An indigenous satellite television service created by and for Middle Eastern and North African Christians has new plans to strengthen families in the Arab world where the family is being challenged.
Serving as the premier Arabic Christian satellite TV channel for millions of people in the Middle East and North Africa, SAT-7 announced today the launch of a new family initiative called the 2006 Year of the Family campaign to the Christian message through the basic block of a family unit."Globally, the family is the basic building block of our society," said SAT-7 CEO Terry Ascott in a statement released by the ministry. "Yet, it seems today that the very institution of the family is being challenged, even in the extremely family-oriented Middle East and North Africa.
Beginning next year, SAT-7 will be airing special television programs with the theme "Together we can shape the future!" It will cover such topics as how to work towards being part of a happy family, how best to raise your children and how to have meaningful family devotions.
"Families in this region especially face problems live poverty, illiteracy, migration, negative media influences, divorce, spousal abuse, etc.,” Ascott noted. “Therefore, SAT-7 invites all churches, Christian agencies, and media in the Arab world to join the campaign by dedicating the year 2006 to be the Year of the Family!"
According to the ministry, the new campaign will reveal that families are important, and every member of the family is valuable, emphasising the role of women and children. The initiative will root out the causes of the challenges facing Arab families today and teach churches to instill Christian values in the home."The family is the place where Christian values of love, respect, and freedom can best be taught, modeled and learned," said Debbie Brink, executive director of the North American branch of SAT-7, according to a released statement. "In the Arab world, watching satellite TV is often a family experience, so this is a very appropriate medium for such a campaign."
