The Ministry of Sat7
Christian Broadcasting to the Middle Eastby Marty Feldhake
Ten dollars doesn’t buy much in today’s world. You might be able to buy a CD of your favorite music (if it’s on sale) or take a friend out for dinner at McDonalds.
But, imagine a ministry where you could reach over 7 million people for one minute for just $10. Oh by the way those 7 million people live in the Middle East! Such is the opportunity that Sat7 has. Sat7 is a Christian Satellite broadcast network by and for the people of the Middle East and North Africa. Broadcasting 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, Sat7 provides programming that presents the gospel and encourages Christians throughout that sensitive part of the world. At Urbana 06, Dennis Wien was on hand to share the ministry of Sat7 with delegates in the Global Connexions venue.
Dennis is no stranger to ministry in that part of the world. He grew up as a missionary kid in West Africa. During his college years in the United States, he returned to West Africa on a short-term mission project. That short-term experience was the first step in a lifelong call to the people in that region of the world.
Shortly after college, Dennis and his wife returned to Africa to work with Gospel Missionary Union (GMU is now called Avant Ministries). For the next 20 years they helped plant churches and did theological training for pastors in Mali and Ivory Coast.
In 1998, the Wiens returned to the United States to coordinate a media task force for West and North Africa. One of the results of that task force was the embracing of Sat7 by 35 worldwide partners. Dennis found himself embracing Sat7 as well. Four years ago, he left GMU to begin work for Sat7. Dennis remarks, “I was very excited about the prospects of using my gifts in the advancement of this strategic ministry. At the same time, it was difficult to leave behind all the friends and relationships we had enjoyed with GMU.”
At Urbana 06, a portion of the offering will be used to further the work of Sat7. Delegates that would like an ongoing involvement with the Sat7 ministry can get more information on their website: www.sat7.org Opportunities for involvement include praying, volunteering to help share the ministry with others, as well as financial partnership.
Unless otherwise noted, all materials on the urbana.org web site are Copyright InterVarsity Christian Fellowship / USA. All rights reserved.
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