Featured Tour

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England, Scotland & Wales
England, Scotland & Wales
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Date:  June 25-July 7, 2008
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Leaders:
Wilmer & Janet Martin
 

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Newsflash

Ed Epp joins TourMagination
TourMagination is pleased to announce that Ed Epp, vice-president of resource development at MEDA, will be joining our team on May 1, 2008. Ed shared with us that he “has been privileged to live and make friends in almost every part of the world. One of my favorite things is to introduce people to new countries, cultures, people and landscapes. Sharing, even in small ways, my experiences have always been a highlight for me. I can do this even more now, with TourMagination.” We look forward to the gifts Ed brings to TourMagination and you, our clients.
 
Seven Churches of Revelation
(with Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary)
and the Oberammergau Passion Play

September 9-22, 2010
Temple at Pergamum


with tour leaders Nelson Kraybill and Ed Epp

Revelation is the work of an early Christian prophet named John, who gave allegiance to Jesus Christ at a time when much of the world worshipped the “divine” emperor. This journey will visually and historically ground Revelation in the encounter between early Christians and the Roman Empire. There will be daily teaching on a popular level by Revelation scholar Nelson Kraybill, who will bring ancient ruins and artifacts to life. Worship will permeate the journey. Ed Epp, a member of the TourMagination team, has led tours to various destinations and will look after your needs while traveling. At the end of the tour, the group will go to Oberammergau, Germany, to take in a performance of the passion play which will be an interesting conclusion to our tour to Turkey and Rome.

Thursday & Friday, September 9 & 10

The journey begins on Thursday evening from New York City and Toronto. The two groups will meet in Munich, Germany, on Friday morning and transfer for a flight to Izmir, Turkey, arriving late afternoon. Izmir was ancient Smyrna and referred to by John as the site of a “synagogue of Satan.” Kraybill will provide background information essential for understanding Revelation, the Apocalypse of John. The story of the martyrdom of Polycarp (died AD 156), bishop of Smyrna, will illustrate how John’s prophecy came true for early believers. Lodging for two nights in Izmir.

Saturday & Sunday, September 11 & 12

Our schedule for the day includes three stops: ancient ruins at Thyatira (modern Alchesar); the magnificent ancient acropolis at Pergamum where the practice of Roman emperor worship began; and the Asclepion, an ancient temple/health spa, as well as a large Roman theatre. On Sunday, we will see the temple of Artemis, a third-century synagogue and early Christian churches at Sardis (modern Sart). We continue on to Philadelphia (modern Alasehir), for whose church Jesus had only praise. Then we will proceed to the remarkable ruins of Ephesus–including the Temple of Artemis, the Library of Celsus, the Temple of Hadrian, and the vast theater where a riot erupted when Paul preached the gospel. Overnight in Kusadasi.

Monday & Tuesday, September 13 & 14

Icon of John writing Revelation, Patmos
Icon of John writing Revelation, Patmos
This morning we will travel forty miles by ferry to Patmos, Greece–the island where John received and wrote his vision. Although the oldest surviving buildings on Patmos are medieval, the island is a dramatic setting to reflect on how and why John came to challenge claims of the superpower of his day. Overnight in Patmos. Tuesday morning we will have some more time in Patmos before returning by ferry to Turkey.

Wednesday & Thursday, September 15 & 16

We will take a break from Revelation and visit a city that reflects something John of Patmos could not have fathomed—a “Christian” Roman Empire. Emperor Constantine (AD 306-337) embraced Christianity, and founded Constantinople (modern Istanbul) in AD 324. During these two days, we will visit Constantine’s great cathedral, the Hagia Sophia, the underground Basilica Cistern, the Blue Mosque (an outstanding monument in both the Turkish and Islamic world), the Hippodrome, the Imperial Topkapi Palace, the Grand Bazaar, the Spice Market and take a sightseeing boat on the Bosporus Sea. Two nights in Istanbul.

Friday-Sunday, September 17-19

Roman Coliseum
Roman Coliseum
On Friday, we will fly to Rome to see both the glory and infamy of this city as seat of the blasphemous beast of Revelation. We will see the Roman Forum, the Arch of Titus (built to commemorate the Roman destruction of Jerusalem in AD 70), the Coliseum (named for the colossal statue of Nero that stood nearby), ruins of the palace of Domitian (emperor when John wrote his Apocalypse) and much more. We will see St. Peter’s Basilica, the Sistine Chapel, the Vatican Museums, including the Pio Cristiano Museum of early Christian art. A visit to the Catacombs will highlight biblical images and stories that once sustained a persecuted church and will include a short communion service. We will walk on the Appian Way, and cross an ancient footbridge used by first-century believers on their way to the Jewish quarter of Rome where the Christian church took root. Three nights in Rome.

Monday, September 20

On the way to the airport, we hope to make a brief stop at Monte Testaccio, the imperial Roman city dump with its massive pile of potsherds. Throughout this journey, our devotional experiences look forward to the time when there will be a “healing of the nations” (Rev. 22:2). You will be enriched by a wealth of insight into the early church, but also will have a framework to consider what allegiance to Jesus Christ might mean for witness and faithfulness in the context of modern empires. After arriving in Munich, Germany, we will travel to Oberammergau for a different kind of experience–thinking about the passion of our Lord.

Tuesday, September 21

You will have free time this morning too explore the charming village of Oberammergau or catch up on your sleep. Every ten years the villagers of Oberammergau perform the passion of Christ because of a solemn vow made to God in 1634. This afternoon and evening you will experience the 2010 performance of the Passion Play with a break for dinner. This will be a day to be remembered.

Wednesday, September 22

It’s time to return home so we will drive to Munich to get our flights back to North America. You will have many new memories, insights into the Bible and stories to take home with you, as well as new friendships made.


For further information regarding the complete tour fare, please This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it . We would be happy to be of assistance.
 
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