We are all on a journey. Each of our journeys have reasons behind them. The Apostle Paul had a reason behind his well-known Missionary Journeys. Christianity, the only religion in the world which places so much significance on places, largely has Paul to thank in its spread. The Apostle Paul has been one of the reasons for us embarking on our Sojourning in 2015. We wanted to see where he went, where he spoke and where he first Trailblazed with the Christian message.

Paul’s Missionary Journeys within Asia Minor.

While the list of cities Paul visited is not exhaustive, these were the places this Tale, Part 1 of 3 highlights, which we were privileged to visit in Asia Minor, modern day Turkey.

Perga

“Now Paul and his companions set sail from Paphos and came to Perga in Pamphylia.” – Acts 13:13

Konya (Iconium in antiquity)

“Now at Iconium they entered together into the Jewish synagogue and spoke in such a way that a great number of both Jews and Greeks believed.” – Acts 14:1

Antalya (Attalia in antiquity)

“And when they had spoken the word in Perga, they went down to Attalia” – Acts 14:25

Laodicea

While it is not known whether Paul visited Laodicea, he mentions it in his letter to the church in Colossae which is not far from Laodicea.

“And when this letter has been read among you, have it also read in the church of the Laodiceans” – Colossians 4:16

Laodicea is also referred to in the book of Revelation: “And to the angel of the church in Laodicea write: ‘The words of the Amen, the faithful and true witness, the beginning of God’s creation.” – Revelation 3:14

Hierapolis

When referring to Epaphras, Paul mentions Hierapolis in his letter to the church in Colossae which is not far from Laodicea.

“For I bear him witness that he has worked hard for you and for those in Laodicea and in Hierapolis.” – Colossians 4:13

Ephesus

“And it happened that while Apollos was at Corinth, Paul passed through the inland country and came to Ephesus. There he found some disciples.” – Acts 19:1

Ephesus is also referred to in the book of Revelation: “To the angel of the church in Ephesus write: ‘The words of him who holds the seven stars in his right hand, who walks among the seven golden lampstands.” – Revelation 2:1

Troia (Troas in antiquity)

Troas was the place where Paul first left with the Christian message for modern day Europe.

“So, passing by Mysia, they went down to Troas. And a vision appeared to Paul in the night: a man of Macedonia was standing there, urging him and saying, “Come over to Macedonia and help us.” And when Paul had seen the vision, immediately we sought to go on into Macedonia, concluding that God had called us to preach the gospel to them.” – Acts 16:8-10

Writing to Timothy, one of Paul’s travelling companions:

“You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra—which persecutions I endured; yet from them all the Lord rescued me.” – 2 Timothy 3:10-11