“We are Christians, and we are willing to sacrifice everything for our Christian faith. This is the strength that drives us to rebuild all churches.”
The essence of Christian media work in Iraq today is encapsulated in these remarks by Yohanna Youssef Towaya, Director of the Humanitarian Nineveh Relief Organization. With cameras, satellites, and an unyielding dedication to record, preserve, and spread the gospel, a quiet revolution is occurring against the backdrop of the destruction caused by the so-called Islamic State (IS). In Iraq, gospel videography has become one of the most important and daring means of Christian preaching worldwide in 2026. This guide examines the groups spearheading this effort, the difficulties they encounter, and the ways in which filmmakers and videographers can support this important endeavor.
Why Iraq? The Urgent Need for Gospel Media
To understand the importance of Christian videography in Iraq, you must first understand what Iraqi Christians have endured.
A Community Under Siege
Before the 2003 US-led war, Iraq was home to an estimated 1.5 million Christians . Today, that number has plummeted to approximately 140,000—a decline of more than 90% . The reasons are devastating:
- ISIS occupation (2014-2017): The terrorist group seized large parts of northern Iraq, including the Nineveh Plain, the historic heartland of Iraqi Christianity
- Systematic persecution: Christians were forced to convert at gunpoint, executed, or driven from their homes
- Church destruction: Ancient churches dating back to the earliest centuries of Christianity were bombed, looted, or converted into prisons
- Ongoing instability: Even today, Christians face threats from extremist groups and the lingering trauma of displacement
A 2008 documentary by American filmmaker Gwendolen Cates titled Mourning in the Garden of Eden documented the suffering of Iraqi Christians, calling them “like colonial-era Native Americans or Jews under Nazi Germany—marginalized, persecuted, and facing extinction” .
The Resilience of Faith
Despite this devastation, Iraqi Christians have not abandoned their homeland entirely. As Mr. Towaya told SAT-7’s You Are Not Alone program: “This is not the first time Christians have been persecuted, yet we remain steadfast on this land and cannot abandon it” .
Churches in Mosul and Qaraqosh are being restored. The ancient Mar Toma Church—regarded as the oldest in Mosul—has been rebuilt, along with centuries-old murals in the largest Christian town of Qaraqosh . And amid this physical restoration, a media revival is taking place.
The Pioneers: Gospel Media Organizations in Iraq
Several organizations are leading the charge in Christian videography and media production in Iraq. Here are the key players.
1. SAT-7: Amplifying Iraqi Christian Voices
SAT-7 is the largest Christian satellite television network broadcasting to the Middle East and North Africa. With channels in Arabic, Persian, and Turkish, SAT-7 reaches millions of viewers across the region—including Iraq .
Why SAT-7 Matters for Videography:
SAT-7 doesn’t just broadcast content; it produces it. Their programs include:
- You Are Not Alone: A flagship program that features testimonies of Iraqi Christians like Ismail, who survived ISIS torture as a teenager. The show documents church restorations, survivor stories, and the ongoing resilience of Iraqi believers .
- Documentaries: SAT-7 produces in-depth documentary content following families returning to their homes, church rebuilding projects, and the preservation of ancient Christian heritage.
- Children’s Content: Perhaps most powerfully, SAT-7 has documented the faith of young Iraqi Christians like Myriam, a nine-year-old girl who, when asked how she felt about those who drove her family from Qaraqosh, responded: “I won’t do anything to them. I will only ask God to forgive them” .
The Reach: SAT-7’s Iraqi content doesn’t just serve Christians. In a country where Muslims make up the vast majority, these programs offer a window into the life, faith, and witness of the indigenous Christian community.
2. FM 102.9: Baghdad’s Christian Radio (Now Expanding to Video)
While primarily a radio ministry, Baghdad’s FM 102.9 demonstrates the power of Christian media in Iraq. Founded by Reverend Maher Fouad of the New Testament Baptist Church in Baghdad, this was the first Christian radio station in Iraqi history .
The Backstory:
Maher Fouad launched FM 102.9 a decade ago, at a time when “violence was the biggest problem in Baghdad”—when car bombs and explosions were a daily reality . While other stations broadcast violence and negative news, Fouad’s station broadcast “the gospel of Jesus Christ and good news.”
The Reach Today:
Today, 8 million people listen to the station daily across Baghdad and beyond . And here’s the remarkable part: it’s not just Christians tuning in.
“Not only Christians call in—Muslims also call the live program asking us to pray for them.” – Reverend Maher Fouad
FM 102.9 has expanded beyond Baghdad to Basra in southern Iraq, with broadcasts reaching as far as Kuwait and Iran .
The Videography Connection:
As radio ministry expands, the natural next step is video. FM 102.9’s existing production capabilities and deep community connections position it as a potential hub for Christian videography in Iraq.
3. Alsha’aer TV: Media from Basra
Alsha’aer TV, operating from Basra province, represents another facet of Christian media in Iraq. While primarily serving the Shia Muslim community, its existence demonstrates the vibrant media ecosystem in southern Iraq where Christian content can find a place .
4. The Humanitarian Nineveh Relief Organization
While not primarily a media organization, the Humanitarian Nineveh Relief Organization led by Yohanna Youssef Towaya is a crucial partner for videographers documenting church restorations in Mosul and Qaraqosh . Their work rebuilding Mar Toma Church and restoring ancient murals provides powerful visual material that tells the story of Christian resilience.
The Challenges of Gospel Videography in Iraq
Creating Christian video content in Iraq requires navigating a uniquely challenging landscape.
Security Risks
Iraq remains a dangerous country for Christians. Reverend Maher Fouad of FM 102.9 has faced “countless death threats” for his broadcasting work . When ISIS advanced on Ramadi—just a short distance from Baghdad—his team faced threats from both the terrorist group and the daily dangers of car bombs and explosions .
For videographers, this means:
- Armed escorts may be necessary for travel outside major cities
- Filming locations must be carefully selected and secured
- Discretion is essential when filming in sensitive areas
- Evacuation plans must be in place before any shoot
Government and Cultural Sensitivities
While Iraq’s constitution guarantees religious freedom, the reality is more complex. Christian media must navigate:
- Sectarian tensions between Shia and Sunni Muslims
- Government restrictions on religious broadcasting
- Cultural taboos around conversion and evangelism
- The legacy of ISIS occupation, which left deep scars in communities
Technical Challenges
Iraq’s infrastructure is still recovering from decades of war and instability. Videographers face:
- Unreliable electricity requiring backup power solutions
- Limited internet bandwidth for file transfers
- Equipment shortages with limited local supply chains
- Extreme temperatures in summer months affecting gear
Documentary Spotlight: The Stories Worth Telling
Several powerful documentary projects have captured Iraqi Christian experiences. These serve as models for what gospel videography can achieve.
Mourning in the Garden of Eden (2008-2011)
Filmmaker Gwendolen Cates spent three years documenting Iraqi minority communities, including Assyrian Christians, Sabean Mandaeans, and Yazidis . Her film captured:
- The destruction of churches and ancient Christian sites
- Forced displacement and refugee camps
- Interviews with survivors of persecution
- The determination to preserve ancient traditions
Why It Matters: Cates’ work demonstrates the long-term commitment required to tell these stories authentically. Her background as a “reporter on the ground” in Iraq since 2003 gave her the relationships and access needed to document the unfolding crisis .
SAT-7’s Iraqi Testimony Series
SAT-7 has produced numerous video testimonies from Iraqi believers, including:
- Ismail’s Story: A teenager who carried his sick mother through a hail of bullets while ISIS fighters shot at them, crying “Jesus, save us”—and emerging untouched
- Myriam’s Story: A nine-year-old girl whose forgiveness toward her persecutors went viral and later returned home to Qaraqosh
- Church Restoration Series: Documenting the rebuilding of Mar Toma Church and other historic sites
How to Get Involved: Opportunities for Christian Videographers
If you’re a videographer, filmmaker, or media professional feeling called to serve in Iraq, here are pathways to involvement.
1. Partner with Established Organizations
The safest and most effective way to work in Iraq is through established Christian media organizations:
| Organization | Focus | How to Connect |
|---|---|---|
| SAT-7 | Satellite television, documentaries, children’s content | Visit sat7usa.org or sat7uk.org |
| FM 102.9 | Radio (Iraq), potential video expansion | Contact via High Adventure Ministries |
| Open Doors | Persecution documentation, advocacy | opendoors.org |
| Picture Christians Project | Photography and media documentation | picturechristians.org |
2. Support Iraqi Media Training
One of the most sustainable ways to contribute is by training Iraqi Christians to tell their own stories. SAT-7 offers media training workshops across the Middle East and North Africa, equipping local believers with the skills to create content for their own communities .
3. Document Church Restoration
The rebuilding of churches in Mosul and Qaraqosh is ongoing. Organizations like the Humanitarian Nineveh Relief Organization need documentation of their work for fundraising, advocacy, and historical preservation.
4. Create Content for the Diaspora
Over 1 million Iraqi Christians now live outside Iraq—in the United States, Europe, Australia, and elsewhere. Video content that connects diaspora communities to their homeland and their faith is deeply needed.
The 2026 Landscape: Signs of Hope
Despite the challenges, 2026 brings encouraging developments for Christian media in Iraq.
Arba’een Pilgrimage Coverage
In February 2026, more than 250 local and international media agencies covered the Arba’een pilgrimage in Karbala, with over 10,000 photographers documenting the event . While this is a Shia Muslim observance, the scale of media infrastructure being built in Iraq—satellite uplinks, production facilities, trained camera crews—benefits all media producers, including Christian ones.
Church Restoration Continues
As of February 2026, church restoration in Mosul and Qaraqosh continues. Yohanna Youssef Towaya told SAT-7: “Despite this [the exodus of Christians], we are determined to restore all churches, as Mosul alone contains more than 40 churches, most of them ancient and historic, bearing witness to the Christian faith” .
Podcast and New Media Growth
SAT-7 has expanded into podcasting, with series like Around the Table, Voices of the Middle East, and 7 Ways to Pray bringing stories from Iraqi believers to global audiences . This represents a new frontier for Christian media—one that requires less infrastructure than satellite television but can reach millions.
The Story of Ismail: A Testament to Media’s Power
Consider Ismail’s story. After surviving ISIS, enduring torture, and witnessing executions, he shared his testimony on SAT-7’s You Are Not Alone program . That single episode:
- Encouraged other survivors to come forward
- Raised awareness among global Christians
- Documented the church restoration happening in his community
- Preserved his testimony for future generations
This is what gospel videography in Iraq can achieve.
Practical Guidance for Aspiring Gospel Videographers
If you’re considering working in Iraq or producing content about Iraqi Christians, here are key principles:
Do Your Homework
- Study Iraq’s complex history and religious demographics
- Understand the distinctions between Assyrian, Chaldean, Syriac, and Armenian Christians
- Learn about the Sabean Mandaeans and Yazidis—other minority communities facing persecution
- Read works by experts like Jeff Gardner of the Picture Christians Project
Build Relationships
- Connect with Iraqi Christians before you arrive
- Work through established organizations rather than going independently
- Listen more than you speak
- Ask how you can serve, not just what stories you can capture
Prioritize Safety
- Never film in sensitive areas without local guidance
- Maintain secure backup of footage
- Have evacuation plans in place
- Consider the safety of your subjects—what you film could endanger them
Tell Stories of Hope, Not Just Suffering
Iraqi Christians are more than victims. They are:
- Faithful witnesses who have maintained the gospel for 2,000 years
- Skilled professionals rebuilding their communities
- Forgiving individuals who pray for their persecutors
- Artists preserving ancient traditions
- Children like Myriam who radiate grace
Document their full humanity.
The Role of Prayer
Christian media work in Iraq is sustained by prayer. SAT-7’s prayer resources highlight specific needs:
“We pray for continued restoration of your people and churches in Iraq. We thank you that against the odds, SAT-7 is bringing education to adults and children. We pray for your strength and comfort for believers in Iraq.”
If you can’t travel to Iraq, you can still contribute through intercessory prayer for:
- Protection for Christian media workers
- Continued restoration of churches
- The safety of believers in sensitive areas
- Open hearts among Muslim viewers
- Wisdom for those telling these stories
Conclusion: Your Lens, Their Story
The story of Iraqi Christians is one of the most important untold stories of our time. For 2,000 years, the church has existed in Mesopotamia—the land between the Tigris and Euphrates, where civilization itself began. Despite persecution, displacement, and existential threat, this church endures.
Gospel videography in Iraq is not just about capturing images. It is about:
- Preserving history before it is lost
- Documenting restoration for future generations
- Amplifying voices that are often silenced
- Connecting the global church to its persecuted family
- Demonstrating the power of forgiveness and faith
Reverend Maher Fouad, broadcasting the gospel from Baghdad while under death threats, declared: “We are very happy because many people are listening, receiving, and responding to the gospel message!” . He has no intention of leaving.
As videographers, filmmakers, and media professionals, we have the privilege of telling his story—and the stories of countless Iraqi believers who, against all odds, continue to shine the light of Christ in the land of ancient Nineveh.
Will you pick up the camera?