepen their
biblical knowledge are tuning in to
Prophecy Books in the Holy Bible. Uğur
Saçkesen, a local pastor in Istanbul,
teaches viewers on this subject.
Emails 9%
Facebook
comments 70%
Phone calls 21%
ONE OF US
Turkey is a crossroads between
Europe and the Middle East, hosting
millions of refugees as well as a tiny
but growing Christian minority. A
new program called One of
Us shares
biographies of people from diverse
ethnicities living in Turkey, aiming to
build new bridges of friendship.
SAT‑7 TÜRK YOUTUBE
VIDEO VIEWS
2014
2013
87,587
44,659
SAT‑7 TÜRK PEOPLE REACHED
BY FACEBOOK
Thousands
1,070,000
1000
800
600
400
112,000
200
0
2013
2014
From the program
Nice Talk in Azeri dialect.
Right: On the set of the new Turk
program, Prophecy Books in the
Holy Bible.
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SAT‑7 PARS VIEWER TESTIMONY
CHANNEL UPDATE
RECOGNIZING SARA AFSHARI
TEACHERS CONFERENCE
During July 2014, SAT-7 PARS wished
Executive Director Sara Afshari a warm
farewell as she pursued her doctoral
studies full-time at the University of
Edinburgh. CEO Dr. Terence Ascott
said, “Over the past twelve years,
she has built up the channel’s staff,
funding, programming and facilities
in a way that no one could have
predicted.”
In October 2014, SAT-7 PARS hosted its
fourth bi-annual Teachers Conference
in the UK with over
thirty leaders
from different Iranian churches and
organizations. The conference is
designed to develop the biblical and
theological strategy for SAT-7’s Farsi
language channel.
“I am now 22 years old and have been addicted to drugs for the past six
years. I had a dream of Jesus Christ and His love for me. A friend gave me
a Bible and I began to read the Gospel of Matthew. It seemed to just be
a story of Jesus’ life, not the Word of God. One day a friend introduced
me to SAT‑7 PARS and after watching some of the programs I realized that
my Bible really is God’s Word. I have now put my faith in Jesus and am
praying for Him to help me stop using drugs.”—woman from Northern Iran
SAT‑7 PARS AUDIENCE RESPONSES BY METHOD 2014
SMS 21%
Facebook
comments 21%
Email 3%
A NEW EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR
Skype 2%
Meanwhile, the team welcomed
Rev. Mansour Khajehpour as the
new Executive Director. Born in
Mash’had, Iran, Rev. Khajehpour
holds a bachelor’s degree in Business
Administration from Tehran University
and a Master of Divinity from
Princeton Theological Seminary. He
is joyfully pursuing a life calling to
proclaim the Good News of Christ
among Iranians. Get the full story
at www.sat7usa.org/welcome-rev.khajehpour.
Twitter 5%
REVITALIZING THE AUDIENCE
RELATIONS DEPARTMENT
Re-named the Audience and Public
Relationships (APR) team, SAT-7 PARS
is improving interactions
with viewers
and ways to measure the impact of
programs with new staff members.
Phone calls 47%
SAT‑7 PARS YOUTUBE
VIDEO VIEWS
2014
2013
2012
115,319
48,959
22,502
Other 1%
SAT‑7 PARS PEOPLE REACHED
BY FACEBOOK
Thousands
249,049
250
200
150
100
50
0
12,135
11,966
2012
2013
2014
Above Right: Rev. Mansour Khajehpour,
Executive Director, SAT-7 PARS
10
Below Right: Audience Relations Specialist
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PROGRAM NEWS
BIG PLANS FOR SMALL PEOPLE
Over half of the Farsi speaking world is
under the age of 24, making children’s
programs a beacon for the future of
the region. The SMILE program for
three to eight-year-old kids gained
a ‘sister’ program called SMILE
Magazine
for nine to thirteen-year-old
preteens. This serves the ministry’s
long-term goal of launching a 24-hour
channel for Farsi speaking children.
PRIORITIZING WOMEN’S MINISTRY
SAT-7 PARS produced several new
women’s programs, including
second seasons of Dialogue and True
Woman. The team also produced
the first seasons of Experience
and Fundamentals of Happiness, a
short comic drama with Rev. Saro
Khachikian teaching Christian family
ethics. These programs support the
region’s female audience, who face
both legal and social injustices.
CHANDELIER
SEES
SECOND SEASON
The youth program Chandelier was
so
popular that a second series of forty
episodes was produced. This is a very
attractive, influential, and well-written
social impact program.
SHINING A LIGHT ON
PERSECUTION
In December 2014, SAT-7 PARS
produced a new program titled The
Suffering Church, with Rev. Edward
Hovsepian and Rev. Albert Aslan.
Both pastors have a long history of
leading the persecuted church of Iran.
This program shows God’s presence
and church growth in the midst
of
suffering.
DARI DIALECT SHOW GOES LIVE
Parastoo Portaheri (left) and Majid Akhavan (right), hosts
of the children’s live show SMILE Magazine.
Secret of Life, a Dari dialect program
for Afghans, became a weekly live
one-hour program. This live program
encourages more viewers to interact
with show presenters, which is a
welcome move since many Dari
speaking Christians are isolated and
seekers cannot easily find churches.
Page 13: Shoaib and Maryam Ebadi, hosts of Secret of
Life Dari program.
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CHANNEL UPDATE
MEETING SPECIAL NEEDS
In the Middle East, there is less social
awareness and fewer accommodations
for people with disabilities. In
February 2014, the SAT-7 Lebanon
studio received a visit from The
Blessed School, whose students have
special needs such as Autism, Down’s
Syndrome, and learning disabilities.
SAT-7 later visited the school to film a
performance the kids put on for their
mothers and installed a satellite dish
so the children can watch SAT-7 KIDS.
Find out more at www.sat7usa.org/
meeting-special-needs.
ON-AIR SCHOOL
FOR SYRIAN REFUGEES
According to UN figures, there are
now more than 20 million Arab
children out of school. In response
to this need, SAT-7 KIDS created a
daily school on-air to provide basic
education and bring hope to the
millions of Syrian and Iraqi children
displaced by war. SAT-7 producers
partnered with Heart for Lebanon to
prepare an Arabic, English and Math
curriculum. Get the full story at
www.sat7usa.org/war-robs-childrenof-schooling.
SMALL FAN VISITS SAT-7 EGYPT
Some of the tiniest SAT-7 viewers are
also the most devoted, like Fares, a
three-year-old Egyptian boy. His
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parents, Fady and Marian, are so
enthusiastic about their son’s love for
the channel that they drove more
than an hour to visit the SAT-7 studio in
Cairo. Fady says watching SAT-7 KIDS
has “been a way to run away from all
the noise around us.”
#BECAUSEGODISLOVE
SAT-7 made a campaign on social
media titled #BecauseGodIsLove. The
campaign sends “a message of love
to those who are in pain, reminding
the world that GOD is LOVE.” The
Facebook page www.facebook.com/
BecauseGODisLOVE has attracted
almost 18,000 likes.
family had been forced from their
home, told Essam that she “will ask
God to forgive IS.”
The video clip featuring Myriam
went on to reach millions of people
through social media with the hashtag
#PrayForMyriam. Get the full story at
www.sat7usa.org/child-forgives-isis.
See Myriam’s video for yourself at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=dzLXM_
zo2e8&feature=youtu.be.
ESSAM MEETS IRAQI REFUGEES
Essam Nagy, presenter of Why is
That? visited displaced Iraqi children
at a refugee camp in Kurdistan in
December. Essam was struck by
the
warm welcome the SAT-7 crew
received. He said: “The moment we
entered the camp, the kids came
running and took me by the hand and
we sat, talked, prayed and laughed.”
He interviewed a number of
youngsters about what they went
through as their community came
under attack by Islamic State militants.
A ten-year-old girl, Myriam, whose
See Essam’s interview with this Iraqi boy at
www.youtube.com/watch?v=npImflggFTw&feature=youtu.be.
Top: The Fun Farm program.
Right: Essam Nagy, presenter of Why is That?, together
with an Iraqi boy at a refugee camp in Kurdistan.
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SAT‑7 KIDS VIEWER TESTIMONY
“God’s blessing upon you. I would like to thank you for
your efforts and may the Lord bless and reward you... Your
programs are so lovable to children. My little daughter
began to understand and draw near the Lord Jesus because of
the songs and stories that she watches through your channel.
Many thanks...” — woman from Syria
PROGRAM UPDATE
STORIES IN THE SAND
An innovative program on
SAT‑7 KIDS tells Bible parables using
the creative talents of Egypt’s firstever sand artist. In Stories in the Sand,
artist Michael Romany brings parables
to life by hand-designing sand on a
glass-lit box. See an episode here at
www.sat7usa.org/stories-in-the-sand.
BIBLE HEROES
Children love heroes and the Bible
has the best! That’s why SAT‑7 KIDS
launched a game show called Bible
Heroes. In each episode, presenters
Ayzar from Aleppo, Syria, and Karen
from Lebanon introduce a story about
a hero in the Bible. Viewers phone in to
answer quiz questions. Find out more
at www.sat7usa.org/role-models-inbible-heroes.
FRESH FILMING
FOR BEDTIME STORIES
SAT-7 recorded new episodes of our
children’s program Bedtime Stories
keeping viewers, both little and
grown, engaged with God’s Word.
Bedtime Stories is one of the longest
running and most popular programs
on SAT‑7. Children from Morocco
to Iraq have grown up watching
presenter Rita Elmounayer teach
stories from the Bible.
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Emails 14%
Facebook
comments 77%
Phone calls 4%
Website messages 3%
BEIRUT MALL VISIT
YouTube Comments <1%
Over Christmas, SAT‑7 KIDS had four
live programs with refugee children,
broadcast from a mall in Beirut. Many
of the kids have suffered greatly this
past year. SAT‑7 KIDS staff spent the
day with them, brought them gifts
and sang with them.
CHILD’S ON-AIR PRAYER
IS AN INSPIRATION
Sometimes the most sincere words
come from the mouth of a child.
Viewers were touched in the fall when
ten-year-old Egyptian believer Mario
called the program Why Is That? to pray.
Mario’s compassion led him to share his
burden for Iraqis, who continue to face
daily horrific violence, a poor economy
and a failing infrastructure. See the
prayer here at www.youtube.com/
watch?v=YX2CYwIMJMs&feature=
youtu.be.
SAT‑7 KIDS AUDIENCE RESPONSES BY METHOD 2014
SMS 1%
Letters <1%
SAT‑7 KIDS YOUTUBE
VIDEO VIEWS
2014
2013
2012
Ayzar (left) and Karen (right), presenters in the game show
Bible Heroes.
1,274,554
784,189
358,489
SAT‑7 KIDS PEOPLE REACHED
BY FACEBOOK
Millions
5,639,305
6
5
4
3
2
1
0
661,321
2012
1,006,523
2013
2014
17
CHANNEL UPDATE
STANDING UP
FOR WOMEN’S RIGHTS
In October, three short films
produced by SAT‑7 drew awards at
the Youssef Chahine Film Festival
and the Dialogue Without Walls
Competition in Egypt, as well as
the Nouakchott Film Festival in
Mauritania. The films—Braids, A
Harmonic Film and A Dress Film
all raised awareness of women’s issues
in the Arab World.
SOCIAL MEDIA MILESTONES
The SAT‑7 ARABIC YouTube channel
www.youtube.com/user/SAT7ARABIC
drew over 1 million new views
during the month of October! On
December 1, the channel crossed a
new milestone of 20 million lifetime
YouTube views. In June 2014, the
SAT‑7 ARABIC Facebook® page
www.facebook.com/sat7ar broke a
new record—the monthly posts
exceeded 3 million views!
following them live from home. This
groundbreaking development carries
SAT‑7 programs to any location
with an internet or smart device
connection throughout the world.
Following the New Opportunity
Concert in Cairo, a mother of two
expressed her thanks, writing,
“TO SAT-7, WHO PRESENTS GOD’S
PRESENCE TO THOSE WHO CAN’T ATTEND.”
CUTTING-EDGE TECHNOLOGY
The challenge of transmitting the
signal from a live event outside
the studio to the uplink site was
traditionally solved by hiring
expensive time on a satellite. The
signal is now sent over the Internet
using the combined signals of several
cell phones, saving SAT‑7 tens of
thousands of dollars.
MAJOR EVENTS ON YOUTUBE LIVE
On September 2, after installing new
high definition (HD) cameras in the
Upper Room Studio in Cairo, the
SAT‑7 ARABIC channel went LIVE in
HD on YouTube for the first time.
As SAT‑7 airs major events, millions
of people who cannot travel to
attend these in person can now enjoy
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Far Left: One Thing Worship Concert.
Left: Rita Elmounayer, SAT‑7 Arabic Channels Executive Director.
Above: The short film Braids produced by SAT‑7, won awards at
different film festivals in October 2014.
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SAT‑7 ARABIC VIEWER TESTIMONY
PROGRAM UPDATE
Jesus tent in a refugee camp, Iraq.
WARS AND FAITH
SAT‑7 Lebanon produced and aired
Wars and Faith during July 2014. In
the series, renowned Presenter Hiyam
Abou Chedid interviewed Lebanese
presidential candidates concerning
matters of personal faith and their part
in Lebanon’s war-torn history. The
series was so popular that another top
broadcaster in Lebanon acquired
and aired it.
A FEAST OF EASTER WORSHIP
SAT‑7 ARABIC celebrated the
resurrection by broadcasting a variety
of Easter worship services from across
the region, beginning with a special
family prayer night from Kasr El
Dobara Evangelical Church in Cairo.
BRIDGES IN THE EGYPT PRESS
The current affairs program Bridges
made headlines in Egypt during 2014.
Two newspapers applauded the rare
footage captured by the Bridges team
in northern Iraq and another published
an article complimenting a Bridges
episode on social issues.
VISITING IRAQI REFUGEES
A film crew including Senior Producer
Sherif Wahba, Programming Manager
George Makeen, and Producer and
Presenter Essam Nagy, traveled to
northern Iraq to record Christmas
programs under the title “Jesus Tent.”
20
“It’s snowing outside, freezing outside… TV is on. All my family
members, together with some neighbors who joined us, are
waiting for “My Church in Algeria” which will run in a few
minutes. Today it’s a special episode for Christmas… Nobody
moved until it finished... We watched the service and at the
same time we downloaded it so we can watch it again later or
share it with people.”—young lady from Algeria
SAT‑7 ARABIC AUDIENCE RESPONSES BY METHOD 2014
Emails 3%
Among their own tents in the camp,
refugees had set up a manger scene
in a tent they dedicated to Jesus. The
film crew recorded interviews with the
refugees, www.youtube.com watch?
v=nylg54BcT7w&feature=youtu.be,
and meditations with different local
priests.
Phone calls 3%
WhatsApp 8%
SMS 7%
YouTube comments 4%
SAT‑7 ARABIC YOUTUBE
VIDEOS VIEWS
CHRISTMAS IN KUWAIT
The We Will Sing program held a
series of four concerts in Kuwait,
celebrating Christmas and New Year.
The concerts were a big success, with
1,000 attendees!
2014
YOUTH IN THE
PROPOSITION SEAT
2012
Produced by VCI and broadcast
by SAT‑7, If is a competition show
attracting young adults. Contestants
are sure to squirm in the “proposition
seat” as Presenter Rhonda Arida, a
well-known Jordanian singer, poses
ethical questions to them.
Website Messages <1%
Facebook
comments 75%
2013
8,160,840
6,718,781
5,789,601
SAT‑7 ARABIC PEOPLE REACHED
BY FACEBOOK
35,828,976
Millions
35
30
25
20
15
10
5,210,404
8,241,388
5
0
2012
2013
2014
21
STUDIOS UPDATE
1
BEIRUT, LEBANON
2
SAT‑7 International partners and
staff celebrated the grand opening
of a multi-studio building for SAT‑7
Lebanon in November 2014. The
ceremony took place under the
patronage of the Patriarch of the
Maronite Church. Deputies from the
Lebanese parliament, government
and military officials, and church
leaders from different denominations
were also in attendance.
Thanks to the generosity of a few
donors, SAT-7 Egypt has acquired a
new Outside Broadcast (OB) Van and
a new facility generator, eliminating
production slowdowns during Cairo’s
frequent power cuts. The office has
already started to use the cameras at
the studio while the outfitting of the
OB Van is being finalized. Some of the
other new equipment has also been
set up for use in the Upper Room
Studio during live and pre-recorded
program production. This will enable
SAT‑7 Egypt to utilize both its video
studios and go live six times a week,
eventually going live eleven times a
week. As soon as the new OB Van is
ready, it will be used for broadcasting
both live programs from various
locations around Egypt and programs
from inside the SAT‑7 studios.
SAT‑7 Lebanon was established in
1996 and was the network’s first
production center. Initially, the facility
had only 1,076 square feet of studio
space. The new building has three
studio spaces with a total area of
almost 10,763 square feet!
New Beirut, Lebanon studio.
purchase much needed equipment
in 2014 including a generator. The
studio still needs additional
equipment including a media server.
CAIRO, EGYPT
4
LIMASSOL, CYPRUS
The number of live shows from
the Limassol studio has increased
from three to four. There is now
no more space available for new
program sets in order to increase
weekly production so new premises
are being considered. Five series
of recorded programs were also
produced at the studio during 2014.
5
22
Live shows were broadcast five days a
week from the London studio during
2014. SAT-7 PARS has hired new
Audience Relations staff to handle
the increasing calls and messages
from viewers. A SAT-7 PARS studio
is located in London because it is
not feasible to operate a Christian
television studio in Iran, where
Christians are relentlessly persecuted
for their faith, some imprisoned and
even murdered.
3
ISTANBUL, TURKEY
1
ISTANBUL, TURKEY
In 2014, SAT-7 TÜRK was broadcasting
exclusively online. The team launched
its first live show and made preparations
for the launch of the satellite TV
channel, www.sat7usa.org/turksat,
which took place early in 2015.
Because of the generosity of our
donors, SAT-7 TÜRK was able to
LONDON, UK
LONDON, UK
The audio room at the studio has also
undergone a dramatic renovation,
improving both the space and
professional functionality of the room.
3
5
BEIRUT, LEBANON
LIMASSOL, CYPRUS 4
2
CAIRO, EGYPT
SAT-7 STUDIO LOCATIONS
23
STAFF
GLOBAL STAFFING
By the end of 2014, SAT‑7 had
178 staff members in ten different
locations; six of them were seconded
staff sent from SAT‑7 Partners; 45
percent of the staff were female and
55 percent were male.
The staff came from 22 different
countries: Lebanon, Egypt, Syria,
Iran, Tunisia, Palestine, Turkey, Iraq,
Bulgaria, USA, Denmark, Sweden,
Finland, South Africa, Australia, UK,
PARTNERS
Cyprus, France, The Netherlands,
Albania, Ukraine, and Uzbekistan.
SAT‑7 also worked with 86
freelancers and volunteers through
2014 in the production of programs
and in specialized positions in the
International Office.
SAT‑7 is always in need of new,
talented staff. We need people
from the region with specific skills
or onscreen talents or Westerners
with skills that can be used in the
International Office.
SAT‑7’s Partner organizations and
churches are a vital part of the
ministry and contribute essential
resources to maximize the
effectiveness of the mission. Our
Partners not only assist with much
needed financing, but many also
help provide key staff members,
programming, training, telephone
counseling services as well as other
assets and services essential to
the ministry.
Crossings Community Church, USA
The Danish Bible Society, Denmark
Danish European Mission, Denmark
Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Mission
(FELM), Finland
Finnish Lutheran Mission (FLM), Finland
—Juliana Sfeir, Special Project Manager and Executive Producer at SAT-7 Lebanon
24
If you would like more information
on becoming a SAT‑7 Partner,
please contact us using this email;
[email protected]
OFFICIAL PARTNER ORGANIZATIONS
The Bible Society of Egypt, representing
The United Bible Society
“I love working for SAT‑7 because it cares for those in and
out of Christ; I love it because it has the power to reach
out to men and women, adults and children, in the MENA,
whatever their race and religious background without being
offensive or defensive, this uniting humans around the
myriad wonders of Christ.”
The Partners of SAT‑7 meet annually
to review progress, policies and
organizational changes, approve
accounts, plans and budgets, and
elect voting representatives to the
SAT‑7 International Council.
The Lighthouse Church, Kuwait
Messengers, Finland
Mission Afrika, Denmark
National Evangelical Church in Kuwait,
Common Council
Norea Mediemisjon, Norway
Normisjon, Norway
Norwegian Mission Society (NMS), Norway
Hilfsaktion Maertyrerkirche (HMK),
Germany
Paul Mission International, Korea
IBRA Media, Sweden
Pentecostal Assemblies of Switzerland,
Switzerland
Icelandic Lutheran Mission, Iceland
InterAct, Sweden
International Ministries of American
Baptist Churches, USA
Saron Church, Sweden
South African Action for World Evangelism
(SAAWE), South Africa
Kasr El Dobara Evangelical Church, Egypt
Swedish Evangelical Mission (SEM/EFS),
Sweden
Life Agape International, France
Trail Christian Fellowship, USA
25
LONG-TERM GOALS
1.TO MAKE THE GOSPEL AVAILABLE TO EVERYONE IN THE MIDDLE
EAST & NORTH AFRICA (MENA), especially to those who would never
otherwise have the opportunity to hear it, and to
CHILDREN, who are the least reached, but most important audience and
the main hope for change in tomorrow’s MENA. There are 150 million
children in the MENA region under the age of 16;
WOMEN, who remain generally isolated from the Gospel and whose
potential for influence has always been under-estimated;
The ILLITERATE, whose only source of uncensored information is satellite TV;
2015 GOALS
1.TAKE QUALITY TO THE NEXT LEVEL ON ALL CHANNELS, with a
special focus on more programs for SAT‑7 TÜRK to maximize the special
new opportunity of broadcasting on Türksat. (See page 6.) Special
attention will also be given to issues of program scheduling and
audience relations.
2.FORM DEEPER CONNECTIONS WITH TEENS THROUGH SOCIAL MEDIA,
since they are most open to change and are the best hope for changing the
Middle East of tomorrow. This goes beyond a “TV Everywhere” initiative and
is responsive to the ongoing and fast-changing opportunities in this field.
Those in CLOSED HOMES, in closed
countries, who may never even have met
a Christian before.
2.TO ENCOURAGE, SUPPORT, AND
EMPOWER THE CHURCH IN ITS LIFE,
WORK AND WITNESS FOR CHRIST,
especially in areas of political turmoil
and Christian persecution and to be
a catalyst for spiritual renewal, church
growth, discipleship and social change in
the fast changing MENA region.
3.BEGIN ON-AIR EDUCATION FOR MILLIONS OF CHILD REFUGEES and
internally displaced children whose schooling has been cut short by war
in Iraq and Syria. These children are at high risk of being abused, sold and
radicalized. They need to be equipped with basic educational and life skills
and given HOPE. (See page 14.)
4.INVEST IN THE FUTURE WITH NEW STAFF, PROCESSES AND
INFRASTRUCTURE, positioning SAT-7 to reach millions more by 2016.
This will help the ministry provide different audiences with an excellent
experience when they seek help or counsel from SAT‑7.
26
27
FINANCES
SAT‑7 viewing audience size.) This
was a miracle in many ways, but there
are some added costs, especially for
influential, live programs.
2014 began positively as we enjoyed
a record-setting income in 2013 and
were able to carry a positive balance
of almost $2.2 million into the new
year. Income for 2014 was over $14.8
million (including gifts in kind), which
was $300,000 over our core budget.*
Overall giving has not kept pace
with current budgets, and SAT-7
is in need of additional funding to
continue reaching more people. Your
involvement is critical to sustain this
strategic ministry serving a growing
audience.
New programs and initiatives have
continued to grow. SAT‑7 TÜRK is also
airing on a new TV satellite provider
(potentially doubling the combined
Fundraising
$1,287,000 (8%)
ALL EXPENSES
Program
$13,505,000 (83%)
Management
and General
Administration $1,421,000 (9%)
Total Expenditure* $16,213,000
SAT‑7 ANNUAL INCOME 1996–2014 (2015 PROJECTED)
Total Income $14,457,000
Projected income 2015
US dollars millions
$15,600,000
16
14
2014 EXPENSES BY CHANNEL
SAT-7 TÜRK
$1,961,000 (12%)
12
10
8
SAT-7 PARS $3,668,000 (23%)
6
4
SAT-7 ARABIC $8,008,000 (49%)
All figures are in USD and have been rounded to simplify the
reading of financial data. Consolidated financial statements and
detailed audited accounts for the different legal entities of SAT‑7
are available on request.
28
2015
2014
2013
2012
2011
2010
2009
2008
2007
2006
2005
2004
2003
2002
2001
2000
1999
1998
1997
1996
2
0
SAT-7 KIDS
$2,576,000 (16% )
SAT-7 USA END OF YEAR NET ASSETS: $1,759,381
*Financial overages due to new satellite opportunities, initiatives, and needed funding.
29
INTERNATIONAL
COUNCIL
Dr. Terence Ascott
Archbishop Paul Sayah
Rev. Dr. Habib Badr
Peter B. Schulze
SAT-7 Founder and CEO
(SAT-7 International Council Chairman)
Senior Pastor, National Evangelical Church of Beirut
and lecturer in church history at the Near East
School of Theology
Rev. Dr. Safwat El Baiady
(SAT-7 International Council Vice-Chairman)
Retiring President of the Protestant Churches
in Egypt and the General Secretary of the
Synod of the Nile
Makram Barsoum
Acting Chairman, SAT‑7 Canada
Dr. Mike Bassous
General Secretary, The Lebanese Bible Society
(Representing The United Bible Society)
Melih Ekener
Executive Director for SAT‑7 TÜRK
Rita Elmounayer
Executive Director for SAT‑7’s Arabic Channels
David Ezzine
SAT‑7 Partners’ Representative
Irén Frändå
SAT‑7 CFO
Vicar General to the Maronite Patriarch
Chairman, SAT‑7 USA Board
Venerable Canon
Bill Schwartz, OBE
The Anglican Diocese of Cyprus and the Gulf
Rev. Ashton T. Stewart
Chairman, SAT-7 PARS Board
“Brother Ziya”
(SAT-7 International Council Secretary)
Turkish academic and writer
Not pictured:
Archbishop Avak Asadourian
General Secretary, Council of Christian Church
Leaders in Iraq
Rev. Dr. Merhdad Fatehi
Founder and Executive Director,
Pars Theological College
Metropolitan Gregorios Yohanna Ibrahim
Metropolitan of Aleppo, Syrian Orthodox Church
“Dr Moez”
Caroline Tautz
Fr. Dr. Michel Jalakh
Åslaug Ihle Thingnæs
General Secretary of the Middle East Council
of Churches (MECC)
Mr. Peter B. Schulze, Chair
Chairman
SGI Global Investments
Texas
Mr. James C. Blankemeyer, Vice-chair
Founder, Chairman
Metokote Corporation
Tennessee
Ms. Phyllis W. Smith, Treasurer
Trustee
Maurice H. Masland Trusts
Kentucky
Mr. Gary Nagel
Founder
Wealth Management Group
Kansas
Mr. Mark W. Schifferdecker
President & CEO
Girard National Bank
Kansas
Mr. David L. Jones
Vice President of Corporate Affairs
CFO Luis Palau Association (LPA)
Oregon
Mr. Alan Loeffler
Chairman
Federal Corporation
Oklahoma
Mr. John Sharp
Executive Director
The Blankemeyer Foundation
Florida
Ex-Officio Members:
Dr. Terence Ascott
Founder and CEO
SAT-7
Dr. Rex Rogers
President
SAT-7 USA
Rev. Dr. Habib Badr
Senior Pastor
National Evangelical Church of Beirut
Lebanon
Professor of Philosophy, Church Pastor in a
North African country Billy Hellmark
Chairman, SAT‑7 Partnership Council
SAT-7 USA
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Vice President of an international news agency
SAT‑7 Partners Representative
Tamar Karasu
Executive Secretary, The Bible Society of Turkey
Chairperson of SAT‑7 TÜRK Board
Roy Kemp
(SAT-7 International Council Treasurer)
Chairman, SAT-7 Trust in UK
Rev. Mansour Khajehpour
Executive Director for SAT‑7 PARS
His Grace Bishop Marcos
Coptic Orthodox Bishop for the Diocese of
Shoubra El Kheima in Cairo, Egypt
David Middleton
Executive Director for SAT‑7 TÜRK in UK Rev. Timo Reuhkala
Chairman, SAT‑7 Europe Board
Archbishop Sebouh Sarkissian
Armenian Archbishop of Tehran
30
31
Satellite Television
Transforming the Middle East
through Hope in Jesus Christ
PO Box 2770
Easton, MD 21601
410-770-9804
Toll free 866-744-7287
[email protected]
www.sat7usa.org
SAT7USA