The SAT-7 UK Podcast

SAT-7 UK

Welcome to The SAT-7 UK Podcast. Conflict. Poverty. Persecution. That’s the story of the Middle East we’ve become accustomed to. But amidst the crises you see and hear on the news, there is another story being told. For over 26 years SAT-7 has shown God’s love across the Middle East and North Africa broadcasting across four television channels and digital media, in Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish - reaching millions of viewers in 25 countries, 365 days a year. Join us at home or on the go, as we take a stand against the negativity and despair that so often surrounds the region. Listen as we unpack the news and issues in our 7-minute podcasts. Subscribe today on your platform of choice and stay even more in touch with the latest news, features and in-conversation interviews by signing up today at sat7uk.org.

  1. Jul 14

    Around the Table – Sudan: The War the World Forgot

    In this month's powerful episode, my co-host Martin Thomas and I were honoured to be joined by two inspiring guests from Sudan, Samuel Luak and Rafat Samir. Together, we reflected on the current conflict in Sudan, the everyday realities people are facing, the experience of Christians, and where hope can still be found. It makes for an incredibly striking and moving conversation. As violence and displacement continue to devastate lives across Sudan, this conflict has too often faded from international attention and yet it has become the world's largest humanitarian crises. In this episode Samuel and Rafat bravely share their personal experiences of the conflict, helping us to better understand the human impact and why it is so important that the global Church does not forget the people of Sudan. As we listen to their stories, we are reminded of the importance of standing with them in prayer and continuing to raise awareness of the ongoing crisis. We also explore how God is at work in the midst of unimaginable hardship. From stories of remarkable resilience to the vital role of Christian community and media ministry, this conversation reminds us that even in the darkest circumstances, hope in Christ continues to shine. It is an invitation not only to listen and learn, but also to pray, to stand alongside our Sudanese brothers and sisters, and to keep their stories alive. While it might not be the easiest conversation, we hope this episode will deepen your understanding of the situation in Sudan, encourage you to pray for our brothers and sisters there, and remind you that God is at work even amid conflict and suffering. Whether you’re listening on your favourite podcast platform or via the SAT-7 UK website, we’re glad you’ve joined us around the table. Show Note Resources: SAT-7 UK: https://www.sat7uk.org/ SAT-7 UK Podcasts: https://www.sat7uk.org/pages/sat-7-uk-podcast/

    Around the Table – Sudan: The War the World Forgot
  2. Jun 18

    Around the Table - Let the Children Come: Seeing Every Child Through Jesus’ Eyes

    In this episode of Around the Table, my co-host George Makeen and I are joined by SAT-7's very own Emily Shurmer and Andrea El-Mounayer for a thoughtful and timely conversation exploring the lives, faith, and experiences of children, both in the UK and across the MENA region. Together we reflect on what it means to see children through Jesus’ eyes – recognising their dignity, value, and worth, and considering how we can nurture faith, compassion, and curiosity in the next generation. As children today navigate an increasingly complex world, we explore some of the realities shaping their lives, while also highlighting the surprising similarities in children’s experiences across cultures and contexts. Join us as we discuss how SAT-7 is responding to the spiritual and emotional needs of children in the MENA through faith-filled programming that brings hope, encouragement, and biblical truth into homes across the region. We explore the unique power of storytelling and television to help children engage with Scripture in meaningful and accessible ways. Our guests are also keen to highlight the importance of understanding the Bible in its Middle Eastern context and as part of SAT-7 UK’s vision to help equip children with greater awareness of the region and deeper biblical literacy – Emily Shurmer introduces her incredible latest creation, our brand-new children’s colouring and activity book, A Very Middle Eastern Bible Atlas. Whether you’re listening on your favourite podcast platform or via the SAT-7 UK website, we’re glad you’ve joined us around the table. Show Note Resources: SAT-7 UK: https://www.sat7uk.org/ SAT-7 UK Podcasts: https://www.sat7uk.org/pages/sat-7-uk-podcast/ A Very Middle Eastern Bible Atlas: https://shop.sat7uk.org/products/a-very-middle-eastern-bible-atlas

    Around the Table - Let the Children Come: Seeing Every Child Through Jesus’ Eyes
  3. May 12

    Around the Table - Stories of Faith: God at Work in the Middle East and North Africa

    In this episode of Around the Table, we explore powerful, real-life stories of how God is moving across the region today. From quiet, personal moments of transformation to wider expressions of faith in challenging contexts, this episode offers a glimpse into lives shaped by resilience and the hope of Christ. Together, we reflect on what it means to live out faith in Christ in the MENA region—often in circumstances that require courage, perseverance, and deep trust in God. These are stories that don’t often make the headlines, yet they speak volumes about His presence at work in everyday life right across the region. Too often the story we hear of the MENA is about conflict, crisis and uncertainty. And while that certainly is part of the story – it's not the whole story! Beyond those narratives are individuals and communities encountering God in regular and profound ways. In this episode, we step beyond the headlines and dive into the extraordinary stories of God on the move in the MENA. We also consider the role that Christian media has in sharing these stories—how platforms like SAT-7 create space for voices of faith to be heard, encouraging and connecting believers across borders. This is a hopeful and uplifting conversation about how God continues to move across the region that we read about in our Bibles, and the hope that continues to grow even in the most unexpected places. Whether you’re listening on your favourite podcast platform or via the SAT-7 UK website, we’re glad you’ve joined us around the table.   Show Note Resources: SAT-7 UK: https://www.sat7uk.org/ SAT-7 UK Podcasts: https://www.sat7uk.org/pages/sat-7-uk-podcast/ Levant Ministries: https://levantministries.org/

    Around the Table - Stories of Faith: God at Work in the Middle East and North Africa
  4. Apr 14

    Around the Table - Being Young in the MENA: Youth, Identity, and Shaping the Future

    Being Young in the MENA: Youth, Identity, and Shaping the Future In this episode of Around the Table, we explore what it really means to be young in the Middle East and North Africa today. With over half the region’s population under the age of 30, this is a generation shaping the present as much as the future—full of creativity, resilience, and potential, while also navigating significant challenges. Together, we step beyond the headlines to hear a more nuanced story. From questions of identity and belonging to the realities of opportunity, uncertainty, and hope, this conversation offers insight into life through the eyes of young people across the region. We also reflect on the role of media in this landscape—how it influences, informs, and connects young audiences, and why platforms like SAT-7 are vital in creating space for authentic stories, and the Good News of Jesus, to be shared. This isn’t a conversation about easy answers. It’s about listening — to the challenges young people face, to the questions they’re asking, and to the hope they carry as they navigate a rapidly changing world and help shape its future. Whether you’re listening on your favourite podcast platform or via the SAT-7 UK website, we’re glad you’ve joined us around the table.   Show Note Resources: SAT-7 UK: https://www.sat7uk.org/ SAT-7 UK Podcasts: https://www.sat7uk.org/pages/sat-7-uk-podcast/

    Around the Table - Being Young in the MENA: Youth, Identity, and Shaping the Future

About

Welcome to The SAT-7 UK Podcast. Conflict. Poverty. Persecution. That’s the story of the Middle East we’ve become accustomed to. But amidst the crises you see and hear on the news, there is another story being told. For over 26 years SAT-7 has shown God’s love across the Middle East and North Africa broadcasting across four television channels and digital media, in Arabic, Farsi, and Turkish - reaching millions of viewers in 25 countries, 365 days a year. Join us at home or on the go, as we take a stand against the negativity and despair that so often surrounds the region. Listen as we unpack the news and issues in our 7-minute podcasts. Subscribe today on your platform of choice and stay even more in touch with the latest news, features and in-conversation interviews by signing up today at sat7uk.org.