Christian TV Reaching Iranians Despite Internet Crackdown
Despite the Iranian regime shutting down the internet after they killed an estimated 60,000 pro-democracy Iranians in January, Christian TV programming continues to reach the country.
Satellite broadcasts travel beyond internet blocks and reach homes across the region. Through simple programs and personal stories, many people are learning about Christ’s love in their own language. These broadcasts offer encouragement, prayer and teaching during tense moments.
As the Islamic regime seeks to keep its grip on power, authorities are restricting internet access to control information. Connectivity has fallen below one percent in some areas, forcing Iranians to use VPNs and other covert methods to share videos and images of airstrikes.
SAT-7 PARS, the ministry’s Farsi-language channel, broadcasts 24/7 directly into Iran, bypassing government censorship.
“We reach probably half a million viewers in Iran any given day, and we hear from about 50 of them per day,” said John Cerniglia, President of SAT-7 USA. “It’s illegal to own a satellite, and actually the government will scan the rooftops of buildings and confiscate satellite dishes,. Of course, it’s impossible to do that widespread in a nation of 85 million people. We’re on the predominant satellite network that reaches Iran…and it is unblockable and uncensorable.”
SAT-7’s programming focuses on spiritual hope for Iranian Christians and those searching for truth and encouragement. “We have straight-up preaching where somebody can tune in and get expository teaching and preaching on something like the gospel according to John,” he said. “Or we have themes around Lent or Advent, depending on the season of the year. We have live broadcasting but a lot of the content, overwhelmingly, is gospel-based.”
accessible and visible to people – that the work of the Holy Spirit would overtake the work of a fearful mind or heart. I’m praying that God would work in miraculous ways, that the Prince of Peace would reign and rule in a region of darkness.”
“Be praying that God’s hope would be just so obvious and accessible and visible to people, that the work of the Holy Spirit would overtake the work of a fearful mind or heart. I’m praying that God would work in miraculous ways, that the Prince of Peace would reign and rule in a region of darkness.”
–Alan Goforth
