What These Christians Did for Prisoners in Lebanon Mirrored What Jesus Did for His Disciples...

Dan Wooding : Apr 3, 2015
Assist News Service

"Pray that the programs airing on SAT-7 this Easter season will encourage people across the Middle East and North Africa to reflect on Christ's sacrifice and seek new life in Him." -Spokesperson for SAT-7

(Lebanon)—[ASSIST News] On Thursday, SAT-7 aired a surprise live Maundy Thursday service—at Roumieh Prison in Lebanon. It is the largest and notably overcrowded jail in the country with a population of 5,500 inmates. (Photo via ANS)

Maronite Cardinal Bechara El Rahi, a highly respected Christian leader in Lebanon, took his turn in washing the feet of the prisoners.

"This inspiring act of servant-hood could not come at a better time. The prison has experienced security problems, made adjustments and is now attempting to maintain order," said a spokesperson for SAT-7.

Samar Faysal, Assistant Programming and Production Manager at SAT-7 Lebanon, says, "This service from the prison is a message of peace and faith… in one of the most disturbed regions of the world."

SAT-7 collaborated with local TV broadcaster LCBI to share the broadcast frequency free of charge.

Other Filming Locations for SAT-7 ARABIC Easter Programs:

Prayer hour from the Garden of Gethsemane in The Holy Land;

Good Friday service to air from Holy Spirit University Kaslik in Lebanon (with a former Lebanese President, current Deputies and Ministers in attendance);

Series titled If Not for the Cross, the first program filmed at the new, state-of-the-art SAT-7 Lebanon studio; and Church services to air from Saint Elias Church Taalabya in Bekaa, Lebanon, the Nazarene Evangelical Church in Baouchrieh, Lebanon, the Badaro Evangelical Baptist Church in Lebanon, and in Egypt, Kasr El Dobarah Evangelical Church (KDEC) will host the worship team 1000 in an Easter program called New Opportunities.

Several regular SAT-7 programs are holding special episodes this week. With Jesus will film an episode from Upper Egypt. Pope Tawadros will give an Easter lecture from the Coptic Cathedral in Abassiya, Egypt. Behind the Tunes will also have a special episode explaining the history and implications of different Easter hymns.

"Pray that the programs airing on SAT-7 this Easter season will encourage people across the Middle East and North Africa to reflect on Christ's sacrifice and seek new life in Him," added the spokesperson.