In this episode, we explore how Ruth Thomas, SAT-7 VP for Finance & Administration, transformed her career frustration into a pursuit of meaningful work. Now serving in a leadership role with SAT-7 USA, Ruth shares her passion for excellence, accountability, and transparency, which she sees as vital for building trust and support among ministry partners. She reflects on her journey of aligning her professional life with her personal values and her mission to create a greater impact through the work she leads.

Ruth discusses her commitment to ensuring SAT-7’s operational efficiency, highlighting how 82% of the ministry’s total operating expenses are directly invested in programs that reach women, children, families, and seekers across the Middle East and North Africa. Additionally, Ruth emphasizes the growing importance of stock gifts in sustaining SAT-7’s mission, noting their unique value in helping donors maximize their giving potential while supporting life-changing programs. Through these initiatives, Ruth strives to balance low overhead costs with high-impact results, providing a model of stewardship that inspires others to do the same. Tune in to hear Ruth’s insights on leadership, transparency, and creating meaningful change in ministry.

Learn more about planned gifts that are powerful ways to give and reach more people with God’s love.

In this episode, we explore the inspiring journey of Becky Lucas, Senior Development Director at SAT-7 USA, sharing her calling to make a difference in some of the world's most challenging places. Becky shares how her career began with an international aid agency supporting persecuted Christians, eventually leading her to the world of Christian publishing. However, her heart for the Middle East and the unique testimonies of women impacted by SAT-7's programming ultimately drew her to join this impactful ministry. Becky’s story is a testament to how God’s calling can weave together diverse experiences into a powerful mission for His glory.

Becky was particularly moved hearing a testimony from a Middle Eastern woman who shared that “SAT-7 programs are the breath of life!” In a region where hope is often hard to find, SAT-7 brings the light of Christ into homes and hearts. Becky reflects on how hearing these stories set her faith on fire, motivating her to serve alongside a ministry reaching millions across the Middle East and North Africa. Join us for a conversation highlighting the incredible ways God works through media to transform lives and bring hope to the persecuted and marginalized.

Link to read SAT-7 stories.

Link to invest – Your generosity makes the Gospel available and provides lasting hope.

In this episode of Unconventional Ministry, we are joined by Dr. Rex Rogers, President of SAT-7 USA, a groundbreaking international nonprofit media ministry broadcasting hope and the Gospel across the Middle East and North Africa. With over 34 years of academic experience, Dr. Rogers shares his journey from the halls of higher education to the frontlines of faith-based media outreach. Discover the unique vision and calling that led him to step into leadership at SAT-7, a ministry leveraging technology to deliver Christ-centered programming in some of the world's most challenging environments.

Dr. Rogers reflects on the spiritual needs of the region and how SAT-7’s innovative media strategies make an eternal impact in communities longing for truth and transformation. If you’re passionate about spreading the Gospel and curious about how media can reach beyond barriers, this conversation will inspire and inform your faith journey.

In this inspiring episode, we sit down with Kim Wriston, Mid-Level Development Officer and Project Manager at SAT-7 USA, as she shares how God has been faithfully working in her life, preparing her for His purposes long before she realized it. Kim recounts how her past experiences with diverse cultures laid the foundation for her current role in SAT-7’s mission to bring Christ’s love to the Middle East and North Africa.

Discover how a pivotal trip to the Middle East deeply impacted her heart and continues to shape her work as a development officer and project manager. This episode will encourage you to trust God’s timing and see how He uses all things – big and small – for His glory. Tune in to be inspired by Kim’s story of obedience, faith, and God’s incredible provision!

Previous episodes with SAT-7 USA staff:

Brian Nelson - Radio Host, NASCAR, and SAT-7

Andrea Harrison - Phone Calls, Sticky Notes, and SAT-7 

Ray Heinen - Theology, Technology, and SAT-7 

In this thought-provoking episode, we sit down with John Frick, a leader who has spent over 34 years navigating the crossroads of faith and leadership in financial-related and non-profit organizations. As the Vice President of Development for SAT-7 USA, John shares how a biblical perspective on stewardship can transform not only ministry impact but also personal legacy. His insights challenge conventional thinking, offering a refreshing approach to aligning financial decisions with eternal values. Whether you're leading a ministry, running a business, or managing your household, John's wisdom will inspire you to see stewardship as a God-given calling, not just a responsibility. 

John’s passion for biblical stewardship shines through as he discusses the profound ways Christians can leave a legacy that honors God while strengthening their families. Discover how to move beyond transactional generosity and embrace a life of transformational giving – where your resources become tools for building God’s Kingdom and shaping the future. This episode isn’t just about money; it’s about the heart behind the legacy you’re called to create.

Learn more about SAT-7 and stewardship at www.sat7usa.org/planned-giving

In this powerful episode, I sit with Ray Heinen, the Senior Director of Ministry Partnership for SAT-7 USA, to explore his inspiring journey of faith and service. Originally from Egypt, Ray shares his experiences of living across several Arab countries for over two decades before moving to the United States with his wife, Sue, in 2010. Being an early viewer of SAT-7’s broadcasts, Ray brings a unique perspective on how this satellite ministry has transformed lives across the Middle East, offering encouragement and hope to Christians and seekers alike in challenging contexts.

Join us as Ray discusses the impact of SAT-7’s work and how it has been a crucial resource for the Church in the Middle East. Discover ways you can support SAT-7’s mission and help bring the light of the Gospel to millions. Every dollar enables one year of life-changing programming for a viewer, spreading God’s love where it’s most needed. Learn how to be part of this extraordinary ministry at SAT-7 USA.

In this episode of the Unconventional Ministry podcast, Andrea Harrison, the Donor Relations Coordinator and Accounting Assistant at SAT-7, shares insights from over 20 years of serving as the "voice of SAT-7." Known for her warmth and gentle spirit, Andrea has become a trusted presence for ministry partners, answering questions, praying with callers, and encouraging them in their journeys. Her role goes beyond traditional customer service; she treats every call as an opportunity to provide support, showing love through empathy and kindness.

Andrea’s dedication highlights the importance of building relationships. She approaches each interaction with a genuine desire to foster community, ensuring ministry partners feel valued not only for their contributions but also as individuals. Through prayer and compassionate conversations, Andrea reflects on how a ministry mindset in customer service can turn routine exchanges into meaningful moments, reminding listeners that even a simple phone call can become a powerful act of love and service.

In this episode, hear from Brian Nelson, SAT-7 USA Ministry Development Director, as he shares his journey from Christian radio hosting to producing a NASCAR race coverage program for a national radio network and ultimately joining SAT-7 USA in 2022. Learn about Brian’s perspective on stewardship and fund raising, and discover how his past prepared him for his work with SAT-7 USA. Don’t miss Brian’s impactful Holy Land story.

Learn more about SAT-7 USA leadership at www.sat7usa.org/about-us/#staff

In this episode, Dirk Smith with EEM explains how their innovative heart-language Bible distribution ministry is making Bibles and Bible materials available to the nations of Eastern Europe and beyond. Learn what it means to be a collaborative, coming alongside ministry that is empowering their ministry partners.

“When someone reads the Bible for the first time in their language, they realize just how much the God of the universe loves them,” continues Smith. “This is how God’s Word transforms us.” 

Today, EEM publishes and prints Bibles and New Testaments as well as Teen Bibles, Children’s Bibles and Bible activity books, distributing them through a vast network of partner churches and organizations reaching more than 35+ countries and 25+ languages, including Farsi and Arabic, and in nations like Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Kazakhstan.

In this episode of Unconventional Ministry, Dr. Ivan Filby discusses the spiritual journey and his "spiritual tool kit." With forty years in ministry and higher education and as a former business professor, business school dean, university president, and now the president and CEO of Seedbed, Dr. Filby has experienced much success in his career. Yet, despite his deep dive into the wisdom and power of the Holy Spirit, he candidly admits that he continues to struggle with knowing exactly what the Spirit desires for his life. Why does he still face doubts and questions? What spiritual tools do we all need to navigate our faith? Join us for an inspiring and honest conversation about the realities of following the Spirit and the tools that can help sustain us in times of uncertainty.

Dr. Filby's new book Speak Tenderly: Prophetic Ministry Seasoned with Grace is available from Seedbed Publishing. Filby leaves readers with a toolkit of resources to make this area of ministry not only accessible, but also practical!