It Takes A Team
April 03, 2025
Meet the human network behind THRU the BIBLE’s satellite-TV ministry
By Nathan Bugbee, THRU the BIBLE Director of Operations
“Do you face any oppression or persecution for your faith from the Egyptian government?”
Magdy reads my question on his phone as Google Translate transforms my English words into Arabic. He shifts in his chair as we chat in the hotel lobby near the Old City of Istanbul. He doesn’t respond—not while the mic on his phone is listening. Instead, he turns to Hany, a fellow Egyptian brother and the producer of TTB’s satellite-TV programs. Magdy speaks to Hany in Arabic and Hany relays Magdy’s meaning to me in English: “It’s not safe for him to answer on the phone.”
Why were Magdy and I in Istanbul? He was there for Endure International’s “follow-up training” and I was there to meet the team and learn everything I could about Endure’s ministry to the Muslim world.
THRU the BIBLE relies on ministry partners like Endure to provide the essential human connection with those impacted by TTB’s teaching. Follow-up teams are able to answer questions about the program, draw out people’s hearts, clarify and articulate the gospel, and, where possible and safe, connect people with Christian community or local churches.
Endure’s follow-up team interacts specifically with viewers of TTB’s satellite-TV programs over various channels, including social media, email, and phone. They aim to not only answer questions and respond to comments from TTB’s audience but also to evangelize and disciple those reaching out.
Nathan with members of Endure leadership.
the dedicated men and women of the follow-up team who serve THRU the BIBLE viewers.
At THRU the BIBLE, we hear much about Christian brothers and sisters abroad who are faithful to the Lord within oppressive contexts. It’s one thing to hear their stories from afar, and it’s another to share a meal with them, laugh with them, and hear their hearts. During my visit to Istanbul, I had the privilege to sit with and befriend brothers and sisters in Christ whose hearts are for those lost in darkness in hostile places. They long to see Muslims come to know true freedom and forgiveness through the gospel of Jesus Christ in places like Egypt, Iran, Indonesia, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and countries in French-speaking Africa.
What strikes me about the follow-up team is that they are “ministry people.” They want to be used by God to reach others. Their role on the follow-up team for Endure International is not merely a job, but an extension of a life characterized by gospel faithfulness. For example—
- Magdy faithfully works in IT for Cru in Egypt and his fellow Arabic follow-up teammate is an itinerant evangelist in Egypt.
- The man leading the Farsi follow-up is an Iranian refugee in Turkey. Ten years ago, his Muslim wife divorced him and left with his young daughter because he chose to follow Christ. He hasn’t seen his daughter since.
- The woman leading the French follow-up is a former missionary to Morrocco and now, with her husband, seeks to reach Muslims living in France.
- The woman leading the Turkish follow-up is in Bible school and her husband is seeking to plant a church in Turkey.
- The man leading the Urdu follow-up is a church planter in Pakistan. I could go on and on.
THRU the BIBLE's venture into television began in Arabic and is now produced in these 7 languages.
These are the kinds of people THRU the BIBLE depends on to connect with souls on a human level as God’s Word is taught abroad. People who don’t merely claim Christ, but who sacrificially give of their time and energy to help others come to know, love, and follow Christ for themselves.
In this way, many souls are being reached with the good news of Jesus Christ as the whole Word goes to the whole world.