Speaker: Reza Jafari, Multimedia Senior Manager, SAT-7
How does it feel to be an innovation award winner?
Reza Jafari: We feel honored and are thankful to Miss Nexos and the donor for their leadership in driving innovation. That is crucially needed for greater impact in missions. We are grateful to God first and foremost for His provision as well as to our Afghan and Persian team for their creativity and commitment to serve the Lord among the isolated and persecuted Christian communities in the Farsi speaking world, particularly in Afghanistan. Above all, we are excited to see what God will do in Afghanistan. Thank you so much for this award and for recognizing this important and much needed project, Church for Afghanistan.
Could you share a few details about the innovative project that was funded?
Reza Jafari: Church for Afghanistan is where faith dares to stream by Afghan believers across the globe for Afghans via live stream on social media and satellite outreach. We use the latest technology, such as virtual productions, to connect with seekers and support the isolated church in Afghanistan in ways that meet felt needs first. While also demonstrating that the outreach is emerging from within their own culture and not imposed from outside. Church for Afghanistan is not just a life program or project, but the spiritual lifeline for seekers who are hungry for truth, healing, and belonging. For many Afghan viewers, this is their first real encounter with Jesus.
What is the most innovative aspect of this project?
Reza Jafari: The most innovative aspect is our use of virtual production technology in a completely new way. We are bringing together multiple Afghan Christians from different locations around the world into a shared virtual set hosted in our studio in Cyprus, though none of the presenters are physically there. This enables us to present a vibrant witness that draws on the diverse skill sets of Afghan believers to address spiritual, emotional, and social needs, share the gospel, provide biblical teachings, and offer fellowship. Though these believers are scattered across the diaspora, the technology allows us to give viewers a vision of what it could look like to have a thriving dari-speaking, culturally familiar Afghan church within their own country.
What difference do you hope this project will make?
Reza Jafari: We pray that this initiative will enable the church in Afghanistan to grow at set 7 we have witnessed and seen time and again that when people hear the gospel in a culturally familiar and trusted way, even in the most difficult contexts and places, hearts are open to God's love. We pray that lives will be touched through this programme and through this message. We also hope that in the wilderness of censorship, religious fear, and cultural trauma, Church for Afghanistan will offer not just a message, but a home and a safe community, a family. And a future in Christ for those who have already become believers. We hope they will find support and strength in connecting with their brothers and sisters.
