In my life, travel has been more than just a means of relaxation; it has been an opportunity for learning and growth. Particularly, the journeys I took under the name of 'pilgrimage' with theology students, pastors, and church members left a profound impact on my life. Having embarked on this journey ten times, each trip brought new insights, and I considered it my mission to share these revelations with my fellow travelers.
Though Israel is a small land, it's brimming with places of biblical significance. While I always included key locations like Jerusalem, Galilee, Nazareth, and Bethlehem, I planned a different route each time. This was possible because I had studied and experienced the land firsthand. Thanks to these efforts, some individuals joined me on pilgrimages up to four times. Each journey offered new places, new stories, and new realizations.
However, the most significant turning point in my travels came in 1987. Spending a month studying in Jerusalem during my doctoral program, followed by a month of solo travel across Europe, became a pivotal moment in my life. Visiting historic German universities to collect thesis materials and acquire precious books, I grew tremendously both as a scholar and as an individual.
This two-month journey held a meaning beyond mere travel. It became the foundation for my future ministry, lectures, and writing endeavors. The experiences of seeing, hearing, and feeling firsthand provided a depth of understanding and insight incomparable to what I could have gained from books alone.
Travel taught us humility while simultaneously instilling pride. As we realized how vast and diverse the world is, we also discovered our place and role within it. I've cherished this lesson throughout my life, applying it to my ministry and personal journey.
Ultimately, travel was both a mission and a pleasure for me, a process of teaching and learning. All these experiences accumulated to shape who I am today. Experiences in new places broadened my perspective and added depth to my life. Just as my pilgrimages and European travels did, travel can be more than mere sightseeing – it can be a turning point in one's life.
Though Israel is a small land, it's brimming with places of biblical significance. While I always included key locations like Jerusalem, Galilee, Nazareth, and Bethlehem, I planned a different route each time. This was possible because I had studied and experienced the land firsthand. Thanks to these efforts, some individuals joined me on pilgrimages up to four times. Each journey offered new places, new stories, and new realizations.
However, the most significant turning point in my travels came in 1987. Spending a month studying in Jerusalem during my doctoral program, followed by a month of solo travel across Europe, became a pivotal moment in my life. Visiting historic German universities to collect thesis materials and acquire precious books, I grew tremendously both as a scholar and as an individual.
This two-month journey held a meaning beyond mere travel. It became the foundation for my future ministry, lectures, and writing endeavors. The experiences of seeing, hearing, and feeling firsthand provided a depth of understanding and insight incomparable to what I could have gained from books alone.
Travel taught us humility while simultaneously instilling pride. As we realized how vast and diverse the world is, we also discovered our place and role within it. I've cherished this lesson throughout my life, applying it to my ministry and personal journey.
Ultimately, travel was both a mission and a pleasure for me, a process of teaching and learning. All these experiences accumulated to shape who I am today. Experiences in new places broadened my perspective and added depth to my life. Just as my pilgrimages and European travels did, travel can be more than mere sightseeing – it can be a turning point in one's life.
