Professor partners with Footstep Ministries

I was recently blessed to attend a tour leader training trip traveling the “Footsteps of Paul” in Greece in partnership with Footstep Ministries. The trip followed the Apostle Paul’s second missionary journey described in Acts 16-18. With a great group of high school seniors, this trip also featured a trip to the historic and beautiful Peloponnese region and an amazing hike on Mt. Olympus. The touring group that I was training with visited Kavala (Neapolis), Thessaloniki, Philippi, Veria (Berea), Vergina, Mt. Olympus, Meteora, Delphi, Nafplio, Hydra, Epidaurus, Mycenae, Sparta, Mystras, Corinth, Athens, and Sounion.  

This was my third time visiting the beautiful country of Greece to “walk where the Word was written” with Footstep Ministries. Each trip across the Atlantic to Greece allows me to open my Bible with fresh eyes and new understanding. I learn more about the historical context in which the Apostle Paul writes his letters to and from. As I grow in Christ at each of these sites, I am excited to bring knowledge and insights back for my students at Waynesburg University. Whether it is BMS 106 New Testament or BMS 225 Ministry and Literature of Paul, I utilize photos from my travels to provide visual aids as we explore the biblical text in the classroom.

Two of my favorite sites and experiences on the trip were witnessing baptisms at St. Lydia’s Baptistery in Philippi and administering communion in ancient Corinth. Let me set the scenes and why they matter to me:

St. Lydia’s Baptistry
The sound of moving water flows through the open-air baptistry beyond the city gate to Philippi, Greece. A young man enters that same cold water at a cross-shaped step next to the stream and he proclaims, “Jesus is Lord.” This young man would be baptized in the same waters where the Apostle Paul baptized Lydia in Acts 16. Others were being baptized while we were at this site. Talk about experiential learning! Their reading of Acts 16 will be forever changed due to their baptismal experience at St. Lydia’s Baptistery. My own faith has been enriched as I reflect on my baptism each time I visit this site.

Corinth
“For whenever you eat this bread and drink this cup, you proclaim the Lord’s death until he comes (1 Corinthians 18:26)." Our tour group reflected on those words while sitting in the center of ancient Corinth. Moments later, we too would participate in the sacrament of communion just as Paul admonished the Corinthian church almost 2,000 years prior. To read the scriptures where Paul ministered is one amazing component to the trip. To reflect on the sacrificial love of Jesus with a group of young people as they partake in the sacrament of communion while in Corinth is truly a gift that I will never forget.  

Of course, the trip also featured an amazing variety of Greek dishes, coffee and plenty of gelato. The Greek landscapes of mountains and sea provide an amazing backdrop to witness the beauty of God’s creation. As I prepare to lead annual tours to Greece with Footstep Ministries, I am grateful for colleagues, mentors and pastors that have modeled life-long learning. This is at the heart of Waynesburg University’s mission. I am continually learning as I travel and lead others deeper into God’s Word. I am inspired to foster experiences for others as they grow in their love for God, scripture and the wonders of God’s creation.

In the past, Waynesburg University has partnered twice with Footstep Ministries to offer trips to Greece in 2014 and 2018. I am looking forward to Waynesburg University students joining me in 2025 as we “walk where the Word was written.” Perhaps, I will be your next travel guide!