Vatican City & Closing Remarks

Wednesday – Vatican City & The Final Days of Paul

We set out this morning on our last day of touring for the tiny country of the Vatican City.  After entering the colonnade topped with statues by Bernini, we entered the Vatican Museum, home to many of the world’s greatest treasures.  We were told that if we stopped at every artifact in the museum and spend 3 minutes looking at each one, it would take us over 4 years to see it all.  As it was, we spent 4 hours.  The students examined many classical works of sculpture and canvases from the Renaissance greats.  The highlight of the tour was the Sistine Chapel, from where the students strained their necks to see the great frescos of Michelangelo.  After exiting the museum, we took a tour of St. Peter’s basilica, the grandest cathedral in the Catholic Church. 

Following lunch we went to the ancient Catacombs and toured the subterranean grave sites of the Christians from the Roman period.  While in the Catacombs, we joined in worship thanking God for the gift of our resurrection in Jesus Christ, both for the new life we have currently and the promise of life eternal when Christ shall come in all his glory.  We closed the day and our travels with a visit to the church of Paul's execution where we read from II Timothy about the importance of running the race with endurance, sustained by the grace of God.

Following dinner, we had time to share our highlights and special moments.  It was wonderful to hear the students say they had grown so much in their faith and in their commitment to follow Christ.  Here is what one student wrote in a note to us...

“Thank you so much for all you have done on this trip.  I can honestly say that this experience has changed my life.  The way God uses you to make the Scriptures come alive to all of us makes it evident that you are deeply connected with Him.  I will keep you both in my prayers, praying that God will continue to use you to turn hearts to him like you have done with mine.  Please pray for me as I go back and use what I have learned to live my life wholly for Christ.”

We dropped the students off at the airport this morning, and they are all set to arrive back in the States this evening.  Thank you for entrusting your students to us over these past many days.  It has been a blessing for Elizabeth and I to lead your students through the Biblical sites of Greece and Italy, and we know that the Lord has used this time for their growth. 

In Christ,

David Sparks

David@FootstepMinistries.org

PS.  Please do not hesitate to write, and tell your students that we always love to receive pictures!

St. Peter's Basilica in the Vatican City

Students in front of St. Peter's

In the hall of the maps in the Vatican Museum

Preparing to enter the Ancient Catacombs

Corinth, Florence, & Rome

Saturday: Corinth & Ferry Ride

Leaving Athens with our bags packed, we headed to the ancient city of Corinth.  Our theme for the day was “Love,” and we focused on the letters of Paul to the Corinthians (see I Cor. 13).  While at the site, students gave presentations about Roman society during the days of the early church.  We also celebrated Communion in the ancient agora as we read I Cor 11.  It was a very meaningful time for all of us to share in fellowship and praise.

With their sack lunches in hand, the students hiked the haunting remains of the 12^th century Acrocorinth fortress with breathtaking views of the valleys and seas below.  In the afternoon we set out for the port of Patra for our ferry/cruise to Italy.  Saying good-bye to Greece was not easy as we shared so many wonderful moments together in this lovely country.

Monday: Florence

After arriving in Italy on Sunday and checking into our hotel in Florence, we spent the day exploring the greatest city of the Renaissance.  We began at the delicately magnificent Duomo of Florence, which, later in the day, many student climbed to the top of (463 stairs!).  We continued our examination of the great art and architecture while some students took a tour of the world famous Uffizi gallery. 

Tuesday: Rome

Our first day in Rome was jam packed with the history of the world’s greatest empire.  After student chariot races in the Circus Maximus, we headed to the Coliseum, the great Roman symbol of violence and brutality.   While in the Coliseum we read from I Peter and discussed how the followers of Jesus should anticipate persecution and suffering because of their witness for Christ. 

We then continued to the Roman Forum, the center of the Empire and the place where Julius Caesar was assassinated.  After a day filled with history, the students were glad to enjoy a welcome Roman treat: gelato!  Just before dinner we set out the basic themes of Romans and the importance for Paul to connect belief with behavior.  Dr. Sparks presented an outline of Romans and laid out the basic themes of this significant letter of Paul’s. 

With the Vatican City awaiting us tomorrow, students have a big day ahead of them.  On Thursday, they have a big flight ahead of them as well.  Thank you all for your support and prayers as this trip comes successfully to a close.  We’ll be updated the blog once more, so be sure to check back in!

Students on the ruins of Ancient Corinth

In front of the monolithic Temple of Apollo in Corinth

On the Acrocorinth

Taylor students representing

Our overnight ferry to Italy!

The bell tower of the Duomo of Florence

On top of the Duomo with breathtaking views of Florence

Who knew they had pizza in Italy?

In the Roman Coliseum

Athens & Free Day

Thursday – Athens Day Two

Having spent a day examining the Acropolis, its Parthenon, Mars Hill and the Ancient Agora, our second day of touring in Athens began with a visit to the Temple of Zeus, the grandest of ancient temples completed in the time of the Romans.  We continued to the Panathenaic Stadium where the ancients raced and where the first modern Olympics were hosted in 1896.  We then walked to Syntagma Square (Constitution Square) to visit the Greek Parliament building and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, guarded by Greek soldiers in their traditional vestments.  A short subway ride on the new Athenian Metro (in which the walls are lined with the archeological finds discovered during its construction) took us to the National Archaeological Museum where the students examined the greatest treasures from Antiquity. 

In the afternoon we had a guest speaker, Pastor Giotis Kantartzis of the First Greek Evanglical Church of Athens.  He shared with students the history of the evangelical church in Greece that currently numbers only 30,000 members in a country of approximately 11 million Greek Orthodox.  He also shared the areas of ministry their church is involved including working with the many immigrants that pass through Greece hoping to find employment in Europe.  The session ended with QandA from students and a time of prayer for the work on the church in Greece.

 

After dinner many students met to work on their small group presentations based on I Corinthians.  We'll be visiting Corinth on Saturday.

Friday – Free Day

Students were given the day on their own to explore the many sites of Athens.  Whether a hunt for souvenirs in the historic Plaka marketplace district or visiting one of Athens’ prestigious museums, the students enjoyed their time of rest, relaxation, and reflection. 

Tomorrow we will drive to Ancient Corinth, where Paul lived and ministered for an extended period of time.  We will study his letter to the Corinthians and share in communion in the very place where the early church would have shared communion nearly 2,000 years ago.  We’ll then hike up the Acrocorinth, a medieval fortress that now lies hauntingly above the ancient village. 

From Corinth we will drive to Patras, the third largest city in Greece, to catch an overnight ferry to Italy.  Our fearless bus driver Theodore will accompany us, and we will head to Florence, the greatest of the Renaissance city states.  There we will explore the magnificent architecture, artwork by Da Vinci, Raphael, and Caravaggio, and Michelangelo’s magnificent statue of David.  Our next post will likely be from the Eternal City: Rome!

In front of the Temple of Zeus with the Parthenon in the background

So excited to be in Greece!

Caesar says the fighter is not fit to live in the Panathenaic Stadium

Standing with the guards at the tomb of the unknown soldier

Pastor Giotis Kantartzis of the First Greek Evanglical Church, Athens

Students enjoying their free day

We'll miss the fresh Greek food, but there's more good food to come in Italy!

Meteora, Delphi, Athens, & Greek Islands

Sunday – Meteora

On our drive down to southern Greece we stopped at the Greek Orthodox monasteries of Meteora.  Perched high upon mountainous crags, the monks built these monasteries as protection during the Ottoman occupation.  The students learned about Greek Orthodoxy and hiked the hundreds of steps to view the working monastery. 

Monday – Delphi

After overnighting on the magnificent olive tree lined hills of Delphi, we visited the important Greek religious center of Delphi.  Our theme for the day was learning to walk by faith and trusting in the providence of God to work all things together for his glory and our good.  After seeing the “center of the world” and the Oracle of Delphi, students were free to stroll the quaint streets of the modern city.  We then made our way to the bustling metropolis of Athens.

Tuesday – Athens

After viewing the world famous Parthenon marbles in the new Acropolis Museum, we climbed the marble steps of the Acropolis to stand in the shadow of the Parthenon, the greatest of Ancient Greek achievements.  We then continued to Mars Hill, where the Athenian council of the Areopagus once met.  It was here that Paul gave his sermon to the Athenians, proclaiming to them the “Unknown God.”  On-site presentations were about the philosophical world of the Apostle Paul and how his sermon drew from the writings of Greek poets and philosophers to make a point of contact with them. 

Wednesday – Greek Islands

The students just returned from a one day cruise of three picturesque Greek islands: Hydra, Poros, and Aegina.  The weather was in the 60’s and sunny!  We just had dinner in the historic Plaka marketplace district and are looking forward to another great day of touring in Athens tomorrow.

The precariously perched monasteries of Meteora

The Taylor ladies wearing skirts provided to them by the monks

Student presentations at Delphi - The Oracle of Delphi is in the background

Lunch amongst the Greeks!

The world famous Parthenon of Athens

The Taylor men

Dr. Pak, Elizabeth and David Sparks

The Taylor ladies

On Mars Hill with the Acropolis of Athens in the background

Students atop Mars Hill

Berea, Vergina, Mt. Olympus & Study Day

Friday - Berea, Vergina, & Mt. Olympus

With “The Word” as today's theme, we set off to the town of Berea where Paul shared the Word nearly 2,000 years ago.  We focused on Paul’s use of the Old Testament to persuade those at the Jewish synagogue that Jesus was the promised and longed-for Messiah.  While in the old Jewish Quarter of Berea, students gave on-site presentations about the first century setting of Paul's journeys.  

From Berea we headed to Vergina and the underground burial tomb of Phillip II, father of Alexander the Great.  Unfortunately, no photographs are allowed in this magnificent site and its marvelous gold wreaths and artifacts.  At Vergina the students learned about the significance of the spread of culture and language from Alexander’s conquests that laid the foundation for the future expansion of Christianity.

We ended the day with a great hike on the slopes of Mt. Olympus.  Students enjoyed the mountain range with its breathtaking views and vistas.  We ended the day in the quaint mountain village of Lictohoro with a cup of hot chocolate before traveling back to Thessaloniki.

Saturday - Study Day  

Students got to sleep in a bit after their long hike the day before (a few had sore muscles).  Our morning lecture was on the letter writing of Paul to the various Christian communities that he founded.  Students were divided into small groups to study portions of I Thessalonians and Philippians with small group presentations due at our evening meeting.  With a warm and sunny day, students were also given some free time to stroll the harbor of Thessaloniki and take in the local sites and sounds.

It is great getting to know the students and see their enthusiasm for life and learning!

In Berea, where Paul preached

Student presentation in the old Jewish Quarter of Berea

Listening to presentation in Berea

Accomplished hikers on Mt. Olympus

Worn out after a long day!

Students enjoying their free time in Thessaloniki

Arrival,Thessaloniki & Philippi

Greetings.  My name is Dr. David Sparks and I, along with my wife, Elizabeth (a native of the biblical town of Berea, Greece) have been leading Taylor students through the Biblical sites of Greece for over 20 years. This year we are sharing the leadership with Dr. Pak from Taylor.  Taylor students have been great in the past and we are looking forward to spending time with your sons and daughters and sharing with them the ministry of the Apostle Paul.  May I just begin by saying that we already consider it a privilege to have such a wonderful group of students!

 

Tuesday - Arrival

Students arrived in Thessaloniki after a long but uneventful flight overseas.  We made our way to our hotel in the center of Thessaloniki (the 2nd largest city in Greece) where students settled in for the next five nights.  They had the afterrnoon off to unpack, walk along the harbor or take a nap.  At 6pm we met for our orientation and introductions.  Then we ventured out for our first Greek meal!  After a long day of travel, most students decided to make it an early night and headed to bed.

 

Wednesday - Thessaloniki

After breakfast we made our way  to the church of St. Demetrios (one of the first Christian martyrs under the persecution of the Roman Emperor Galerius).  While in the church we read from Acts 17 about Paul's visit to Thessaloniki and his message in the Jewish synagouge about the coming of the Messiah.  We also began to explore one of the themes of Paul's letter to this community--the call to sanctification through the work of the Holy Spirit.  Leaving the church we visited the ancient market place (the agora) and walked in the very footsteps of Paul.  Then we made our way to the modern open air-market and saw all kinds of olives being sold along with all kinds of other food stuffs such as slain lambs and fresh fish.  We continued on to Aristotle Square for a gyro sandwich, which the students love (see pictures below)!  Finishing a great lunch we visited the Arch of Galerius and the famous White Tower, one of the old fortification towers of the city.  Wrapping up the day, we finished in time for students to catch a nap to overcome the lingering jet lag.  At six we'll have our next lecture and then we'll end with another great greek meal. 

 

Thursday - Philippi:

We drove east to the Kavala, which, in ancient times, was called Neapolis.  This was the port where Paul first landed in Greece to bring the message of Jesus Christ.  We then continued to Philippi (to whom Paul wrote the book of Philippians), a major Roman colony of the time.  After traversing the ancient ruins, we stopped at the jail cell where Paul was imprisoned.  We learned of Paul's time in Philippi and how, after a night of singing praises from his jail cell, the Lord sent an earthquake to open the prison doors.  We continued through the site, visiting the theater, before walking down to the river where Paul baptized the first Greek, a woman named Lydia.  We had a baptismal renewal service, and six students were baptized for the first time.  It was a wonderful moment!

Check back over the next couple of weeks as we continue to post news and pictures from our travel.  And please feel free to comment! 

Students in the ancient Roman Agora of Thessaloniki

Not rubber chickens! - At the modern day market

Standing with the meat cutters at lunch - The gyro rotisseries are in the background

In front of the Tomb of Galerius, 4th century Emperor of Rome

Sitting in the ancient city center of Philippi where the Apostle Paul was beaten publicly

In the theater of Philippi

Students hard at work

Baptisms and baptism renewals in the stream where Paul baptized Lydia

In front of the Greek Orthodox chapel in Philippi