Advent Devotions

The goal of PAK7’s ‘Bedtime Stories’ is to share Bible stories and Pakistani cultural stories to engage children with Bible truths.

Encouraging Children with New Video Programming in Pakistan by MEGAN MCDANIEL

After the more than 25 years of success that SAT-7 has enjoyed with satellite broadcasts in the Middle East, a former SAT-7 executive started a sister ministry in 2014 called PAK7 to do video, social media, and satellite programming in the south Asia nation of Pakistan. Beginning this past spring, LHM initiated a partnership with PAK7 to support new children’s programming. Other aspects of the partnership include producing videos and content for social media.

PAK7’s video content producer had the idea of taking a successful SAT-7 Arabic Channel program called Bedtime Stories and producing a similar program for children in Pakistan. The goal of PAK7’s Bedtime Stories is to share Bible stories and Pakistani cultural stories to engage children with Bible truths.

The addition of co-host Mintu adds to the storytelling format of the program. Mintu is a voice for children on the show. A bold puppet that can get away with asking questions kids want to ask, Mintu gives the host the opportunity to explain stories clearly, and to focus on the lessons they want children to hear and take away.

There are three ways children can watch television in Pakistan. Most children watch national television networks where religious content is not allowed. Some children have access to uncensored satellite television, and a small but growing number of children have access to YouTube.

To make sure Bedtime Stories can be viewed and enjoyed by children both Christian and non-Christian, PAK7 created 14 episodes. In half of the episodes, the host shares stories from the Bible which are intended to be shown on Christian TV channels. In the other half of the episodes, the host shares Pakistani cultural stories with Christian values that are able to play on the national television networks.

All episodes of the show have beautiful animation, lively songs, and Mintu who asks questions about what the stories mean. In addition, every episode is available on the PAK7 kids YouTube channel. PAK7 hopes that children who watch Bedtime Stories on national TV will love the program so much that they search for the Bible story episodes on YouTube for additional content. Bedtime Stories is available now and we look forward to seeing how God works in the hearts of the children who watch. =

Megan McDaniel reports on the impact of LHM’s ministry work around the world.

Share the Child of Promise with Others This Year

by PAUL SCHREIBER

As Christmas draws near, we remember this season can be hectic for many. Holiday hassles like relationship disagreements, too little money, and too many expenses can fray our mental wires. That’s where the real message of Christmas comes in. This year’s LHM Advent devotions, Child of Promise, are written by Dr. Kari Vo, LHM’s theological writer. They will help you focus on the Messiah and not get derailed by the messiness.

With many still grappling with COVID-19 restrictions and uncertainties, Child of Promise offers comfort and hope with its focus on the birth of God’s Son. “During this pandemic, it’s been hard for a lot of us to feel connected to God’s gift of Jesus. We don’t have all the usual blessings we’re used to—Advent services in person without worries, concerts, and children’s programs, for example. I hope that these Advent devotions can help just a little with the need we all have to draw near to Jesus and hear God speaking to us in love and mercy,” Vo says.

As a way to help others draw closer to Jesus, Child of Promise can be easily shared. Available to read online, print off as a PDF, and personalize for congregation use, these brief messages make an ideal outreach resource. Like our regular Daily Devotions, each Advent message features three reflection questions to spark thinking about wider day-to-day applications of God’s Word on a personal level.

“The questions are meant to get people thinking, and to help us relate the Bible text to our own lives. I try to write questions that people in all stages of life can use, even those who are not believers yet. The first question is usually pretty easy. By the third question, we are looking at very personal ways that God has acted in our own lives,” Vo says.

Child of Promise can be read or heard, beginning November 28 at lhm.org/advent. You can also receive it as a daily email during the Christmas season. A Spanish version, Hijo de la promesa, will be available to read, listen to, or receive as a daily email, beginning November 28. Rev. Hector Hoppe reads the texts. Spanish Advent devotions can be downloaded and printed for personal use or group sharing, too. Visit paraelcamino.com/adviento for all the details. =