Sat-7 TURK

Testimonies from the Middle East

SAT-7 viewers and staff share their testimonies showing how God is at work in the region. Gokhan Talas, Progamming Manager for SAT-7 Turk – was an atheist until he found Christ 13 years ago while reading the Bible during his military service. “After leaving the army,” he says, “I joined a church in Ankara. I got married in 2004, and my wife and I began attending the Filipus Training School (Bible college) before moving to the east of Turkey to serve as evangelists. While we were working in the city of Malatya, five extremists attacked our church office and killed three of our brothers in Christ. After the murders, my wife and I moved back to Ankara, where I studied graphic design and classical art. In 2012 we moved to Istanbul to serve with SAT-7 Turk.”

Meanwhile, from Iran, “Nima” writes: I’ve been watching your programs for over two years and still watch all of them. When I first started watching, I told myself that you people are crazy. But slowly your programs began making sense to me, and I realised that I was the one who had been wrong all these years. I had never seen the truth. I’ve now given my heart to Jesus. Please introduce me to other Iranian Christians.”

Source: SAT-7 Uplink

Bible Study: Acts 8:26-40

PRAISE God for His work of salvation in Turkey and Iran.

PRAY the seed will produce a bountiful harvest.

Turkey Responds to Christian TV

Özge Talas is holding two phones and trying to answer both at the same time. She’s working frantically to ensure all calls from an enthusiastic SAT-7 TÜRK audience are answered. Judging by the increase in calls SAT-7 TÜRK is receiving its recent launch is proving a great success. “Before we had around 10 calls per week,” Özge says, “Now it’s hundreds weekly, and we’re getting many more e-mails too.”

Audience calls cover a wide variety of topics and issues, many asking for Bibles. “We usually guide those who ask for a Bible to churches or specific communions in their area,” Özge says. “That way they can also get in touch with other Christians.”

One man from Burdur said: “I have been praying secretly like a Christian for 12 years,” the man said. “I always prayed to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit but I have never met any Christian at all. “Now I watch you and I can’t believe my eyes. I give praises to God. Please help me to meet with local Christians.”

Source: Sat-7 Uplink Magazine

Bible Study: Isaiah 55:1-2

PRAISE God for the spread of Christian TV in Muslim countries and for the hunger displayed.

Large Growth in Christian TV Viewers

Özge Talas is holding two phones and trying to answer both at the same time. She’s working frantically to ensure all calls from an enthusiastic SAT-7 TÜRK audience are answered. Judging by the increase in calls SAT-7 TÜRK is receiving, its recent launch (on the Turkish national platform) is proving a great success.

‘Before we had around 10 calls per week,’ Özge says, ‘Now it’s hundreds every week, and we’re getting many more e-mails too.’ Audience calls cover a wide variety of topics and issues, including those about specific programs on the channel or from people asking where they can get a Bible. ‘We usually guide those who ask for a Bible to churches or specific communions in their area,’ Özge says. ‘That way they can also get in touch with other Christians.’

An example of one call SAT-7 TÜRK has received was from a man in Burdur. ‘I have been praying secretly like a Christian for 12 years,’ the man said. ‘I always prayed to the Father, Son and Holy Spirit but I have never met any Christian at all. ‘Now I watch you and I can’t believe my eyes. I give praises to God. Please help me to meet with local Christians.’

Source: SAT-7 Uplink

Bible Study: Colossians 1:28-29

PRAISE God that many more Turks are now able to view Christian TV. PRAY for a great hunger as they hear the Word of God.

Christian TV Show on Turkish Satellite

Since 2006, SAT-7 TÜRK has been sharing satellite time on other SAT-7 channels, reaching a limited audience. But, in a miracle breakthrough for Christianity in Turkey, the Turkish authorities
have now agreed to allow SAT-7 TÜRK to use the government regulated Türksat 4A satellite. Now more than 50 million viewers in Turkey and Turkish speaking viewers in Europe and Central Asia will be able to watch SAT-7 TÜRK.

“We are overwhelmed and truly believe it is a miracle that we can finally broadcast on Türksat. We have hoped, dreamed and prayerfully anticipated this launch since the station began airing on SAT-7 ARABIC in 2006. It is really a miracle and we are very thankful to God for what he has been doing,” says Melih Ekener, Executive Director of SAT-7 TÜRK. “We are ready for this launch even though, at this point, we only have a total staff of 20 people. We will make it!” effused an enthusiastic Melih Ekener.

SAT-7 TÜRK is already familiar with producing different kinds of programs such as drama, documentaries, music, worship, children’s, women’s and youth programs and, more recently, live shows. The staff produced 360 hours of new programming in 2014, mostly in the SAT-7 TÜRK studios in Istanbul; but this is expected to increase dramatically in 2015. Dr Terence Ascott, the Founder and Chief Executive Officer at SAT-7 said, ”So many things have miraculously fallen into place over the past few months that it is impossible to miss the hand of God in facilitating the start of SAT-7 TÜRK broadcasting on Türksat. We give God the praise for this exciting development, and also recognise the signal this sends to the world about the Turkish authorities positive attitude towards Christians…”

Source:SAT-7 News

BIBLE STUDY: Psalm 37:1-5

PRAISE: God for this long-awaited breakthrough and willingness of the Turkish authorities.
PRAY blessing on the nation, that many Turks will come to know Christ.

Christian TV for Turkey to Go 24/7 | 322 | Report 29

Christian TV channel SAT-7 TÜRK is planning 24/7 broadcasts in Turkey. Melih Ekener, the Executive Director says:“Over the last two years, we have… increased the size and visibility of our audience. Also, thanks to the Lord’s help, we now have the necessary studios, technical equipment, and staff. With all these things in place, we are now ready to broadcast via satellite to a larger audience.” Meanwhile, the studio in Istanbul is busy filming new programmes. The Footnotes of History teaches the history of Christianity in Turkey. The Art of Living tackles everyday problems women face. Yet another new programme, The Truth of the Word, is a teaching programme presented by two ministers. Filming also continues for new episodes of a weekly News programme.

Source: Christian Telegraph

BIBLE STUDY: Ephesians 3:17-19

PRAISE: God that Turks can hear the Gospel on their TV screens. Pray for much fruit in this new stage.