Christian Broadcasts Make Gospel Inroads into Islamic Audience
by Allie Martin
May 19, 2005
(AgapePress) - An evangelical satellite network is making a big impact in the Muslim world. Back in 1996, SAT-7 began broadcasting Christian programming two hours a week to the Middle East and North Africa. Today the network broadcasts 24 hours a day.Recently, surveys conducted by audience research firm InterMedia found SAT-7 has six million occasional viewers and 2 to 3 million people watching either daily or at least once a week. The network's John Tayloe says the survey proves that many Arabs and Muslims are receptive to the good news of the gospel.
"What we've learned over the years," Tayloe notes, "is that Arabs and Muslims are not resistant to the gospel. They've just never heard."
But the broadcast ministry spokesman feels the Christian network is uniquely positioned to change that. "Think of this," he says, "Arab Christians ministering to Arabs over satellite television. SAT-7 is an opportunity for the Church and for those that just happen to tune in to hear the gospel, some even for the very first time."
The idea is "very exciting in these very strategic days in the Middle East," Tayloe adds. But while evangelical outreach is a desirable objective, he points out that SAT-7's main goal is "to give strength to the existing Christian church in the region. They need our help, they need our prayers, they need encouragement, they need the Word of God to strengthen them."
Still, the station continues to appeal to Muslims viewers and others whose hearts may be ready to respond to the gospel's saving message. Tayloe suspects the survey numbers of those tuning in to SAT-7 may actually be lower than its actual viewership because some people contacted by InterMedia may not have felt comfortable answering questions about a Christian channel in a Muslim region.
SAT-7 recently began broadcasting to parts of Australia and continues to expand its ministry in other areas of the world, particularly in places that are officially hostile to the gospel, but where Muslims and other non-Christians are hungry for the truth of God's Word.
Allie Martin, a regular contributor to AgapePress, is a reporter for American Family Radio News, which can be heard online.
