Last week, I spent eight days with a wonderful group of fellow believers, exploring the life of the Apostle Paul on an educational tour through Greece. After a 2018 trip to the Holy Lands, I wanted to take the next step, diving deeper into the New Testament, almost like it was coming to life in 3D.

Our amazing, multi-lingual guides shared so much with us. Greece’s key exports include pistachios, feta cheese, honey, and Corinthian leather. The hills are still dotted with monasteries and ancient ruins from the Greek and Roman eras. While Greece was once made up of independent city-states, half of its population now lives in Athens, one of the oldest cities in the world. Though people in other areas often relocated due to natural disasters, the people of Athens never left.

The country expanded its roads and infrastructure for the 2004 Summer Olympics, with venues spread across the land. The museums, myths, and friendly locals—even at a small grocery store near one of our hotels—gave me plenty to reflect on.

Key Takeaways

  1. Traveling with Paul Was Hard, but Purposeful
    Travel in Paul’s time was difficult, expensive, and always done in groups. Paul journeyed with companions—both peers and younger believers—on rough roads, avoiding the easier, more convenient routes reserved for the military. This wasn’t just travel; it was a form of mentorship. By including others in the journey and everyday work, Paul helped shape not just skilled communicators but disciples with deep character.
  2. Paul’s Strategy: Influence Through Daily Encounters in Groups
    Paul aimed for an audience of great groups of influential people (marketplace). Though I’m sure there were conversations among the fellow travelers as they went from marketplace to marketplace, the lingering happened where folks would hear the good news of the gospel often and over time. His stop at the river where Lydia was gathered with others was my favorite location. Just a reminder that when God typically spoke or made Himself known to women, it was as they were carrying on their everyday chores of service to their families, in community. I’m thinking this might have been laundry day, but that’s just me.
  3. Paul the Philosopher
    While we see Paul as a missionary, the Greeks and Romans viewed him as a philosopher—a person offering ideas on deep subjects. He spoke at Mars Hill (Areopagus), where the supreme court of 30 men heard only serious cases, like arson, treason or murder of a family member. When not hearing cases, the court became a gathering place for philosophers. Each speaker had just six minutes, timed by a water clock. Imagine a supreme court judge hearing Paul’s short, practiced message again and again! One of them, Dionysius, was so moved by Paul’s words that he believed (Acts 17:34). Paul’s six-minute elevator pitch seem to have had more lasting impact than a long sermon—at least in my view. Mars Hill remains a peaceful, rocky spot where lots of people still gather, without a big church built over it.

Surprises Along the Way

  1. Graffiti is everywhere, especially in Thessaloniki and Athens. Lots of it on everything.
  2. Jewish hospitality (Holy Lands) felt very different from the more individualistic Greek culture.
  3. Religious icons are scattered everywhere, telling the stories through art of important faith leaders.

A Wonderful Group

My travel companions were lovely, and we shared meals every day as well as afternoon naps on long bus rides. Check out the map below. We flew into Thessaloniki travelling to Kavala and Philippi early on. The remaining week we spent time at each place noted all the way to Athens. My roommate was a woman originally from Selma, Alabama, who moved to Brooklyn in the 1970s. On our bus of 42, we had people from different faith traditions—Lutherans, Baptists, Global Methodists, Seventh-Day Adventists—and even a fellow LSU alum! There are hardly any places for souvenir shopping, but we took lots of pictures and made memories I’ll treasure for a lifetime.

Gratitude

As I continue my journey of faith, I want to thank Paul, Lydia, Silas, and—most of all—our great God for the call to follow Jesus as my Lord and King. May I not limit my obedience to the Great Commission to what is easy, convenient, or comfortable. It’s good to be home.

“Do not be afraid; keep on speaking, do not be silent. For I am with you, and no one is going to attack and harm you, because I have many people in this city.” Acts 18:9-10