Author Archives: Roger Schmidgall

2025 BibleTelling Seminar in Turkey-Greece-Rome

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Seminar Dates and Fees

October 6-17, 2025 – Turkey-Greece
October 17-20, 2025 – Rome

Includes air fare from Chicago O’Hare to Istanbul, and all other tour flights, tour bus, guides, hotel, entrance fees, and tips.  Buffet breakfasts and buffet dinners are included (drinks are extra). Lunch stops are provided but the lunch cost is not included. A Visa for entering Turkey is not currently needed for USA citizens. 

  • $6690/person Turkey-Greece Only, Double/Triple Occupancy
    • $7880/person Turkey-Greece Only, Single Occupancy
  • $8390/person with 3-day Rome Extension, Double/Triple Occupancy
    • $9,870/person with 3-day Rome Extension, Single Occupancy
  • Land Only (if making your own air travel reservations)
    • Deduct $1260 from the air fare-included prices shown above
    • Reserve flights from home to Izmir, Turkey (arrive Tuesday, October 7, and then back home from either Athens (Friday, October 17) or Rome (Monday, October 20)
  • Group Requirement
    • We need a minimum of 20 participants (12 for the Rome extension) by July 6, 2025 (full refunds available up until that date)
  • Registration:
    • Online Form (Tutku Tours, our tour agency, processes all payments)
    • Registration deadline: July 1 (to guarantee group flights from/to Chicago)

Seminar Details

Seminar Flyer – Itinerary , Payment schedule, Deadlines, Inclusions/Exclusions, Cancelation Policy, etc.

Calendar – Daily events in calendar format

Story Itinerary  (travel stops, story titles and tellers of the stories). Stories are found in these 2 sources.:

  • Bible Stories to be Told – the scope of each story and a sample narrative to learn and share in the Seminar. OPTIONAL: Purchase a bound copy of all stories told in BibleTelling Seminars.
  • Caesar of the Day Stories to be Told – suggested scripts for the Caesar stories to be told during the Seminar. RECOMMENDED: Watch the longer Caesar story videos here and consider crafting  your own Caesar story script.

Send us a note when you’ve selected your stories: info@BibleTelling.com. Choose no more than 1 story/day, no more than 3 stories in Turkey-Greece

Turkey-Greece Map – daily travel and stops in Turkey and Greece

Rome Extension Map – map of stops in Rome

Preparing 

  • 1. Learn to tell Bible stories –
    • A. Read this Summary Sheet for learning and telling the stories on location
    • B. Watch this “recorded” BT Storytelling Training teaching created for Israel-Jordan Seminars (ignore the few Israel-specific references)
    • C. Watch these “live” BT Storytelling Training videos from a previous Footsteps of Paul Seminar
      • Part 1 Learning the Epistles, General Storytelling Instruction
      • Part 1 Slides
      • Part 2a Learning “regular” stories
      • Part 2b Discussion of the trip 
  • 2. Practice telling your assigned stories – 5 times each, to a different listener each time
  • 3. Research the sites we will visit – Listen/Watch the Preparation Audios/Videos

Packing

  • Packing starter sheet
  • Luggage weight and bag limits
      • NOTE: The Seminar fee covers tips for porters carrying one bag/person to/from each hotel. If you have them carry more than 1 bag, please consider tipping for the extra bag/s ($1/bag) on your own.
      • Check with your international airline–generally a 23KG/50 Pound limit, depending on ticket class
      • Turkish Air calculator our Group flight airline
      • Aegean Air calculator for Thessaloniki to Athens and Athens to Rome flights
  • Hiking advice
  • Electrical Adaptors and Converters
    • Turkey (link) Type F Socket 
    • Greece (link) Types C & F Sockets
    • Italy (link) F & L Sockets
    • NOTE: Plug C adapters are usable in all 3 countries (link)

Prescription Meds (link)

Weather expectations in October

  • Istanbul (link) – 56-68ºF.
  • Izmir (AKA Smyrna) (link) – 55-75ºF.
  • Thessaloniki (link) – 54-70ºF.
  • Athens (link) – 60-74ºF.
  • Rome (link) – 53-73ºF.

Currency exchange

  • You may want to exchange dollars for local currency, but many businesses accept credit cards or even U.S. dollars. 
  • Recent exchange rates (1/2025)
    • TURKEY – Lira (TRY)
      • 1 Lira = 3¢ USA; 200 Lira = $5.65 USA
      • $1 USA = 35 Lira; $200 USA = 7,000 Lira
    • GREECE / ITALY – Euro (EUR)
      • 1 Greece/Italy Euro = $1.03USA; 200 Euro = $206 USA
      • $1 USA = .97 Euro; $200 USA = 194 Euro

Credit/Debit Cards

  • To avoid unwelcome credit/debit authorization rejections in Israel-Jordan, please contact your card issuers and let them know of your travel plans (may not necessary for some cards).
  • To avoid surprise charges, ask about their foreign transaction fees (sometimes no fee, often 3%, sometimes waived if purchase is made in US$$ rather than the foreign currency). 

Laundry

  • Some hotels offer laundry service. We stay in the same hotel at least 2 consecutive nights in Izmir, Thessaloniki, Athens and Rome. Those should be opportunities to have laundry done before leaving for the next hotel.
  • Consider packing 7 days of undergarments in order to make it to Thessaloniki for laundry service. Or wear quick-drying garments to wash in the hotel room sink and drip-dry over night. 

WhatsApp text messaging group

  • We use the WhatsApp smartphone messaging app to stay in touch during the Seminar (and, to a lesser extent, before and after the Seminar).
  • You do not need an international calling program to use it–we will have wi-fi in the hotels, although not likely on buses.
  • If you have a WhatsApp ID, you are included in the “Footsteps of Paul 2025” WhatsApp group. Please let me know if you prefer not to participate (or if you want to only participate during the Seminar). 
  • If you don’t have a WhatsApp ID, please let Roger know if you create one (simply download the WhatsApp mobile app to any smartphone to get started).
  • If you don’t have a WhatsApp ID, please let Roger know if you create one (simply download the WhatsApp mobile app to any smartphone to get started).

Why BibleTelling?

BibleTelling Seminars in Turkey-Greece-Rome include several distinctions:

  • Seminar participants learn and tell ~50 Bible stories on ~20 sites where they occurred (each participant learns and shares 2+ Bible stories during the tour). Pre-Seminar BibleTelling training will cover how to learn and share stories without memorization.
  • Expert commentary on the Biblical significance of each Bible story and site–including a discussion with Dr. Baris Yener head of excavations just beginning at Colossae 
  • Each Seminar participant will receive a beautiful, full-color, 90-page, Footsteps of Paul 2025 BibleTelling Seminar Guide with a calendar of events, a daily itinerary (travel stops, titles of the stories to be told), travel maps, Bible study aids, charts, photos, maps, genealogies, and more. See the 2023 Seminar booklet here.

Considerations that can hold us back…

  • Cost! Ugh, yes, and it won’t be less expensive next year. Save money with double occupancy and group air reservations.
  • Time! 14 days is less than 4% of the year. Same % next year.
  • International travel! Yes, but there are some experiences staying home and watching YouTube videos just can’t replicate. 
  • Age/Health! The trip does involve a fair amount of walking. Not a lot of climbing. Plenty of time to develop a walking routine before the trip. We will each be 1 year older next year.
  • Risky! Not that life is risk free here at home.
  • Telling Bible stories! What a great (and unique!?) way to experience the Bible stories and the Bible lands. We will each learn (without memorizing) 2 or 3 short Bible stories for the trip. We have each probably told more stories (also without memorizing) than that today. Plus, the Bible stories are inspired and true. 😉

Seriously, international tours, including our BibleTelling Seminars, are not for everyone. But please don’t miss the opportunity without an excellent reason.

Church-Sponsored BibleTelling Seminars

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Updated: August 17, 2022

Roles and Responsibilities

BibleTelling works with church groups of 20 or more to share an exciting BibleTelling Seminar together! We will work to plan a Seminar to meet your interests, train your travelers to learn and tell Bible stories, and make all reservations (excluding airline transportation to and from Israel).

Sponsoring Church

– 6-10 months prior to the Seminar– plan the Seminar

  • Designate one person as Seminar Liaison (a single point of contact with BibleTelling)
  • Decide what post-tour options to offer (Jordan following Israel or Rome following Turkey & Greece). This affects the Seminar cost and duration
  • Determine the desired level of storytelling engagement. Do you want all the stories told by participants, or do you plan to use audio stories for some of them?
  • Develop info to share with potential participants, such as dates, benefits, costs, and requirements

– 5-8 months prior – promote the Seminar

  • Announce and share the Seminar brochure
  • Find a minimum of 20 participants
  • Each participant should register on the web site of the Tour Agency hosting the Seminar
  • Select a travel agent and make airline reservations for your group

– 3-6 months prior – prepare for the Seminar

  • Arrange BibleTelling training for Seminar participants. Scheduled 2-4 months prior to the Seminar
  • Everyone should begin reading All the Stories of the Bible
  • Raise the funds as needed
  • We will provide Seminar details and cultural/historical/other info. Everyone needs to read this

– 2-4 months prior – personalize the Seminar

  • Identify stories each participant will tell (from the set of stories to be told during the Seminar)
  • Participate in the BibleTelling training. The goal for this training is for everyone to learn the stories they will tell during the Seminar
  • Each person is to tell each their assigned stories at least 5 times to different people

– 6 weeks prior –

  • Follow-up with participants: Reading All the Stories of the Bible?

– 4 weeks prior –

  • Follow-up with participants: Telling assigned stories 5 times?
  • Continue communicating with registered students (welcome, reminder, updates, etc.)

– Seminar in Israel (or Turkey & Greece)!

 

 

BibleTelling (Bloomington)

– Coordinate dates and cost of trip with the Church Liaison and the Tour Agency for Israel (or Turkey-Greece)

– Publish a brochure for the Seminar (including itinerary, fees, expenses include and not included, registration site)

– Provide a 1-day training BibleTelling workshop in the host community (expenses paid by host community)

– Publicize the event on the BT web site and BT Facebook page

– Print Seminar booklets for distribution upon arrival in Israel (or Turkey)

– Work with the Tour Agency to:

– Make hotel reservations (3- and 4-star).

– Provide ground transportation (bus and driver).

– Arrange meals in Israel (3/day) or Turkey & Greece (2/day).

– Arrange for tour guide providing background on sites visited.

Other

– Insurance company (travel, health insurance)

– Travel agent (flights)

For more info, email us at info@BibleTelling.com.

2023 BibleTelling Seminar in Turkey-Greece-Rome

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Why BibleTelling?

BibleTelling Seminars in Turkey-Greece-Rome include several distinctions:

  • Seminar participants will learn and tell ~50 Bible stories on ~20 sites where they occurred
  • Expert commentary on the Biblical significance of each Bible story and site
  • Pre-Seminar BibleTelling training
  • Each participant shares 2+ Bible stories during the tour
  • Optional extension to Rome
  • Each Seminar participant will receive 2 beautiful, full-color booklets:
    • 80-page Footsteps of Paul BibleTelling Seminar Guide with a calendar of events, a daily itinerary (travel stops, titles of the stories to be told), travel maps, Bible study charts, photos, maps, genealogies, and more. 
    • 140-page Imagine Tours Footsteps of Paul Study Guide with background information for most sites visited.

 

Seminar Dates and Fees

October 9-21, 2023 – Turkey-Greece
October 21-24, 2023 – Rome

Includes air fare from Chicago O’Hare to Istanbul, and all other tour flights, tour bus, guides, hotel, entrance fees, and tips.  Buffet breakfasts and buffet dinners are included (drinks are extra). Lunches and Visa to Turkey are not included. 

  • $4973/person Turkey-Greece Only, Double Occupancy
    • $5768/person Turkey-Greece Only, Single Occupancy
  • $1743/person 3-day Rome Extension, Double Occupancy
    • $2138/person 3-day Rome Extension, Single Occupancy
  • $4423/person Land Only, Double Occupancy
  • Small Group Surcharge
    • Turkey-Greece: $295 (if 15-19 registered), $95 (if 20-25), $0 (if 26 or more)
    • Rome: $95 (if 15-19 registered), $0 (if 20 or more)
  • $50/person for Visa to enter Turkey (NOT included, apply individually–see Payment section below for instructions)
  • Registration:
    • Print Form
    • Online Form (Tour Code is BibleTellingG23)
    • Registration deadline:
      • June 15 (to guarantee group flights from/to Chicago)
      • July 11 (not guaranteed, must make own flight reservations)

Payment

Imagine Tours will send an updated invoice to each registered participant in early June.
Full payment is due July 11 (check, money order, cashier’s check or wire transfer–no credit cards):

  • Imagine Tours and Travel
  • 509 W. County Rd. 540A
  • Lakeland, FL  33813

Visa for Turkey

Tour participants also need to obtain their own visa for Turkey (tour agencies are not permitted to provide these visas). Apply online: https://www.evisa.gov.tr/en/ $50 – between July 10 and October 7 (within 3 months of arrival date and at least 48 hours before departure date).

Tips:

  • For the Country/Region drop-down, select “U.S.A” 
  • Entering your parents’ names is optional
  • Completing the on-screen application is only the first step
  • The second step is clicking a link in an email sent to you to “Approve” the info in your application–this must be done within 1 hour of receiving the email
  • The third step is paying $50 for the visa – (you may need to notify your credit card provider in advance of this international charge–to Turkey)

Details

  • Seminar Brochure:
  • Calendar 
  • Story Itinerary (travel stops, titles and tellers of the stories)
    • See Stories to be Told (click for free download) for the scope of each story and a sample narrative to learn)
      NOTE: These are the stories as crafted to be told in the Seminar
      OPTION: Purchase a copy of all stories told in BibleTelling Seminars
    • Send us a note when you’ve selected your stories. info@BibleTelling.com
    • No more than 1 story/day, no more than 3 stories in Turkey-Greece
  • Turkey-Greece Map (daily travel and stops–match to Itinerary) 
  • Rome Extension Map (link)
  • Group Flights:

NOTE: If any flights are delayed or canceled (affecting your arrival time), please email the new flight arrival information to info@ittworld.com (so they can notify your hosts meeting you at the airport)

NOTE: Lufthansa does not support registering our Group Flight booking code or individual e-ticket numbers in their mobile app or on their web site. So check-in and seat assignment is only available upon arrival at the airports (not online). We should still check the status of our flights 24 hours in advance (need to enter the flight # in the mobile app or on the web site) to learn whether the flight times have changed.

From Chicago To Istanbul:
LH431 Monday 09OCT ORD(Chicago Terminal 1)-FRA(Frankfurt) 4:00P-7:20A
LH1298 Tuesday 10OCT FRA-IST 9:05A-1:05P

From Thessaloniki to Athens:
A3121 Wednesday 18OCT SKG ATH 6:00P 6:55P

From Athens to Rome:
A3650 Saturday 21OCT ATH FCO 8:30A 9:35A

From Rome to Chicago:
LH243 Tuesday 24OCT FCO(Rome)-FRA(Frankfurt) 7:00A-8:55A
LH430 Tuesday 24OCT FRA-ORD 10:45A-1:00P (Chicago Terminal 5)

  • Van to/from Chicago (leaving from Central Illinois):

Monday, October 9, from EFree Church to O’Hare Airport Terminal 1
Meet at the church at 11:00AM – 2910 East Lincoln, Bloomington, IL
Van Riders (10): Walsh(2), Andris(2), Maughmer(2), Miller, Kaufman, Sauder, Schmidgall

Tuesday, October 24, from O’Hare Terminal 5 to EFree Church
Pickup around 1:30PM, arrive in Bloomington around 4:30pm
Van Riders (10): Walsh(2), Andris(2), Maughmer(2), Miller, Kaufman, Sauder, Schmidgall

Preparing 

  • Watch the BibleTelling Training videos (recorded July 15, 2023):
    • Part 1 Learning the Epistles, General Storytelling Instruction
    • Part 1 Slides
    • Part 2a Learning “regular” stories
    • Part 2b Discussion of the trip 
  • Practice telling your assigned stories 5 times–to a different listener each time.
  • Review the messages and watch the recommended videos in the Preparatory Archive
  • Packing starter sheet
  • Luggage weight and bag limits – 23KG = 50 Pounds
    • NOTE: The Seminar fee covers tips for porters carrying one bag/person to/from each hotel. If you have them carry more than 1 bag, please consider tipping for the extra bag/s ($1/bag) on your own.
    • Check with your international airline–generally 50 pound limit, depending on ticket class
    • Lufthansa calculator (group flight airline)
    • Turkish Air calculator (Istanbul to Izmir)
    • Aegean Air calculator (Thessaloniki to Athens, Athens to Rome)
  • Hiking advice
  • Electrical Adaptors and Converters
    • Turkey (link) Type F Socket 
    • Greece (link) Types C & F Sockets
    • Italy (link) F & L Sockets
    • NOTE: Plug C adapters are usable in all 3 countries (link)
  • Prescription Meds (link)
  • Weather expectations in October
    • Istanbul (link) – 56-68ºF.
    • Izmir (AKA Smyrna) (link) – 55-75ºF.
    • Thessaloniki (link) – 54-70ºF.
    • Athens (link) – 60-74ºF.
    • Rome (link) – 53-73ºF.
  • Currency exchange
    • You may want to exchange dollars for local currency, but many businesses accept credit cards or even U.S. dollars. 
    • Recent exchange rates 
      • TURKEY – Lira (TRY)
        • 1 Lira = 5¢ USA; 200 Lira = $10.00 USA
        • $1 USA = 20 Lira; $200 USA = 4,000 Lira
      • GREECE / ITALY – Euro (EUR)
        • 1 Greece/Italy Euro = $1.10 USA; 200 Euro = $215 USA
        • $1 USA = .93 Euro; $200 USA = 286 Euro
  • Credit/Debit Cards
    • To avoid unwelcome credit/debit authorization rejections in Israel-Jordan, please contact your card issuers and let them know of your travel plans (may not necessary for some cards).
    • To avoid surprise charges, ask about their foreign transaction fees (sometimes no fee, often 3%, sometimes waived if purchase is made in US$$ rather than the foreign currency).
  • Laundry
    • Some hotels offer laundry service, but we are rarely staying in the same hotel more than 1 night (only in Athens and Rome). So unless they can guarantee overnight service before the bus leaves the next morning (generally 8am), this isn’t likely an option.
    • Consider packing 8-10 days of undergarments in order to make it to Athens for laundry service. Or wear quick-drying garments to wash in the hotel room sink and drip-dry over night?
  • WhatsApp text messaging group
    • We use the WhatsApp smartphone messaging app to stay in touch during the Seminar (and, to a lesser extent, before and after the Seminar).
    • You do not need an international calling program to use it–we will have wi-fi in the hotels, although not likely on buses.
    • If you have a WhatsApp ID, you are included in the “Footsteps of Paul 2023” WhatsApp group. Please let me know if you prefer not to participate (or if you want to only participate during the Seminar). 
    • If you don’t have a WhatsApp ID, please let Roger know if you create one (simply download the WhatsApp mobile app to any smartphone to get started).

Considerations that can hold us back…

  • Cost! Ugh, yes, and it won’t be less expensive next year. Save money with double occupancy and group air reservations.
  • Time! 14 days is less than 4% of the year. Same % next year.
  • International travel! Yes, but there are some experiences staying home and watching YouTube videos just can’t replicate. 
  • Age/Health! The trip does involve a fair amount of walking. Not a lot of climbing. Plenty of time to develop a walking routine before the trip. We will each be 1 year older next year.
  • Risky! Not that life is risk free here at home.
  • Telling Bible stories! What a great (and unique!?) way to experience the Bible stories and the Bible lands. We will each learn (without memorizing) 2 or 3 short Bible stories for the trip. We each probably told more stories (also without memorizing) than that today. Plus, the Bible stories are inspired and true. 😉
Seriously, international tours, including our BibleTelling Seminars, are not for everyone. But please don’t miss the opportunity without an excellent reason.
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Training

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Training Events

  • Specially-scheduled upon request.

Storytelling Training

Summary of the BibleTelling Training Approach
  • Learning Bible Stories Link
BT101 Draw & Tell with John Walsh
  • Video Instruction Sheet Link
  • 50 Bible Stories Link
  • Workshop Video Link
ST101 Storytelling 101 with John Walsh

Workshop Video Link  This workshop is based on John’s booklet, “Storytelling 101.” Copies are available here ($2).

Multiple Translation Roundtable  Part 1  Part 2   Part 3
Learning Lists

Ruth

Memory Breaks

10 Commandments

Beatitudes

12 Disciples

Storyboards for Learning Large Stories

BibleTelling Training in Taiwan (with Mandarin translation)

Book Supplements

BibleTelling: Telling God’s Word (Book)
Creative Communication Skills (Course) and The Art of Storytelling (Book)
Old Testament Course – Insight Videos
  • Videos for the Old Testament course (Course books available here)

BibleTelling Ministry

How to develop the skill of using the “story approach” for teaching the Bible.
BibleTelling Ministry (Videos)

Training Photos and Videos

BibleTelling Seminars in Israel

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Why BibleTelling?

BibleTelling Seminars in Israel (and now also in Turkey & Greece) include several distinctions:

  • Participants share ~100 Bible stories on ~45 sites where the stories occurred in Israel (with fewer stories and sites in Turkey & Greece Seminar)
  • Expert commentary on the Biblical significance of each Bible story and site
  • Pre-Seminar BibleTelling training
  • Each participant shares 3+ Bible stories during the tour (Stories to be Told: download  book  eBook)
  • optional extensions to Jordan (Israel Seminar) or Rome (Turkey & Greece Seminar)
  • Each Seminar participant receives 2 beautiful, full-color booklets
    • 25-page Seminar Guide with a calendar of events, a daily itinerary (travel stops, titles of the stories to be told), travel maps, and more. See a recent Seminar Guide here. Click on the “Look Inside” feature to see many of the pages in the sample booklet.
    • ~75-page Reference Guide of Bible study charts, photos, maps, genealogies, and more. See the current Reference Guide here.

Review this Starter Sheet if your group is interested in planning a BibleTelling Seminar. 

 

Preparing for a BibleTelling Seminar

  • Read All the Stories of the Bible  Free (Download PDF)  OR  Purchase (Paperback)
  • Watch Preparation Videos
  • Watch 10 key Story Insight Videos
  • Read the Cultural Awareness article (your Seminar Coordinator will share)
  • Practice telling your assigned stories 5 times–to a different listener each time.

Details from some previous BibleTelling Seminars in Israel

 

Bible Story Translation Status

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Work is underway to translate the Bible stories into numerous languages.

# TARGET LANGUAGE STORIES COMPLETED TARGET DATE
(all stories)
1 Spanish Written: 10
Audio:		 Written:
2 Arabic – Palestinian Audio:10 Audio:
3 Mandarin Written:117
Audio:108		 Written:
Audio:
4 Haitian Creole Written: 260 Written:
5 Bengali Written: 72 Written:
6 Chittagonian Written:
Audio:		 Written:
Audio:
7 Krio
8 Themne