Thank you for listening and praying along with 7 ways to pray, a SAT-7 UK podcast. For more ways to pray for SAT-7 and the Middle East and North Africa, download our monthly Prayer Diary at sat7uk.org/pray.

Show notes:

• When the power goes out, faith offers strength
• Facing threats and attacks for following Christ
• Download your October Prayer Diary: sat7uk.org/pray
• Find out more about Advent resources: sat7uk.org/advent

In our latest episode, Rediscovering Jesus the Middle Easterner, my co-host Martin and I are joined by Nadim Nassar, Director of the Awareness Foundation, and Tanas Alqassis, SAT-7 UK Trustee. Together, we explore what it means to understand Jesus within the historical, cultural and geographical context of his life as a first-century Middle Eastern Jewish man—and why that matters for Christians today.

Throughout the conversation, we consider how our understanding of Jesus has often been shaped by culture, tradition and artistic representation, and how rediscovering the world in which he lived can deepen our reading of Scripture and enrich our faith. Rather than changing who Jesus is, recognising his Middle Eastern identity helps us appreciate the reality of the incarnation and the significance of God entering history in a particular place, among a particular people.

We also reflect on the realities of Jesus' own life, from living under Roman occupation to his family's flight to Egypt as refugees, and explore how these experiences continue to resonate with many people across the Middle East and North Africa today. The conversation invites us to see the region not simply as the backdrop to the biblical story, but as the home of vibrant Christian communities who continue to worship, witness and serve with remarkable faith and perseverance.

Drawing on the experiences and insights of our guests, we discuss what the global Church can learn from Christians living in the region where Christianity began. From hospitality and resilience to hope and faithful witness, this episode offers a fresh perspective on how understanding Jesus' historical context can shape our discipleship, broaden our view of God's kingdom and strengthen our connection with the living Church across the Middle East and North Africa.

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.

SAT-7 UK: https://www.sat7uk.org/

SAT-7 UK Podcasts: https://www.sat7uk.org/pages/sat-7-uk-podcast/

The Middle Eastern Jesus: The Christ of the Gospel and the Culture of God, Nadim Nassar: https://canterburypress.hymnsam.co.uk/books/9781786225719/middle-eastern-jesus

Thank you for listening and praying along with 7 ways to pray, a SAT-7 UK podcast. For more ways to pray for SAT-7 and the Middle East and North Africa, download our monthly Prayer Diary at sat7uk.org/pray.

Show Notes Links:

• Lifting Afghan women’s voices five years on
• Honouring a pillar of the Iranian Church
• Short films make young Arab women’s stories visible
• Showcasing Egypt’s Christian heritage in new documentary
• Events from 22 September 2026 – 14 October 2026
• Could you bring hope and share faith with hurting children today?
• Download our monthly prayer calendar with daily prayer points to inspire focused intercession for the Middle East and North Africa. In this month's edition, we focus our prayers on journeys, SAT-7’s Cyprus office, and human rights in the MENA. Download your PDF or an easy-to-print version.

In this special live-recorded episode, my co-host Mary and were joined by three exceptional women whose leadership is shaping Christian media and ministry across the UK, the Middle East and North Africa: Rita El-Mounayer, International CEO of SAT-7; Julia Bicknell, award-winning former BBC journalist and SAT-7 UK Trustee; and Rachel Fadipe, CEO of SAT-7 UK and a passionate advocate for strengthening faith-based leadership.

Together, we explore what leadership looks like for women today, reflecting on the opportunities, challenges and personal journeys that have shaped each of our guests. From navigating positions of influence to overcoming barriers and embracing their calling, this is an honest conversation about leading with courage, humility and faith.

We also examine the unique role media plays in amplifying women's voices, challenging stereotypes and creating opportunities across the Middle East, North Africa and the UK. Through personal stories and cross-cultural reflection, our guests share how their faith has shaped their understanding of leadership—not as a position of power, but as an opportunity to serve others with wisdom, compassion and humility.

This conversation celebrates the diversity of women's experiences while encouraging us to think more deeply about how we can champion and equip leaders in our own communities. It is a powerful reminder that faithful leadership is rooted not in status, but in service, and that God continues to work through those who lead with integrity and purpose.

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.

SAT-7 UK: https://www.sat7uk.org/

SAT-7 UK Podcasts: https://www.sat7uk.org/pages/sat-7-uk-podcast/

I Choose Hope, Rita El-Mounayer: https://shop.sat7uk.org/products/i-choose-hope

Thank you for listening and praying along with 7 ways to pray, a SAT-7 UK podcast. For more ways to pray for SAT-7 and the Middle East and North Africa, download our monthly Prayer Diary at sat7uk.org/pray.

Show Notes Links:

• Countering stereotypes about Christianity in Turkiye
• Helping Moroccans face challenges through drama
• Download our monthly prayer calendar with daily prayer points to inspire focused intercession for the Middle East and North Africa. In this month's edition, we focus our prayers on journeys, SAT-7’s Cyprus office, and human rights in the MENA. Download your PDF or an easy-to-print version.

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.

SAT-7 UK: https://www.sat7uk.org/

SAT-7 UK Podcasts: https://www.sat7uk.org/pages/sat-7-uk-podcast/

Thank you for listening and praying along with 7 ways to pray, a SAT-7 UK podcast. For more ways to pray for SAT-7 and the Middle East and North Africa, download our monthly Prayer Diary at sat7uk.org/pray.

Show Notes Links:

• Watch and listen to Prom Praise
• Around the Table - Let the Children Come: Seeing Every Child Through Jesus’ Eyes
• Work with SAT-7 UK as a Graphic Designer
• Download our monthly prayer calendar with daily prayer points to inspire focused intercession for the Middle East and North Africa. In this month's edition, we focus our prayers on praise and worship, online safety, and SAT-7 PARS viewer support. Download your PDF or an easy-to-print version here.

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.

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