GBHEM to Host Renowned Travel Expert Rick Steves for Exclusive Live Discussion on “Travel as Spiritual Act”

TV Host and Author to Share How Connecting with Communities, Cultures Has Inspired His Own Spiritual Growth on March 23

As travelers worldwide cautiously await the opportunity to pack their bags once again, renowned travel expert and author Rick Steves will join the General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) for a live discussion on “Travel as a Spiritual Act” on March 23 at 8:00 p.m. CDT.

Open to the public and broadcast live on YouTube and Facebook, the exclusive conversation will be led by GBHEM Executive Director, Rev. Dr Tamara K. Gieselman and will explore how over 40 years of trekking to off-the-beaten-path destinations has led Steves to a greater understanding of people, cultures, and the ties that bond us together.
Registration for the event, which is open to the public, will also include a free entry to receive one of five autographed copies of Steves’ best-selling book, “For the Love of Europe.” Winners will be chosen at random and announced at the conclusion of the live discussion.

“Travel can broaden our perspective, enabling us to rise above the advertiser-driven infotainment we call the news to see things as citizens of the world,” Steves recounts in his book, “For the Love of Europe.” “By plugging directly into the present and getting the world’s take on things firsthand, a traveler goes beyond traditional sightseeing…When we travel, we have the opportunity to see history as it’s unfolding. With knowledge of the past, we can better appreciate the significance of what’s happening today. That’s something a lot of travelers don’t take advantage of…and it’s never been more important.”

After a traumatic year of the COVID-19 pandemic and rampant social unrest, Steves will share his perspective on how traveling can help us foster a more compassionate, empathetic world and greater spiritual growth within ourselves.

GBHEM is dedicated to helping people respond to the calling that God has placed on their lives. The March 23 conversation will explore how one can travel, hear a call to change the world, and share their life-changing experiences with family and friends.

Registration for the event is free and open to all at www.gbhem.org. Anyone who loves to travel is encouraged to attend.

About GBHEM
The General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) is the ministry of learning and leadership arm of The United Methodist Church, supporting more than 1,100 educational institutions worldwide. In addition to serving Christians around the world with intellectual engagement, spiritual and character formation, GBHEM also creates education that prepares elders, deacons and licensed local pastors for their roles in the Church. In all of its endeavors, GBHEM helps lay and clergy leaders discover, claim and flourish in God’s ministry and mission for the Church, the academy, and the world. For more information, visit www.gbhem.org.