Persecution Blog

Middle East Christian Broadcaster Under Pressure

Editor's note: Sat-7 partnered with VOM in the translation and/or broadcasting of JESUS: He Lived Among Us in Arabic, Farsi and Turkish. We received the following report and prayer request this week from our friends at Middle East Concern. Please pray for the staff and leadership of Sat-7 as they face this pressure.

Our prayers have been requested for a leading Christian broadcaster in the Middle East after legal proceedings were initiated by the Egyptian government targeting their operations in Egypt.

On 10th October officers from the Ministry of Communications and Information Technology's Censorship Department came to the Egypt studios of Christian satellite TV broadcaster SAT-7. The officers presented a search warrant and proceeded to confiscate cameras and other equipment. They took the Office Director Mr Farid Samir to the local police station. The police agreed to release Mr Samir following the intervention of Egyptian church leaders, but he was ordered to attend the Prosecutor's Office on 11th October.

During a two-hour hearing on 11th October charges were brought against Mr Samir relating to incorrect registration of a TV channel, failure to hold licences for certain editing activities and failure to comply with regulations concerning live streaming of broadcasts on the internet. Mr Samir and the lawyers acting on SAT-7's behalf refuted these charges. It was demonstrated that the Censorship Department's report contained factual errors and evidence was presented to confirm that SAT-7's registration and licences are in good order.

Mr Samir has been released pending further discussions between the Prosecutor and the Censorship Department. The Prosecutor will then determine whether the case should proceed to court, or whether it should be dismissed. This is expected to take up to two weeks.

The police will continue to hold the confiscated equipment pending a final decision. This will cause significant disruption to SAT-7's activities in Egypt. SAT-7 emphasises that one of its key aims is to promote peaceful co-existence in the Middle East through fostering bridges of understanding between different faith communities.

Those close to SAT-7 ask us to pray that:

a. Mr Samir and his family will know the protection of the Father and the presence and peace of Jesus b. Mr Samir, together with other SAT-7 leaders and legal representatives, will know the Spirit's wisdom in all their interactions with the authorities c. the prosecutor will drop this case, and that there would be no further harassment of SAT-7 or other Christian broadcasters in Egypt d. disruption to SAT-7's broadcasting operations will be minimal, and that SAT-7 and other Christian broadcasters will have boldness and wisdom as they proclaim  the Christian message and promote peaceful co-existence in the Middle East

Easter fruit in Iran

Many readers will be familiar with the animated film, JESUS: He Lived Among Us which VOM produced as an evangelism tool for our partners and coworkers in restricted and hostile nations. The film was produced originally in English, and has since been translated into multiple other languages, with the first priority being languages spoken in restricted and hostile nations.

The film was created as a tool, not as a profit-maker for VOM. In fact, VOM makes to film available for free to anyone who will distribute it freely; all that is required is signing a simple, one-page licensing agreement.

Judas leads the guards to Jesus

One of our satellite broadcast partners for Iran showed the film, in Farsi, over Easter weekend. Our staff member who oversees work in Iran sent in the following:

[Name withheld] with Mohabat TV just called to say that seven family members in Iran just prayed to receive Christ after watching the Farsi JHLAU on their Farsi satellite TV channel.

This Easter weekend, Mohabat TV is airing the VOM Farsi JESUS He Lived Among us several times.  Afterwards they will email me a report sharing testimonies, number of callers, etc.

Praise the Lord for this great response! We are thankful to partners like Mohabat TV which are broadcasting the film, and also to those that have helped with translating the film into different languages, including Sat-7, which translated the film into both Farsi and Arabic.

Easter weekend also marked the broadcast premier of the Russian-language version of the film; which was translated by CNL-TV. Their satellite signal covers many restricted and hostile nations that are part of the former Soviet Union.

Pray with us that God will take this tool that He has enabled VOM to create and use it to bring many more into His Kingdom around the world.

You may order a copy of the JESUS: He Lived Among Us DVD, which includes both English and Spanish.

Animated Video For Persecuted Christians Leads Child To Christ

Dear Friends:

The Voice of the Martyrs created JESUS: He Lived Among Us for use in hostile and restricted nations where Christians are persecuted for their faith. But we also wanted to make the video available to our readers and other Christians in the United States, to enrich their understanding of persecution against even the earliest Christians.

VOM reader Shirley D. recently shared about her experience with the video, specifically how it affected her granddaughter, 5-year-old Rylee.

As they watched the film, Rylee was completely absorbed in the story of Jesus. But after the movie, she wanted to be alone. She was sad because of the suffering that Jesus endured.

Shirley gently explained that Jesus willingly endured the pain, paying the price for our sins so we could be saved and have a relationship with God.

Deeply touched by the story of Jesus as told through the video, Rylee made the commitment to follow him fully. She then prayed with her grandma, asking God to forgive her sins and to help her live for him.

Shirley finished the story this way:

Once we were through, Rylee gave me a beaming smile with her eyes sparkling—there was no doubt she had felt the presence of the Lord! She ran off happily, then suddenly stopped and turned around, and ran back. “Grandma,” she said, “can I hug you?” And she gave me a big, long hug! What joy to have the privilege of sharing that wonderful life-changing experience!

Praise the Lord for little Rylee and her openness to the Good News! We pray that many more souls, in hostile and restricted nations and in the United States, will be presented with the life-changing story of Jesus’ love through this animated video.

You can ORDER your own copy of Jesus: He Lived Among Us to show to your family and friends by clicking here (both English and Spanish included on DVD).

You can also help SUPPORT VOM’s efforts to translate and distribute the film into hostile and restricted nations.

Thank you for standing with VOM as we spread the Good News!

For those in bonds,

The Voice of the Martyrs

Free DVD of Jesus: He Lived Among Us

Today I am very happy to share with you that The Voice of the Martyrs is offering a FREE DVD of the new animated JESUS: He Lived Among Us movie for your church.

Our goal is to reach 100,000 churches with this message.  Will you join us today by signing up your church to receive a free copy of this 90 minute DVD?

It's easy, all you have to do is click here and sign up.

Here's more about the movie:

In this 90-minute animated video, the story of Jesus unfolds through the eyes of his last surviving disciple, John the Beloved.   Banished to the Island of Patmos, John recounts the incredible and often dangerous story of what happened when Jesus lived among us.

Viewers are sure to be inspired by this extraordinary retelling of the life of Jesus. The video will soon be available in more than a dozen languages, and church leadership will be provided information on how to obtain free duplication rights for evangelistic purposes.

Register your church to receive a FREE DVD. Never before has such an offer been made available!

Register your church below.

CLICK HERE TO NOW TO SEE THE TRAILER AND TO REGISTER YOUR CHURCH