Looking ahead: Italy 2027, travel with purpose

Dear friends,

Many of you understand the profound influence Florida College has had on my life and family. As one of the first rounds of “adopt” students to attend, I witnessed firsthand how this institution shapes lives through rigorous academics grounded in Christian conviction. Now, as I watch all three of our children either graduate from or currently attend Florida College, I continue to see how this education equips students not merely for careers, but for lives of faithful service.

Yet we cannot ignore a sobering reality: rising educational costs increasingly place Christ-centered higher education beyond the reach of deserving students. This concern weighs particularly heavily for young people who lack the networks and systems that often provide crucial financial help. These students should not be excluded from transformative education simply due to circumstance.

What we are doing

We are organizing educational travel experiences that fund scholarships for students at Florida College. Over the past few years, I have supported trips to Egypt, Jordan, and Israel. We are now expanding this work to Italy in 2027 as the next destination, with several more trips planned for the years ahead.

Every person who joins these journeys contributes to making Christian higher education accessible to students who need financial support.

Here is how it works: the cost of your participation includes both your travel expenses and a modest scholarship contribution. This means that by experiencing Italy’s rich history and culture, you are directly enabling a deserving student to receive the same transformative education that has shaped my family. More destinations and opportunities will continue to follow.

Italy 2027

In the summer of 2027, we will embark on a journey together through Italy, exploring Rome’s ancient foundations, Florence’s artistic legacy, and Venice’s rich maritime heritage. My prayer is that this will transcend mere tourism. We will walk through sites where early Christians shaped history, stand before masterworks that reflect humanity’s highest aspirations, and trace the cultural threads that continue to influence our world.

Every step of this journey serves a dual purpose: personal enrichment and meaningful giving. Your participation directly funds scholarships for Florida College students who need financial support to access the same Christ-centered education that has so profoundly shaped my family’s trajectory.

What to expect from these communications

In the months ahead, you will receive thoughtful reflections drawn from my recent writing. These will explore Scripture, church history, and contemporary faith that demonstrate how a robust Christian worldview engages our complex world. I will also share upcoming opportunities as new educational travel experiences are developed.

Most importantly, you will be invited into meaningful participation through deeper reading, consideration of joining our travels, and reflection on how these themes intersect with your own spiritual formation.

Your next steps

• Plan to join us in the summer of 2027. Begin considering participation in this Italian journey.
• Expand our community. Share this newsletter with friends who would value this blend of travel, learning, and service. Encourage them to follow our Facebook updates for regular inspiration.

Remember: the broader our community grows, the greater our collective impact on the next generation.

I am grateful you have chosen to receive these messages. My prayer is that each communication will offer substantial food for thought, worthy anticipation, and tangible ways we can grow in faith while blessing others.

Grace and peace,

 ~PW 🌮🛶