Purposeful Journeys

Purposeful Journeys Travel with a purpose: We offer purposeful journeys steeped in history, religious ideas, culture and

There was a time in my life when I enjoyed, or at least did not mind, being out front and visible. Serving as a parish p...
08/03/2026

There was a time in my life when I enjoyed, or at least did not mind, being out front and visible. Serving as a parish pastor means just that: Week after week, in multiple circumstances and settings, the administration of the Public Office of Ministry means being out front and visible. These days, I relish my opportunities to serve and make things happen behind the scenes in ways that are sometimes almost invisible.

We had a wonderful time at the LCMS National Convention in Phoenix. Among the many highlights was seeing several old friends including seminary classmates. One special highlight was a wonderful dinner shared with Rev. Dr. Kirk Clayton and Rev. Don Stein. Our dinner featured Mediterranean cuisine at East Bite in Phoenix. In addition to the authentic Middle Eastern food we thoroughly enjoyed that evening, our conversation with the Lebanese restaurant owner of East Bite was yet another reminder of what travel does to bring people together and make the world a little better place.

The day after our dinner at East Bite, Rev. Dr. Clayton delivered his essay, “Christ’s Resurrection For You”— 1 Cor. 5:20-24 with 1 Cor. 15:50-57. In delivering his essay, Dr. Clayton referred to his extraordinary time in Israel in January 2024. He referred specifically to his experience in the edicule at the Church of the Holy Sepulcher in Jerusalem. The amount of time and the blessing Dr. Clayton experienced in the edicule was quite extraordinary.

So extraordinary was the experience of Dr. Clayton with his group in Israel in January 2024, the Israel Ministry of Tourism sent a videography crew to document their experience as the only Christian group in Israel when they visited. If you are interested, here is a link to the video produced by the Israel Ministry of Tourism documenting the experience of Dr. Clayton and his group in January 2024: https://youtu.be/aW6cnSV-UJI?si=QrgCzf_yMLYE5E_f

When Dr. Clayton delivered his essay at the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod National Convention, he referred to his journey to Israel in January 2024. Of course, he did not mention my name, nor the name of my company, Purposeful Journeys. After all, it would have been highly inappropriate for him to have done so. Nevertheless, I listened to his essay with deep satisfaction and quiet joy. I am deeply satisfied that I am the guy, working behind the scenes, who made his journey to Israel in January 2024 happen.

Listening to his essay, I was also filled to overflowing with joy by the quality of his content and delivery to be sure, but even more so because of the way I have come to know Kirk Clayton and his family. In my ministry and vocation devoted to faith travel, I have found deep satisfaction in my work, which is by nature, behind the scenes. I have also been blessed beyond words by reconnecting with LCMS pastors. Some pastors with whom I have reconnected through this vocation were seminary classmates. Relationships with other pastors, like Kirk Clayton (our time at seminary overlapped), have also developed. I am profoundly grateful for all of my relationships with Lutheran Church Missouri Synod pastors that only came to fruition through my ministry and vocation at Purposeful Journeys while serving these pastors behind the scenes.

Please get in touch or share this post with your pastor if you would like to consider embarking on a faith travel experience with us to grow your ministry numerically and spiritually.

I have been saying since October 7, 2023 that I am living between perception and reality. These images portray the reali...
07/29/2026

I have been saying since October 7, 2023 that I am living between perception and reality. These images portray the reality of visiting Israel today. There is not a gap between perception and reality. There is a chasm between the two. Now, is a great time to plan your journey to the Holy Land with us.

07/22/2026

Loved this presentation at the national convention of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod.

07/22/2026

I have never heard How Great Thou Art and other hymns offered by a mariachi band. Now, after attending the LCMS national convention I cannot say that anymore. I understand the band is actually a ministry of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Hearing them was as much fun as it was inspiring.

This is the last day for the exhibition hall to be open at the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod National Convention. The c...
07/21/2026

This is the last day for the exhibition hall to be open at the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod National Convention. The convention will continue. We are planning to attend a presentation tomorrow. This is a picture of attendees waiting outside the exhibition hall to open, on the last day!

Everyone we have encountered here has been warm, friendly, and engaging. We are well aware that not every congregation or pastor is interested or qualified to support a faith travel experience. Sometimes the timing is just not right. This is true of every convention we attend.

The difference at this convention has been the genuine engagement of those who have stopped by to visit with us. I have engaged in a number of theological conversations, which by the way, have been very easy to stimulate.

Normally the opening of the exhibition hall is just not exciting. These people are great. And, the doors are open. Here they come!

I attend several conventions every year. Attending the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod National Convention is special on ...
07/20/2026

I attend several conventions every year. Attending the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod National Convention is special on multiple levels.

Oh, yes, the temperature here in Phoenix has been hot, dry heat or not. 106 degrees will be our high today. In contrast, the atmosphere inside the beautiful convention center continues to be warm and inviting. Conversations have been engaging and cool. I especially enjoy the theological exchanges that are very easy to spark.

Although I mentioned them in my post yesterday, we were able to connect once again with John and Kim Greig. John and I were more than seminary classmates. Kim actually cared for Patrick as a newborn while I attended classes and Kathy worked.

We developed a friendship that endured a quarter century of separation. Once a seminarian accepts a call to a congregation new relationships form. Geographic proximity and the demands of parish ministry can create a separation that can lead to years of no contact. Sure, there are exceptions, but once our time at seminary ends, life becomes about the vocation and call to our families and to serve our congregations.

Once I left parish ministry, I was able to reconnect with John and Kim as well as other seminary classmates. I have also been able to observe as well as sense the relationships among those here in attendance. Some of those relationships are a reconnection and a rekindling, I am sure. No longer separated by time and distance, at least during the convention, the atmosphere here is joyous and celebratory.

We are awaiting the opening of the exhibit hall here at the national convention of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Y...
07/19/2026

We are awaiting the opening of the exhibit hall here at the national convention of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. Yesterday, was a very good day. I connected with a couple of seminary classmates. In fact, yesterday, when I posted that we are here John and Kim Greig responded that they are here too.

This was such a great surprise and the hugs were most welcome. I could go on and on about memories and the profound significance of our relationship. I will only say this morning that seeing them was most welcome as were the hugs.

Oh, the exhibit hall is now open. So very blessed to be here. I am grateful for the memories, the relationships, the opportunity to talk about theology, and most of all for the education I received at Concordia Seminary—St. Louis.

Greetings from Phoenix, Arizona and the national convention of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. If you are here, we w...
07/18/2026

Greetings from Phoenix, Arizona and the national convention of the Lutheran Church Missouri Synod. If you are here, we warmly welcome you to stop by and see us at booth 326. We pray blessings are poured out upon every attendee.

Tonight I attended the annual dinner for tour operators. Please understand these events are always good. There is always...
03/07/2026

Tonight I attended the annual dinner for tour operators. Please understand these events are always good. There is always a good meal and entertainment. I left that dinner tonight inspired and refreshed in ways I could not anticipate. Read on if you are at all interested in why…

The speaker was Jackie Mickel. She works for the Boone Hall Plantation as their lead Gullah presenter. Without dwelling on our present day toxic and divisive political culture, it is precisely that backdrop and context which made her presentation so inspiring. She shared from her experience as a descendant of West African slaves.

Without a single note in front of her, she delivered a history lesson that acknowledged a shameful past without the typical judgment of presentism. She told a story from a perspective of resilience and triumph She sang. She spoke of food and culture still with us and influential today. She treated us to lessons in the language and dialect of her ancestors in a way we could relate in the present. I could go on and on with details of just how wonderful and inpiting this evening was with her.

In her delivery of a historical and cultural lesson we all need to know and acknowledge, she shared that history in a way that was faithful to the past in its accuracy while letting everyone in that room know we are one people in the present. We share our history warts and all. Her message was so inspiring, and would have been without our present political divisions. Given our present Zeitgeist, her message reminded everyone in that room we are one people sharing just a short time in this creation.

I wish you could have been there with me.

No matter what your career or profession, ongoing intellectual development and learning keeps you young, fresh, inspired...
03/06/2026

No matter what your career or profession, ongoing intellectual development and learning keeps you young, fresh, inspired, in addition to many other benefis. I am living a reminder of this idea as I attend the education meeting of the National Tour Association (NTA) and Faith Travel Association (FTA) in Charleston, South Carolina. This is such an inspiring event!

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