Winterim 2010: In the footsteps of St. Paul
In January, three seminary students joined Professor Stephen Geiger on a 14-day study tour that took them through Turkey, Greece, and Rome. The itinerary followed the footsteps of St. Paul and included stops at numerous locations including Philippi, Thessaloniki, Corinth, and Ephesus. Knowledgeable local guides accompanied the group throughout the tour and shared a wealth of information about the historical and biblical significance of each site.
For young men preparing for ministry this opportunity was more than sightseeing. The students were required to fulfill coursework prior to the tour and complete a major project following their return. They also led devotions at various locations throughout the tour.
The students returned with a new-found understanding of the topography, landscape, and culture that Paul encountered during his missionary journeys in the region. And photos. Lots of photos. These will greatly enhance a Bible study on Paul’s journeys by giving people a unique visual insight to the areas in which Paul traveled and preached the gospel message.
But more important than the photos they took and the souvenirs they bought is the understanding they gained. They returned home with a better understanding of the gospel ministry of Paul and a renewed zeal for sharing the saving Word with a world full of lost souls.
“We saw ruins of homes and markets that were bustling and thriving thousands of years ago. Yet today not a single person who slept or shopped in those places is still living. We did see some impressive places, but the biggest lesson was that the people were gone. Paul knew they would one day be gone. He knew they would lose everything earthly they had. He wanted them to have a treasure that could never be taken away. Touring opened our eyes to history. It also opened our eyes to the urgency of sharing Jesus, both here at home and far away.” Prof. Stephen Geiger
This trip was the second of its kind made available to our students and was co-sponsored by Wisconsin Lutheran College. Since 2004 the seminary has conducted a two-week Winterim session that provides students with opportunities for additional work in areas of personal interest, as well as allowing them to work in subjects which are not normally part of the seminary curriculum. Other off-campus opportunities include SPICE (Spanish immersion program in Mexico) and urban outreach (ethnographic surveying in a home mission field).