Jacquie McIntosh

Do you know the incredible Oberammergau Passion Play story?

December 17, 2018 by Jacquie McIntosh

Oberammergau is a little town in Germany with an amazing story. Many years ago, in 1632, Oberammergau was on the cusp the Black Plague. The people of Oberammergau made a vow to God that if he spared their town from the inevitable plague, they would regularly perform the Passion Play as a sign of repentance. After this pledge, incredibly, in fact miraculously, no one died.

So in 1634, the first Passion Play was staged in the town. Since 1680 the play has performed on the first year of each decade. Other than during WWII and in 1770, the Oberammergau Passion Play has performed uninterrupted every decade

The Oberammergau Passion Play transforms the whole village. In the last Passion Play in 2010, there were 2,000 adults and children involved. The stage, the costuming, the whole amphitheatre is transformed.

One fascinating part of the story is that only locals who have lived in the village for at least 20 years or have been born there can be in the play. The Passion Play in 2010 was sold out within days of tickets being released to wholesalers, so the tradition and popularity continues today. Many who have experienced it say it is an amazing ‘once-in-a-lifetime’ experience.

As you can imagine, the Passion Play experience is on many travellers bucket-list.

Selah has put together a variety of tour opportunities built around going to the Oberammergau Passion Play in 2020. To view the total range of tours below:

Sorry, we couldn't find any posts. Please try a different search.

Selah & Mission Travel

December 16, 2018 by Jacquie McIntosh

Let’s unpack the relationship between Selah and Mission Travel

For 13 years, Mission Travel has been servicing mission and humanitarian work around the globe by providing specialised and quality travel services. Whether it be an NGO, mission organisation or an individual going on a mission trip, Mission Travel has operated a highly specialised service over the years with full accreditation in the travel industry, access to exclusive airfares and highly experienced travel consultants. Combined with offering mission specialised services, Mission Travel also operated Holy Land and Bible Tours as well as some Christian leisure tours.

Over the years, it became evident that we need to separate out the two areas of Mission and Holy Land tours.

Therefore, as of January 2019, Mission Travel will be all things missions and continue to run the Giving Back program, where 50% of profits are donated to missions. While Selah will be travel and tours to Holy Land and Bible Tours along with other special destinations where like-minded Christians can travel together.

Selah will also offer other experiences including workshops and retreats. The focus primarily on creating ‘selah-moments’ for Christians to go deeper in their faith.

Find a Selah Moment

Travel & Tours, Retreats & Workshops

Find a Trip

Find a Mission Trip

Long and short term mission trips at Mission Travel

Find a Trip

Creating ‘Selah-Moments’

August 24, 2018 by Jacquie McIntosh

With the exciting launch of Selah in 2019, we unpack ‘selah moments’ and why Selah.

‘Selah’ is a Hebrew word referring to a voluntary and intentional pause for reflection. Often in times of pausing, God gives us a revelation that transforms our perspective, bringing us closer to Him. Selah positions us to hear His voice and be in His presence.

As Christians, Lisa Tarzia, Managing Director of Mission Travel, felt we should be creating selah opportunities for people to engage in experiences that deepen our faith.

“I’ve had a few ‘selah-moments’ in my life”says Lisa, “but two are very much in the forefront of my mind. The first was at the beach not long after my mum had died. I was 21 and grieving deeply. In the moment of being still in God’s creation, the vastness of the ocean and the rhythm of the waves crashing on the shore, I felt the tangible presence of God comforting me and letting me know that she was okay. It is something I have not forgotten,” says Lisa.

“Another impactful ‘selah-moment’ was my first time visiting the Garden of Gethsemane in 2009. Physically being there was so powerful. I pictured Jesus fully human and divine, asking his father “Do you really want me to do this?” The enormity of His sacrifice hit me so deeply that I felt the overwhelming power of His love,” reveals Lisa.

Selah is about creating spaces for Christians to have ‘selah moments’. Moments where people stop, pause and ponder. “When I presented this concept to my staff at Mission Travel, someone suggested the brand name ‘Selah’. Straight away my spirit leaped, and I felt this was God’s title for this new adventure. Little did the person know that years earlier I was drawn to the word ‘selah’ in the Psalms and kept on writing it in my prayer journal in a reflective and creative way, not fully understanding the meaning of the word”.

“Everything we offer at Selah is sprinkled with opportunities to pause and reflect. I believe that people will be transformed, rejuvenated and grow deeper in their faith through Selah. Whether it be pausing on a Christian retreat, or travelling abroad, I know that if we unplug ourselves from this busy cluttered life, we will have moments with God that are transformative and life-changing”, says Lisa.