The Stoa of Attalos is a roofed structure of marble and limestone found in the marketplace (agora) of Athens, Greece. It was built in the mid-2nd century BC and restored in the modern period. Longer than a football field, the façade is an exercise in perspective. Today the stoa houses a museum; in antiquity it served commercial and social purposes. The face of Mark Gardner can be seen peering out from the first floor columns. A second story tops the first. Each floor contained twin corridors backed by 21 rooms. The corridors were spacious and airy, allowing for the residents of ancient Athens ..read more

Mycenae is a notable Bronze Age site in the Peloponnesus of Greece. Areas of the site, including Grave Circle A (note the ring of stone) were excavated by Heinrich Schliemann in the 1870s. Within this circle were six shaft graves containing nineteen bodies. Here, Schliemann discovered the golden death mask he believed to bear the likeness of King Agememnon. While this association is unlikely, such goods of death offer insight into Greek lifeways in the time corresponding to Israel’s patriarchs. Note the rugged mountains in the background. I shot this image in slide film in the spring of 2003 ..read more

The original “Bible Land Explorer” Wilbur Fields sits with Terry on a pilaster stub in front of Hadrian’s Arch in Athens, Greece. Brother Wilbur took four young men: Terry Cheney, Bryce Gardner, Mark Gardner, and myself on an archaeological adventure back in the summer of 1984. It was a life-changing experience for all of us. The arch is a monumental piece of architecture constructed around AD 131 by the Athenians. It honors the Roman Emperor Hadrian. It is located in the shadow of the Acropolis. Bryce and Mark Gardner stand on an outcrop of rock known as the Areopagus or “Hill of Ares.” The ..read more

It’s hard to believe, but the city of Ephesus used to be a seaport. Its harbor, accessed by this paved road, was slowly silted up by the Cayster River. Today, the water’s edge is about six kilometers distant. Ephesus was one of the great cities of the Roman East. Biblicists remember it as a home to the Apostle John and as a ministry center of the Apostle Paul. The ruins you see here are located south of the Turkish city of İzmir. We plan to visit Ephesus on our Mediterranean cruise, scheduled May 23-June 5, 2022. We’ll come ashore via a different harbor and bus to the site (I promise, no one ..read more

As I was contemplating our Mediterranean Cruise scheduled for 2022, I looked back at some old photographs from past excursions. This one was shot nearly 20 years ago (back when I was still shooting “slide” film) of some of our group as they reported for the “muster” or “lifeboat drill.” The drill is designed to acquaint passengers with escape routes and life jacket use should the need arise (no worries, few icebergs make it to the Mediterranean!). Pictured here (L to R) are Mike and Sharon Bell, Jessica Rappe, Mike Kennedy, Carla Davis, John and Lillian Downing, and Ken Rider. The Celebrity I ..read more

Brian finds illumination inside the Crusader castle in Jordan known as Kerak (Crac des Moabites). Might that light at the end of the tunnel signal the opening of international travel? We are hoping 2022 will be a breakout year! If you are interested in visiting the lands of the Bible, now is a good time to work on a plan. Let me hear from you. I partner with faith-based groups to craft and deliver study-tour, pilgrimage, and outdoor adventure experiences. Group leaders receive the same perks that other agencies offer, at competitive prices, and without the self-serving interests that often d ..read more

Some call it swimming. Others call it bobbing. Whatever it is, we plan to do more of it in March. Our college trip with students, ministry residents, alumni, and friends of Johnson University is set for next month. We’ll be in Israel-Palestine March 17-28. The tickets are paid, the rooms are reserved, the bags are . . . well, not packed yet, but we’re thinking about it. Keep our group of 23 persons in your prayers. Our target is different from the standard “Holy Land tour.” This is a formative and educational experience for folk seeking to serve the Kingdom of God in vocational ways. This pho ..read more

Ok. So the picture is a little blurry, but so is the memory. Do you remember when there was a “camel ride” on the side of the road at the entrance to Kibbutz Ginosar? You could drop a few shekels and go ‘round and ‘round. This photo surfaced in a recent family gathering. Vicki, Tanner, and Moriah are perched on their ride and enjoying the view. It had to be 1996 or 1997. Today, tourist come to this place to eat fish (Katzeh Hanachal), get gas (Delek Station), and see “The Jesus Boat” (Yigal Allon Center). The camels are long gone. Let me hear from you if you remember! 2020 is shaping up to b ..read more

From time to time folks ask if we can include the Jesus Trail as a part of their Israel-Palestine study-experience. My response is “absolutely!” Hiking across the Galilee is one of the best ways to gain a feel for the scale and scope of the land. Dayhikes from Nazareth, Cana, Kibbutz Lavi, the Horns of Hattin, Mt Arbel or Tiberias are a possibility for almost any crowd (with decent knees and an ounce of spunk!). We tackled a few sections of the trail with Seth Bryant and company (Roanoke Christian Church, Roanoke VA) in the summer of 2019. 2020 is shaping up to be our busiest year ever! If y ..read more

. . . when the group you have been waiting for emerges from Tel Aviv security. I’m relieved that everyone arrived with all of their bags. They are relieved to be out of an airplane after an eleven- or twelve-hour flight. This was our first group of 2020 to arrive in Israel/Palestine. 23 individuals traveled under the leadership of Greg Marksberry and Thrive Church of Lake Nona, Florida. Photographs by Paul Chan. 2020 is shaping up to be our busiest year ever! If you are interested in visiting the lands of the Bible, there is no better time than now. Let me hear from you. I partner with faith ..read more