On Religious Travel
❖ cindi brodhecker
It’s Time to Spread Your Wings With Faith-Based Travel Programs RELIGIOUS TRAVEL, faith-based travel, fellowship travel, mission travel and voluntourism—all terms that are used in this “new” type of group travel. New? Well, it may have a new focus in the world of travel, but this purposeful travel goes back to Bible times. Think about New Testament history and the apostles traveling on foot—dusty paths in worn leather sandals—with Jesus. Traveling together to visit the sick, encourage the brethren, and spread the Good News. Pilgrims in the early centuries walked a path of prayer and meditation marked by a scallop shell, a symbol for pilgrims to wear around their neck and used to mark the path. Our symbol of modern day pilgrims, no matter the age, is neoncolored T-shirts imprinted with the name of the group. Today we follow the path of planes, trains, motorcoaches and mega-ships to reach places of spiritual importance. We visit sites from Biblical times or look to find a break from hectic schedules to build fellowship in the church community and to serve humanity in places near or far from home. Travel is one of the gems of life. FAITH TRAVEL CONFERENCE & EXPO Church leaders and group travel planners will find the tools and inspiration they need to organize life-changing trips at the Faith Travel Conference & Expo from Oct. 2223, 2011 in Atlanta. For details, visit faithtravelexpo.com.
14 October 2011
Group travel is the sparkling gem that provides added dimensions to our lives. Groups are formed by bringing together people of like interests, and a church group is one example. The purposes of travel are as diverse as the modes of travel: Religious travel to Old and New Testament cities and regions can take you to Greece, Turkey, Israel, Egypt and Jordan, to name the most popular countries. This type of travel will enhance your faith and understanding of Bible
work with families devastated by disaster or to far-flung regions of the world to assist missions helping people of different cultures. This type of group travel may be the most rewarding. It will give you the opportunity to “leave your footprints in the sands” of the world. Fundraising travel. Do you know your group travel experience can also raise money for a special need? Cruise lines are offering special matching funds or commissions for special needs within a church or community. Business part-
Today we follow the path of planes, trains, motorcoaches and mega-ships to reach places of spiritual importance teachings. Close your eyes and meditate on seeing the Via Dolorosa with your church family. Follow the road from Philippi to Thessaloniki that St. Paul walked after he was imprisoned and beaten. Fellowship Travel can be a one-day trip for shopping or to see a show. Or it can be longer tours in the U.S. or the world. Visit the sites of the Reformation and see how your church denomination came into being. In Rome, experience the Vatican, the epicenter of the Catholic Church. Cruise Alaska or the Caribbean and enjoy the beauty God has created. This is also a way to reach out to the community and invite people to join your group—a way to bring new blood into the church congregation. Mission travel or voluntourism will take you to areas of need in the U.S. to
ners will work with you to promote your travel and even provide “travel scholarships” for mission families, pastors or congregation members with special needs. Fundraising through travel can provide the resources to build a new classroom or study library. The possibilities are endless. If you do not have a church travel program, get started now. If you do have a church travel program, expand and create new programs. Invite others to join you, even the small church down the street that is too small for its own travel group. Travel is a gift no matter the age, income or destination. Unwrap this special gift and share it with others. Cindi Brodhecker is president of Faith Travel Development & Consulting in Ephrata, Pa.
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