In the Footsteps of Paul & Early Christians:
Turkey & Greece

Paul, the great apostle of early Christianity, has become the focus of enormous attention in recent years as studies increasingly underscore his role in defining Christianity as we know it today. His missionary journeys cover a vast territory of the eastern Mediterranean region. Some of the great urban centers Paul visited, Ephesus, Philippi, Athens, Corinth and Rome, are accessible today thanks to vast archeological excavations. Other great Roman and Greek cities such as Pergamon, Sardis, and Aphrodisias, provide great contexts for considering the life of early Christians and the cultural forces Paul challenged with his preaching. In many respects, the world that Paul evangelized is much like our own.

Travel to these historical places provides contemporary Christians with the opportunity to explore their faith heritage, to learn more about the world of the New Testament, and to reflect on the importance of the Gospel and Christianity in our own world. By traveling to other lands, we become citizens of the world, sharing our transformative experiences with one another in compassionate and inspiring ways.

Program Objectives

Make the life and times of Paul come to life!

Through visits to great urban centers of Asia Minor and Greece, visitors are introduced to the culture that set the context for the ministry of Paul and other visionary Christian leaders. Visit ancient temples, synagogues, and religious centers in the region and learn why Christianity eventually became so appealing.

Uncover the life of early Christianity

Visit cities addressed and/or mentioned in New Testament writings. Read from select biblical texts on site and explore the emerging beliefs and practices of the earliest Christians and the challenges they faced living their faith in a cosmopolitan Greco-Roman culture. These on-site visits make great continuing education opportunities for adults and ministers and professional education opportunities for those in seminary or schools of theology.

Foster a love for biblical and church history

Traveling to places of great historical and religious significance inspires participants to further their study of the Bible and Church history, nurtures ongoing faith formation, and builds community amongst those who travel together - invigorating programs and participation in local congregations, schools, institutes and other organizations.

Program Visits

Illume designs programs around your organization's unique objectives. Contact our in-house scholar for more information about sample itineraries. Principle cities associated with Paul's journeys and early Christian communities include Ephesus, Miletus, Aphrodisias, Hierapolis, Colossae, Sardis, Pergamon, Assos, Philippi, Thessaloniki, Athens and Corinth.