Biblical Tours

I have had the privilege of leading a number of study tours of the Biblical lands for a variety of groups. Some of these were sponsored by the Biblical Archaeology Society, others by denominational leaders, churches and organizations, as well as familiarization trips for professors and pastors. Additionally, I have been pleased to offer several study tours of the Holy Lands to my students. These trips have been enriching not only to the participants, but also to me. I have made many friends over the years as a consequence of these trips.

You are invited to join any of these study tours.

Listed below are future trips that I will be leading in the days to come. If you have an interest in joining one of these trips, click on the PDF file that gives a detailed explanation of the trip. You can contact me if you have additional questions.

Further below are group shots of several of these trips from the past.

Future Biblical Study Tours

January 1-9, 2027
ISRAEL FAM TRIP

Journey through the land where Scripture comes alive. From Galilee’s tranquil waters to Jerusalem’s ancient stones, this study experience traces the story of redemption across Israel’s most significant biblical sites—Caesarea, Nazareth, Galilee, Masada, Bethlehem, and the Holy City itself. Guided by Dr. Mark Fairchild, respected scholar of Bible and Archaeology, participants will walk where prophets preached, kings ruled, and the Word became flesh. Each day integrates biblical teaching, historical insight, and personal reflection, offering a deeper grasp of God’s unfolding plan through Israel’s sacred geography.

Faith Rooted in Place

This is more than a tour—it is a theological pilgrimage. Grounded in the truth and authority of Scripture, the program is designed for pastors, professors, and ministry leaders who desire to study the Bible in its historical and cultural context. As you explore synagogues, Roman ruins, desert fortresses, and the very paths of Jesus and His disciples, you will engage the text not only with your mind but with your senses.

Whether teaching from the Mount of Beatitudes, reading the Psalms by the Sea of Galilee, or tracing the Passion in Jerusalem, you will encounter the gospel in the land that gave it birth. The Biblical Israel FAM Trip invites you to see the Bible not as distant history—but as living truth beneath your feet.

April 9-22, 2027
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF THE APOSTLES

TURKEY AND GREECE

Follow the missionary paths of Paul and his companions across the lands where the early church was born. From Antioch and Ephesus in Asia Minor to Philippi, Thessalonica, Corinth, and Athens in Greece, this study tour retraces the story of Acts through the heart of the Greco-Roman world. Led by Dr. Mark Fairchild, noted biblical archaeologist, and hosted by Ryan Harmon, this journey offers a rare opportunity to see, touch, and walk the settings where the apostles proclaimed Christ and established the first Christian communities.

As Scripture unfolds amid the ruins of cities like Laodicea, Miletus, and Corinth, participants will gain a deeper understanding of the challenges and triumphs of the early believers. Each site—whether an ancient synagogue, marketplace, or amphitheater—reveals a living testimony to the transforming power of the gospel that once turned the world upside down.

Faith in Context — Scripture Illuminated by Place

This is not merely a tour—it is a biblical and theological expedition. Each day blends historical exploration with on-site teaching, reflection, and fellowship, connecting the Word of God with the world that first received it. You will stand on Mars Hill where Paul preached to the Athenians, walk the marble streets of Ephesus where he taught the church, and visit Philippi where Lydia opened her heart to the Lord.

Designed especially for pastors, professors, and believers who seek a deeper grasp of the Bible’s historical and cultural background, In the Footsteps of the Apostles bridges faith and scholarship, past and present. Come experience how the lands of Turkey and Greece continue to bear witness to the gospel’s enduring truth—where every stone tells the story of redemption.

April 24 – May 9, 2027
TURKEY, AEGEAN CRUISE & ATHENS 2027
IN THE FOOTSTEPS OF PAUL AND JOHN:
ASIA MINOR, THE GREEK ISLES & GREECE

Embark on an extraordinary journey through land and sea, tracing the origins of early Christianity across Western Turkey, the Aegean Sea, and Greece. From the vibrant metropolis of Istanbul and the ancient harbors of Pamphylia to the Seven Churches of Revelation, this comprehensive study tour brings the pages of the New Testament to life. Traveling by deluxe motorcoach and cruise ship, participants will explore the heart of the Greco-Roman world where the Apostle Paul planted churches and where John received apocalyptic visions for the early believers.

As Scripture comes alive amidst monumental ruins—from the majestic Library of Celsus in Ephesus and the white travertine terraces of Hierapolis to the heights of Pergamum and the rugged landscape of Patmos—you will encounter the living heritage of the apostolic era. Every ancient theater, agora, and basilica offers a tangible connection to the spiritual convictions and endurance of the early church.

A Sacred Voyage by Land and Sea — History, Scripture, and Fellowship

This study tour uniquely combines land exploration with a scenic Aegean cruise, linking the biblical sites of Asia Minor directly to the Greek islands and mainland Greece. Stand in the Cave of the Apocalypse on Patmos, sail to Rhodes and Crete, and disembark to walk the marble pavement of Ancient Corinth and the slopes of Mars Hill beneath the Parthenon in Athens.

Designed for pastors, educators, students of the Bible, and believers seeking a profound contextual understanding of Scripture, this tour seamlessly integrates rigorous historical insight with spiritual reflection. Join us for an unforgettable expedition where the biblical world is illuminated at every port and pathway, bearing enduring witness to the transformative message of the Gospel.

May 9-23, 2027

Paul’s Earliest Ministry: CILICIA TOUR
with EXTENSION TOUR

Shortly after Paul’s conversion, the apostle returned to this hometown Tarsus in the Roman province of Cilicia. There, Paul spent the next nine years learning the new faith. There he received revelations (Gal 1:11-12, 2 Cor 12:1-2). This was the time when the former Pharisee learned the fullness of the Gospel and began his earliest ministry. The Acts of the Apostles mentioned nothing of this ministry, although Paul briefly mentioned it in Gal 1:21. The trip will be led by Professor Mark Fairchild who recently authored a ground-breaking book on Paul’s work in this area, Unearthing Paul’s Forgotten Mission: The Archaeology and History of Rough Cilicia (IVP Academic, 2027).

The Cilicia Tour will visit St. Paul’s hometown of Tarsus and will follow an itinerary taking us to places seldom visited in the region known as “Rough Cilicia.” Here, Paul established the earliest churches of his ministry. The tour will visit the ancient coastal cities in the area and will advance a short distance into the mountainous interior to observe Jaw-dropping ancient villages and towns that Paul likely evangelized. These are places with spectacular surroundings, rock-cut reliefs, first-century watchtowers and fascinating stories of the ancient residents’ survival. Here, Paul preached in Jewish synagogues, including the earliest synagogue ever discovered.

***Since most of these sites are within a short distance of one another, we won’t need to change hotels often. We have also included many more sites than what we may be able to manage on each day. If so, we may drop some of the less important.