Me at Petra
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As
students in seminary, we spend much time in conversation and reflection
on the good news of the Gospel. It is an exciting journey, taken with
professors and colleagues who share a passion for what God has done and
is doing in the world. In March of 2009 a group of 55 students,
faculty, staff, and friends of NTS took their study a step further and
traveled to the Middle East to visit the holy land. For many, this
trip to Jordan, Israel, and Egypt was a lifelong dream. I myself had
made it a personal goal when I began attending NTS, but was unable to
pay for the trip on my own. However, due to a generous gift from the
Sloan family,
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I was able to participate in this wonderful experience
which I will be reflecting on in months and years to come! It was such
an encouragement to meet other people from around the world who were
connected with the seminary. During our time together we gathered many
times to sing hymns, share stories, and reflect on the trip.
This
pilgrimage to the holy land was an appropriate capstone and climax to
my seminary journey as I prepared for graduation. In a way, I felt
like Abraham when I was called to go to NTS, which was unfamiliar
territory for a fine arts major. I felt like David when I was called
from my small hometown "pastures" to leadership in the Church. I felt
like Timothy as I was mentored by strong Christians at NTS and my local
church community, and like Peter as I made mistakes yet knew the
compassion of Jesus. The trip was an opportunity to literally follow in
his paths, from the peaceful scenery of Galilee to the sacrifice of the
cross in Jerusalem. What a way to conclude the season of Lent!
Suffice it to say, I would encourage everyone to make this pilgrimage.
We have so much to learn about the Bible, and going to the holy land
has a way of renewing one's excitement about Scripture, commitment to
God, and understanding of the history of salvation. I have spent my
whole life looking at the maps in the back of my Bible, but they have
taken on new meaning after I connected them with the land--which St.
Jerome called “The Fifth Gospel”. Despite the recurrent conflict associated with this area of the world, there are many people living in peace.
Meeting some of them was one of my favorite parts of this trip. I
thank God for the opportunity to participate in this journey and hope
that NTS will be able to continue this tradition of traveling, so that
lifelong learners and disciples of all ages may grow to better love God
and their neighbors.
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Posted on
Thu, June 4, 2009
by Wendie Wells