GTI Tours Podcast

He expected Petra, Wadi Rum, and the Dead Sea to be unforgettable. He knew Capernaum, Caesarea, and Jerusalem would leave him in awe. But what he didn’t expect? That this would be the trip he not only wanted but deeply needed. That walking the Land would feel like reading a “fifth Gospel.” And that the friendships and sense of community—*not in the brochure—would become one of the most meaningful parts of the journey.

In this episode, Matt Olson of Laurel, Mississippi shares his experience from the Pastors’ Trip to Jordan & Israel with Rich Ferreira (Jan. 11–23, 2026), reflecting on how this trip was far more than a tour—it was a transformative encounter with Scripture, impactful places, and most importantly, the Person of Christ.

Read their trip blog: https://gtitours.org/tour-journal/israelfam26

Dancing on the Galilee boat ride:

https://vimeo.com/1155614132?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

More about the pastors' discounted tour: https://gtitours.org/discipleshipincontext

Video podcast: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLXcitijwd7YQpy-2gjQn9DrMXJWRpGEEq&si=FP5SWjoy5rzAOFc_

Why scroll the headlines when you can hear directly from a friend in Israel? On this episode, Ronen Ben Moshe joins us from his home kitchen with a firsthand update. Even amid rising tensions with Iran, the people of Israel remain resilient - determined to live fully in the face of uncertainty. God willing, this conflict will soon come to an end, and groups will once again walk the Land together.

With the timely arrival of Purim, we’re reminded of the example of Queen Esther—a model of prayer, humility, and courageous faith in a moment of national crisis. Please join us in praying for our friends in Israel and for God’s peace to rest over the entire Middle East. 

Over the course of several missionary journeys, the Apostle Paul walked countless miles of Roman roads, carrying the Gospel in his heart like an Olympian bearing a torch. The 2025 Greece/Rome Signature Tour followed those footsteps chronologically, tracing Paul’s path through some of Scripture’s most compelling cities and accounts. Join Rich Ferreira and Jerrell Jobe as they reflect on the journey, from its beginning in Kavala (Acts 16), through Philippi, Thessaloniki (Thessalonica), Berea, Athens, Corinth, and finally, Rome.

Building on Philippi’s history as a status-driven Roman city, Jerrell then unpacks Philippians 2 and explores what it truly meant for Christ to “become a servant.”

Studying Scripture in this way brings the Bible to life—real people in real places in real time—causing the stories to leap off the page! The same Living Word Paul proclaimed in Macedonia is the Word that draws us there today. Join us.

Watch this summary of the trip:

https://vimeo.com/1156798520?fl=pl&fe=sh

2026 trip page:

https://gtitours.org/trip/signature-greece-rome-2026

Video podcast:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0bN0wc_lv0

Today on the podcast, we welcome Walking the Text partners Brad Gray and Brad Nelson, who believe the Lord’s Prayer holds a transformative power that often goes unnoticed. Longtime friends of GTI, Brad and Brad have guided many tours through Israel and Turkey, helping travelers encounter Scripture in its original context.

They’ve recently launched an ambitious new project centered on the Lord’s Prayer, including a feature film, a book titled Bringing Heaven Here, and a seven-episode video series premiering Easter 2026. Their goal is simple yet profound: to help people grow not only in biblical understanding, but in the way they live out their faith each day.

Out of the Bible’s 1,189 chapters across 66 books, the Lord’s Prayer stands as a powerful summary of who God is, why Jesus came, and what our purpose is here on earth.

https://thelordsprayer.com/

walkingthetext.com

https://youtu.be/EsQpbnrv2xQ

Sir Isaac Newton used this metaphor in a 1675 letter: "if I have seen further [than others], it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.” A man of science AND faith, he became one of the many intellectual and spiritual giants we will study on this incredible tour.

You've heard of Wycliffe, Tyndale, Wesley, and Wilberforce. You've read Bunyan, Lewis, and Tolkien. Come and “meet” the people who form the bridge between Bible times and our times!

The impact of the Christian faith on England and Scotland over the past 1800 years has not only shaped American and western Christianity, but also western and even global civilization. Join us and walk in the steps of the kings and queens, monks and poets, scholars and statesmen who gave us free society, freedom of worship, the Scriptures in English, and a vision for world mission - all preserved in a beautiful and ancient land of gothic cathedrals, medieval monasteries and ancient universities. Trace the path from our times to Bible times, and give your modern faith ancient roots, October 13-22, 2026.

https://gtitours.org/trip/signature-england-scotland-2026

Watch the trailer:

https://vimeo.com/1142158461?share=copy&fl=sv&fe=ci

Blog video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=noIkEafYWzY

Read the 2025 trip blog: https://gtitours.org/tour-journal/signature-england-scotland-2025

October 13, 2025: a MONUMENTAL day for Israel and for the world as the remaining 20 living hostages are finally returned HOME after two years in captivity! The people are rejoicing and celebrating; yet tears of joy are mingled with tears of sorrow for the families whose loved ones were killed. Listen as Rich Ferreira talks with Rich Liverance LIVE from Israel as he watches events unfold. Continue to pray for Israel and their people as they begin the healing process and for peace and wisdom for their future.

Jeremiah 31: 16-17

 "This is what the Lord says: 'Restrain your voice from weeping

 and your eyes from tears, for your work will be rewarded,' declares the Lord.

 'They will return from the land of the enemy.

So there is hope for your descendants,' declares the Lord.

'Your children will return to their own land'."

What do you do when you wake up at 3am from jetlag? You record a podcast! Join Rich and Dan as they reflect on their recent Reformation Tour of Germany and Switzerland. 500 years of history is a lot to fit into a 10-day itinerary, but Dan covered a great deal of it on this trip! Beginning with the premise that "ideas have consequences", Dan led the group through the study of the Reformers, their ideas, and questions that changed the world - some of which we are still asking today!

"What should I believe?" 

"How should I be governed?"

"What is the nature of a good society?"

Join us (Sept. 12-23, 2026) for a journey filled with the sights, sounds, and flavors of Germany and Switzerland, encompassing historical sites like the Berlin Wall and Neuschwanstein Castle, and the natural beauty of places such as Lake Constance in Switzerland. We will visit the residences and workplaces of the Reformers, but more importantly, we will bring our own faith to bear in the churches and streets where the gospel was rediscovered and proclaimed during the 16th century and beyond.

Learn more about the 2026 Reformation Tour: https://gtitours.org/trip/signature-germany-switzerland-2026#itinerary

Read the 2025 trip blog: https://gtitours.org/tour-journal/signature-germany-switzerland-2025

Learn more about Dan and 1517: https://1517.org/

Rich Ferreira and 12 other participants were part of the Aug. 28-Sept. 7, 2025 Stand with Israel Tour. They were our first trip to travel to Israel in nearly two years! On this interesting itinerary, they traversed the Land from top to bottom and side to side, visiting many unique sites that aren't usually included on our Israel trips like Shiloh, Sepphoris, and Magdala. They also had the privilege to visit the Nova Memorial and Hostage Square. You KNOW Ronen is Israeli and that Rich loves Israel, so listen instead to the participants as they share firsthand about safety, sites, food and much more. God willing, we will be running many more trips to Israel in the near future and hope to include some of you! See our trip schedule here: https://gtitours.org/schedule

30 years is a long time to be tour guide. That's why we are taking this episode to celebrate with our Turkish guide, Ozan! It's not an easy job, but it is an interesting one when you are leading tours through an amazing country like Turkey. Many people don't realize what a hidden gem this country is! With thousands of years of history, diverse people, stunning landscapes, and delicious food, what's not to like? Don't forget its biblical significance as Asia Minor, the home of the 7 Churches of Revelation, and the birthplace of the Apostle Paul. Nearly 90% of the New Testament was either written to, from, or about someone in Turkey (Asia Minor)! If you want to visit someplace special and have a guide who really connects you to the country, join us in April 2026 and meet our incredible guides: Ozan, Gokhan and Dogan. You'll never read the New Testament the same!

https://gtitours.org/trip/signature-turkey-greece-2026

No, we are not discussing World Cup rivalries! This podcast episode is in a different format - a spirited but fun REFORMATION FACE OFF. GTI's Signature Tours of Germany/Switzerland and England/Scotland are each incredible, but how to choose? Listen as trip leaders Dan van Voorhis and Adam Richardson debate the sites, characters, heritage, hidden gems, cuisine, and more from each trip.

Regardless of which tour you join, you will experience quality teaching, comfortable accommodations, delicious food, and see more sites than you can imagine. Discover the ancient roots of modern faith in Europe. Invest in your spiritual life and watch your faith be transformed!

A few spaces remain for each tour. Learn more here:

https://gtitours.org/trip/signature-england-scotland-2025

https://gtitours.org/trip/signature-germany-switzerland-2025

Here is the link for 2026 Germany/Switzerland:

https://gtitours.org/trip/signature-germany-switzerland-2026

2026 England/Scotland dates are TBD.

Watch the video version of the podcast on YouTube at:  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=W3s8SeGNkcQ