Journey Overview
Join us as a fellow traveler on Word and Witness: Greece and the World of Paul. Our journey to Greece will lead fellow travelers to deeper perspective by examining the reception of the Gospel communicated by the Apostle Paul within the cultural milieu of ancient Greece.
Our intriguing journey to Greece follows the travels and work of Paul in establishing the early church in the milieu of ancient Greek culture and the world of Paul. Word and Witness: Greece and the World of Paul is balanced with New Testament encounters, exquisite cuisine, and captivating cultural experiences. There is an optional cruise to the Greek Islands following our travel experience in mainland Greece.
Our Hosts for the Journey
Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger, his wife Tori, and Professor James Fickenscher will serve as hosts for our Word and Witness: Greece and the World of Paul journey to Greece. The hope is that for all who embark on Word and Witness: Greece and the World of Paul will be emboldened by Paul’s example and through the power of the Holy Spirit to return to our own land to give witness to the Gospel by sharing the Word of Christ with others.
On this journey, travelers will stand where Saint Lydia and many early Christians were baptized (Acts 16), walk the streets of ancient Corinth where Paul lived and worked (Acts 18), and climb Mars Hill where Paul gave his famed “altar to the unknown God” sermon (Acts 17). All will be brought to life by Concordia Seminary’s own Pauline scholar, Dr. James Fickenscher, alongside archeological tours by local guides. Time will be given for rest and reflection, for experiencing Greece’s unique culture, and for travelers to become friends.
Rev. Dr. Thomas Egger
Dr. Thomas J. Egger is president of Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He also is a professor of Exegetical Theology. Dr. Egger has served as a faculty member since 2005. He was inaugurated as the 11th president of Concordia Seminary in 2021. He previously served as the Gustav and Sophie Butterbach Professor of Exegetical Theology, associate professor of Exegetical Theology, the chairman of the department of Exegetical Theology and the academic adviser for first-year students.
Rev. Egger served as pastor at Zion Lutheran Church in Storm Lake, Iowa, from 2000–2005. He previously served as a guest instructor at Concordia Lutheran Seminary in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, in 1999.
President Egger earned a Master of Divinity at Concordia Seminary (1997). He received a Bachelor of Arts in English and German from Central College in Pella, Iowa (1993). He completed a Doctor of Philosophy at Concordia Seminary in 2019. His dissertation focused on the phrase “visiting iniquity of fathers upon sons” from the book of Exodus.
His areas of interest and expertise include biblical Hebrew, the books of Genesis and Exodus, “types” of Christ in the Old Testament, the theology of worship, divine justice, narrative and rhetorical analysis, the nature and authority of Scripture, and “objectionable” texts in the Bible (those often raising criticisms of divine violence and accusations of divine immorality).
Rev. Dr. Egger has made contributions in the area of American Lutheran history, especially the history of The Lutheran Church—Missouri Synod (LCMS) and its first president, Dr. C.F.W. Walther. Another area of special interest is the theology of Luther’s catechisms and the intersection of the catechism and the Bible in Lutheran teaching and piety.
He has written pieces for a number of publications, including “Concordia Journal,” “Modern Reformation,” “Journal of the Evangelical Theological Society,” “Concordia Pulpit Resources,” “The Lutheran Witness” and for the LCMS Commission on Theology and Church Relations (CTCR).
Egger serves on the LCMS Pastoral Formation Committee, the LCMS Pastoral Colloquy Committee, the LCMS CTCR and the board of the International Lutheran Society of Wittenberg. He is a member of the Lutheran Historical Conference, the Lutheran Society for Missiology, the Evangelical Theological Society and the Society of Biblical Literature. He previously served on the Board of Regents for Concordia University Chicago, River Forest, Ill., and on the Awards Committee and Walther Round Table Committee of Concordia Historical Institute. He was part of the seven-member LCMS Catechism Revision Committee that prepared the 2017 revision of the Synod’s explanation of Luther’s Small Catechism. For 10 years, he served on the Board of Directors of Providence Classical Christian Academy, a K–12 school in St. Louis, Mo.
His favorite pastimes are running, Cardinals baseball and Iowa Hawkeyes sports, birdwatching, golf, spending time with his children and grandchildren and – he is a little embarrassed to admit – doing jigsaw puzzles. He and his wife, Tori, have been blessed with six children, four children-in-law and seven grandchildren.
Rev. Dr. James Fickenscher
Rev. Dr. James Fickenscher is assistant professor of Exegetical Theology at Concordia Seminary, St. Louis. He joined the faculty in 2024.
He previously served as associate pastor of St. Paul Lutheran Church, School and Early Learning Center in McAllen, Texas (2017-24).
Fickenscher earned a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) (2022) and a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) (2012) from Concordia Seminary. In 2008, he received a Bachelor of Science in mathematics, graduating from The University of Texas at Dallas in Richardson where he also was a Eugene McDermott Scholar (2004). As a student at Concordia Seminary, Fickenscher was selected for an invitation-only fourth-year homiletics elective, ”Proclamation-Sermon Structures,” a course established in 1992 by the Reverand Marvin E. Kuhlmann Homiletics Endowment.
Fickenscher served as a guest instructor at Concordia Seminary (2013-16, 2023-24); adjunct faculty at Concordia University, Irvine, Calif. (2022-24); and adjunct faculty at Concordia University, Portland, Ore. (2014-15, 2017-18), teaching faith, Greek, Hebrew, New Testament, Old Testament and Scripture courses. He also served as a periodicals research assistant at Concordia Seminary (2013–17).
His areas of interest include New Testament Greek syntax and linguistics, hermeneutics of the New Testament, the intersection of biblical studies and mental health, the Pauline Corpus and especially the letters of Timothy and Titus.
Fickenscher is a member of the Society of Biblical Literature and the Evangelical Theological Society. He has presented to both organizations on New Testament Greek Linguistics and the Pastoral Epistles and has led workshops at Concordia Seminary and to local circuits on applying Greek study to pastoral ministry.
His hobbies include spending time with family and friends, engaging a good story and working on various kinds of puzzles.
Fickenscher and his wife, Rachel, have two children.
Fellow travelers will fly overnight to Thessaloniki. There will very likely be a group flight for our journey. Depending on the key factors of price and schedule, the group flight may depart out of St. Louis or Chicago. No one will be required to take the group flight.
Following our arrival in Greece, we will transfer to our hotel in Thessaloniki. After some rest and time to settle in, we will gather for worship and prayer for our journey followed by a wonderful welcome dinner at our hotel. D
After breakfast, we will attend a Greek Orthodox service. Fellow travelers will have several options for attending a Greek Orthodox service in small groups. In the afternoon, we will explore Thessaloniki focusing on Paleo Christian and Jewish sites, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and several Roman and Ottoman sites. We will gather in the evening for discussion over a leisurely, European length dinner and reflection over all we experienced together on our first day in Greece. B, D
After a wonderful breakfast at our beautiful hotel, we will depart for Lydia Springs, Philippi, and the beautiful city of Kavala once known as Christoupolis (the city of God) where Paul landed with his disciples, Timothy and Silas (Acts 16:11) and Luke arrived from Troas. We will visit the town where Paul delivered his first sermon in Europe, Philippi. We will also visit a site in Lydia Springs where Lydia converted, and other Christians were baptized. Other highlights today will include a crypt from the Roman period, believed to have served as a prison for St. Paul, the Market Place, a famous Acropolis, and Roman Theater. B, D
After breakfast at our hotel in Thessaloniki, we will depart for Kalambaka. Our journey today will include stops at the churches of St. Demetrius and St. Sofia and the town of Veria, evangelized by Paul as recorded in Acts 17:10-14. A highlight in Veria (Beria) will surely be the famous mosaics of St. Paul and other sights. We will continue our journey to Kalambaka at the northwestern edge of the Plain of Thessaly. We will check into our hotel before enjoying dinner in Kalambaka B, D
After breakfast, we will visit spectacular Meteora. We will visit one or two fourteenth century monasteries as time permits. Built in the Middle Ages by monks, these monasteries are a UNESCO World Heritage site perched high on pinnacles of rock formations. After our visit, we will travel to Delphi. Upon our arrival in Delphi, we will check into our lovely hotel before dinner at a local restaurant. B, D
The ancient Greeks thought this Delphi as the center of world marked by a stone monument known as “the omphalas” (the naval). Delphi grew rich as the seat of Pythia, the oracle consulted about important decisions in the the ancient world. Delphi, the place of the inscription “know thyself” above the Temple of Apollo, was perhaps made best known to us by Socrates. In the afternoon, we will enjoy a fascinating and fun beekeeping experience. We will return to our hotel where we will enjoy a reception presented by Concordia Seminary and hosted by President Egger and Tori. After our reception, we will enjoy dinner and fellowship at our hotel. B, D
After breakfast, we depart Delphi for our journey to Athens. Today, we will explore a few of the main points of interest in this ancient city such as the Acropolis and Mars’ Hill (Areopagus) where St. Paul preached about the “unknown God.” (Acts 17:16-34). In the afternoon, we will enjoy fabulous Greek cultural experience. In the evening, we will gather for dinner. B, D
Today we explore the connection of Paul to Corinth as recorded in his New Testament epistles as well as Acts 18:1-18. We will see many of the sights associated with the ministry of Paul including the Agora, the Temple of Apollo, the roman Odeon, the Bema and Gallio’s seat, the pillars, stairs, and the place of public worship where Paul preached. We will enjoy a fabulous Greek cultural experience. We will enjoy dinner at a local restaurant. B, D
We will enjoy breakfast at our hotel followed by worship. Today, our exploration of Athens will include the Agora of Athens, the National Archaeological Museum, and other main points of interest such as the Parthenon. In the evening, we will enjoy a sumptuous farewell dinner at a local restaurant with a view of the world of St. Paul.
B, D
The memories will indeed last a lifetime. We hope your conversations, and therefore your journey, will continue with your new friends. Our journey concludes, formally, with the departure of our flight home.
Fellow travelers going on the cruise will be transferred to the port.
After breakfast, we will make our way to the Port to board our beautiful ship to enjoy a 4-night, 5-day cruise. Our first stop will be stunning Mykonos famous for iconic sixteenth century windmills. Beautiful Mykonos offers delightful classic cuisine and shopping. B, L, D
We arrive at the port of Kusadasi, Turkey where we will embark on an excursion to Ephesus recognized by Christians around the world for the work of St. Paul. On our excursion, we will visit the House of the Virgin Mary and enjoy one of the largest, most fascinating and inspiring open-air archaeological museums in the world. After our tour, we expect to have time to shop for carpets, jewelry, leather goods or other souvenirs before returning to our ship to depart for Patmos. Our visit of Patmos will be highlighted by a visit to St. John’s Monastery, the Grotto of the Apocalypse, and a small museum home to priceless treasures including manuscripts, medieval textiles, and vestments. B, L, D
Today, we will enjoy our visit to the Island of Rhodes with stunning landscapes, dramatic ancient and historic sites, and charming modern hillside villages. Rhodes features a medieval history that is as fascinating as it is significant. B, L, D
| As we arrive in Crete, we will be greeted by the imposing sixteenth century walls of Koules Fortress. On this island fellow travelers can enjoy the calm of the stunning waterfront or opt for a fun excursion. After lunch we will cruise to Santorini, one of the best known of the Greek islands with its iconic white houses and blue-domed churches (and some believe the site of lost Atlantis). We will have the opportunity to explore the magical villages of Fira and Oia, and enjoy the sunset before returning to our ship to sail overnight to Athens. B, L, D |
After breakfast on board, we will disembark our beautiful ship and transfer to the airport. The memories will indeed last a lifetime. We hope your conversations, and therefore your journey, will continue with your new friends. Our journey concludes, formally, with the departure of our flight home. B
B = Breakfast included L = Lunch included D = Dinner included
Purpose
Word and Witness: Greece and the World of Paul will provide a faith travel experience to deepen the faith and strengthen the sense of vocation among individual fellow travelers by exploring the proclamation of Christ by Paul in the world and culture of ancient Greece. Our journey will seek to foster deeper relationships among fellow travelers who share their love and commitment to the mission and vision of Concordia Seminary. We pray each and every traveler who embarks on this journey with us to be blessed by this journey in the hope fellow travelers to return home even more committed to identify and encourage future church leaders.
The Apostle Paul brought the Gospel to people living in the cultural milieu of ancient Greece. The reception of the Gospel in the world of Paul, may be best summarized in his own words recorded in Acts 17:32, “Now when they heard of the resurrection of the dead, some mocked. But others said, “We will hear you again about this.” While, of course, we do not live in the culture of ancient Greece or world of St. Paul, we do bear witness to the Gospel in a culture that can be just as indifferent, complacent, or hostile to hearing the Word of God. Therefore, this travel experience with Concordia Seminary, St. Louis will seek to empower, enliven, and embolden the witness to the Gospel by fellow travelers as we return home to live more fully in the vocation to which God calls each of us.
The hope is that for all who embark on Word and Witness: Greece and the World of Paul will be emboldened by Paul’s example and through the power of the Holy Spirit to return to our own land to give witness to the Gospel by sharing the Word of Christ with others.
The sights and activities on this journey are intentionally curated for fellow travelers to deepen their perspective through encounters with the power of places where Paul proclaimed the Gospel and ideas that formed, shaped, and continue to influence Western Civilization developed. Our itinerary will focus on sights where Paul delivered the Gospel as well as key places associated with the ideas and culture of ancient Greece.
This purposeful journey will balance deeply spiritual, often heady religious and theological encounters with spectacular accommodations, excellent food as a window to Greek culture past and present, fascinating cultural experiences, and the history of a distant past that still forms and shapes who we are in the present.
Our Philosophy
We hope you will measure the quality of your journey, not by the quantity of sights you see, but by the invaluable experiences you absorb.
Balance of stimulating experience, serious reflection…
…and just plain fun.
One word describes our intention for your journey: balance. We believe each place we visit should relate to whole story, the arc of a narrative. We believe in creating journeys formed and shaped as narratives; journeys that are serious, purposeful, and fulfilling with time to reflect with fellow travelers or alone while providing opportunity for experiences that are just plain fun.
Expert interaction and rich personal encounters
Rather than a trip led by a tour guide trained to disseminate information from a script, we endeavor to seek experts to lead you on a journey who are available as a resource for as much depth as you desire or to leave you to your own reflection.
As few beautiful base locations as possible
Too often, group travel can leave you feeling like you are part of a herd of strangers hustled from sight to sight, packing and unpacking each day at a different hotel. With us, you will change hotels as few times as possible to reflect our preference for a beautiful location as a base for our excursions allowing for greater opportunity for a deeper, richer experience of local people and culture.
Meticulously planned; yet flexible journey
How does a trip become a journey? Carefully selected excursions that form a narrative, changing hotels as few times as possible on a journey, with time and flexibility for reflection, and activities that are just plain fun.
Cuisine as a delectable complement to culture and conversation
We share wonderful dining experiences in an eclectic array of venues, that provide a delectable complement to your rich encounters with local people and culture.
Arrangements
Flight Information
Purposeful Journeys may arrange a group flight departing from a major airport to be determined by the proximity of the group to that airport. While the specific price of the group flight cannot be determined until the flights are booked, based on current market conditions flights will likely cost around $1400.
As a fellow traveler, you will have the flexibility to choose how you will join your cohort to formally begin your journey. Purposeful Journeys marks the formal beginning of your journey with the welcome reception and dinner at our destination hotel. On most journeys, you will have three options to join your cohort. Below are the options for joining your cohort with the primary advantage for each option:
- Join Your Cohort on Our Group Flight: On most journeys, Purposeful Journeys will arrange a group flight from a major airport in closest proximity and convenience for the majority of the cohort. The group flight will include a transfer from the destination airport to the hotel.
Advantage: This is often the most cost effective and certainly the most convenient option. - Meet Your Cohort at the Destination Airport: For a number of reasons, you may want to choose a flight other than the group flight and still meet your cohort in time to transfer from the destination airport to the hotel. Fellow travelers who choose this option will incur an additional cost for the transfer from the destination airport to the destination hotel.
Advantage: Fellow travelers may find a balance between the convenience of choosing their own flight from an origination airport other than the airport where the group flight will depart while still taking advantage of the group transfer to the destination hotel. - Meet Your Cohort at the Destination Hotel: As a fellow traveler, you may want to choose to meet your cohort at the destination hotel in time for the formal beginning of your journey with the welcome reception and dinner.
Advantage: This option offers fellow travelers the most flexibility. Fellow travelers will need to weigh the flexibility of this option with what will likely be additional costs.
Group flights will usually be announced between 90 and 180 days prior to departure of your purposeful journey. Fellow travelers will be kindly requested to choose the option for meeting their cohort to formally begin their journey soon after group flight arrangements are announced.
Hotel Accommodations
We have selected beautiful accommodations for Word and Witness: Greece and the World of St. Paul. Arrangements have been made in Thessaloniki at the wonderful City Hotel. In Kalambaka, we will stay at the Grand Meteora. We will spend two nights in Delphi at the beautiful Amelia Hotel. In Athens, we will stay at the incredible Amelia Hotel.
Ground Transportation
Ground transportation by deluxe travel coach will be provided throughout the journey. Transfers to and from the arrival flight into and departing flight from Europe will be provided as specified in the final itinerary.
Meals
Most meals are included in this purposeful journey. Dining in Europe tends to be as much of a leisurely event as a means of taking sustenance. Meals provide time for us to relax, taken in the culture, and discuss all that we have seen and experienced as fellow travelers that day. See the current, tentative itinerary for details.
Sightseeing and Events
This purposeful journey includes entrance fees to attractions as specified in the final itinerary.
Word and Witness: Greece and the World of Paul Land Only Cost—$4,550
(You may save more than $700 if you apply early)
Current incentives:
- Save $300 with a special journey host discount code
- Save $150 if you apply to travel early
- Save $150 if you choose to settle your balance prior to the due date of your first payment
- 3% discount if you settle your balance by check instead of a credit card
Join us on a Greek Island cruise extension of this journey—Cabin prices begin at $1,675. For a full list of cabin categories and prices, please click here: Word and Witness Cabin Categories and Prices
Your cruise fare includes:
- Excursions to Patmos and Ephesus
- $100 Onboard Credit to spend on drinks or other services you may desire
- Transfers to the port from your hotel in Athens and from the cruise port to the airport
- Delicious dining at breakfast, lunch and dinner, plus extra snacks from the Greek Deli
and Pizza Oven at specified times throughout the day. - Unlimited access to coffee, tea, water and juice stations available during the day (during
main restaurant opening times, usually 6:30am – 10:00pm). - Unlimited free pour sodas in all main restaurants with meals (excludes Greek Deli).
- Complimentary Essential Wi-Fi, allowing you to browse the web, send emails, and text via
select messaging apps. If you’re still hungry for more data, Celestyal can offer an
upgrade of your Wi-Fi plan. - A range of onboard activities and entertainment throughout the day, with pop-up music
sessions and dazzling evening shows - All port fees and gratuities
Your land only journey includes:
- Taxes and airline surcharges
- Deluxe coach transportation throughout your itinerary
- Double occupancy hotel room ($950 single supplement)
- Meals as specified in the final itinerary
- Admission fees as specified in the final itinerary
- Only goods, services, or activities as explicitly included in the General Terms and Conditions.
- Gratuities for service staff at group meals, coach driver(s) and guides
- An offer for Cancel-for-Any-Reason (CFAR) travel insurance at the cost of a Basic Travel Insurance policy
Your journey does not include:
- Round trip airfare
- Alcoholic beverages, bottled water, after dinner drinks
- Any goods, services, or activities expressly excluded in the General Terms and Conditions.
- Cancel For Any Reason Travel Insurance
- Gratuities for individual services and meals
Remittance Schedule:
- A decision on travel insurance is required for approval of your application
- Once your application is approved, you will receive an invoice/statement that reflects your choice for settling your balance. Your first payment will be due approximately 30 days after your application has been approved.
- If you choose to avail yourself of the Pay-in-Full discount, you must settle your balance in full before your first payment is due as reflected on your invoice/statement.
- If you choose to make payments, your payments will be divided into monthly payments with a final payment due as specified on your invoice/statement.
- Payments will become due as specified in your remittance schedule.
- Final payment must be received no later than the date specified on your invoice/statement and remittance schedule.
When approved as a fellow traveler…
…you will receive an invoice and a remittance schedule from Malone Clan Expeditions, LLC doing business as Purposeful Journeys, along with a link to a password protected page on our website that will offer details and updates about your journey.
General Terms and Conditions
Malone Clan Expeditions, LLC, doing business as Purposeful Journeys, will administer your journey. You must accept the General Terms and Conditions at the time you submit your application. Please refer to the General Terms and Conditions for any applicable additional fees that may apply in certain situations and circumstances such as any deviation from the group flight itinerary or your requirement of a single room.
We cordially invite you to apply to join us as a fellow traveler
Our journey application process has changed. We now offer Cancel-For-Any-Reason (CFAR) travel insurance for about the cost of Basic travel insurance. We no longer collect any deposit at the time you submit your application.
Your application now requires a decision on travel insurance. Your application will not be deemed complete until you have either declined to purchase NTA Travel Connect travel insurance or paid your travel insurance invoice. Once you complete your application form, you will receive a quote from Purposeful Journeys for CFAR travel insurance. Your quote will be about the cost of Basic Travel insurance, a large discount. You will also receive a more detailed explanation about NTA Travel Protect travel insurance. By using this process Purposeful Journeys can guarantee that fellow travelers purchase their CFAR travel insurance policy within the 14-day window allotted for purchasing CFAR travel insurance. You may also decline your purchase of travel insurance.
We are delighted you are taking the step of submitting your application to become a member of a journey with us. We look forward to notifying you of your acceptance as a fellow traveler.
You can contact us to ask a question here.
If you are a fellow traveler on this journey, find important relevant information here.
Plan Your JourneyIf you are a fellow traveler on this journey, find important relevant information here.
Fellow TravelersWe now offer a new travel insurance benefit. You can now purchase a Cancel-For-Any-Reason travel insurance policy for about the cost of a Basic travel insurance policy. Learn more by clicking the link(s) below:
Stay in touch form information about destinations as well as the latest travel news and research.
You can make a payment toward the cost of your journey here.