2015 Religious Travel Planning Guide by Premier Travel Media

2015 EDITION

A Premier Travel Media publication www.ReligiousTravelPlanningGuide.com

12 visitlondonimages/britainonview/Pawel Libera

St. Paul’s Cathedral, one of London’s most impressive landmarks.

contents

VOL. 5 • 2015 EDITION

FEATURES

Walking in Circles

BY RACHEL GILMORE

SPECIAL SECTION Luther 2017 in Germany

Retreat planners find that a prayer labyrinth may strengthen the connection with God

Follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther as the Reformation’s 500th anniversary approaches

Divine Designs: Cathedrals of England

BY RANDY MINK

Visiting fine examples of ecclesiastical architecture can be a heavenly experience

Five Destinations for Your Next Youth Trip BY DANIEL MORRILL

Consider Branson, Orlando, Myrtle Beach, Colorado Springs and the Tennessee Smokies

Mission Trips: Putting Faith Into Practice

BY RICHARD KRIEG

ritarobin/Bigstock.com

Ministering to those in need brings Bible lessons to life and grows a congregation

Let a Tour Operator Chart Your Faith Journey Working with a professional travel expert eases the way for church leaders

ON THE COVER: The quire at York Minster, York, England. (Visit York Photo)

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Randy Mink

Church Group Travel Renews the Spirit

or religious heritage and cultural treasures, no place can rival Europe as a travel destination. Castles, cathedrals, art, music, theater….it’s all there. If I had a choice of going anywhere, I’d choose the Old World. The older the place, the better. Medieval sites, dating from long before Columbus put the Americas on the map, really pique my interest. Last year I was lucky enough to visit Europe twice. On a spring trip that started in London and ended in Madrid, I spent most of my days in Spain. The highlight was Cordoba (shown above) and its historic quarter, anchored by the monumental Mezquita, a mosque that became a church in 1236. In England six months later I made a point of visiting the main cathedrals in each town (see my story on page 12). Europe has always been a favorite with church groups, from Catholics visiting pilgrimage sites like Lourdes and Fatima to Protestants touring Luther’s Germany or Calvin’s Switzerland. The big news regarding religious travel to Europe these days is the Luther 2017 campaign in Germany, a tourism promotion observing the Reformation’s approaching 500th anniversary. A special section in this magazine describes the major sites related to Luther’s life, from his birthplace, to the castle where he translated the New Testament into German, to the church door memorializing his 95 Theses. In addition to religious points of interest, the charming towns of LutherCountry offer plenty of other attractions with Old World flavor. Also in this issue, readers get some guidance on planning youth fellowship trips right here in America. Our article profiles five family-friendly destinations that offer fun things to do, natural splendor and a Christian attraction or two. In “Walking in Circles,” Rachel Gilmore, author of 6

Religious Travel Planning Guide

The Complete Leader’s Guide to Christian Retreats, suggests a prayer labyrinth as a retreat planning tool. In his column on mission trips, Pastor Richard Krieg talks about the spiritual impact these projects have on participants. To make travel dreams become a reality, many church leaders rely on professional tour operators. You’ll see descriptions of leading faith travel specialists starting on page 26. Whether your church already has a thriving travel program or has been thinking about forming a travel ministry, we hope you’ll find inspiration in these pages. Please consider passing along this copy of the 2015 Religious Travel Planning Guide to colleagues who might find it helpful. Or let

Europe has always been a favorite with church groups, from Catholics visiting pilgrimage sites like Lourdes and Fatima to Protestants touring Luther’s Germany or Calvin’s Switzerland them know they can download it for free. In addition to our annual print publication, we have online resources for planning and marketing your group trip. ReligiousTravelPlanningGuide.com is the premier research tool for the faith travel market. Our monthly newsletter, InSite on Religious Travel, offers ideas as well. We wish you the best in creating meaningful trips that will energize and inspire your community of faith. Happy traveling,

Vol. 5, No. 1, 2015 Edition

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connecting travelers to the roots of their faith

Offer the world to your travelers with journeys to seven continents.

To learn about our extensive tour selection, call 800.762.5345 or your local Travel Agent. CST# 2006766-20 UBN# 601220855 Nevada Seller of Travel Registration No. 2003-0279

By Rachel Gilmore

y definition, a retreat is a going-away time, a taking a little time for yourself time. It's a time to renew and refresh your mind, body and spirit. More specifically, though, a retreat is designed to model God's concept of Sabbath. God created the world and included time to rest, but the busyness in our lives has pushed us far away from that divine gift of R&R. We have become so over-scheduled, over-committed, overtired, overworked, over-

worried, overemotional, over budget...over and over and over again. A retreat helps break that pattern. It inserts a time-out, a Sabbath rest, in the middle of our fast-paced, sensory-overloaded lives. Yet a prayer labyrinth is a wonderful retreat tool for deepening spiritual connection with God that actually engages the mind and spirit through bodily movement. Visitors to a labyrinth will spend time silently walking and talking with God and giving God time and

WALKING IN

CIRCLES Retreat planners may find that using a prayer labyrinth strengthens group membersâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; connection with God

space to speak into their lives. For retreat planners, some of the many benefits of incorporating the walking of a prayer labyrinth include: • Helping participants' minds to focus on creating a connection with God by occupying their bodies with a familiar, repetitive physical task (walking) done within a safe, structured environment (labyrinth path). • Offering a spiritual growth tool which is accessible to people of various ages and stages of faith. • Making extended quiet time more productive by adding a simple physical component, lessening the "strangeness" of group silent meditation and reflection. • Creating a common group activity that is experienced individually, providing for a wealth of follow-up conversations post-walk.

But Isn’t That A New-Agey Thing?

Actually, labyrinth symbols have been discovered on archeological remnants dating back almost 4,000 years in pre-historic cultures. However, use of the labyrinth in Christian art and architecture dates back to Roman Emperor Constantine’s conversion to Christianity and his hosting of the Council of Nicaea in 325 AD. Founded in 324 AD, the Basilica of St. Reparatus outside of Algiers in North Africa is the first documented example of a Christian church with a labyrinth. Following the Romanstyle mosaic tile floor layout, the center contains the words “Santa Eclesia” or “Holy Church” repeated over and over again as a type of prayer. While the terms labyrinth and maze often get used inter-

Nancy Bauer/Bigstock.com

Walking an outdoor prayer labyrinth helps retreat goers focus on their relationship with God and adds a physical component to quiet time.

ritarobin/Bigstock.com

Labyrinths come in many forms and sizes, but the purpose is the same.

changeably, they are very different things. Both are pathways, often big enough to be walked. A labyrinth, though, is not designed to deceive. It has no dead ends or confusing twists and turns like a maze so that a walker can never get lost. The oldest form, called a Classical labyrinth, is rounded and contains a single path that loops back and forth on itself toward a center point which requires the walker to turn around and go back out the way she came. During medieval times when labyrinths grew in popularity as a Christian symbol of following one path to God, another design emerged, based on a symmetrical, quadrant geometry, with the most famous one still on the floor of Chartres Cathedral in France. Again, its purpose was to allow the walker to move intentionally toward the center (toward God), pause for a time of extended prayer or worship and then follow the path back out of the labyrinth (toward the world), hopefully leaving with a deeper sense of God’s presence in her life. (For detailed descriptions and illustrations of labyrinth types, visit www.labyrinthos.net/typology.html). “For me, personally, I think we need more symbolism in Christianity,” says Debbie Warnock, a Virginian artist, gardener and pastor's wife who created a backyard labyrinth that is now open to visitors. “Sometimes it seems like we forget about the whole thought process with symbolism. It’s a tool that God gave us. It’s Religious Travel Planning Guide

ing,” Warnock said. Which is exactly the purpose of a retreat...to get people walking and talking with God in a deeper, more purposeful way and encouraging them to carry that close, personal connection back into their daily lives.

There is a prayer labyrinth at St. John’s Church in Glastonbury, England.

chrisd2105/Bigstock.com

like art. Symbols give us a visual that can help ground us in our feelings.” And, according to labyrinth users and researchers, a revival has been underway since the 1980s, reintroducing this spiritual-physical prayer practice to modern Christianity. More specifically, though, Warnock sees the labyrinth as her faith forefathers did…as a metaphor for a life spent walking with God. Visitors to Warnock's labyrinth receive a bookmark that explains that upon crossing the threshold, walkers are encouraged to let go of their worries, clear their minds of worldly things and invite God to be present with them. Upon reaching the center, walkers can pause to reflect on areas of their lives that need spiritual work, that need God’s healing, that need God’s guidance, that need celebration and thanksgiving of God’s blessings. This rest can be a time of prayer, of enjoying God’s creation, of reading Scripture, or of heart-to-heart conversations with God. When the walkers are ready to move out of the labyrinth, they are encouraged to actively listen for the still, small voice of God speaking into their lives. “I think of when God was walking with Adam and Eve in the Garden of Eden (before the Fall) and how the whole experience was so intimate, just the two of them and God, walking and talk-

Learning About The Labyrinth

However, before incorporating a labyrinth into your retreat plan, be aware that some people might feel that this activity is too far outside their faith tradition for it to be meaningful. Or, it may be a completely unfamiliar approach to the planning team, so it's best to keep these pre-walk guidelines in mind: 1. Do background reading on labyrinths and be prepared to answer questions from the group as to the purpose and practice of walking a labyrinth. Testimonies from Christians who use a labyrinth as part of their prayer life might be useful to share. Check out prayer labyrinth expert Dr. Jill Geoffrion's website for a wealth of background information at www.jillgeoffrion.com/. 2. Be sensitive to your group’s/church’s theological comfort zone and determine if this approach is acceptable. Remember that a gentle nudge to encourage risk taking for spiritual growth can be helpful…a shove over the edge, not so much. 3. Give some structure to your group’s labyrinth time, especially if participants are new to the experience (see ideas below). 4. Explain labyrinth etiquette in advance. New walkers need to know that it’s okay to step aside or move off the path to let someone go around you. If your group is the only group using the labyrinth, decide if you will be silent or if talking quietly with one another is okay. It’s also normal for some to walk slowly and others more quickly. Each labyrinth walk is individually paced. 5. Depending on the size of your group and the size of the labyrinth, you may want to walk it in shifts or stagger the entry times. Having additional devotional materials or prayer options available can help keep the group focused even if they don’t all start and finish together.

©iStockphoto.com/Corey

Religious Travel Planning Guide

Sundahl

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Learning From The Labyrinth

A prayer labyrinth returns believers to an ancient Christian practice designed for intentionally exploring and growing one’s faith. Used in the retreat setting, the labyrinth can not only strengthen individual connections to God but also to others sharing the retreat experience. Help your group members maximize their spiritual growth by… 1. Incorporating Scripture into your walk. Have either a verse or verses printed on a slip of paper for people to stop and read along the way. Or, have a reader stand outside the labyrinth and share a verse every few minutes. Labyrinth creator Warnock says her favorite is Psalm 16:11 from the Message translation: “Now you've got my feet on the life path, all radiant from the shining of your face. Ever since you took my hand, I'm on the right way.” You can also look up words like path, way, feet, guide, direct or seek in a concordance and choose a handful of passages or select denominational devotional/prayer materials for reflection. Make copies to give to the walkers. 2. Assigning prayer partners who will pray for one another during the walk. 3. Setting aside time after walking to talk with participants about their experience…Was it helpful? Was it comfortable? Did walkers gain any insights? Could they hear God’s voice? Would they do it again? 4. Inviting group members to bring a journal into the labyrinth and/or spend time journaling after walking.

Ready To Hit The Road?

If you’ve decided that incorporating a labyrinth into your retreat is exactly what your group needs, find a labyrinth near you by visiting www.labyrinthlocator.com. Just type in your city, state or zip code and see what your options are. These days, public labyrinths grace the grounds of retreat centers, churches, parks and private homes, and this website gives you all the specifics you'll need regarding location, type, hours of availability, etc. In addition, the website includes labyrinths from around the world, many located in the historic churches of Europe. (Note: For those reading this issue's articles on English cathedrals and Germany's LutherCountry, there are 128 labyrinths in England and 37 in Germany if you're inspired to combine a European retreat with a prayer labyrinth walk.) "The main thing for me," adds Debbie Warnock, "is that the labyrinth is simply a place to be and to enjoy God's presence, and any means that we can use to bring us closer to God, that's healthy and wholesome, is a good thing." U

Rachel Gilmore is the author of The Complete Leader’s Guide to Christian Retreats (Judson Press, 2008, judsonpress.com). She is happy to answer planning questions via email (rachel@thegilmoregirl.com) and is available to work as a consultant with your planning team or serve as a retreat speaker.

Fridays and Saturdays

June 19–September 26

Ohio’s Only Passion Play

41 Years of Faith

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ver since taking a college course in Late Medieval Art and Architecture, I’ve been drawn to the magnificent cathedrals of Europe and make a beeline to them as soon as I arrive in town. Such was the case in York, which turned out to be my favorite city on a recent Christmastime trip to Northern England. Circled by ancient town walls and threaded with a cobweb of cozy lanes, York’s historic core abounds with attractions, including York Minster, the largest medieval Gothic church north of the Alps. A masterpiece in stone and stained glass, York Minster is religious architecture on the grandest scale, dwarfing all that surrounds it. For almost three hours I marveled at its construction and toured its exhibits, capping my visit with an arduous climb to the rooftop. But York Minster is not a museum—it is a working Anglican church—and I wanted to experience it as a worshipper. So, that night I returned to attend a carol service featuring the red-jacketed boys and girls of the Minster School’s choir. The children’s voices lifted in song and strains of the mighty pipe organ made it all come alive. Like others in the audience, I sat in the ornately carved choir stalls, the singers in front of the high altar. Afterwards, it was fun mingling with the locals over wine, juice and mini mince pies (a Christmas staple) just outside the “quire” (an archaic spelling used in Britain to denote the area occupied by the choristers). Cathedrals, more than just places to worship, are at the very

C at h e d r a l s

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York Minster, an imposing Gothic masterwork, dominates York’s walled old city.

England

Divine Designs Visiting some of the world’s finest examples of ecclesiastical architecture can be a heavenly experience By Randy Mink

Religious Travel Planning Guide

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Lincoln Cathedral, as viewed from Lincoln Castle, looms high above the medieval town center.

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VisitBritain/Tony Pleavin

VisitEngland/VisitKent

For drama, though, there’s nothing heart of British history. They also are like attending a service or concert. If prime tourist attractions, each with its you can’t make Sunday worship, conown story to tell. sider evensong, a late-afternoon servAs monuments to the glory of ice with musical elements. Other God and power of the church, catheoptions include organ and choir drals in medieval times were the recitals. Besides carol services, Christlifeblood of the city, towering over the mastime might bring special perhouses huddled below. Many of Engformances, such as Handel’s Messiah. land’s most famous cathedrals were In York I attended carol services on built in the Gothic style, with soaring two nights, each with a different arches and windows emphasizing school choir; the second one attracted height and light. Piercing the heavCanterbury Cathedral, the mother church of Anglicanism, was more people and was held in the 500ens, their spires dominated the landan important pilgrimage center during the Middle Ages. foot-long, 100-foot-wide nave, not scape and could be seen from miles the intimate quire. away. The identities of certain English cities, like Canterbury and York Minster (built between 1220 and 1472) is one of the most Salisbury, are inextricably tied to their cathedrals. (While the word visited cathedrals in England and has plenty to see. Start with a “cathedral” usually refers to a church that serves as the seat of a guided tour that leaves on the hour between 10 a.m. and 3 p.m. bishop, we’re using it here to connote a large, important church.) Then explore the recently renovated Undercroft, where the subYou have to stop and ponder that some of England’s massive terranean Revealing York Minster exhibition, a high-tech affair with ecclesiastical edifices are over 900 years old—and still standing. videos and touch-screens, reveals the Roman and Norman founAs scaffolding attests, these artistic and engineering miracles are dations on which the present Gothic church stands. Many of the constantly undergoing restoration and repair. Some have seen exarchaeological discoveries on display were made during the 1960s tensive design changes over the centuries; others have suffered fire engineering project that shored up the crumbling foundation and damage or just the ravages of old age. A few were targets of Gersaved the central tower from collapse. Back upstairs, see interactive man bombing in World War II. galleries spotlighting the current 10-year project that will clean Many of England’s popular cathedrals charge admission to and repair the Great East Window, one of the largest medieval walk around or take a guided tour, with a tower climb sometimes stained-glass windows in the world (now behind scaffolding but extra. Entering for worship services, however, is free. with a few panels on display). York Minster’s 128 windows hold On a guided tour you get a better understanding more than half of England’s medieval stained glass. of the church’s history and artwork, but I also like to wander on my own, peeking into side chapels, reading inscriptions and just absorbing the reverent atmosphere from a seat in the endless nave. You can learn a lot from the church’s free leaflet or guidebook for sale.

Church-Hopping in London f asked to name the most famous church in England, most people would say Westminster Abbey. Everyone knows it as the place of William and Kate’s 2011 wedding and Princess Diana’s funeral 14 years earlier. Under the direct jurisdiction of the reigning monarch, London’s Westminster Abbey has been the site of almost every coronation, and many English sovereigns are buried there. Filled with hundreds of statues and tombs, plus tablets and plaques that remember great English poets and writers (from Chaucer to Shakespeare to Dickens), this iconic Gothic church, usually crowded with tourists, deserves as much time as you can give it. Check the schedule for evensong services or organ

visitlondonimages/britainonview/Pawel Libera

Westminster Abbey, domed St. Paul’s Cathedral and Southwark Cathedral (below) wow visitors.

recitals. Westminster Abbey is not to be confused with Westminster Cathedral, England’s largest Catholic church (not a major attraction). London’s other must-see church is St. Paul’s Cathedral, one of the largest churches in Europe. A Baroque jewel designed by Sir Christopher Wren and completed in 1710, it was the first Anglican church built in London after the Reformation. Its dome, the third largest in the world, rises 365 feet and is a familiar fixture on the city’s skyline. A climb up 528 steps to the dome’s galleries provides stunning panoramas. Stained-glass windows in the American Memorial Chapel honor 28,000 U.S. servicemen and women who lost their lives while based in Britain during World War II. Prince Charles and Lady Diana Spencer were wed at St. Paul’s in 1981. For a quieter experience, stop for a look inside Southwark Cathedral (pronounced “Suth-uck”) while touring the south bank of the Thames. London’s oldest Gothic church, dating from 1220, sits next to Borough Market, a foodie favorite, and is just blocks from the Shard, London’s tallest building. Of note are a memorial window to William Shakespeare (whose Globe Theatre was nearby) and a chapel dedicated to John Harvard, founder of Harvard University. Relax in the cathedral’s gardens or cafe, or catch a lunchtime organ recital.

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You can get an up-close look at the windows, buttresses, gargoyles and spiky pinnacles from the outdoor catwalk, part of the self-guided “Tower Tour” to the top of the central tower, the highest point in York. The panoramic views are worth the trek, an option not for the unfit or claustrophobic. The 10-minute ascent involves 275 steps, 197 of them on a narrow, spiraling staircase. I bumped my head only once. The pleasant university city of Durham, 75 miles north of York and not far from the Scottish border, is home to Durham Cathedral, built from 1093 to 1133 in the heavy Norman, or Romanesque, style, with early Gothic elements. Considered Britain’s largest and best-preserved Norman church, William the Conqueror’s cathedral is noted for its strikingly decorated cylindrical columns surmounted by a ceiling with elegant rib vaulting. It began as a shrine to St. Cuthbert, patron saint of Northumbria, and still holds his tomb. Both the church and neighboring Durham Castle, situated picturesquely by the River Wear, are UNESCO World Heritage Sites. Traveling between York and London, you might consider a stop in Lincoln, a rather remote town renowned for Lincoln Cathedral, which towers high above the medieval streets. For centuries this was the tallest building Europe. In the great port city of Liverpool, two hours east of York by train, I climbed to the open-air rooftop of a huge Neo-Gothic church—108 steps after two elevator rides. The size of Liverpool Cathedral, officially named Cathedral Church of Christ Liverpool, is just staggering. A 20th century creation, the brown sandstone behemoth (started in 1904 and completed in 1978) is Britain’s biggest cathedral and the largest Anglican cathedral in Europe. As I trudged up the tower steps, I looked down into the bell chamber, which boasts the highest (219 feet) and heaviest (31 tons) ringing peal of church bells in the world. One of the world’s longest cathedrals, the “Great Space” boasts more superlatives: world’s highest and widest Gothic arches, world’s highest church tower (330 feet) and Britain’s largest organ (10,267 pipes). The architect of Liverpool Cathedral was Sir Giles Gilbert Scott, the same man who in the 1920s designed Britain’s red, cast-iron telephone box. A real-life example of the iconic kiosk, standing next to the first elevator to the tower, suggests the contrast between Scott’s largest and smallest structures. Admission to the church is free, but an attractions ticket (about $7.60) includes tower entry, a 10-minute film, a gallery showcasing ecclesiastical embroidery, and the self-guided Great Space audio tour of the cavernous interior with all its paintings, stained glass and carvings. Groups can arrange a guided tour and a meal in the Welsford Restaurant or a function suite. Performance opportunities at lunchtime concerts are available for visiting choirs. Less than a mile away, at the opposite end of Hope Street, looms another modern Liverpool landmark, the Roman Catholic Metropolitan Cathedral of Christ the King. The futuristic, coneshaped building with a round central sanctuary is topped by a giant glass cylinder. Started in 1933 with a grand design by famed British architect Sir Edwin Luytens, the church had to halt construction as World War II approached and wasn’t finished until 1967. The religioustravelplanningguide.com

Marketing Liverpool

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during the Middle Ages. The classic literary work comes to life at scaled-back result gave it the nickname “Greatest Building Never The Canterbury Tales, a tourist-friendly museum inside St. MarBuilt.” garet’s Church. Canterbury, 56 miles southeast of London and not Manchester, like nearby Liverpool, is an old northern industrial far from the English Channel, is a popular day trip from the capital. city undergoing regeneration. German bombing decimated its meNoteworthy cathedrals also await south and west of London. dieval quarter, so little remains except for Manchester Cathedral Salisbury Cathedral, perhaps England’s most graceful Gothic and the neighboring Chetham’s Library, part of a complex where church, claims the country’s tallest spire (404 priests lived. (The atmospheric library, the feet), a feat of medieval engineering that can oldest free library in the English-speaking be seen close up by those willing to climb world, is a page out of Harry Potter books.) 330 steps. Surrounded by an enormous The cathedral’s stained glass was installed grassy field, Salisbury’s is architecturally one between 1972 and 1995, earlier windows of the most harmonious and homogenous of having been destroyed in the war; others all England’s great cathedrals; after being were blown out by an IRA bomb that built between 1220 and 1330, it saw no adrocked central Manchester in 1996. Much ditions or alterations, unlike others that reof the cathedral’s stonework dates from flect a patchwork of styles. Make sure to see Victorian times, but the tower arch is 800 what is probably Europe’s oldest working years old and the choir stalls’ exquisite clock (1386) and in the octagonal chapter woodwork was done in the early 16th cenhouse one of four surviving original copies tury. The church holds the distinction of of the Magna Carta. having the widest medieval nave of any In Winchester, east of Salisbury, Winchurch in Britain. chester Cathedral is the longest medieval Manchester Cathedral sustained the cathedral in Britain, and its elaborately carved worst wartime damage of any UK cathedral choir stalls are England’s oldest. In the north aside from Coventry’s St. Michael’s Catheaisle a simple stone memorial marks the grave dral, which was burned to the ground in Salisbury Cathedral, dating from the 13th of novelist Jane Austen, who worked and lived 1940 along with the city’s entire medieval century, epitomizes Gothic grandeur. in nearby Chawton. Wells Cathedral, in the center. The new St. Michael’s, completed in quiet town of Wells, is one of Britain’s smaller cathedrals but im1962, stands next to the ruins, making it a poignant site that reppresses visitors with six tiers of 13th century statues of kings and resents death and resurrection. Various monuments are scattered saints adorning its monumental west front. A short drive northeast around the ruins. The new church boasts colorful glass windows leads to the spa town of Bath and Bath Abbey, called the “Lantern and the largest tapestry in the world. of the West” for its expanses of stained glass. A symphony in golden Canterbury Cathedral, the mother church of Anglicanism (the stone dating from 1499, the abbey, with its fan-vaulted ceiling, is Church of England) and the seat of the archbishop of Canterbury, one of the last great medieval churches of England. is a must-see for cathedral collectors. Formally called Cathedral Communing with the past in Britain’s heavenly spaces—among Church of Christ Canterbury, the imposing church combines Northe most jaw-dropping temples in Chrisman and Gothic styles and dates from the 11th century. It is most tendom—is a cultural and spiritual jourfamously associated with Thomas Becket, the archbishop who in ney that shines a light on man’s 1170 was hacked to death in a side chapel by four knights of Henry creativity and his religious devoII responding to the king’s question “Who will rid me of this turtion. Some have called them bulent priest?” For 400 years the saint’s tomb was an extravagant hymns in stone. U shrine that drew pilgrims from all over Europe. You can see the tomb near the high altar and stained-glass scenes from Becket’s life. Geoffrey Chaucer’s The Canterbury Tales tells the stories of pilgrims journeying from London to Becket’s shrine Liverpool Cathedral, a 20th century wonder nicknamed the “Great Space,” is Britain’s biggest cathedral.

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Richard Krieg Pastor Richard Krieg on the Sea of Galilee

Mission Trips Let Us Put Our Faith Into Practice

Religious Travel Planning Guide

teenagers came to me heartbroken with stories of both physical and spiritual poverty. All the sermons in a lifetime couldn’t teach my kids what they were learning first hand through these kids. The Bible stories that they took for granted now resonated in their hearts as they began to minister. In addition to Bible lessons coming alive, these teens began to have revealed in their lives opportunities to use strengths they were unaware of. Some could easily speak of their faith. Others began to teach lessons and lead in music or craft projects, while some wanted to take on the physical re-

“What I learned on the trip, I still put into practice today.” recall the work and still apply the lessons to their lives. Though I have moved many miles from them and many years have passed, when I have had contact with them, the mission trips always come up in conversation. The lessons are still alive. And the conversation is the same. “What I learned on the trip, I still put into practice today.” After the suitcases are unpacked and the teaching supplies are back in the storage room, even when life gets back to the routine of school, church, family and friends…the faces of the mission children, the needs of their families and the privilege of helping them stays with a person. And by its presence in our memories, we discover that we now respond to people and needs where we live. Ministry isn’t just for the far off. There are needs at home, in our neighborhoods, maybe with our neighbors. Sometimes the journeys are shorter. My current congregation ministers monthly in local rescue and food missions. But the lessons are the same. The needs resonate the sermons. The opportunities reveal our strengths. The lives continue to respond wherever we go. And my church today, with their local work, is talking about distance work. They want to travel to other places and minister away from our church…a faith journey. It is a trip I look forward to leading. U ©iStockphoto.com/MissHibiscus

t was 1981. I was two years out of seminary and on a church staff as a minister of youth and education. I loaded a dozen teenagers and four adults into a church van and a pickup truck and left the comfort of our home church in Missouri for a mission trip to the farm land west of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. We taught Vacation Bible School to a small congregation that met in a Grange Hall. We stayed at an old CCC Camp from the Depression era. We had few conveniences and little luxury. That was my first mission trip, my first faith travel adventure. Since that time, I have involved several church groups (both youth and adult) in trips that revolve around our faith. Through it all, whether a big mission trip to Pennsylvania, Georgia and Massachusetts or a small trip to the local nursing home, food pantry or soup line, the lessons are ultimately the same. Faith travel grows a congregation. Members are blessed with the opportunity to take a lifetime of Bible study lessons and sermons and put those words into practice. Imagine a person who has sat in a church pew and heard the story of the Good Samaritan or the teachings about feeding the hungry and visiting the lonely. Sadly, for too many church members these are truly just words. They hear them, they digest them, they would nod their heads in agreement with them, but they never put them into practice. But a faith journey changes that. It forces our hand. It puts us into the world of need and allows us to use what we have heard and know. A lifetime of knowledge begins to resonate within our hearts and allows us to open up our lives and use what we know. On that first trip to Pennsylvania, I saw my 16- and 17-year-olds talk to small children who had never been in church, never sung a song, rarely played an organized game and came to the meetings hungry. My

Mission trips at home and abroad provide church members with unforgettable experiences.

sponsibilities of securing some needed clothing or food or toys for some of the children. As we encountered the families and the community, each of my faith travelers found new insights into who they were and what they could do. Even my adults had new revelations as to how they could use their abilities to touch the lives of the people we were visiting with. But that didn’t end on the journey. When the traveling was over and we had said our good-byes and gone back home, the lessons continued. These faith travelers, to this day, remember the trips,

Richard Krieg is pastor of Red Land Baptist Church, New Cumberland, Pennsylvania religioustravelplanningguide.com

Martin Luther

Thinker, monk, rebel DZT/ Andrew Cowin

is weapon was the Word, and he delivered it with conviction. Martin Luther, the Great Reformer, not only revolutionized the church but also the way people thought, giving them reassurance and conveying to them the comforting image of a merciful and forgiving God. A man who defined his time – and whose message is as relevant today as it was 500 years ago.

500 Years of Reformation

n 2017 the Protestant Reformation marks half a millennium. On October 31, 1517 Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg. This single act was responsible for a worldwide movement whose legacy can still be felt today, especially in Germany. It was an event that changed the world — the Reformation did not only affect theology and the church but also had an impact on culture, science, business, politics, language and education. Germany is paying tribute to one of its greatest sons with an entire decade devoted to the church reformer. Through 2017, this great anniversary will be celebrated with exhibitions, festivals and concerts not just in Wittenberg and Eisleben but across the country. Follow in the footsteps of Martin Luther throughout Germany and embark on a fascinating journey to the great age of the Reformation. The 500th birthday of Lucas Cranach the Younger in 2015 is a wonderful opportunity for those interested in the arts to discover the works not only by this great artist but also by his father, Cranach the Elder. The Cranachs along with Albrecht Dürer are considered the most important painters during the Renaissance in Germany and their portraits of Martin Luther and Katharina von Bora have iconic status. For more information and special events visit www.wege-zu-cranach.de and www.cranach2015.de.

The Heartland of Luther’s Legacy – A Journey of Discovery ore than 30 sites all over Germany allow you to discover Luther’s legacy. The most prominent Luther sites are in Eisleben, where Luther was born and where he died; in Wittenberg, where he lived for more than 35 years teaching and practicing his beliefs; and Wartburg Castle in Eisenach, where Luther translated the New Testament into German. The German National Tourist Office provides you with useful tools to plan your Luther trip to Germany. Visit www.germany.travel/luther for detailed information on all important Luther sites and events. You can also find information about eight Luther routes featuring different topics such as Luther’s legacy or Reformation and cultural heritage. Download the online brochure on the Reformation’s 500th anniversary, including the eight specifically designed routes in LutherCountry, at www.germany.travel/en/ebrochures. While in Germany, explore other famous sites and cities this beautiful country has to offer. Find travel inspiration at www.germany.travel.

Luther Events & Exhibitions March 1 – September 30, 2015 Nuremberg The Medium of Paper – A Nuremberg Invention Exhibition, Museum for Industrial Culture June 2 – July 19, 2015 Eisenach The Cranach Studio's Portraits of Luther Exhibition

June 12 – 14, 2015 Wittenberg Luther’s Wedding Festival

August 21 – September 20, 2015 Grimma Lightning Strike – Luther and the Reformation Exhibition

June 19 – 21, 2015 Eisleben Luther City Festival

May 20 – September 30, 2017 Wittenberg Reformation World Exhibition

June 26 – November 1, 2015 Wittenberg Cranach’s World Exhibition

May 29, 2017 Wittenberg Festive Reformation Church Service

For more information on Luther events and exhibitions, please visit www.germany.travel/luther. DZT/Wartburg-Stiftung/Bildarchiv Monheim GmbH

Wartburg Castle in Eisenach was where Martin Luther translated the New Testament from ancient Greek into German.

LutherCountry Feel the Spirit of the Reformation

njoy an inspirational and purposeful journey filled with insights into the Protestant Reformation. A visit to LutherCountry is not only a powerful spiritual voyage but also a special way to honor and learn about Martin Luther. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s a once-in-a-lifetime experience to explore scenic LutherCountry and to follow in the footsteps of the

The baptism center in St. Peterâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Church, Lutherstadt Eisleben IMG Sachsen-Anhalt/Klaus-Peter Voigt

Great Reformer, a transformational figure in the history of the Christian Church. LutherCountry is a stunning and very authentic region right in the heart of Germany, between Frankfurt (Main), Munich and Berlin. It offers enchanting towns with half-timbered houses straight out of a children's storybook. History

comes alive in castles and elegant palaces surrounded by lush forest and open countryside. LutherCountry will move you spiritually and emotionally with endless charm, beauty and compassion. Apart from being a spiritual destination, LutherCountry is home to many of Germanyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s UNESCO World Heritage Sites. It is also where you can sample traditional culinary delights such as the renowned Thuringian bratwurst and KĂśstritzer dark beer, which even Martin Luther was a great fan of.

LutherCountry invites you to join in the celebrations in the build-up to 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Reformation. Regardless of when you visit, there will always be something special waiting for you in LutherCountry.

A Luther Bible in the library of the Francke Foundations in Halle (Saale). IMG Sachsen-Anhalt/Harald Krieg

DZT/Jochen Keute

Points of interest in the market square of Lutherstadt Wittenberg are the town hall, Melanchthon and Luther monuments, and town church.

In Martin Luther’s Footsteps...

Where to Go, What to See

IMG Sachsen-Anhalt/Jörg Gläscher

Where It All Began – Lutherstadt Wittenberg

The Castle Church door memorializing Luther’s 95 Theses

LUTHERSTADT WITTENBERG is known as the birthplace of the Reformation. It was here on October 31, 1517 that Luther sparked the Reformation when he nailed his 95 Theses to the Castle Church door. Today, a massive bronze memorial door marks the spot that changed the course of history. Pay your respects to the Great Reformer at this door or at his grave inside the church, beneath the pulpit. Another significant church in Wittenberg is the City Church, regarded as the “Mother Church of the Reformation”. Martin Luther preached, was married and baptized his six children here. Be sure to attend one of the English services that takes place weekly from Wednesday to Saturday between May and October in either of the two main churches. The Luther House, a former Augustinian monastery and Luther's home for more than 35 years, is now the world’s largest Reformation museum. Luther's living room is a real highlight with his original desk and 500-year-old period furnishings on display. The remarkable Ten Commandments painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder, a Luther Bible from 1534 and a letter of indulgence can also be found here. At the Melanchthon House learn about Martin Luther's formidable "right-hand man" in the permanent exhibition Philipp Melanchthon: Life – Work – Impact.

IMG Sachsen-Anhalt/Jörg Gläscher

The Circle of Life – Lutherstadt Eisleben Martin Luther's birthplace, LUTHERSTADT EISLEBEN, claims to have introduced the world's very first “heritage tourism” site with the biographical exhibition Where I Come From – Martin Luther and Eisleben. The font where Luther was baptized in the City Church of St. Peter and St. Paul still remains, and the new Luther Font was built as a tribute to the Great Reformer. Also, the Church of St. Anne was consecrated by Martin Luther and was the first Protestant church to be built in the region. The pulpit from which he preached is still used today for major religious occasions. Luther’s Death House, a late-Gothic reconstruction of the house in which he died, also can be visited. The new exhibition includes furniture, documents and signatures, as well as the original cloth that covered Luther's coffin. Luther's Parents' Home in nearby MANSFELD-LUTHERSTADT sheds light on the history of Luther's childhood and the Luther family.

The historic market square, Lutherstadt Eisleben

Eisenach-Wartburg Touristik GmbH/A. Nestler

In the Beginning was the Word – Eisenach

The half-timbered Luther House in Eisenach

EISENACH invites you to wander through picturesque streets to the historic market square, which is lined with half-timbered houses. The city is the birthplace of Johann Sebastian Bach, a passionate Lutheran, who was baptized in St. George Church, where Luther sang in the church choir as a boy and later preached. In the Bach House short concerts featuring antique musical instruments take place every hour on the hour. The historic part of the museum is dedicated to Bach’s life and family, while the modern part focuses on his work and music with multimedia experiences. In fall 2015, the renovated and extended half-timbered Luther House from the 14th century will re-open as a museum, with the new permanent exhibition Luther and the Bible as its focal point. Visitors can also see the two rooms where Martin Luther lived with the Cotta family as a child or simply relax over coffee at the Bible Cafe. Nestled among the hilltops of Eisenach is Wartburg Castle, where Luther translated the New Testament from ancient Greek into German. Making the Word accessible to the common man was his greatest cultural achievement. At the impressive castle, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, step into the Luther Cell, where Martin Luther stayed and, whilst hiding, completed this great work in only 10 weeks.

TTG/T. Babovic

Feel the Thunder – Erfurt The very spot that God's voice "thundereth marvelously" and where Luther faced his own mortality and devoted his life to God after being caught in a thunderstorm is in STOTTERNHEIM, near Erfurt. Visit the Luther Stone, a memorial to the momentous event that changed Luther’s life forever. Erfurt, undeniably one of Germany's most beautiful cities, was Luther's spiritual home. It is where he studied, became a monk and was later ordained as a priest. Luther served as a monk at the Augustinian Monastery, now a pilgrimage center. In the monastery church you will find the stained-glass windows with the famous Luther Rose, the earliest symbol of Lutheran beliefs. The monastery offers 67 guest rooms and apartments for long- and short-term stays in a serene atmosphere. It is also a modern conference center and museum, with a breathtaking historic library. Stop by the Luther Cell during your stay. Follow the “Luther Mile” through Erfurt and visit St. Mary's Cathedral, where Luther was ordained. Next door is St. Severi Church. Standing together on top of a hill, the photogenic cathedrals, connected by steps, serve as a stage for the annual Open-Air Cathedral Steps Festival and Christmas Market. Merchants' Bridge, arching across the Gera River, is Europe's finest example of a medieval inhabited bridge and dates back to 1325.

Luther was a monk at the Augustinian Monastery.

LutherCountry’s Hidden Treasures The splendors of LutherCountry are countless. Here are more tour-worthy sites—additional reasons to put Luther Country at the top of your travel list. There is no better way to experience authenticity than going off the beaten

Germany’s LutherCountry

path. Follow the LUTHERWEG (LUTHER TRAIL), a route that connects many Luther-related locations. Visit SCHMALKALDEN, the half-timbered town with the Luther House and where Luther gave sermons at St. George’s Church and published the Schmalkaldic Articles of faith. LutherCountry is also home to romantic medieval cities like QUEDLINBURG. In MAGDEBURG, prominent during the Reformation, see enormous Magdeburg Cathedral, the first in Germany to be built in the Gothic style. Martin Luther, together with Bach, Goethe, Liszt, Gropius and Lucas Cranach the Elder and Younger, was a man who appreciated the fine arts. Discover the city of WEIMAR, where all of these great men left their mark. Luther had a tremendous influence on one artist in particular, Lucas Cranach the Elder. Cranach was a strong supporter of Luther, and several of his most important works are on display in the Anhalt Picture Gallery in DESSAU. Cranach changed the way religious paintings were composed, conveying Lutheran ideas through his art. In HALLE (SAALE), step inside the Market Church and see the original cast of Luther’s death mask. The Francke

Foundations is the orphanage where Henry Melchior Muhlenberg, known as the Father of the American Lutheran Church, taught before traveling to Pennsylvania.

At Your Service – Planning Tips Let us help you organize an enjoyable, faith-based tour in LutherCountry. Simply check our website for brochures and other helpful information, or browse the list of experienced tour operators. Itineraries can be customized Ideas on where to for any group size, go and what to do in this brochure including schools, churches, non-profit organizations, orchestras and choirs. The tour operator list also includes local agents in Germany who can plan and arrange a personalized itinerary. There already are a number of tour packages available, but they can be fine-tuned to suit your specific needs.

For more information on LutherCountry, please visit: www.visit-luther.com www.facebook.com/LutherCountry www.pinterest.com/luthercountry

SAMPLE ITINERARY

In the Footsteps of Martin Luther (9 days) After arrival in Frankfurt, travel to Dresden and visit Old Town Square, the palace and Frauenkirche (Church of Our Lady). Take time to explore this lovely town on the banks of the River Elbe.

Afterwards explore the family home on the grounds, today a museum housing his writings and other artifacts from the Reformation. Then visit the Castle Church, where the 95 Theses were posted, launching the Reformation.

Overnight in Dresden

Overnight in Wittenberg

DAY 3

DAY 5

DAY 1 & 2

Frankfurt – Dresden

Dresden – Leipzig

Discover the city’s musical heritage at St. Thomas Church, whose boys’ choir has been performing for over 800 years. Martin Luther preached here, and famed composer Johann Sebastian Bach was its choir director. Enjoy strolling through the medieval market square. Overnight in Leipzig

DAY 4 Leipzig – Eisleben – Wittenberg In Eisleben, the site of Luther’s birth and death, delve into his life by visiting the museum inside the home where he was born; St. Peter and Paul Church, where he was baptized; and St. Andrews Church, where he delivered his final sermons. Continue to Wittenberg and explore the former Wittenberg University, where Luther served as a professor of theology.

TTG/T. Babovic

Frankfurt – Dresden – Leipzig – Eisleben – Wittenberg – Erfurt – Eisenach – Coburg – Nuremberg – Munich

Wittenberg – Erfurt

Explore St. Mary’s Church, where Luther preached, was married and where his children were baptized. Discover the Renaissance-style home of Philipp Melanchthon, Luther’s scholarly confidant who aided him in communicating his revolutionary theology. In Erfurt, you will be able to taste the famous grilled sausage before passing by the Merchants’ Bridge with its 62 half-timbered houses with small shops on the way to the Augustinian Monastery, where Luther lived as a monk from 1505 to 1512. Overnight in Erfurt

DAY 6 Erfurt – Wartburg Castle – Eisenach – Erfurt At Wartburg Castle, where Luther translated the Bible, step into the room where he spent many months in hiding. In the town of Eisenach enjoy a musical performance played on instruments at the Bach Haus dating back to Bach’s time. Visit the Lutherhaus, where Luther resided as a child, and St. George Church, where he was a choir boy. Overnight in Erfurt

Historic churches in Erfurt (above) and the Elbe River city of Dresden (below) are itinerary highlights.

DAY 7

Erfurt – Coburg – Nuremberg

In Coburg, tour the Veste Coburg, the fortress where Luther took refuge and lived during the Augsburg Confession. Continue south to Nuremberg, a city that figures prominently in Reformation and World War II history. It also boasts the most famous Christmas market in Germany and churches with masterpieces by artists like Albrecht Dürer and Tilman Riemenschneider. Overnight in Nuremberg

DAY 8 & 9

Nuremberg – Munich

Travel to Munich and feel the energy of this lively Bavarian city during a tour that highlights Olympic Park, the Glockenspiel and Marienplatz, a beautiful square surrounded by shops, restaurants and cafes. Overnight in Munich For more information, please contact the German National Tourist Office: germanyinfo@germany.travel For other itineraries, please visit www.touritineraries.com DZT/Dietmar Scherf

Thrill rides, music shows and down-home Ozarks ambience make Silver Dollar City theme park a popular draw in Branson, Missouri.

Destinations for Your Next Youth Trip Group members build relationships and grow their faith while pursuing recreational activities in mountain, beach and theme park settings By Daniel Morrill

f you were to ask your graduating seniors which youth group trip had the greatest effect on them, you would probably get answers like “the inner-city mission trip we took, where I learned what it truly looked like to serve.” Or “the winter retreat my sophomore year, where I really started to see the Scriptures in a different light.” Chances are your students aren’t going to look back on the trips to the local theme park or the camping trip up north as ones that fundamentally changed their lives, but that doesn’t mean that these types of trips aren’t vital to the health of a youth group. Youth fellowship trips help to build relationships and set the stage for the retreats and mission trips that your students will be talking about for years. “The overall purpose [of youth fellowship trips] is for the students to have a positive experience around the group,” said Rob Chagdes, student pastor at Eagle Church in Zionsville, Indiana and currently in his 20th year doing youth ministry. “In those activities, that is really usually the catalyst for the relationships that people form in their youth group.” Like any trip, there are plenty of factors you will need to take into consideration when planning a fellowship trip. Location, length, activities, logistics, cost. These decisions should all circle

Religious Travel Planning Guide

Branson CVB Photo

back to the purpose of the trip-building relationships, both among students and between students and leaders. “Decide on what trip would give the youth pastor the greatest visibility and opportunity for building relationships with those kids going,” said Dr. Steve Vandegriff, professor of youth ministries at Liberty University. “Our trips always had a purpose, whether it was relationship building, a concerted time of Biblical instruction, or building unity among the group. The biggest advantage is the building of relationships with the leader(s) in a focused amount of time.” While fun, fellowship-based trips are necessary and have lasting benefits to a group, but youth pastors need to be careful how many trips are taken and how much emphasis is put on these trips, compared to spiritual retreats and mission trips. “You just don’t want it to be the centerpiece of your ministry,” Chagdes said. “Because if the fun things are the centerpiece, people won’t want to come to the meaningful stuff, and you become a recreation director.” Fellowship trips can range from half a day to a long weekend. For longer trips, you will need to find a place to go that has enough different things to do to keep students engaged, while also being a safe, friendly environment. Here are five locations across the U.S. that lend themselves particularly well to youth fellowship trips: religioustravelplanningguide.com

A gospel act performs at Silver Dollar City in Branson. Holy Land Experience, a popular Orlando attraction, brings biblical teachings to life.

Branson, Missouri D

eep in the heart of the beautiful Ozark region, Branson has plenty of faith-based and other attractions to go along with its mountain setting. With over 100 recurring live music shows, Branson has earned the title “Live Music Capital of the World.” For groups that have never experienced gospel music, there is no better place than Branson with shows like the Good News Gospel Hour and Sunday Gospel Jubilee. Sight & Sound Theatres has been bringing the Bible to life since 1976. The 2,000-seat theater in Branson uses large casts, live animals and special effects to perform memorable, musical versions of the biblical stories of Noah, Jonah, Daniel, Joseph, Ruth and more. Silver Dollar City has been Branson’s No. 1 attraction for over 50 years, and it is particularly well-suited for church groups. The theme park has Southern Gospel Night concerts each evening in Echo Hollow Amphitheater during Southern Gospel Picnic (Aug. 27-Sept. 7, 2015), with hundreds of performances from Grammy winners, Dove Award winners and top gospel acts. Its Young Christians Weekend each year features contemporary Christian artists. To go along with its 30 different rides, Silver Dollar City is also known as the “Home of American Craftsmanship,” as guests can watch dozens of craftsmen doing woodcarving, blacksmithing, glass blowing and more throughout the park. Tours of Marvel Cave, located within the park, are another popular activity. religioustravelplanningguide.com

Orlando, Florida A

ppropriately known as the “Theme Park Capital of the World,” Orlando is by default a top choice for any youth trip. Walt Disney World, Universal Orlando and SeaWorld Orlando are the biggest draws. But Florida’s fifth largest city also has plenty of attractions geared specifically to religious groups. The Holy Land Experience calls itself a “living, biblical museum,” but it’s much more than that. The 15-acre park recreates such biblical sites as the birthplace of Jesus, a Jerusalem street market, the temple plaza and Jesus’ tomb. Live actors perform scenes from Jesus’ life throughout the park. Other highlights include a model of the entire city of Jerusalem in A.D. 66, a 2,000-seat theater and the Scriptorium, which uses ancient artifacts to show the history of the Scriptures. While it is always difficult to schedule trips around annual events, Disney’s Night of Joy may be worth it for your youth fellowship trip. Every September more than a dozen contemporary Christian bands converge on Disney’s Magic Kingdom for a twoday festival. The 2014 lineup featured such performers as Chris Tomlin, Matthew West, Hillsong United, Mandisa, Skillet, MercyMe and Casting Crowns. Wycliffe Discovery Center has exhibits and programs that show the history of how the Bible has been preserved since it was written, and how it is currently being translated into hundreds of languages. Guided tours of the Discovery Center occur every hour, and a different missionary speaks each day about topics ranging from the linguistic challenges of translating the Bible to how computer programmers have helped the translation cause. Religious Travel Planning Guide

VisitCOS.com

Youth groups can take a Segway tour with Adventures Out West at Colorado Springs’ Garden of the Gods or chill out by the pool in Myrtle Beach.

Colorado Springs, Colorado I

f you want to incorporate a little recreation and a lot of beautiful scenery into your youth fellowship trip, Colorado Springs should top your list. This family-friendly city is surrounded by gorgeous vistas and peppered with things for youth groups to do, both inside and out. Garden of the Gods is a must see on any Colorado Springs trip. The 1,323-acre city park at the base of Pikes Peak features 300-foot-tall sandstone formations surrounded by lush vegetation. Horseback riding tours through the park are popular. Whitewater rafting may not always be immediately thought of as a youth group activity, but it can be a great time of bonding and fun for an adventurous group. Nearby Cano City offers a variety of rafting excursions on America’s most popular river to raft, the Arkansas River. If the youth of your church grew up listening to “Adventures in Odyssey,” then the Whit’s End Soda Shop inside the Focus on the Family Welcome Center will bring back plenty of memories. The building also has a 170-seat theater that plays films centered around the mission of Focus on the Family. Also in Colorado Springs is the U.S. Air Force Academy; its strikingly modern, 17spire Cadet Chapel is a campus landmark. 28

Religious Travel Planning Guide

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina M

yrtle Beach has long been a go-to destination for families wanting to give their kids a one-of-a-kind experience, and it shouldn’t be any different for youth groups. Known as the Golf Capital of the World, Myrtle Beach has much more to offer than just outstanding golf courses along its shores, as it features some of the best resorts, amusement parks, water parks and music shows around, not to mention its signature boardwalk and thriving beachfront. Myrtle Beach’s 1.2-mile Oceanfront Boardwalk is the site of numerous summer festivals, but even if there is nothing on the calendar, there is always something going on. The boardwalk features plenty of shops and restaurants, as well as a carnival-type experience towards its center, all with a great view of the ocean. For groups looking for a relaxing place to stay, away from the fast pace of downtown but still within reach of the city’s attractions, consider staying at the Myrtle Beach Christian Retreat and Conference Center. The 60-plus-year-old retreat center has both hotel-type accommodations and rooms full of bunk beds for large groups. For recreation, the beach is just a five-minute walk away, and the site features a swimming pool, a sand volleyball court, an outdoor basketball court, an arcade, a waterslide and an obstacle course. religioustravelplanningguide.com

Gatlinburg Department of Tourism

Zip lining provides an adrenaline rush for adventurous types in the woodlands of Eastern Tennessee.

Tennessee Smokies A

distinct blue haze hangs over Tennessee's Smoky Mountains and gives them their name, but there is nothing hazy about the area’s wide range of options for youth fellowship trips. Pigeon Forge, Gatlinburg and Sevierville all make up the developed region on the north edge of Great Smoky Mountains National Park, and each town offers unique benefits to youth trip planners. The Miracle Theater in Pigeon Forge has a recurring “Miracle” show that recreates the resurrection of Christ in musical form. The show features a large cast of actors, singers, dancers, live animals and even incorporates audience members. The theater puts on other seasonal shows as well, such as the Broadway hit Joseph and the Technicolor Dream Coat. Dollywood theme park, Pigeon Forge’s major attraction, stages six weeks of concerts every fall during the National Southern Gospel & Harvest Celebration. Groups also like Dollywood’s Splash Country water park and more than 100 engaging science-related exhibits at WonderWorks. Christ in the Smokies Museum and Gardens in Gatlinburg features 3-D dioramas that bring the Biblical account of Christ to life with life-size figures, music and special effects. The museum has special exhibits as well as outdoor gardens with a beautiful mountain backdrop. Ober Gatlinburg, a ski resort on Mount Harrison, has indoor ice skating, an alpine slide and a wildlife attraction. For a retreat-style youth fellowship trip in the Smokies, consider Mountain Lake Ranch in Dandridge, just minutes from Sevierville. The peaceful Christian retreat center on the shore of Douglas Lake has a variety of lodging options for large groups and is close to area attractions such as Forbidden Caverns and NASCAR Speedpark Smoky Mountains go-kart complex. U religioustravelplanningguide.com

Religious Travel Planning Guide

Let a Tour Operator Chart Your

Faith Journey orking with a professional tour operator, especially one with years of experience in crafting faith-based itineraries, is a wise move for church groups making travel plans. Having a pro at the helm, both in the planning process and on the road, eases the way for church leaders putting together a group, saving them time, aggravation and money. Many church trips, such as those to the Holy Land or to Germany for the 500th anniversary of the Reformation in 2017, are once-in-a-lifetime opportunities that call for expert planning. A tour company relieves the church leader of having to deal with all the messy logistics. The tour operator, for example, goes to bat negotiating airfares and hotel costs, using its buying power to obtain the best rates. Meals, tour guides, lecturers, special activities and worship programs—and whatever else you want to include— are taken care of, too. You sit back, they do the work. On the road, having a tour manager take care of day-to-day details frees the pastor/church leader to enjoy the fellowship of congregation members and share biblical insights. Following are tour operators experienced in working with church groups:

Israel Ministry of Tourism

Reformation Tours eformation Tours specializes in quality Christian and cultural tours to Europe and the lands of the Bible. Owners Frank and Rowena Drinkhouse have over 25 years of experience in Christian travel, including many years based in England and Turkey. They hand-craft tours for groups and individuals, including pastors on sabbatical, churches, schools and Bible colleges. Commissionable tours are available through their Travel Partner program. The goal is to showcase the best of Europe from a Christian perspective, including fellowship and fun.

800-303-5534 • reformationtours.com

Terra Lu Travel Germany-based company, Terra Lu Travel is in close contact with both the Lutheran churches and local tourism organizations in Germany. Terra Lu is owned by Christian Utpatel, an ordained Lutheran pastor and bus driver who is actively involved with steering committees for the Reformation Jubilee in Germany, Switzerland and Netherlands. With more than 25 years of experience and long-established local contacts, Terra Lu Travel is able to make unique “hand made” arrangements. terra-lu-travel.com

Church of the Holy Sepulchre, a pilgrimage site in Jerusalem

Religious Travel Planning Guide

religioustravelplanningguide.com

Holy Land itineraries include multiple days in Jerusalem.

Collette

of Paul the Apostle,” is set for March 23-31, 2016 and priced at $1,499 (twin rate) from New York. Participants will retrace the missionary journey of the Apostle Paul. A Greek islands cruise is included. 866-577-9161 • gocollette.com

eligious leaders share in many inspiring moments, and faithbased, guided travel can also inspire through fostering profound experiences connecting travelers to the roots of their faith. Collette will provide your travelers with the peace of mind that comes with guided travel while you raise funds for your church. A leader in guided travel since 1918, Collette makes it easy for you. Every facet of the trip is covered—from the convenient hometown pickup that brings groups roundtrip between home and the airport, to the worry-free Travel Protection Plan that allows for cancellation for any reason up to the day before departure. Collette’s dedicated group travel experts and proven group-marketing plan make your experience easy. Personalized marketing materials and multimedia presentations are designed to help you succeed. There are many benefits to traveling with Collette; most important, Collette wants you to relax. From finding the perfect hotel to blending personal cultural inclusions with the must-sees, Collette seamlessly takes care of the details. The adventure goes beyond incredible destinations; the social aspect of guided travel is one of the best parts. Many travelers on tour have forged lasting • See with new eyes as you envision and friendships. This is the perfect setting to cultivate connect Biblical thought to the sites of the Holy Lands stronger connections within your congregation. Travel will bring you to the places that spark • Follow the roots of your church heritage the spirit, touch the soul and build ties with the through European Landscapes origins of your beliefs. You can relax, spend time • Share Fellowship & with your group and assist them in connecting Christian History together with their faith while Collette’s experts take care • Experience Egypt—its culture, of everything else. people and faith Tours include the 9-day “Pilgrimage to Poland,” “On the Trail of Martin Luther” (11 days in Germany), “Pilgrimage to Fatima & Lourdes with Barcelona,” (10 days in Portugal, France and Spain), “Greece: In the Footsteps of Paul the Apostle” (11 days in Greece and 320 Elton Hills Drive NW, Rochester MN 55901 Turkey), the 10-day “St. Patrick’s Ireland,” 11Phone: 507-289-3332 • Toll-free: 800-658-7128 day “Shrines of Italy” and two, 9-day tours to Israel. tours@ed-ventures.com • www.ed-ventures.com A 9-day FAM trip, “Greece: In the Footsteps

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Familiarization Tours Available Call today for details!

Life-Changing Travel Experiences

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Religious Travel Planning Guide

Key Tours ey Tours Vacations’ team of religious travel experts can tailor a divine itinerary that will renew your group members’ faith and spirituality. In addition to customized programs, your group of 10 or more can choose any program from the company’s Religious or Special Interest brochure. Key Tours is a wholesale tour operator that provides travel services to destinations worldwide, with strong foundations in travel to Europe, the Mediterranean region and Latin America. Key Tours truly understands the importance of guide services for the success of any tour and provides the very best. Guides are licensed by local governments, have experience with North American travelers and possess a deep knowledge of the sacred sites on the itinerary. For in-depth information on a particular field of interest, Key Tours can arrange qualified lecturers on such topics as religion, architecture, history, Egyptology, biblical history, politics, and arts and crafts. If your group wants to visit a certain village, university, high school, church, synagogue or historical area, this also can be arranged. Key Tours operates its own deluxe air-conditioned motorcoaches. For smaller groups, air-conditioned minibuses are used. The turnaround time for group quotes is 48 hours with prices offered in five-passenger intervals. Generally, there is one free place (priced on a double basis) for 15 passengers on land. Key Tours’ buying power enables it to make special price agreements and flexible schedule arrangements with well-known airlines; land-only arrangements also can be made. A wide range of hotel classes is offered. Key Tours’ mission is to provide each organization with a deep spiritual experience and exceptional value by going the extra mile to ensure that every single component and service is delivered to surpass customer expectations and create peace of mind for the traveler knowing that all funds are escrowed until the trip is completed.

800-576-1784 • keytours.com

Peter Burgo

The fortress in Mukawir, Jordan where John the Baptist was executed.

Religious Travel Planning Guide

Ed-Ventures d-Ventures, a provider of group travel packages, recognizes that faith-based travel can go anywhere in the world. The company specializes in Europe, the Middle East and Central America, operating tours for groups of all ages. As the tours are highly inclusive, the traveler is not going to be surprised by hidden costs. Ed-Ventures works with faith-based groups, family groups, youth groups, mission groups and performance groups. As recognized experts in the faith-based market, the company works primarily with Catholic and Protestant groups, but also with Jewish and interfaith groups. It focuses on letting the traveler not only see the ancient stones but experience the living stones. Ed-Ventures can arrange a pilgrimage to a holy site, take your group on a church heritage tour or include a mission element in the trip. The company believes customization is needed to provide the unique experience the faith-based traveler is seeking, but also offers set departures. Services provided include: air arrangements, travel insurance, emergency phone contact 24/7 and help marketing and filling groups. The company offers complimentary tours for pastors and group leaders; familiarization tours are available and vary from year to year. Ed-Ventures wants the traveler to return home with an increased understanding, growth in their faith and a desire to share his/her experience with others.

507-289-3332 • ed-ventures.com

Religious Travel Planning Guide

E.D.I. Travel .D.I. Travel is a boutique one-stop resource, specializing in Christian tourism to the Holy Land. The main focus is North American groups. E.D.I. offers a customized itinerary to every group that uses its services. Its clients include churches from all over the United States, Christian schools, church schools and synagogues. E.D.I.’s all-inclusive tours cover all aspects of your trip—airfare, travel insurance, all meals, accommodations, luxury motorcoaches, all entrance fees and gratuities. Pastors, ministers and their spouses travel free. The unique itineraries include home hospitality, kibbutz tours, lectures by professional archeologists and sites that are off the beaten path. The company has dedicated followers on its Facebook page and Trip Advisor, and last but not least, it is the only operation in Israel owned by a professional tour guide with a master’s degree in history, Bible and archeology. E.D.I. Travel invites groups to experience Israel first hand and promises you will come away with a new understanding of the Bible. 855-200-4334 • editravel-israel.com

Religious Travel Planning Guide

VisitEngland/Diana Jarvis

Visitors to York, England gravitate to York Minster, which anchors its medieval core.

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QUÉBEC’S NATIONAL SHRINES (CANADA) A DREAM OF FAITH YOU CAN SHARE

QUÉBEC’S NATIONAL SHRINES Saint Joseph’s Oratory of Mount Royal Our Lady of the Cape Shrine Notre-Dame de Québec Basilica-Cathedral Shrine of Sainte-Anne-de-Beaupré

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Saint Anthony’s Hermitage of Lac-Bouchette