BST Searches for the Early Churches

Brisbane School of Theology Study Tour

Duration
16
Departure
19 September 2025
Price from
$9,050

INFORMATION SESSIONS

We will run an online information session to look at the day to day itinerary, the costs involved, inclusions/exclusions and answer any questions you might have.
City Location Date Time Booking Link
Online meeting Zoom April 10, 2025 7:30 pm RSVP

OVERVIEW

We are delighted to announce that the Brisbane School of Theology will be running a study tour of Greece and Turkiye in 2025.

 

Richard Gibson, the Principal of BST will be leading this tour.

After studying theology and serving as an Anglican minister in Sydney’s west, he spent 20 years as a Lecturer at Moore Theological College. With a Master’s on 1 Timothy and a doctorate on emotions in early Christian thought, Richard has published extensively on the New Testament, church history, and ministry. He took the role of Principal at BST in 2014.

With over 25 years of teaching experience, Richard is devoted to his family, teaching the Bible, and mentoring students.

Raised in a Christian family, it was at university that Richard realised the importance of Jesus and his gospel. After studying theology and being ordained as an Anglican minister, he pastored a congregation in Sydney’s west for four years. He then took up a position as Lecturer at Moore Theological College for 20 years.

Seeing the value of continued learning, he completed a Master’s degree on 1 Timothy and a doctorate on the emotions in early Christian thought. Subsequent published articles have addressed issues in the New Testament, church history and ministry. Richard’s love of effective preaching led him to serve on Sydney Diocese’s College of Preachers which he chaired for seven years.

Richard has more than 25 years’ experience teaching Greek, New Testament, church history and preaching, and several years ago published Reading Biblical Greek for first-year Greek students. His greatest passions are his family, teaching the Bible, and caring for students.

Richard attends Centenary Evangelical Church. In his spare time, Richard enjoys playing golf or tennis.

richard-gibson-683x1024

ITINERARY

Late evening departure from Brisbane flying Emirates omn EK435 departing at 9.15pm.

Included Meals: None

Arrive in Dubai at 5.10am and connect with EK209 departing Dubai at 10.50am arriving in Athens at 3pm. Upon arrival you will be met and transferred to your hotel (one transfer). Remainder of the day is free to relax. Meet at 6pm for a welcome meeting followed by dinner at the hotel.

Hotel: Emmantina Hotel, Glyfada, Athens

Included Meals:

D
After breakfast at the hotel meet with your guide. We will climb up to the marble-capped Acropolis and visit the famous Parthenon and the Erechtheion. Then, we go to nearby Mars' Hill (or Areopagus) to read Acts 17:22, where Paul delivered his well-known sermon and spoke about the inscription: “to an unknown god”.
Then we walk down and visit the ancient Agora, now in ruins, was formerly the commercial hub of ancient Athens and birthplace of politics and philosophy. Here the apostle Paul reasoned with the most skeptical audience he met during his travels.

Hotel: Emmantina Hotel, Glyfada, Athens

Included Meals:

B
D
Breakfast at hotel. At 8.00 am our full day excursion out of Athens takes us by the Saronic Gulf via the historic Corinthian Canal (quick stop for photos) to the Diolkos. It was in use during the time Paul was at Corinth. The commercial benefit to Corinth, as well as to the port cities of Lechaion and Cenchrea, was significant. Then we drive to ancient Corinth (Acts 18:1-18). It was to this megalopolis where the Apostle Paul came, worked and established a thriving church. We will visit the archaeological site and museum as well as all the points of interest associated with Paul's ministry. On our way back to Athens, we will pass by the ancient port of Cenchrea, this port city across the narrow isthmus from Corinth was the embarkation port for the apostle Paul when he sailed after 18 months in Corinth to Ephesus (Acts 18:18-19). Phoebe was a deaconess (Rom. 16:1). To avoid delay and danger of sailing around the Peloponnese, ships were unloaded at Corinth, and then dragged overland to be reloaded at Cenchrea, or vice versa. Dinner & overnight in Athens.

Hotel: Emmantina Hotel, Glyfada, Athens

Included Meals:

B
D
Check out of our hotel and travel to Athens airport for the 1 hour flight to Thessalonica. On arrival
enjoy a panoramic tour of the city before check in at the hotel for dinner & overnight.

Hotel: Golden Star Hotel, Thessalonica or similar

Included Meals:

B
D
Today we drive to Philippi (Acts 16:12-40; 20:6) the site where the apostle Paul preached his
evangelistic sermon to women who had gathered at the river. You will visit the river where Paul
baptised Lydia, a purple fabric merchant, who became the first Christian woman to be baptized on
European soil (Acts 16:14, 15, 40). You will see the crypt, dating from the Roman period, which
according to church tradition may have been the place where Paul was flogged and imprisoned.
Also at Philippi you will see, the ancient Roman forum built during the time of Augustus and
mentioned in the Book of Acts as the place where Paul was publicly punished after he healed the
demon-possessed girl (Acts 16:19). You will see the Basilicas and the Greek Theatre (4th century
BC), which was converted into an arena by the Romans and used during the persecutions of the
early days of the church. Paul’s letter to the Philippians was addressed to the local Christians 14
years after his first visit there. Of all the churches Paul founded, probably none was as near and
dear to him as the church at Philippi (Acts 16:9-33). Philippi was named after Philip II, king of
Macedonia father of Alexander the Great. The Roman Road/Via Egnatia crossed this city and ran
from Rome to Byzantium. On the way to Thessaloniki you will pass by the Lion statue of Amphipolis,
which was a district capital of Macedonia, on the Via Egnatia, the route used by Paul, Timothy and
Silas (Acts 17:1).
Return to the hotel in Thessaloniki. Dinner & overnight.

Hotel: Golden Star Hotel, Thessalonica or similar

Included Meals:

B
D
Farewell Greece and travel to Thessalonica airport for our flight to Istanbul & connection to Cappadocia. Afternoon exploration of Goreme Open-Air Museum, featuring ancient Christian cave churches and frescoes.

Hotel: Gamirasu Cave Hotel, Cappadocia

Included Meals:

B
D
Today, an opportunity for an early morning hot air balloon ride (optional) for a breathtaking view of the surreal landscapes.
Afterwards, the group will visit the Kaymakli Underground City, experiencing the refuge used by early Christians.
Afternoon hike through the Rose Valley, contemplating the beauty of God's creation.

Hotel: Gamirasu Cave Hotel, Cappadocia


Included Meals:

B
D
This morning we depart Cappadocia, and travel by road to Pamukkale, stopping along the way in Kona, the home of the Whirling Derwishes.

Hotel: Pam Thermal Hotel, Pamukkale

Included Meals:

B
D
Today we continue our adventure visiting Laodicea, an ancient city at the crossroads of major trade routes. Afterwards, return to experience the surreal terraces of Pamukkale. Reflect on the healing springs and their biblical connections.

Hotel: Pam Thermal Hotel, Pamukkale

Included Meals:

B
D
Today we leave Pamukkale and travel to Sardis where we step back into the glory days of the ancient Lydian capital. Explore the remains of the Temple of Artemis, the impressive Gymnasium, and the renowned Synagogue. Unearth the secrets of this once-thriving city, known for its wealth and strategic importance.
Afterwards, we journey to Izmir where we will visit the church of St Polycarp (if open after restoration works) followed by the ancient Smyrna site.

Hotel: Double Tree By Hilton Alsancak, Izmir

Included Meals:

B
D
This morning we depart for Selcuk where we visit the St. John Basilica and the ancient city of Ephesus. Here we’ll see the Baths of Scholastica, Temple of Hadrian, the library and the Great Theatre. After a lunch break, we continue our tour to Temple of Artemis before our check-in at hotel in Kusadasi and enjoy some rest by the pool at or lovely boutique hotel. At tonight's dinner we farewell our Turkish guide and driver.

Hotel: Charisma Deluxe, Kusadasi

Included Meals:

B
D
Today we travel to Patmos by ferry, where John received the Revelation. Visit the Cave of the Apocalypse and the Monastery of St. John.
In the afternoon return to Kusadasi by ferry.

Hotel: Charisma Deluxe, Kusadasi

Included Meals:

B
Farewell Kusadasi and travel to Izmir airport for our flight to Istanbul.
On arrival in Istanbul, visit the Blue Mosque before checking into our hotel for the evening.

Hotel: Radisson The President, Istanbul

Included Meals:

B
D
Today we explore all that Istanbul has to offer with visits to Hague Sophia and a cruise on the Bosphorus River.
In the afternoon we visit the Spice Market and Grand Bazaar. The remainder of the day and evening is free for you to explore this fascinating city.
Tonight we celebrate the end of our tour with a farewell dinner.

Hotel: Radisson The President, Istanbul

Included Meals:

B
D
A free day before we travel to the airport in the afternoon for our early evening flight home.

Included Meals:

B

Highlights

Athens

Corinth

Thessalonica

Philippi

Cappadocia

Izmir/Symrna

Sardis

Philadelphia

Pamukkale

Hierapolis

Ephesus

Kusadasi

Patmos

Istanbul

Share on PinterestShare on LinkedIn
Map
Map

Destinations

TOUR INCLUDES

LINE-ICONS-02-FINAL

Travel with
like-minded people

LINE-ICONS-01-FINAL

Christian
Tour Leaders

LINE-ICONS-03-FINAL

Option of land
only package

LINE-ICONS-04-FINAL

Option of upgrading
to single room

LINE-ICONS-05-FINAL

Meals

LINE-ICONS-07-FINAL

Sights and entry
fees listed

OUR PRICING

Pricing
Pricing

Category Description Twin PP Single
Tour only $9,050.00 $11,130.00
Tour and airfare Ex Brisbane Flying Emirates SOLD OUT SOLD OUT
Credit students - Paying upfront (Tour Only) BB202-612/712 $11,352.00 $13,433.00
Credit students - Paying upfront (Tour Only) BB202-812/912 $11,661.00 $13,742.00
Credit students - Paying upfront (Tour and airfare) BB202-612/712 $14,293.00 $16,383.00
Credit students - Paying upfront (Tour and airfare) BB202-812/912 $14,602.00 $16692.00
Credit Students - Using FEEHELP (Tour Only) BB202-612/712 & BB202-812/912 $4,559.00 $6,640.00
Credit Students - Using FEEHELP (Tour and airfare) BB202-612/712 & BB202-812/912 $7,500.00 $9,590.00

*Please see 'More questions' in FAQ's below for Fee Help / Credit Student & Audit Student information

*Flights are subject to availability

Inclusions
Exclusions
Departure Date Booking
19 September 2025 BOOK NOW

FAQ