In the winter of 2006-2007 I had the incredible opportunity to live and study in the Holy Land for 10 weeks with my seminary class. We took our professors with us and went to study the Bible in the place where it happened. Desiring to share this experience with those back home, I began making daily posts to a new “blog” I had created. Back in those days it was called “Diary of Pilgrimage” after the 4th century woman Egeria who made a pilgrimage to the Holy Land and published her journal under that title.
As I took time to reflect each day, I discovered that eventually hundreds of people were following along and waiting for each update. I saw for the first time what a powerful tool the “new media” could be for sharing the faith. Those original posts from the Holy Land 13 years ago became the beginnings of what is today ShawnTheBaptist.org.
For the next ten days, I’m heading back to the Holy Land for another pilgrimage, my third time now. We’re not visiting any sites I haven’t been to. I’ve probably taken all the pictures that I “need” for documenting and teaching. This time, I’m just going begging the Holy Spirit to give his grace in the way he knows I most need it. I bring several special intentions and people to pray for and I ask you to pray for me. Quick stop in New York tonight. Tomorrow… up to Jerusalem!