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For more information call 800.762.5345 or your local Travel Agent. www.gocollette.com The two Towers of the Grossmuenster in the evening light in Zurich Switzerland’s Heritage. Switzerland’s diversity, its beautiful scenery, four nation- al languages, its people and different cultures are easy to explore on one of the best public transport networks. Lucerne and Lake Lucerne Region Road” in the world, the Bahnhofstrasse. Lucerne enjoys the distinction of being the The lively tradition of merchant guilds in only Swiss town that began as a monas- Zürich is dating back to the Middle Ages. tery.Switzerland’s only born saint Brother Equally impressive are their fine guild hou- Klaus‘ family house and chapel of the 15th ses and guildhalls – such as the Zunfthaus century can be visited near Lucerne. The zur Waag, open since at least 1303. Like black Madonna in the Abbey of Einsiedeln the Grossmünster church, the Lindenhof marks as the most visited pilgrimage site square and the Öpfelchammer restaurant in Switzerland. Lucerne is embedded in the Niederdorf, these venues are now within an impressive mountainous panora- among the city’s cherished emblems. ma. Thanks to its attractions, its souvenir and watch shops, the beautiful lakeside Swiss Travel System: all-in-one ticket setting and the nearby excursion moun- New in 2014 the Swiss Travel System has tains of the Rigi, Pilatus and Stanserhorn, launched an exclusive new attraction, the town is a destination for many travel the Swiss Peak Pass. When purchased in groups and individuals on their journey combination with a 4-day or 8-day Swiss through central Switzerland. Pass, it entitles you to unlimited travel up to eight of Switzerland‘s most scenic Zürich summits - the Allalin, Brienzer Rothorn, Some 150 years ago, part of the city’s Cardada, Corvatsch, Niesen, Rochers-de- fortifications was transformed into what Naye, Säntis, Stanserhorn CabriO. is now arguably the most famous “Station

For information, please visit MySwitzerland.com/heritage For bookings, please contact Globus: 866-821-2752 or go to globusfamilygroups.com Tensions can arise during a women’s retreat, but the calm after the storm just might be 8 what God had planned. ©iStockphoto.com/101PHOTO VOL. 4 • 2014 EDITION contents FEATURES 8 Planning Women’s Retreats: 20 Making a Splash with The 411 for 911s BY RACHEL GILMORE Church Youth Trips BY DANIEL MORRILL Retreat leaders need to prepare for emotional Spiritual retreats, mission opportunities and disasters that might erupt recreational getaways all serve a purpose

12 Bound for Holy Ground BY RANDY MINK 24 Five Captivating Trip Ideas Planning the trip of a lifetime to Israel and Jordan for Your Faith Community BY KEVIN J. WRIGHT takes devotion to make it happen Fresh options range from cruise vacations to outdoor adventure activities 17 A Chat with Gigi Graham BY CINDI BRODHECKER A daughter of Dr. Billy Graham discusses growing up 26 Great Faith Travel Sites in the home of the beloved evangelist A quick glance at top Catholic shrines in America and Reformation museums in Europe

ON THE COVER: Mission Santa Clara de Asis 29 Directory Resources on the Santa Clara (Calif.) University campus (©iStockphoto.com/gnagel) The Garden Tomb, one of many pilgrimage sites in Jerusalem

Noam Chen/Israel Ministry of Tourism 12

4 Religious Travel Planning Guide religioustravelplanningguide.com

Randy Mink Roaming About God’s Green Earth

hile a trip to the Holy Land Also in this fourth annual edition of Vol. 4, No. 1, 2014 Edition W may be the dream destination, Religious Travel Planning Guide are Cindi Editorial Office plenty of equally worthy adventures Brodhecker’s interview with Gigi Graham, 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 await churches that organize trips for a daughter of Dr. Billy Graham, and P 630.794.0696 • F 630.794.0652 congregation members. A church travel “Making a Splash with Church Youth [email protected] program can include everything from local Trips,” which spotlights opportunities for getaways to faraway places. Some trips are energizing a youth travel ministry. Publisher – Jeffrey Gayduk faith-based, others purely recreational. Complementing our print publication [email protected] All promote fellowship. are online resources for planning your For a small-town church, it might be group trip. With listings and links to Managing Editor – Randy Mink a weekend jaunt to the nearest big city. [email protected] Many groups from the Midwest, for Though it calls for example, come to Chicago for museums, a substantial Contributing Writers architecture tours, a Lake Michigan cruise Cindi Brodhecker Rachel Gilmore and a visit to the lofty Sky Chapel under commitment in time Kevin J. Wright the spire of the Chicago Temple, down- and money, traveling Daniel Morrill town’s First United Methodist Church, to the holiest sites the tallest church building in the world. Director, Design & Production – Robert Wyszkowski Few places in the world fuel my wander- in Christendom [email protected] lust more than the Middle East. Though it creates memories to calls for a substantial commitment in time Advertising Sales Office Phone: 630.794.0696 and money, traveling to the holiest sites last a lifetime [email protected] in Christendom creates memories to www.ptmgroups.com

last a lifetime. A trip to the Holy Land, group-friendly destinations and businesses, The publisher accepts unsolicited editorial matter, as well as moreover, is a magic-carpet ride to cities, ReligiousTravelPlanningGuide.com is the advertising, but assumes no responsibility for statements made by advertisers or contributors. Every effort is made to ensure the villages and desert outposts where people premier research tool for the faith travel accuracy of the information published, but the publisher makes keep camels, haggle at exotic bazaars, market. Our monthly e-newsletter, InSite no warranty that listings are free of error. The publisher is not responsible for the return of unsolicited photos or manuscripts. and speak Hebrew and Arabic. My article on Religious Travel, offers plenty of ideas on page 12 offers tips on planning a tour as well. Religious Travel Planning Guide is published annually by Premier Travel Media, 621 Plainfield Rd., Suite 406, Willowbrook, IL to Israel and Jordan. As many of you know, planning for 60527. Postage paid at Willowbrook, IL and Lebanon Junction, KY. For ideas on types of church group trips travel is half the fun. With that in mind, The magazine is distributed free to religious group travel organizers and travel suppliers catering to that might not have been on your radar, see we hope this 2014 edition of Religious the market. Single copies for all others is $9.95. Kevin J. Wright’s piece on page 24. Among Travel Planning Guide, combined with Send Address Change to: his suggestions: Cruises, wildlife safaris and our online resources, will inspire you to Premier Travel Media agritourism experiences. develop the best group trip ever and chart 621 Plainfield Road, Suite 406 Willowbrook, IL 60527 When Christian ladies get together for new paths for your community of faith. a retreat, there can be plenty of meaningful A publication moments, but it’s not always a bed of roses. Happy traveling, Our feature on women’s retreats by Rachel All rights reserved. Materials may not be reproduced Gilmore, author of The Complete Leader’s in any form without written permission of the publisher. Guide to Christian Retreats, talks about Randy Mink how to handle thorny problems. Managing Editor

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Women’s Retreats offer opportunities for fellowship and Retreats spiritual growth. The 411 for 911s Human emotions can create interpersonal strife, but the drama that erupts might just be part of God’s plan

By Rachel Gilmore

peaking from experience, women are complex creatures and perhaps the most challenging for whom to plan a re- Streat. Youth, men and family groups seem much more, shall we say, adaptable. Even if things aren’t to their liking, for the most part, before long, any personal irritations caused by the location or

other participants are quickly forgotten as the retreat gets into full ©iStockphoto.com/101PHOTO swing. Not quite so with women, who seem to be especially adept at bringing out both the best--and worst--in each other in group and seeking out the lost in the midst of connectional catastrophes. settings. This compassionate care is all part of retreat ministry, the goal of Knowing that, part of your work as women’s retreat planners which is to allow time and space for God to be at work in our bro- involves looking ahead and preparing for the emotional natural ken lives by reconnecting us with him and with one another. So disasters that could take place during the retreat. From hurt feel- here’s what to watch for… ings over perceived cliquey-ness to hurt feelings from the past bub- bling up to the surface and spilling over into a discussion, if the I The Hot Lava Lady leadership team is not prepared for a little emergency manage- I’ll never forget the Volcano Woman ment, a small emotional storm can rapidly escalate and ruin the I saw erupt in my local post office a few weekend. years ago. That day the line was long; Anyone who has served in women’s ministry knows the feel- the wait was longer. The customer a few ing…some days leadership feels like a walk in the park where peace, spots ahead of me obviously had better love and sisterhood abound. Other days, however, it feels like a places to be and began sharing her im- never-ending journey to the center of the earth, where human nat- patient dissatisfaction with those ©iStockphoto.com/mediaphotos ural disasters hit without warning, disrupting a group’s rhythm and around her. Loud complaints soon testing leadership skills. And it is often in these crisis moments turned to insults laced with obscenities. After berating the clerk, when leaders need to be most prepared that they feel the most ill- who never once lost her cool, the woman eventually stormed out equipped to be the first responders to the Volcano Women who re- without making her purchase, leaving the rest of the line standing lentlessly vent their anger, the Tsunami Women who drown with open-mouthed, in awe of the human natural disaster we’d just wit- drama, the Tornado Women who stir up trouble and the Earth- nessed. quake Women who can shake even the firmest group foundation. The key, though, to dealing with any disaster is the trusty Girl Handling Hardened Hearts Scout motto: be prepared. Leaders, even weekend-retreat, small- The retreat leadership team needs to be prepared for Volcano group discussion leaders, need to understand that God calls them Women in their midst. Watch for the telltale smoke signaling an to be rescue workers in his name, binding up the brokenhearted imminent eruption…constant complaints, never-ending negativity

8 Religious Travel Planning Guide religioustravelplanningguide.com or rude remarks that spew out over her unsuspecting fellow par- or wounded, her emotional seas begin to churn deep below the ticipants. These wounded women typically harbor a red hot anger surface. Those around her won’t notice a difference in attitude; it’s at their center, which often has nothing to do with the group itself that deceptive calm before the storm. Then, without warning, a but is disastrous nonetheless. Tsunami Woman will pull back and unleash her powerful ocean To diffuse the situation, a leadership team member or small of emotions. group leader can say something like, “I can see that really touched on something for you. Do you want to talk about it for a minute?” Flood Relief This gives a Volcano Woman a chance to identify the source of It’s hard to pick yourself up and offer aid when you’re the one the anger, although it may mean that the group takes a momentary who’s been knocked off your feet; yet as a leader, that’s what you’ve been called to do. As your discussion group leaders are likely just weekend volunteers, for these first responders the best strategy may When you offer people be to bite the bullet and ride it out. Simply acknowledge what was time and space to get shared, thank the person and solicit another participant’s input. away from everyday Or, ask the Tsunami Woman how she would apply what the group routines, reflect on their had just studied/discussed to what she just shared, which stems lives (past, present and the drama tide and redirects the flow of the group’s conversation. future) and invite God Again, the retreat environment also allows for a private follow-up in to be at work, things conversation and/or prayer time with other leaders, so don’t over- have the potential to get look that continuing opportunity to minister in Jesus’ name. messy. And while the I storms that arise can Duck and Cover create quite the chaos, Both the Tornado Women and the calm that descends Earthquake Women inspire in others a afterward can be need to seek shelter. Tornado Women just what God had tend to live in a high state of agitation planned all along. and constant movement from crisis to crisis. They can whip into a room in a ©iStockphoto.com/killerb10 ©iStockphoto.com/101PHOTO worried frenzy and leave an almost vis- ible path of confusion and hurt where break from the current discussion path to let the woman vent. The they’ve touched down. Similarly, Earthquake Women typically live leader will also need to help set boundaries for the venting and in fear…fear of rejection, fear of failure, fear of being unloved, fear suggest additional private conversations with herself or a member of being labeled unlovable. These fears cause cracks in their rela- of the leadership team, if warranted, so that one person does not tionships, which isolate them and throw their lives off balance. monopolize the small-group sessions. Doubt easily replaces faith in these women, leaving them vulnerable and emotionally unsteady. I Engulfed One winter our family went to an Restoration and Reconciliation indoor water park in the Wisconsin When working with these personality types, consistency and Dells. Eager to jump into the fun, my stability are crucial to emergency relief, especially in the midst of husband and our six-year-old son a short-term, small-group setting, like a retreat discussion group. quickly joined a gathering crowd on the Leaders should take care to monitor their own reactions to the deck as a bell clanged incessantly in the Tornado and Earthquake Women in their groups and evaluate

distance. Suddenly, and seemingly ©iStockphoto.com/tissa whether their responses are somehow encouraging the destructive without warning, hundreds of thou- behavior. Keeping things calm, following the established retreat sands of gallons of water came rushing down from above. Small schedule and small group discussion structure and purposefully children, including my sturdy son, were sent flying. Even some praying for unity of the Spirit in the bonds of peace within the adults were knocked to their knees. Shouts of joy became shrieks group can help restore and maintain equilibrium. of fear in this mini-Midwestern tsunami. Certainly, your retreat discussion groups have the potential to I Also on the Radar Screen be overwhelmed like that by a Tsunami Woman. Do you have a While keeping an eye out for these stormy personalities, retreat participant who seems engulfed in a sea of previously calm emo- planners should be aware of these other potential disasters: tions? Drowned in her dramas? Incapacitated by her issues? Sub- Cabin/room/group assignments …be aware of existing cliques merged in her self-centeredness? For a Tsunami Woman, the and know that newcomers may feel especially alone or unwelcome. world revolves around her, and when she feels she’s been slighted You will know your group best, but sometimes using random se-

religioustravelplanningguide.com Religious Travel Planning Guide 9 lection at least for group assignments puts everyone on equal social to take a time out for themselves. Establish the total per person footing and creates opportunities for new friendships to form. cost and begin publicizing it early so that women have time to Location expectations and how to address concerns or unmet budget for the expense. Also approach your church about helping expectations after arrival…be clear up front about the facility offset the total cost, offering scholarships to women in need or al- amenities. Do gather all participant concerns as valuable feed- lowing your group to host a fundraiser to reduce the total cost for back but immediately address legitimate ones with on-site man- all participants. agement. No time to retreat for the retreat leadership team…make sure Worries over leaving a spouse with or without children at that all of your details are covered well in advance and that tasks home…use your “encouragers” and experienced retreat participants are delegated and shared among the team and/or other volunteers to reassure these worried women that retreat time is time well so that all attending have the opportunity to renew and refresh spent both for her and her family. Also don’t be afraid to set clear their relationship with God and with one another. boundaries for phone/tech use to really give women a chance to take a time out from daily life. I Leader 911 Getting the word out…publicize your retreat in multiple ways The truth is, however, the retreat leadership team and/or their to multiple groups of women in your church. Personal invitations recruited small group leaders may be truly unequipped to admin- are also great for helping all women feel included and welcomed, ister anything beyond emergency aid when emotional natural dis- maybe in the form of a “save the date” postcard handed to women asters unfold in a retreat setting. Like their environmental months ahead, as well as a registration form hand delivered the counterparts, human natural disasters have the potential to wreak month before. Your retreat planning team can divide up the list of havoc, destroying relationships with others and with God. Yet the all church women so no one is excluded. potentially unstable interpersonal dynamics are part and parcel of Finances…women often feel like they can’t set aside the money retreat ministry. When you offer people time and space to get away from everyday routines, reflect on their lives (past, present and fu- ture) and invite God in to be at work, things have the potential to get messy. And while the storms that arise can create quite the chaos, the calm that descends afterward can be just what God had planned all along. Trust him to lead you through the wind and water and remember what Jesus told his disciples: “…love one an- other as I have loved you” (John 15:12). Now, if you’re ready to retreat, assemble your retreat lead- ership team and start the planning process. Don’t forget to in- vite God to be a part of that team. “The human mind plans the way, but the LORD directs the steps” (Proverbs 16:9)! However, if you feel like you need more help, then check out The Complete Leader’s Guide to Christian Retreats ( Judson Press 2008), available at judsonpress.com. Or feel free to email me at [email protected]. I’m always happy to answer plan- ning questions via email, although I’m also available to work as a consultant with your planning team or serve as a retreat speaker. May your retreat ministry help you transform hearts and minds for God. U

Sources like Rachel Gilmore’s The Complete Leader’s Guide to Christian Retreats abound with planning tips.

10 Religious Travel Planning Guide religioustravelplanningguide.com Welcome to a favorite destination for faith-based groups. One built on family values under the grandeur of the Smoky Mountains. Here you can discover more horses and lumberjacks. More roller coasters. More down-home cooking. More shopping and attractions. A place that offers a wide range of fun for anyone at any age. Welcome to a detour from the ordinary.

PigeonForgeTours.com • 1-800-285-7557 Bound for Holy Ground A church group trip to Israel and Jordan could hardly be more inspirational, but making it a reality takes some devotion

By Randy Mink

The Church of St. John the Baptist is nestled in the hills of Ein Karem, a picturesque village on the outskirts of Jerusalem (aerial photo).

magine being with church friends in Jerusalem and fellowship and providing spiritual renewal for individual members. walking the Way of the Cross, the path that traces Jesus’ And think of the sheer adventure of traipsing off to this ancient route during his last hours on earth. Picture your group corner of the world. on the banks of the Jordan River or sailing across the Sea While the notion of spending a week or two in the Land of the of Galilee. Ponder the meaning of a worship service at Bible will generate excitement among the congregation, a trip to the Church of the Beatitudes—on the very spot where Israel and Jordan is obviously a much larger undertaking than a JesusI is said to have preached the Sermon on the Mount. weekend campout. Like any overseas trip, it calls for a certain in- For any church with a travel program—or thoughts of estab- vestment in time and money. And planners need to consider all the lishing one—the Holy Land looms as the ultimate destination. logistics involved. But it’s the journey of a lifetime—buckle up! Following in the footsteps of Jesus Christ and his disciples can be a life-changing experience, one that transforms the heart and spirit. Getting Started Indeed, the Bible takes on a whole new meaning for Christians First of all, the priest, pastor or another leader—rather than just who have traveled to connect with the roots of their faith. Such a talk about the vague possibility of going to the Holy Land—has trip to the most iconic sites in Christendom—in places straight to make a firm decision that the trip will definitely take place. He from the Bible—can strengthen a church community by creating or she must confidently declare that the trip is on.

12 Religious Travel Planning Guide religioustravelplanningguide.com Here are some things to ask when selecting a tour provider: ✹ Does the tour operator understand the importance of this type of travel and will it be responsive to your church’s needs? ✹ Is it experienced in arranging trips to the Holy Land? ✹ Can the operator make room for daily devotions in the itinerary, schedule worship services or help with other special requests? ✹ Can it provide references from other churches it has worked with? Omer Eshel, director of the Israel Government Tourist Office in Chicago, said a common mistake is opting for a “cookie-cutter” tour that might not fit your particular denomi- nation. Catholics and evangelicals, for example, have different interests, he pointed out. (See page 16 sidebar with Israel Ministry of Tourism tips on choosing a tour company.) Dr. George Koch, the minister of Resurrection Anglican Church in West Chicago, Ill., recently took a group of 17 to Israel and worked with the tour operator (Pentecost Tours) to include not only traditionally visited sites but some “relatively unknown but meaningful” places he knew about. In addition, he arranged to have a Sunday morning service at Christ Church in Jerusalem, the oldest Protestant church (Anglican) in the Middle East, and com- munion at the Garden Tomb. Planning for Resurrection Anglican’s trip started six or seven months before the departure date, but Eshel recommends that the planning process begin 12 to 18 months out, as trip leaders need Israel Ministry of Tourism Ministry of Israel the time to generate interest among the congregation, promote the Once that commitment has been made, the person in charge tour, sign people up and let everyone clear their calendars. He said and his committee need to find a professional travel provider who organizers should not get discouraged if only a handful of people can plan the trip from beginning to end. Most church leaders do show up for the initial orientation meeting—with determination not have the expertise or time to set up a tour on their own. and proper promotion, the trip will materialize. National tour operators like Collette and Globus/Cosmos offer a wide variety of trips around the world, including a selection of When To Go tours specifically designed for the religious market. Some tour Israel has a Mediterranean climate, with hot summers and cool, companies focus exclusively on faith-based travel and work only sometimes rainy weather from November through March (when with church groups. Others specialize in Israel, Jordan and the off-season hotel rates and airfares are available, except at Christ- Eastern Mediterranean, packaging trips for both faith-based and mas). Spring and early fall are ideal as the country is virtually rain- secular groups. less from April through October. Church travel leaders also can work with a local travel agent, “I would recommend any season except for summer,” Eshel who acts as a middleman between the client and tour operator. said, noting that it’s hard to find a hotel room in summer, a time Travel agents charge a commission for their services and may not when the Jewish community in Europe comes to visit family and specialize in the Holy Land, but they can help steer you toward a the locals are on vacation. Also, avoid the Easter/Passover period reliable operator—and the local connection is a plus. and the Jewish High Holidays in late September/early October,

religioustravelplanningguide.com Religious Travel Planning Guide 13 he advised. The shoulder season from Easter to Pentecost is less crowded and offers good weather. As for airfares, Eshel said they’re highest at Christmas, lowest in February.

Itinerary: How Long and What to Include Because Israel and neighboring Jordan are small countries—Israel is the size of New Jersey—your group can cover a lot of ground in a week or so, hitting the main sights without many long bus rides. A min- imum would be seven days, but 10 or 12 days is better. Keep in mind that a tour op- erator’s advertised 10-day trip includes only seven or eight days of sightseeing because of travel days and time zone changes. A flight from New York to Tel Aviv is 10 hours and 20 minutes, from Los Angeles 14 hours and 20 minutes. A multi-day stay in Jerusalem is common to many tours. Collette’s nine-day/seven- night “Israel: Pilgrimage to the Holy Land,” for example, spends the last four nights at hotels in centrally located Jerusalem, but even a whole week in this fascinating city

14 Religious Travel Planning Guide religioustravelplanningguide.com “ Pastors and tour leaders can easily spend a week in Jordan following in the footsteps of Jacob, Elijah, John the Baptist, Moses, Jesus and many others, and still just scratch the surface.”

Jordan Tourism Board Tourism Jordan — Malia Asfour Visitors to Bethany Beyond the Jordan may see priests or pastors performing baptisms. Jordan Tourism Board Director, North America

would not do it justice. As the cradle of three re- ligions—Christianity, Judaism and Islam— Jerusalem overflows with riches and can be overwhelming if not taken in small doses. Ending the tour in Jerusalem, rather than starting there, gives the group time to acclimate to Israel and guarantees the trip ends on a high note. Besides the Way of the Cross, or Via Dolorosa, Christian groups in Jerusalem typically visit the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane and impor- tant churches like the 12th century Church of the Holy Sepulcher, built over the site where it’s be- lieved Jesus was crucified, buried and resurrected. Other common stops are the Western Wall and Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial and Museum, sites with deep meaning for Jews. A standard tour of Israel also takes in the northern region, where pilgrims visit Capernaum and other Sea of Galilee locations associated with Christ’s ministry. In Nazareth, Christian travelers flock to the massive Basilica of the Annunciation, which occupies the site of Mary’s home, where, according to Roman Catholic tradition, Gabriel made his announcement, or annunciation. Some places included on a Holy Land tour lie in territory administered by the Palestinian Au- thority, the most prominent being the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem, a few miles south of Jerusalem. Jordan is the eastern side of the Holy Land and rich with Old and New Testament history. Malia Asfour, director of the Jordan Tourism Board, North America, said, “There are too many bible stories to name, but any Holy Land pro- gram should include Jordan—it is an integral part of the bible, not an extension, so it should be an integrated part of any church trip to the Holy Land, not an afterthought.” Asfour acknowledges that church groups often combine Jordan with Egypt and Israel, but stand- alone, faith-based Jordan itineraries are available. “Pastors and tour leaders can easily spend a week

religioustravelplanningguide.com Religious Travel Planning Guide 15 Tips on Choosing a Tour Provider in Jordan following in the footsteps of Jacob, Elijah, John the Baptist, Moses, Jesus and many others, and still just scratch the surface.” n its free, 30-page Christian Leader’s Tour Planning She added, “We hear so often from pastors and other visitors that they ap- Guide, the Israel Ministry of Tourism offers these preciate the unspoiled nature of our holy sites. We have worked to avoid over- hints on choosing a tour company: commercializing the biblical locations while at the same time making them I easily accessible to groups and individuals coming for religious purposes.” Get proposals from several operators. The Israel Min- istry of Tourism does not endorse individual tour organizers Bethany Beyond the Jordan baptism park, where Jesus was baptized by John, but has a list of operators on its website, goisrael.com. is Jordan’s No. 1 biblical site and has seen substantial development (including Compare the quotes for value as well as price—that is, newly built churches and guesthouses outside the protected area) since archae- see what’s included in the base price. A lower-priced tour, ological discoveries in the mid-1990s identified it as the exact site where John for example, may offer fewer meals, fewer tours and more carried out his baptisms. People from all over the world come to be baptized modest hotels. Choice of hotels can make a big difference in or re-baptized in the River Jordan. (Just across the river Israel operates its own price and in the tour experience. baptism site.) Count the “days at leisure” on the tour. Some groups Also in Jordan is Mount Nebo, welcome free time, but others may want to pack in as much the reputed burial site of the He- sightseeing as possible. And beware of the added cost of brew prophet Moses. In nearby optional tours on days at leisure. Madaba, the “City of Mosaics,” groups visit St. George Greek Orthodox Church and see its mo- saic floor map of the Holy Land, made around 560 A.D. Mosaic artisans demonstrate their skills at Madaba handicraft stores. Time for shopping and just catching your breath should be Israel Ministry of Tourism Ministry of Israel Church of the Holy Sepulcher: pilgrimage site in Jerusalem built into any Holy Land itiner- ary. It doesn’t have to be one pil- It’s suggested that all tips, taxes and transfers, plus grimage site after another. Groups Tourism Ministry of Israel entrance fees to museums and attractions, be included in appreciate having time to wander Souvenir shops entice tourists prowling the the selling price. (An exception may be the freewill gratuities squares and alleyways of Old Jerusalem. through the exotic bazaars, testing to the tour guide and bus driver.) Note meal descriptions and how many meals are in- their bargaining skills over caftans, handbags and religious souvenirs. cluded. Remember that a “continental” breakfast is usually Instead of a group restaurant meal, travelers occasionally may want the chance just rolls, jam, and coffee or tea, while an “Israeli” breakfast to try Middle Eastern street foods like falafel (a pita bread wrap of deep-fried means a hearty buffet, for which Israel’s hotels are famous. chickpeas with salad) or shawarma, a sandwich packed with salad and grilled Look at how the process of trip registration, billing and lamb sliced from a spit. Another popular meal option: Lunch at a kibbutz, the communication with participants is handled by the tour uniquely Israeli brand of communal living. operator. For a little beach interlude, some tours allow time for a float on the salty Get it all in writing. If you make any arrangements that waters of the Dead Sea before or after visiting the ruins of Qumran, where the differ from those in the tour brochure, make sure you have Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by shepherds in 1947. Both Israel and Jordan written confirmation for those arrangements. have well developed resort areas on the mineral-rich body of water known for The tour-planning booklet is part of the Israel Ministry of its therapeutic qualities. Tourism’s “Christian Leader’s Tool Kit,” which has a CD-ROM Safety is always an issue when travel to the Middle East is discussed, but with a template for preparing a Request for Proposal (RFP) that can be sent to several tour operators—each company groups should not let that be a factor, Eshel said. “I always like to say ‘3.5 million will submit its best response to your proposal. The CD also tourists a year come to Israel. Out of that 3.5 million, 3.5 million come home has photos, graphics and templates for e-mail blasts, promo safe and sound.’” letters and press releases. The booklet offers a step-by-step Dr. Koch, who has been to Israel several times, said first-timers worry about outline on how to promote the tour and recruit participants. the water, food and medical care. “But the water is as good, if not better, than Other free promotional materials in the Tool Kit include home, the food is terrific and the medical care is world-class.” brochures, maps, a “Video Tools” DVD, and trip promotion The Anglican minister’s main message to those contemplating a trip to the shells and letterhead with photographs of Israel. Holy Land: “Do whatever you can to go. It’s life-changing.” U Another resource is “The Bible Comes to Life,” a 12-part series of video programs that links the biblical stories to the Online Exclusive physical land of Israel. In addition, the tourism ministry can ✹ For Christian tour planners considering Jordan as part of a Holy Land itinerary, see answers arrange for speakers to come to the church. to questions posed to by Malia Asfour, director of the Jordan Tourism Board, North America, at the Religious Travel Planning Guide website. Log on to http://tinyurl.com/mhb8mt7.

16 Religious Travel Planning Guide religioustravelplanningguide.com A Chat With GIGI GRAHAM

By Cindi Brodhecker

recent talk with Gigi Graham, daughter of Dr. Billy Gra- Cindi: All of your ham, gave us some insight on being in the family of the brothers and sisters A world’s most recognized Christian speaker, a man who have followed in your was born and raised on a dairy farm outside of Charlotte, N.C. father’s footsteps as but was called to travel the world and preach the gospel. Christian leaders. Did Gigi also has been a world traveler, and we talked about how you feel strongly com- travel can broaden your horizons, stretch your understanding of pelled, or should we say other people and change the mindset on what can you do in the moved, to follow that Gigi Graham world for God. path? As a daughter of Gigi has lived in Israel and Switzerland as well as different Billy and Ruth Gra- states here in the U.S. When she talks about Switzerland, there is ham, do you feel an obligation to continue their work? Is it ever a glow on her face as she reveals her memories and favorite places. a burden being the daughter of famous parents? She returns as often as her schedule permits. Gigi: Never any pressure to follow in their path. Sometimes Here is how the conservation unfolded: people think our family is different, but it is a balancing act—a re- Cindi Brodhecker: How have you patterned your life after sponsibility, a privilege. I am always happy when people recognize that of your father and mother? Is there some specific lesson or me, and I hope I was behaving. We face the same challenges as piece of advice from them that you’ve any other family. There are always other carried with you since childhood? peoples’ expectations, but we have to be Gigi Graham: Mother and Daddy ourselves. set fine examples for us as children and People now want to touch us or take helped us to turn our lives over to the a picture with us as the children of Billy Lord at an early age. We never felt pres- Graham because Daddy is not as acces- sured to pursue a full-time ministry but sible. People ask me if that is a bother only what the Lord wanted for us and and I say no, it is a privilege because our life. They only wanted the best—no they or someone close to them were different than any other parents who touched by Daddy’s life. They want to want only the best for their children. share their story. There are many family members in- Cindi: Your father is 95 years old volved in full-time ministries, from my and still one of the world’s most ad- brother Franklin to the grandchildren mired men. How is he doing? (19) and great-grandchildren (41). Gigi: His birthday celebration in One example that we all saw was November was very important to him our parents were never judgmental, al- because of the video promotion of My ways accepting and loving all people Hope. He is blessed by the results from and types. Mother could be as comfort- this video and the messages they still re- able with an old man from the moun- ceive from those who have seen the pro- tains coming in the house for tea to gram. He is physically weak but meeting the royalty of the world. I re- rejoicing in the Lord and all that is hap- member one time being on vacation Gigi is one of five children of Dr. Billy Graham, pening, even in his local church when his perennially one of America’s most admired men. with Daddy and he got a call from the pastor visits. The family does keep him White House. A dignitary from another country was visiting and informed of local news and happenings as well as the world events. Daddy was invited to go to Washington to meet him. Daddy told Cindi: What is the state of the Billy Graham Evangelistic his secretary to decline, so he could continue his vacation. Daddy Association? How has it evolved over the years and what’s in its paced all day long and in the end told his secretary to call and ac- future with your brother Franklin as CEO? cept the invitation because ‘this may be the only time I can shake Gigi: The association is doing well and going strong. The video his hand and tell him about Jesus.’” of My Hope has taken the past year to compile and they have great

religioustravelplanningguide.com Religious Travel Planning Guide 17 A Chat With GIGI GRAHAM

Cindi: What other writing and speaking activities are you involved in? What else do you do to keep busy? Gigi: I am at The Cove as an ambassador, a family represen- tative. (The Cove is the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s retreat center in Asheville, N.C.) I also do family chats two times a week at The Cove with the history of the family starting with the grand- parents, my parents meeting and engagement, how the ministry started, and what each of the children are doing. We have many groups coming to The Cove from coast to coast and all sizes of groups from small to large.

Gigi and I continued to talk about the younger generation in the Christian world. We agreed they are open more to grace from God and less judgmental of others. As the younger generation has Billy Graham Rapid Response Team chaplains aid quake victims in Haiti. had many more opportunities to travel (high school class trips, col- lege musical touring, study abroad, etc.), they have a more open footage of Daddy and of other people sharing either their life story mind and a better sense of compassion and understanding with or how Daddy impacted them. They do hope to continue to pro- regard to people of different faiths. duce these types of short videos that can be used in local churches Gigi said that people ask if she and her sisters and brothers trav- and organizations. Another project that has kept them busy is eled with their dad as he started his worldwide ministry. She tells Rapid Response, where they send chaplains to areas of the world them, “No, we stayed home with Momma and went to school. We experiencing disasters. They work hand in hand with Samaritan’s Purse, which has been working in this area of ministry for many To live a Christian life in these changing, years. They still travel all over the world with the crusades and that fast-paced“ times, we need the proper balance. involves Franklin and a nephew. They are traveling continually. The TV presence is still very strong. Franklin is a very good ad- It’s hard to find that balance and not comprise ministrator, but as we all know the future is still in the future. our convictions without being judgmental. Cindi: You are the author of For Women Only: Keeping Your Mother and Daddy have set a fine example for Balance in a Changing World. What is your main message for women in this crazy world? us as children to respect and accept others Gigi: In one word—balance. To live a Christian life in these without judgment and offer love. changing, fast-paced times, we need the proper balance. It’s hard — GIGI GRAHAM ” to find that balance and not comprise our convictions without being judgmental. Mother and Daddy have set a fine example for did have the privilege of living in the small community of Montreat, us as children to respect and accept others without judgment and N.C., which is mountain country, redneck country but the home of offer love. many retired missionaries. We grew up hearing Chinese, Mandarin, Spanish and other languages and all their wonderful stories of living in those areas. Now we have the opportunity of short-term mission trips and other forms of faith travel that give us these experiences.” Living in other countries, Gigi shared, has been the greatest privilege of her life. She explains, “I arrived in these places a little timid, a little scared because it was different than arriving and going into a hotel. I lived with the people. It broadened me as a person, opened my mind to different things and made me under- stand that our way is not always the only way to do things.” Thanks to Gigi Graham for her time and thoughts. She is a great lady, fun to travel with, and beautiful inside and out. If you visit The Cove and see Gigi, tell her you read this interview.

Cindi Brodhecker is president of Faith Travel Development & Con- sulting (faithtraveldevelopment.com). For women, she offers pro- grams for fellowship and spiritual enrichment through Priscilla Franklin Graham leads a session at The Cove in Asheville, N.C. Woman’s Tours

18 Religious Travel Planning Guide religioustravelplanningguide.com

ust as every message you teach to your youth group has a purpose, every trip you take Jshould have a purpose as well. Some trips should just be for fun and relationship building, while others should focus on discipleship, evangel- ism or service. Fun trips, retreats and mission trips are the three most common types of youth trips, and while each type has an inherent purpose, it must fit into an overall plan that leverages all three types and their potential outcomes.

I Fun Trips Each trip you take will build on the previous one, and it all starts with fun, recreational-type trips. Whether it’s a water park, paintballing or the world-famous ice cream shack two hours away, day trips are the building blocks of relationships. “The overall purpose is for the students to have a positive experience around the group,” said Rob Chagdes, campus pastor at Jupiter (Fla.) Christian School and a former youth pastor of 17 years. “In those activities, that is usually the catalyst for the relationships that people form in their youth group.” And what would a youth group be without re- lationships? Given its purpose, when picking what to do on a fun trip, avoid ordinary activities and ones that limit talking amongst the group. “You want to find something that people actu- ally want to go to,” Chagdes said. “And if you want Making a Splashwith Church

A day trip could be as simple as a water Youth Trips park frolic. ©iStockphoto.com/Casarsa Whether it’s a recreational frolic, spiritual retreat or mission opportunity far from home, travel promotes the ties that bind

By Daniel Morrill

20 Religious Travel Planning Guide religioustravelplanningguide.com “The real value that I see in retreats is that you have a group of students that need each other at the end of the retreat because they have had true fellowship,” said John Gunden, senior pastor of The River’s Edge Church in Caseville, Mich. and president and founder of R U Red E? Ministries. Many youth groups do two retreats each year, one each high school semester, with one focused on discipling the group and the other aimed at evangelizing to the group and the friends that they bring along. Disciple- ship retreats serve as a good reality check, so ©iStockphoto.com/SolStock For youth groups in northern regions, a winter retreat might include some time on the slopes. consider planning one to land a month after your group goes back to school in the fall them to have fun, you want them to have fun together. You want when they may need to refocus on their relationship with Christ. them to have a shared experience.” “If you’re going to do a discipleship retreat, then you want to For this reason, movies and shows should be counted out, unless think outside the box because comfort is the opposite of growth,” the particular showing serves a purpose in your ministry. Amuse- Chagdes said. “You want your students to be uncomfortable a little ment and water parks are common choices, and often times have bit. Whether that’s setting up prayer stations or worship stations attractive group rates. Fun centers may be more local and offer a or making it so they can’t talk the whole morning until the session, variety of experiences, and things like laser-tag, paintball or other that’s where it starts.” recreational activities are also popular. Opportunities will differ You’ll want to plan fun activities to balance out your sessions, based on region, but as long as it accomplishes its purpose and the but the focus should be on discipling your group. When January students are excited about it, feel free to be creative. or February rolls around, have an evangelism-based retreat that re- You will want to let the youth group and parents know of an volves around something fun that your group will want to bring upcoming trip at least a month in advance, so give yourself some their friends to. Whether that is skiing, other snow-related activ- time before then to flesh out the big details. From there, it’s time ities, paintball, water sports or anything you may come up with, to promote the trip. encourage your group to bring people, and then making your ses- “Over communicate to parents,” Chagdes said. “Let them know sions pointed and meaningful. You may be surprised at the out- what is going on and what the deadlines are. If you get a couple of come. key students invested and they know about it and are going to go, Camps are the most popular places to take retreats, as they offer they are going to tell people about it.” a change of pace and plenty of activities. Wherever you choose to During the school year, try to have at least one fun trip every take a retreat, it should be a place where your students won’t have two months. Plan more if you are able to, but at most you should trouble being present. average one a month. While fun trips are essential to a healthy “You want a place that minimizes distractions,” Chagdes said. youth group, they must be kept in perspective. “The whole idea of a retreat is that you are retreating, pulling back “You just don’t want it to be the centerpiece of your ministry,” from something. I really think that camps work the best because Chagdes said. “Because if the fun things are the centerpiece, people you go somewhere where there is nature, and it’s a different envi-

won’t want to come to the meaningful stuff, and you become a ronment from the one they normally live in. There’s no TV, they’re ©iStockphoto.com/Lokibaho recreation director.”

Retreats give students a chance to recharge their spiritual batteries. I Retreats In today’s world of youth ministry, most of the retreats taken are designated as “winter retreats” and involve snow-related activities. While there is nothing wrong with classify- ing a retreat this way, it has unfortunately made retreats an increasingly regional thing. Areas that lack a snowy winter may pass up on retreats altogether. But while the weather can play a part in the weekend’s activities, it should never dissuade a youth pastor from planning a weekend away.

religioustravelplanningguide.com Religious Travel Planning Guide 21 I Mission Trips Mission trips are the most daunting trip to pull together, but they often can be the most re- warding. If planned correctly, your trip will leave a lasting impact on the community you serve, but it also will have a strong effect on your group. “The sad truth is that students don’t always connect with Christ while they are at church growing up,” said Nick Cocalis, director of Next Step Ministries, an organization that arranges one-week mission trips for junior high and high school students. “When you get out in the mis- sion field and you are serving and working on ©iStockphoto.com/Kali Nine LLC Nine ©iStockphoto.com/Kali Mission trips offer youth groups the opportunity to help people in need and share their faith. projects and looking outward for things to do, those are the times you are acting most like not on the internet and so forth and you have the chance to do Christ and those are the times when you are most around what things outdoors. It should be a place that your students would God is up to.” never go to otherwise.” In planning a mission trip, it’s often hard to know where to You will want to give students and parents at least three months start. Where to go? What to do? Why? First, start by finding a warning of an upcoming retreat. Cost can range from $100-$200 parent organization to partner with. There are many organizations based on your location and activities, so telling your group far in already established in communities around the globe that work advance is important. Advertise the retreat as you would other with youth pastors on planning effective mission trips. events, and depending on the retreat’s purpose, encourage your “It’s not a one-week handout that these communities need,” group to invite their friends. Cocalis said. “They need long-term investment and they need peo-

22 Religious Travel Planning Guide religioustravelplanningguide.com ple building up their leaders and who will be there after you are While it is easy to get caught up in the work you are doing, gone. A one-week mission trip is not going to save a community. don’t forget that evangelism is at the heart of all missions. Train But if you can get involved with an organization that can take your your group on how to share their faith with those they will en- one week and put it in a plan and a process of being there week counter, and the trip could become infinitely more meaningful after week and year after year, then you can really see the fruit of than planned. your labor.” “What good is it if you give a person a glass of water, but you These organizations will also help you to keep the cost of your don’t give them the living water?” Gunden said. “What good is trip down and figure out all the logistics of getting there and get- it if you give them a piece of bread, if you don’t give them the ting things done. Safety is always a concern of parents when their bread of life? What good is it if you build them a house, but you child goes on a mission trip, and being connected to an organiza- don’t introduce them to Christ who is preparing them a mansion tion makes the trip much safer for all involved. forever?” U “Always connect with a parent organization that can keep you in the loop and keep you safe,” said Dr. Sandy Friesen, coordinator of service op- portunities and intercultural studies at Evangel University, who wrote her doctoral dissertation on the effect of short-term missions. “You need to have a contact on the ground.” When you have found an organization that you trust and that aligns with your group’s val- ues and purposes, look into the trips that they have available. You will want to choose a loca- tion that your students can get excited about going to and the work to be done, and a place that is fundamentally different from where they live. If you pastor an inner-city youth group, don’t take an inner-city mission trip. Give your students a new experience that will take them out of their comfort zone and allow them to be used by God. If it’s your first time planning a mission trip, give yourself at least a full year to pull everything together. You will want to let your group and par- ents know the details at least nine months out from the trip. They will need to get the week on their calendars and have time to fundraise, as mission trips can range from hundreds to thou- sands of dollars depending on how far you choose to go. Have students write support letters to raise money for the trip, and help them fundraise by planning several group fundraising activities. It can be as simple as a car wash or a bake sale, but feel free to get creative. In the months leading up to the trip, it is also crucial to spend time training your group. “You have to sit down with your team and help them understand the place they’re going to,” Gunden said. “The demographics. The nature of the people. If it’s an international trip, they need to know the sensibilities that the people might have to Americans and our culture. Remind the team that they are guests. All those simple things.”

religioustravelplanningguide.com Religious Travel Planning Guide 23 CAPTIVATING TRIP IDEAS FOR YOUR FAITH COMMUNITY

By Kevin J. Wright5

ilgrimages and mission trips have tra- ditionally been the bedrock of faith- Pbased travel—and for good reason. These two types of travel enable people to ex- perience and share their faith in very personal, powerful and extraordinary ways. For example, a trip to the Holy Land provides individuals with opportunities to stand in the very pres- ence of places, people and events that have shaped their religion (see Randy Mink’s Holy Land article on page 12). As a group planner, ask yourself this ques- tion: Are there any other forms of travel that also can provide the enriching benefits of faith, fun and fellowship? The answer is a resound- ing “Yes!” Below are five captivating trip ideas to consider for your community:

I Cruises One travel trend among congregations that has gained tremendous popularity in recent years is cruising. Such vacations are perfect for appealing to people of all ages, making it great for families, young adults, couples, singles and seniors. Best yet, cruising can take on many different forms, from big-ship cruising in Alaska, the Caribbean or Mediterranean to small-ship river or even lake cruising. Many communities like to theme their cruises with special programs while bringing onboard faith-based entertainers, speakers and music bands. By combining such activities together in one setting, few forms of travel can match the spiritual relaxation, rejuvenation and revi- talization benefits of cruising.

Adventuresome church groups are hiking through Inca ruins in Peru, going on African safaris

and seeing world wonders like India’s Taj Mahal. courtesyPhotos of G Adventures

24 Religious Travel Planning Guide I Day Trips to Attractions Virtually every destination is home to attractions ranging from amusement parks, museums and historical sites to zoos, forts and sporting venues, not to mention fairs and festivals. Church group outings to such places combine the best of faith, fun, education and entertainment experiences. Best yet, many attractions offer special events, programs and discounts designed specifically for faith-based communities. In addition, as such travel opportunities can often be done in a day’s time and at limited cost, these types of trips usually have the greatest appeal to congregation members. A RELIGIOUS GROUP TRAVEL I Adventure & Active Vacations PLANNING RESOURCE LIKE NO OTHER

Scripture is full of adventure stories. Think of Noah and his n the past the annual print edition of the ark, Moses and his climb up Mount Sinai, and the many coura- Religious Travel Planning Guide has geous journeys of Apostle Paul. Today’s adventure and active va- I walked readers through the process of how to book and run a successful religious cation options for faith-based communities are virtually endless, group trip--advance planning, tools and tips with such opportunities as skiing, whitewater rafting, bicycling ex- focusing on choosing destinations, hotels cursions, camping, hot air ballooning, hiking, rock climbing, mud and tour operators, fundraising, insurance, chaperones, checklists and etiquette. runs, wildlife viewing and fishing tours. Such trips can provide in- However, this year marks a turning point dividuals and congregations with the rewarding benefits of spiri- in the way you will research and plan your tual, physical and emotional renewal. next faith-based group trip. A new website, ReligiousTravelPlanningGuide.com, has been I designed from the ground up to meet the Agritourism changing needs of our religious travel planning Agritourism is generally defined as any form of travel experi- community. With a membership of more than ence that brings visitors to a farm, ranch, vineyard, orchard or 9,000 strong, we strive to provide the most comprehensive collection of information and horticulture site. Corn maze excursions are among the most pop- tools available to assist our diverse readership. ular agricultural trips for faith-based groups. But there are many Information Rich Religious Travel Planning Guide Homepage more options to choose from, including on-site guest stays, or- Our online archives hold hundreds of arti- chard touring, picking fruit, riding hay wagons, observing bee- cles detailing domestic and international reli- hives, petting and feeding animals, or even participating in gious destinations, attractions and tours, with farm-work experiences such as cattle drives. An agritourism- more being added every month, while our database contains hundreds of hotel, tour op- based experience will provide your congregation with a fresh way erator, attraction, dining and venue suppliers of traveling together. to meet your research and planning needs. Looking for a little more direction? Browse I Wildlife Safaris our collection of pre-made sample itineraries for inspiration. What better way to experience God than literally being in the bushes of a jungle or faraway continent. Faith-based safaris can Expert Advice Do you need to plan a retreat, pilgrimage incorporate praying and devotional services before a game drive, or youth trip, but are not sure where to sharing personal testimonies around a campfire or simply enjoying begin? Looking for advice on choosing the the beauty of creation while in the midst of spectacular landscapes. right travel provider or how to charter a mo- Religious Travel Planning Guide torcoach for your group? We can help! Reli- Site InSpection Few vacations can match the unforgettable memories and experi- giousTravelPlanningGuide.com is full of ences of a safari for your community. helpful advice from experts throughout the After reading through the above list, what’s next? Present a list religious travel industry. of diverse trip ideas to your faith community and solicit their Read Us Anywhere feedback. You might be surprised by what you learn regarding Whether you use a laptop, tablet or smart- their favorite travel experience preferences. Most importantly, phone, we've got you covered. ReligiousTrav- elPlanningGuide.com's responsive web design you’ll now have the necessary information and insight to move automatically adjusts to your device, so that forward with developing and delivering a vibrant and dynamic you will always have our information at your group travel plan for the year ahead. What better way to ensure fingertips. And of course, you can access and download the print edition of the guide from the success of your travel program and ministry. the website as well. Kevin J. Wright is director of growth markets for NTA (ntaonline.com). Not online? Then get a free copy of our print edition to keep as a handy reference He is also the author of four travel guidebooks, a popular speaker, when you are places the internet can't reach. Search for supplier profiles, religious frequent media interviewee and regular blogger (growthmarkets- itineraries and Site InSpections Membership is FREE and signing up is tourism.com). easy. So join our community and make your next religious trip the best one yet!

religioustravelplanningguide.com Visit us today at: http://religioustravelplanningguide.com/register/ Great Faith Travel Sites

The National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton is located in Western Maryland. Inset: International Museum of the Reformation, Geneva, Switzerland.

laces of religious significance play a role in developing any National Shrine of St. Francis of Assisi, San Francisco faith-based itinerary. Churches, shrines and museums This former parish church is an oasis of peace in a noisy neigh- P shed light on the history and culture of a destination, often borhood where Chinatown and North Beach meet. Its beautiful showcasing great art and architecture. Lady Chapel, La Porziuncola Nuova, is a scaled replica of St. In singling out some of the world’s top faith travel sites, writers Francis’ Porziuncola in Assisi, Italy. (shrinesf.org) for the Religious Travel Planning Guide website (religioustrav- elplanningguide.com) have compiled “top” lists in various cate- National Shrine of the Divine Mercy gories, from religious theaters to monastic accommodations in Stockbridge, Massachusetts Europe. Those sites that make our lists are among the most tour- Located in the heart of the Berkshire Hills, the shrine sits on worthy ones out there, though not ranked in any particular order. 350 acres, known as Eden Hill. Guests admire the chapel’s stained- Here we concentrate on Catholic shrines in the United States glass windows and stroll the grounds to visit the many statues and and reformation museums in Europe. Our staff had a good time candle shrines like the Lourdes Candle Grotto and Holy Family putting these lists together and hopes they will provide both in- Shrine. (thedivinemercy.org) spiration and a good read. National Shrine of Our Lady of Czestochowa 10 TOP U.S. Doylestown, Pennsylvania CATHOLIC SHRINES Dedicated in 1966 to celebrate 1,000 years of Christianity in Pilgrims and casual visitors alike find inspiration and peace at the many Catholic shrines around the country. Some are located in big cities, others in tranquil rural settings. Most of the shrines offer guided tours and Masses. They may have a museum, restaurant or retreat center. Here are 10 of the top Catholic shrines in America:

Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception, Washington, D.C. The largest Roman Catholic church in North America—and one of the 10 largest in the world—is the nation’s preeminent Marian shrine and hosts nearly one million pilgrims and visitors annually. It has some 70 chapels and oratories adorned with stained glass, mosaics and sculptures, plus the largest collection of contemporary ecclesiastical art on earth. (nationalshrine.org) The Saint’s body is on view at the National Shrine of St. John Neumann.

26 Religious Travel Planning Guide religioustravelplanningguide.com Poland, the shrine has recently been expanded, offering a new re- Shrine of Our Lady of Martyrs, Auriesville, New York treat house for up to 80 pilgrims and a visitor center with a cafe- This is the site of the Mohawk village of Ossernenon, where teria that can accommodate 450. The area below the main church, three Jesuit missionaries were martyred in the 1640s. They are the originally the cafeteria, has been converted to replicate Our Lady’s only canonized American martyrs. The 400-acre shrine, with a Chapel from the Jasna Gora Monastery in Czestochowa, Poland, 6,500-seat coliseum church, museums, gardens and outdoor Sta- with a black and silver altar and the image of the Black Madonna. tions of the Cross, is also the birthplace (in 1656) of Saint Kateri (czestochowa.us) Tekakwitha, a Native American maiden who performed a miracle and was canonized in 2012. (martyrshrine.org) Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe La Crosse, Wisconsin National Blue Army Shrine of the One of the newer Catholic shrines in the United States, the Immaculate Heart of Mary, Washington, New Jersey shrine opened to the public in 2002, its Romanesque-style church Rising over the Muscontecong Valley, the shrine is owned and in 2008. The Stations of the Cross wind alongside the bluff, with operated by The Blue Army, USA, a worldwide movement of mil- granite benches at each station that allow pilgrims to rest, meditate lions of faithful responding to the requests Our Blessed Mother and pray. (guadalupeshrine.org) made to three shepherd children at Fatima, Portugal in 1917. It in- cludes a retreat center and one of only two exact replicas of the chapel National Shrine of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton built at Fatima on the site of Our Lady’s apparitions. (wafusa.org) Emmitsburg, Maryland Located in the mountains of Western Maryland, the shrine National Shrine of St. John Neumann, Philadelphia to the first native-born American woman to be canonized Visitors to the basement altar of St. Peter’s, a Baroque church (in 1975) has a museum with a film on Mother Seton, who in built in 1843, can view the body of St. John Neumann (1811- the early 1800s founded the sisters of Charity of St. Joseph. 1860), a Bohemian priest from New York who became the fourth Her remains are buried beneath her altar in the basilica. Bishop of Philadelphia. He built many churches and schools. To (setonshrine.org) the side of the shrine is a small museum. (stjohnneumann.org)

religioustravelplanningguide.com Religious Travel Planning Guide 27 International Museum of the Reformation Geneva, Switzerland Located next to St. Peter’s Cathedral, this state-of-the-art mu- seum, which opened in 2005, traces the Protestant Reformation that was started by Martin Luther in 1517 and heavily influenced by John Calvin in Geneva. Set in an 18th century mansion in Geneva’s Old Town, it documents the movement through artifacts, artwork, films and audio-visual exhibits. (musee-reforme.ch)

Pilgrims find peace at Shrine of Our Lady of Guadalupe, La Crosse, Wis. John Knox House, Edinburgh, Scotland This museum, the only surviving medieval building in Edin- St. Anthony’s Chapel, Pittsburgh burgh, chronicles the life and times of the 16th century Protes- Overlooking the Allegheny River, this shrine is dedicated to tant reformer associated with Presbyterianism. It’s believed that “The Wonder Worker”— St. Anthony of Padua. It houses the John Knox, sometimes called the Martin Luther of Scotland and largest public collection of holy relics in the world (over 5,000 noted for preaching Calvinist theology, died in the house in 1572. relics). A museum honors Father Mollinger, Pittsburgh’s “healing Also visit St. Giles Cathedral, where Knox served as minister; priest,” who was responsible for building the chapel. (saintantho- it’s considered by many the mother church of Presbyterianism. nyschapel.org) (scottishstorytellingcentre.co.uk) REFORMATION The Luther House, Wittenberg, Germany This former Augustinian monastery is today called the Luther MUSEUMS IN EUROPE House and boasts the world’s largest Reformation museum. It was Several museums in Europe chronicle the people and dramatic the center of Luther’s activity for more than 35 years. He lived events associated with the Protestant Reformation of the 1500s. there as a monk and later with his family. Luther’s living room has The following will enhance any religious tour itinerary: his original desk and 500-year-old period furnishings. Other must- sees include the Ten Commandments painting by Lucas Cranach the Elder, a Lutheran Bible from 1534, a letter of indulgence and The monk’s habit. (martinluther.de/en/luther-house-witten- berg.html)

Martin Luther House Museums Eisleben, Germany Visitors to Eisleben can see the Martin Luther Birth House and Martin Luther Death House, both UNESCO World Heritage sites. The “Father of the Reformation” was born in Eisleben in 1483 and died there in 1546. The Luther Death House just unveiled an addition that provides more space for exhibitions relating to Luther and the Reforma- tion. Its most famous rooms are Luther’s bedroom and the room in which he died. (visit-luther.com)

John Calvin Museum, Noyon, France This museum is located on the original site of the French reformer’s birth house, which was re- constructed according to early drawings after being destroyed in World War I bombings. Visi- tors will see Reformation-era propaganda posters, early editions of Calvin’s works and contemporary paintings of Reformation events. The leader of the Protestant Reformation in Geneva, Calvin was born in 1509 in Noyon, once an important ecclesiastical center in Northern France. U

28 Religious Travel Planning Guide religioustravelplanningguide.com Religious Travel Planning Guide Directory

Enjoy amenities such as an outdoor pool and a fitness facility, including complimentary wireless Discover The Cove in Asheville, North Carolina, Internet access and a daily buffet breakfast. and find rest and renewal. Study God’s Word with Come to the Billy Graham Library and see Close to Climb Time Indy and Castleton Square. your favorite Bible teachers or experience a history come to life as you retrace Billy Graham’s group or personal spiritual retreat. dynamic ministry through state-of-the art exhibits Baymont Inn and Suites Fishers/Indianapolis Area and multimedia presentations. Rob Coronato Billy Graham Training Center at The Cove [email protected] • 800-992-2694 1 Porters Cove Road Billy Graham Library 9790 N By Northeast Blvd., Fishers, IN, 46037 Asheville, NC 28805 4330 Westmont Drive, Charlotte, NC 28217 baymont-inn.reservationcounter.com TheCove.org Billygrahamlibrary.org

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A leader in group travel to Ireland, Italy, mainland Europe and the South Pacific since 1972. Offering A leader in travel since 1918, Collette offers over you the best in world-wide destinations, customized 150 tours to all seven continents. Our faith-based Our cozy country Inn in northeastern Ohio offers faith-based tours and endless possibilities. journeys include: Pilgrimage to Fatima & Lourdes with group rates and year-round dinner theater with a Barcelona, Shrines of Ireland, Shrines of Italy and restaurant and shopping on the same property. Celtic Tours World Vacations Greece: In the Footsteps of Paul the Apostle. 1860 Western Ave. Call for details. Dutch Village Inn Albany, NY 12203 150 E State Route 14 800-833-4373 For more information call Columbiana, OH 44408 [email protected] 800-762-5345 or your local Travel Agent 866-482-5050 ext #310 www.celtictours.com www.gocollette.com dasdutchvillage.com

Celtic Tours World Vacations Collette Dutch Village Inn MYRTLE BEACH OCEANFRONT TOP RANKED BY TRIPADVISOR.COM Featuring 6 oceanfront pools (with hot tubs and heated pools), Sanctuary Spa, fitness Whether you want to hold a live gator or just hold center, complimentary Hampton “On the House” hot breakfast hands on the beach at sunset, you'll find Emerald Coast memories sparkle just a little bit brighter. buffet, and 90-seat conference and meeting facility. Spacious Florida’s Emerald Coast accommodations include 2-BR family suites with kitchenette, 1540 Miracle Strip Parkway SE oceanfront master BR, and separate kids’ BR with bunk beds Fort Walton Beach, FL 32548 800-322-3319 and a queen-size bed. [email protected] www.emeraldcoastfl.com www.HamptonInnOceanfront.com Florida’s Emerald Coast or call 877-946-6400 and ask for our Sales Department 1801 South Ocean Boulevard, Myrtle Beach, SC 29577/843-946-6400

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Globus Religious Travel Planning Guide Directory

Goway Travel Ltd. is one of the oldest tour companies in North America specializing in Accommodating youth, family and couples retreats long-haul group travel. We are experts at designing Ranked #1 by TripAdvisor.com. Enjoy Oceanfront since 2007, Honor’s Haven provides an engaging and customized faith-based itineraries for all accommodations with complimentary deluxe breakfast educational environment, ideal for unlocking your types of religious and spiritual buffet, Internet access and onsite parking – congregation’s spiritual potential. journeys and for all budget levels. plus spa, 6 pools and more. Goway Travel Ltd. Hampton Inn & Suites Oceanfront/Myrtle Beach Resort Honor’s Haven Resort & Spa 1200 West 73rd Ave., Suite 1050 1801 S Ocean Blvd., Myrtle Beach, SC 29577 1195 Arrowhead Road Vancouver, B.C. V6P 6G5 Phone: 877-946-6400 Ellenville, NY 12428 800-838-0618 Nancy Lee, Director of Sales & Marketing 845-210-3114 [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.goway.com www.HamptonInnOceanfront.com www.honorshaven.com

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Faith, Fellowship and Fun – North Myrtle Beach is the Lincoln’s warm community and hospitable facilities perfect location for your spiritual retreat or conference. Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, draws its inspiration will provide the atmosphere to foster community, Visit our website for sample itineraries and to see the from the Great Smoky Mountains and presents growth, creativity, and strategic thinking. many adventures our area has to offer. Let us help you the finest in wholesome entertainment and plan your next gathering – simply fill out our online RFP. activities that all ages can enjoy. Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau Melanie Maynard North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce Pigeon Forge 1135 M Street, Suite 300 Convention and Visitors Bureau Department of Tourism Sales Department Lincoln, NE 68508 Geoff Stephens Joy McNealy, CTIS or Kay Poole, CTIS (402) 436-2353 Email: [email protected] P.O. Box 1390, Pigeon Forge, TN 37863 [email protected] 866-646-1649 ext. 2246 800-285-7557 www.lincoln.org Website: FellowshipAtTheBeach.com [email protected]

Lincoln Convention & Visitors Bureau North Myrtle Beach Chamber of Commerce CVB Pigeon Forge Department of Tourism

An experience of a lifetime. Enjoy the Living Word Discover enchanting Switzerland and its treasures Outdoor Drama in one of the few remaining outdoor in heritage and faith travel sites and explore it theaters in America that presents the life of Christ. Visit Tyler, Texas where you’ll have a bloomin’ good all with one single ticket, the Swiss Pass, Witness His words, His pain and His triumphant victory time! Tyler, known as the Rose Capital of America, is valid on train, bus and boat. on a beautiful 400 ft. panoramic set considered the perfect destination for your next event. the most authentic recreation of Old Jerusalem. Explore the bouquet of possibilities. Switzerland Tourism The Living Word Outdoor, Inc. Mirko (Mike) Capodanno P.O. Box 1481, 6010 College Hill Road Tyler Area Chamber of Commerce [email protected] Cambridge, OH 43725 Susan Travis 608 Fifth Ave, New York, NY 10020 Main 740-439-2761 903-592-6979 800-794-7795 • [email protected] [email protected] [email protected] www.MySwitzerland.com/heritage www.LivingWordDrama.org www.tylertexas.com

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Norfolk, Virginia is a dynamic, modern city known for Inspiring 1- and 2- bedroom luxury its scenic waterways, historic sites, moderate climate condominium suites in spectacular resort American Group Travel: National Quartet Convention, and diverse cultural and entertainment opportunities. settings across America! Ask about our Duck Commander Hometown Tours, Branson, For more information: www.visitnorfolktoday.com attractive group rates & incentives Nashville, Washington and New York. Customized for your next retreat or gathering. VisitNorfolk U.S. tours for adult and youth groups. Donna Allen, Vice President Sales & Marketing Wyndham Extra Holidays U.S. Tours [email protected] Deluxe Condominiums in Resort Settings Bob Cline 757-664-6620 Across the US and Canada 304-485-8687 232 E. Main Street 800-619-4831 [email protected] Norfolk, VA 23510 [email protected] www.USTours.biz www.visitnorfolktoday.com www.WyndhamGroups.com

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