Ancient Footsteps: Highlights from Our Missionary Journeys of Paul Tour 2026

  (town of Olympia) Hebrews 12:1 says, “Let us run with perseverance the race marked out for us.” There are days on a journey that feel less like travel and more like a walk through history, and today was one of them. After a delightful breakfast buffet filled with local abundance—Greek yogurt drizzled with honey, freshly baked breads, preserves, vegetables, eggs, and savory meats—we departed with both grateful hearts and eager anticipation. As the bus rolled forward, Bill guided us into a reflective prayer time and shared a devotional from Psalm 107, reminding us to remember the Lord’s faithfulness across generations.  “Give thanks to the Lord, for He is good; His love endures forever.”  (Psalm 106:1) Our route traced the breathtaking coastal highway along the Corinthian Gulf, where the blue waters seemed to stretch endlessly beside us. Along the way, Emily offered a sweeping overview of Greek history, from ancient civilizations to the founding of Olympia, where the firs...

Day three of our Missionary Journeys of Paul tour reminded us that travel is rarely predictable. but often unforgettable. From snow-capped mountains to ancient ruins and a few unexpected delays, the journey from Kalambaka to Delphi gave us stories we will be telling for years to come. Today, the journey itself was the lesson. A Crisp Mountain Morning When we arose this morning, the air was cooler, and the mountains just beyond our hotel were beautifully capped with snow, a breathtaking reminder of the majesty of creation. Before boarding the bus, we enjoyed another hearty breakfast, this time sharing the dining area with a lively group of high school students from Sweden and Italy, all on their own spring adventures. Prayer, Perspective, and the Road Ahead As we made our way toward Mount Parnassus, Bill Shiell led us in a meaningful time of prayer, inviting travelers to voice concerns for loved ones back home. It was a sacred moment with names spoken and needs shared. Foll...

Day two of our Missionary Journeys of Paul tour carried us from the coastal energy of Thessaloniki into the fertile plains of Macedonia and up into the breathtaking heights of Meteora. It was a day filled with scripture reflections, spectacular scenery, and sacred moments. A Morning on the Move After a sumptuous breakfast, we loaded the bus and departed the Holiday Inn at 8:00 a.m., ready for the journey ahead. Our co-host, Bill Shiell, once again led us in singing “This Is the Day,” setting a joyful tone for the morning. Pastor Allan Holder followed with a devotional drawn from Psalms 37 and 46, reminding us to “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10) and to “Trust in the Lord and do good.” (Psalm 37:3) These words set a steady spiritual rhythm for the day, guiding us as we traveled through both open plains and winding mountain roads. Among the Noble Bereans Our first major stop was Berea, which is modern-day Veria. After a brief coffee and rest stop, we made our...

(statue of Alexander the Great in Thessaloniki) There is something profoundly meaningful about retracing ancient paths—especially when those roads once carried the footsteps of Paul the Apostle. Today, our Missionary Journeys of Paul tour set out along the historic Via Egnatia, traveling from Thessaloniki to Philippi—and what a day it was. The Via Egnatia was a  road  constructed by the  Romans  in the 2nd century BC. It crossed  Illyricum ,  Macedonia , and  Thracia , running through territory that is now part of modern  Albania ,  North Macedonia ,  Greece , and European  Turkey  as a continuation of the  Via Appia . Our route today took us along a small portion of this historic route in North Macedonia. Every Day Offers a Fresh Start After a good night’s rest, we gathered for a bountiful Greek breakfast buffet, where members of our Atlanta and Chicago groups met one another for the first time. Conversat...

(photo of Holiday Inn, Thessaloniki, Greece) There is something about the beginning of a journey that combines excitement, anticipation, and—every now and then—a test of patience. Our Missionary Journeys of Paul tour officially began this week, and while the road to Thessaloniki had a few unexpected twists, all travelers have now safely arrived…finally. As the old saying goes, “A journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step,” a reminder often attributed to Lao Tzu. For our group, that “single step” began Monday evening—with 8 travelers departing from Atlanta and 12 from Chicago—each group filled with anticipation for what lies ahead. A Plan Interrupted The itinerary was simple enough: both groups would arrive in Frankfurt at 7:25 a.m. local time on Tuesday and then continue together to Thessaloniki. But as seasoned travelers know, even the best plans can change. The Chicago group experienced a two-hour delay departing the United States, which meant their arrival i...

There is something both exciting and humbling about returning to the lands where the early Christian story unfolded. On March 16–28 , a wonderful group of travelers will set out together for an educational and inspirational journey through Greece as we follow the footsteps of Paul the Apostle . Our group comes from a variety of places— Atlanta, Chicago, Gadsden, Pensacola, and Wichita —but we share a common desire: to walk the landscapes where the gospel first crossed into Europe and to deepen our understanding of the biblical story. This adventure will be co-hosted by Barry Howard and Bill Shiell , and our itinerary promises a remarkable blend of history, Scripture, culture, and spiritual reflection . As with every pilgrimage, we expect meaningful learning experiences—and probably a few surprises along the way. Where Our Journey Begins Our journey begins in Thessaloniki , a vibrant port city that was already thriving in the first century. Paul preached here during his second missionar...