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New programming will include a magazine formatted production
including music video segments, a soap opera, man-on-the street interviews on Spiritual
topics, a movie review, documentary and a teaching section
By Dan Wooding
Founder of ASSIST Ministries
WAYNE, PA (ANS) -- SAT-7®, the unique Christian satellite television channel, which has
been reaching, millions of viewers in the Middle East and North Africa in the Arabic
language, has announced the broadcast of Christian programming in Farsi to Iran and
Afghanistan. Farsi is the dominant language spoken in Iran and in some areas of
Afghanistan and other surrounding countries.
The ministry, which is a partnership of some 30 agencies, including the United Bible
Societies, Campus Crusade for Christ and local churches in countries such as Egypt,
Lebanon and Kuwait, has produced with the Iranian Christian Broadcasters, a pilot for a
regularly scheduled program on SAT-7's analog service, which is scheduled to begin in
September 2002.
"The tape is a magazine formatted production including a variety of appealing
elements for the culture of the Iranian region. Included are music video segments, a soap
opera, man-on-the street interviews on Spiritual topics, a movie review, documentary and a
teaching segment - - all with Biblical content designed to appeal to Christians and
non-Christians," said SAT-7 spokesman J.B. Kump. (Pictured: Evening SAT-7 dish
scene).
"Production for the programs will take place in the U. S. and Europe, with some
elements (the soap opera for example, in this pilot) made in Iran."
Kump said that the first segment the Farsi-language viewers will see on the tape is the
first installment of a four-part documentary on Hollywood. It depicts the popular image of
the city and then takes the mask of Hollywood off and goes inside the city to show the
realities of prostitution, drugs, homelessness, divorce, etc. A Christian message prevails
throughout.
"The man-on-the street interviews on this pilot are done on the topic of life after
death. People give many different answers that show a variety of opinions on
afterlife," said Kump. "Overall, most of them don't know and are confused
themselves. People interviewed either don't care what happens to them or they simply don't
have an answer.
"LIFE AFTER DEATH"
"For this pilot, the subject of the man-on-the street interviews is illustrative of
the theme of the program. Even visually, the whole 1-hour program follows the theme: Life
after Death. (Pictured: Typical family watching TV program).
"Each segment in this pilot somehow takes us closer to the heart of the issue.
Starting with Hollywood, where people's attraction to the colors and excitement of the
city illustrates how sin can be compelling to many people for their short stay in this
world. Then the production moves to the interviews - - opening people's minds and giving
them a wider perspective and something more to think about. The topic of the soap opera is
one of a Christian and non-Christian family and their struggles and conflicts.
"The program will include film reviews, in this instance a review of "The
Gladiator." It looks at life after death from a more visual and artistic point of
view. Then, through music videos that talk about Jesus' return, the theme is continued.
Finally, the teaching segment (which is where the main points of the production are
carried home) with its strong Christian message provides answers to all of the questions
that have been created throughout the program up to that point.
"The program will conclude in prayer," said Kump.
SAT-7 believes that this is now the time to begin broadcasting to Iran, a country that has
been isolated from much of the western world since the 1979 Islamic revolution. For over
the past 20 years, the country has suffered from a major war with Iraq, a serious fall in
GDP (62% for 1979-1994, due mostly to the implementation of a centrally planned economy),
massive currency devaluations, and high unemployment (20-30%).
"The population has more than doubled since the revolution and currently stands at 76
million, including 5 million expatriate Iranians, many of whom are political refugees
(i.e. more than 50% of the population is under the age of 20)," said the SAT-7
spokesman. "In addition, there are another 25 million people outside of Iran who
speak at least some Farsi. These include those in neighboring countries such as
Afghanistan."
Terence Ascott, CEO of SAT-7, was asked in a previous interview if this would be the first
time there has been Christian programming in that language by television. He replied,
"There have been occasional transmissions of the JESUS Film and we have broadcast a
few programs simultaneously in Arabic and Farsi but there has, as far as I know, not been
a regular service at all of any Christian programming by satellite television to
Iran."
Ascott explained that Iranians would be able to pick up the programs with a domestic
satellite dish, which he said are in wide use in the country.
THE IRANIAN CHURCH
The Church in Iran has undergone waves of persecution - the most notable of which took
place in the early 1990's, when almost 40% of the Assemblies of God (AOG) church
leadership were martyred.
The civil rights (especially those relating to ownership of property) of all Christian
communities have been severely curtailed since the Islamic revolution. Now, this
programming will be a real blessing to them.
Kump said, "We are fulfilling an early dream of our ministry to reach those who speak
the ancient Persian (Farsi) language with a Christian TV message. We ask Christians around
the world to join us in prayer for this exceptional opportunity."
For further information on SAT-7, you can log onto their website at www.sat7.org.
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