Short answer: Yes, your church group can build a whole trip around Rome and the early church, or add Rome to a Footsteps of Paul tour. Mission Travel Faith Tours offers a 7-day Church Beginnings Tour of Italy (Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan), a 4-day Rome extension, a 10-day Footsteps of Paul Turkey and Rome tour, and a 12-day Footsteps of Paul cruise tour that finishes in Rome. Every one is a sample itinerary we customize for your congregation, your dates, and your budget. Call 407-377-7912 to start planning.
The New Testament does not end in Jerusalem. It ends with Paul in Rome. Acts 28 closes with him in the capital of the empire, "proclaiming the kingdom of God and teaching about the Lord Jesus Christ with all boldness." When I walk a church group through Rome, I tell them the same thing every time: this is where the gospel went to the center of the world's power, and the world's power did not stop it.
Why church groups go to Rome
- It finishes Paul's story. Groups who have read Romans together, or walked Paul's route in Greece and Turkey, see where his journey led.
- It shows the cost of faith. The early believers in Rome worshiped under pressure and persecution. Standing where they stood gives your people courage for their own walk.
- It is church history in one city. From the first century to the Reformation debates, so much of the story of the church runs through Rome.
- It is easy to fill. Rome and Italy appeal to first-time travelers, couples, and families. That makes it easier for a pastor to gather a group.
Four ways to build the trip
- Church Beginnings Tour of Italy (7 days): Rome, Florence, Venice, and Milan. A church history and culture trip for groups who want Italy itself to be the destination.
- Footsteps of Paul Turkey and Rome (10 days): Istanbul, Ephesus, and the Seven Churches of Revelation in Turkey, then the Vatican and the landmarks of ancient Rome.
- Footsteps of Paul Cruise Tour with Rome (12 days): Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, Patmos, Crete, and Santorini, with a 3-night cruise, finishing in Rome.
- Rome extension (4 days): add Rome to a Holy Land, Greece, or Turkey trip so your group ends the journey where Acts ends.
What your group can see in Rome
We shape the days around your group, but pastors usually ask for a mix of the ancient city and the story of the early church: the Colosseum and the Roman Forum, the Appian Way that travelers like Paul walked into the city, the catacombs where early Christians buried their dead, the sites tradition connects with Paul's imprisonment, and the Vatican. We build in time for Scripture readings and worship, not just sightseeing.
How group size works
We build private custom Christian group tours for groups from 10 to 500, and the larger your group, the better the pricing. Groups of 14 or more travel as a private tour. For every 20 paid travelers, one spot is free, and groups of 20 or more travel with one of our tour managers. Many pastors use that free spot for themselves or give it to someone in the church who could not otherwise go.
A simple planning path for pastors
- Pick the story you want to tell. Paul's journey to Rome, the early church under pressure, or a broader church history trip.
- Choose your base itinerary. Start from one of the four options above, then we adjust the days, sites, and pace.
- Set dates and a budget. We work around your church calendar and adjust meals, hotels, and guided tours to fit.
- Promote it to your church. Share the itinerary, hold an interest meeting, and let people sign up early.
- Prepare spiritually. Read Acts and Romans together before you go. Your group will see the city with new eyes.
Frequently asked questions
Can we combine Rome with the Holy Land or Greece? Yes. The 4-day Rome extension is built for exactly that, and our Footsteps of Paul tours already pair Rome with Turkey or Greece.
Is a Rome trip good for families and first-time travelers? Yes. The pace is moderate, and Italy is one of the easiest places in Europe for a mixed group to travel.
Do you only serve churches? No. We also plan trips for Christian schools, ministries, and family and friends groups.
If your church has been reading Paul, let us help you finish the story with him in Rome. Start planning your church tour, look at our private custom Christian group tours, or contact our team at 407-377-7912.
