Mayterm 2023 The Footsteps of Paul in Turkey, Greece & Rome

Deepen your understanding of the New Testament texts. Travel "alongside" the Apostle Paul and his companions in modern-day Turkey, Greece, and Rome. Have you ever looked at the maps in the back of your Bible and paid attention to Paul’s missionary journeys? Have you ever read the Acts of the Apostles and marveled at the exciting drama unfolding, Paul’s own experiences, and the growth of the early church? Let’s walk in the “footsteps of Paul” and see the places and consider the message the church was given for the world! We will travel and study throughout Turkey and Greece, come alongside missionaries in Thessaloniki, and debrief in Rome.

The two academic courses are naturally related on a deep level. What is the church, and how can or should the New Testament shape our view of it? What does it mean to be the church today, in a time and place far removed from the Mediterranean world of the first century? How do we “do church” well, in ways that honor God’s purposes, both individually and communally? How have followers of Jesus throughout the ages grown in their faith, embodied their faith, and participated in the mission of Jesus, and what can we learn from them? In addition, RS 113 satisfies the GE component Serving Society, Enacting Justice. This element of the GE asks us to reflect on the needs of our societies and respond in faith, hope, and justice by serving. The relevant questions for us today include asking how the first followers of Jesus served their contexts well and in doing so confronted injustice. How can we follow in their footsteps even as they followed in the footsteps of Jesus?

 

 

ITINERARY

COURSEWORK

Study of the developing theology and praxis of the early church as seen in the New Testament, with special attention to Acts and the epistles.

Fulfills GE Serving Society, Enacting Justice

An exploration of the disciplines of the Christian spiritual life. Readings in classical and contemporary literature on spirituality.

Eligibility

  • Class standing
  • GPA (minimum 2.3 gpa for eligibility)
  • Application and essays
  • Personal and faculty recommendations

Criteria 

In addition to the general qualifications above, the following are requirements that must be met, with or without reasonable accommodation, in order to complete all essential elements of the program. All participants must be able to:

  • Participate in regular communal meals based on a local diet and with limited control over food choices. In some locations, be prepared to participate in preparing and cleaning up after these meals.
  • Tolerate local diet with limited control over food choices in most locations.
  • Navigate multiple irregular surfaces and walk/travel up to 10 miles in a day independently. (Extensive walking, as well as travel throughout ancient cities and towns with narrow passageways and many stairs, are part of the daily life of the program.)
  • Navigate carrying personal items including suitcase and/or backpack without assistance.
  • Anticipate having sufficient emotional wellness to fully participate in the program safely and successfully despite the limited availability of frequent access to psychological services.
  • Anticipate at least double occupancy accommodations on some if not all locations.
  • Receive the final dose of the Covid-19 vaccine at least two weeks prior to the commencement of the program. 
  • If eligible, receive the most recent Covid-19 vaccine booster at least two weeks prior to departure if it has been at least two months since your last Covid-19 vaccine or booster. 

Program Cost & Dates

The program fee is $8700 and includes tuition, room, board, in country travel, entrance fees, and tours. In addition, the fee also includes round trip airfare, shuttle to LAX and on-campus room and board the week of May 8-12. The program begins May 8 on campus, departs from LAX on May 12, and ends on June 10. Limited scholarships are available.

How to Apply

No longer accepting applications. For more info about how to apply, please contact ocp@westmont.edu. For more info about the program, contact Professor Beers or Professor Lisea.