SAT-7 reaching unprecedented numbers of Iranian youth

As young people in Iran find themselves trapped between rising political instability, the harsh systems of Islamic Sharia laws that increasingly govern and control their lives, and arrests and "public security" crackdowns, a Christian satellite station is providing them with rest and winning their hearts for the Lord.

SAT-7, a Middle Eastern Christian satellite station, says it has reached unprecedented numbers of young people in the region with its 24-hour SAT-7 PARS Farsi language broadcasts.

Many viewers are testifying of the station's broadcasts, which have become their sole source for Christian teaching and guidance in their daily lives, the staff explained.

"The young people seem to be drawn either toward a completely secular view of things or to sort of a negative and hopeless look. In between that, people are thirsty, and they are watching SAT-7 PARS. We're getting tremendous responses from people who are coming to know the Lord, who are so appreciative of the programmes that are training them," the SAT-7 staff said, according to the Mission News Network.

Unprecedented ratings and a record number of responses from new viewers seeking to know how they can become followers of Christ have prompted the station to hire new counsellors and move into a bigger office, say staff.

David Harder, communications manager for SAT-7, said that the future outlook for the ministry was good, adding that they were already making plans to add more programming.

"[SAT-7 PARS] have plans for the future to add some live shows. People in Iran have been asking for that because they want to engage with the hosts," he said.

Founded in 1992, SAT-7 began through the cooperation of Christians throughout the Middle East in an effort to both support their churches and communities as well as help witness the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.