In Cairo this New Year’s Eve, so many believers gathered to begin 2019 in an atmosphere of praise and prayer that the 4,000-capacity Kasr el Dobara Evangelical Church (KDEC) had to expand into the street.

A young man in his mid-twenties from Afghanistan, and a former member of the Taliban, Jamal is already a veteran of major life events. He now lives in Iran and watches SAT-7 PARS programs to access Christian teaching. He contacted the channel to share his story.

Omeed Jouyandé explains why Herod and “all Jerusalem” had good reason to be alarmed by the arrival of a group of Magi from Parthia. But their mission was not as Herod feared – and their faith and identity remains an inspiration for Iranian Christians today.

The Egyptian people are facing youth unemployment, widespread poverty, an unstable economy and continuing human rights violations. But Egypt is also home to the Middle East’s largest Christian population – and despite violent attacks in recent years, the Egyptian Church is faithful and thriving.

Two special productions have been prepared for SAT-7 KIDS’ Christmas schedule. The crew visited a children’s cancer hospital in Cairo, Egypt to bring joy to the young patients. Another production offers children insight on Christ’s humble beginnings by filming in a manger.

Executive Assistant Annamaria shares what a Turkish Christmas is like: from the celebrations of churches in Istanbul to the general approach to Christian festivities from the wider population.