In an article and video in this post, Pastor Stephen Hilding, with Tanque Verde Lutheran Church, shares his trip of a lifetime experience going to the Holy Land in 2022.

Click here to learn more about the Grand Canyon Synod’s Scholarship for International Travel Program and apply by March 1, 2023 for the next scholarships of $6,000.

A Trip of a Lifetime

by Pastor Stephen Hilding, Tanque Verde Lutheran Church

I got a call, out of the blue one day. It was from my brother, Ben (an ELCA pastor in Minnesota). He shared somehow with both a nervous and confident resonant voice, "want to go with me in October for a two-week trip to the Holy Land?" Umm... what... I laughed. Sensing my apprehension, he shared with me that our alma mater, Gustavus Adolphus College in St. Peter was heading up a tour led by esteemed professor Darrel Jodock. He assured me, they had gone before, we would be with a group, and that this would be a trip we would remember for our whole lives. He gave his best sales pitch, emphasizing the fact that we could use the experiences of this trip to help the stories of Scripture come alive and deepen our faith. 

I admit, my initial shock wore off and I was nodding along. My nervousness shifted to excitement as I peered through the itinerary. If I am honest though, I saw a major hurdle when I noticed the expenses wrapped up in a quality, international trip. I told Ben I would consider it if I could make the logistics work. I kid you not, on the next day, the Synod Newsletter had applications for "Scholarships for International Travel." Wow... what a coincidence! I applied, barely believing my eyes one morning, as I opened my email and learned that I was selected to receive a 2022 Grand Canyon Synod Global Engagement team scholarship! The trip went from an exciting proposition to a dream realized thanks to the generosity of our Synod. 

As excitement grew, my Dad, Jon (also a Gustie) decided to join us. This trip became a family trip, growing in faith together- and what a trip it was.

There is a tendency to forget that the places we read about in the Bible are real, physical, and geographical areas. I found myself struck by the humanness of Jesus- especially standing in Madala, along the Sea of Galilee. Looking out at a sunset, feeling the wind blow. How could this region older than Jesus remain so remote? That's what wilderness looks like, I thought. I stood in awe at the place where over 70 percent of Jesus' ministry took place. I wasn't reading, I wasn't dreaming. I was right there. With the gentle waves of the water lapping the shore, I thought of Jesus teaching along the shoreline, walking on water, healing, preaching, and teaching. As a huge gust of wind arose, I thought of Jesus stilling the storm. I found myself imagining his life, his childhood, working with his father, Joseph who was a "tekton" or artisan. In our travels, it doesn't take long to see stone permeating the ancient buildings and archeological sites and thought if Jesus learned his father's trades- he sure must have been strong. Did Jesus make boats? This is one of the many questions I still find myself wondering. This experience was surreal. Visiting the Holy Land will surely challenge, shape, inform and expand the ways I preach, teach and reflect on the living stories of faith for years to come.   

Recognizing that this is a once-in-a-lifetime trip, we put together a video to be shared. We joke that it is the work of Hilding Productions, as we went through thousands of photos and hours of video. I encourage you to take a half hour and share the journey with us as my Dad, my brother, and I narrate the various places, sites, and scenery we encountered. Holy Land 2022- Hilding Recap Video - YouTube

I end with the last portion of our video narration, "There is nothing quite like being where Jesus walked. This experience forever changed and deepened the way we read the Bible, and share the great stories of faith. Overall, this trip was profoundly educational and deeply spiritual. We will always cherish the fact that we were able to experience this together and with such trusted and beloved leaders and guides. We leave the Holy Land with the best news of all--that our God who has drawn near to us this Christmas season offers us an Easter promise. The Good News of Easter proclaims that Jesus is not confined to one particular space or land. The Good News of Easter is that our risen Savior goes with us back to the world that we came from. Thanks be to our risen Christ, who has gone out from Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and to our ends of the earth."

 I cannot be more thankful to the donors and our Synod for the opportunity to take a trip of a lifetime to the Holy Land!

God's Joy,

Pastor Stephen Hilding
Tanque Verde Lutheran Church

Apply today

With gratitude to God and in the spirit of continuing education and adventure, a “Scholarship for International Travel” program has been established for Grand Canyon Synod pastors who have been ordained for 10 years or less. Six scholarships of $6,000 over three years is available.

This scholarship program is being made available by a synod pastor and spouse because they are grateful for such experiences in their own lives and ministries, and want to make similar opportunities available to others. The fund will be administered by the Grand Canyon Synod.

Destination options include:

• Palestine/Israel

• Senegal (GCS companion church- Église Luthérienne du Senegal)

• Eastern Germany (Luther/Holocaust history) 

• Mexico (GCS companion church- Iglesia Lutherana Mexicana)

A “Scholarship for International Travel” will be awarded to two individual pastors each year for the years 2023 and 2024. The amount of each scholarship is $6,000. Recipients may arrange their own trips or may participate in an international trip organized by the GCS or the ELCA. Funds must be used within two years.

It is the donors’ preference that at least one of the scholarship recipients each year be a BIPOC pastor (Black, Indigenous, or other Person of Color) or LGBTQIA+ pastor.

The application form must be thoughtfully completed and turned in by March 1, 2023. The Grand Canyon Synod Global Engagement team will review applications and recipients announced by March 31, 2023. Apply here on this standalone page, or use the embedded form below.