References
Rev. David Grant- Student Pastor
dgrant@irvingbible.orgIrving Bible Church, TX
Expozure 2005 - 2009
San Antonio Pilgrimage 2005
Mexico and NOLA Missions 2006
NOLA Missions 2007
Dallas and Memphis Missions 2009
Panama - Memphis - NOLA 2010
Short term missions has been a strategic part of my student ministry for over 20 years. Being responsible for all the planning, preparing and then implementation of the trip is so much work, many times I wasn't able to pastor the students the way I wanted. Wonder Voyage has become vital in creating opportunities that fit the uniqueness of our middle school and high school ministries. Wonder Voyage directors work seamlessly with our staff to create the perfect atmosphere for our students to understand what it means to be the hands and feet of Jesus. Not only did they make the administration of the trips easier, they truly enhanced the overall experience for the students. They are professional, in touch with the unique needs of student ministries, team players, and lovers of the world around them. I can't imagine doing short term missions again without the partnership of Wonder Voyage.
Rev. Rachel Nyback- Pastor
rnyback@stcross.orgSt. Cross by-the-Sea - Hermosa Beach, CA
Wales J2A Pilgrimage 2009
Asking me about pilgrimage with Wonder Voyage, it is like opening a fire hydrant. It will be difficult to get the flow of praise to stop. Wonder Voyage met the needs of our youth and the leaders, sometimes before we even realized what we needed. The spiritual development was just right for teens. I especially appreciated the local contacts that we seemed to have or find in every place we went. Truly our pilgrimage was a voyage full of the wonder of God’s presence. Wonder Voyage so surpassed any of my high expectations for travel, spiritual support, local knowledge, flexibility, meeting the needs of the group (including the leaders). Wonder Voyage is the ONLY company that I will ever use for pilgrimage, for both adults and youth. There is no comparison.
Steffy Sabino - Director of Youth & Family Ministry
steffygs@aol.comHoly Comforter- Maryland
Oregon J2A Pilgrimage 2008
Grand Tetons J2A Pilgrimage 2009
I'm not sure how we would have ever made it on our trip had it not been for Wonder Voyage leading the way. Their ability to build a trip based on the needs and goals of our group as well as incorporate their knowledge, spirituality, and experience of the location we chose was amazing. The leaders from Wonder Voyage had the incredible ability to be able to spiritually connect with all our youth individually on whatever level they happen to be, yet bring them together as a cohesive group.
Ben Scheck- Director of Youth Ministry
bscheck@crownoflife.orgCrown of Life Lutheran- Texas
Expozure Retreat- 2007 - 2009
Wonder Voyage, through Christ-like servant staff and carefully planned programs, brings Jesus’ love, life lessons, and teambuilding to an entirely unheard of level. Each program is designed for and around each participating group and even adapts to the ever-changing needs of the group minute by minute. There is no doubt in my mind that Wonder Voyage impacts participants and leaders alike for a lifetime!
Nick Vuicich - Sr. High Pastor
nvuicich@pulpitrock.comPulpit Rock Church - Colorado
New Orleans- 2005, 2008
New York- 2006, 2009
Colorado- 2007
Costa Rica- 2007
Wonder Voyage trips are a staple in our ministry programming. Every year students eagerly anticipate the trip, the destination, the staff and especially the opportunity to encounter the risen Christ in a new and refreshing way. The success of these trips has impacted our entire approach to ministry.
Emily Gowdy Canady - Director of Youth Ministries
emily.gowdy.canady@gmail.com
J2A and Pilgrimage Expert
(Emily has over 10 years of J2A pilgrimage experience and a multitude of missions trips under her belt as she served at St. Columba’s in Washington D.C.- She currently resides in North Carolina and she will be joining the Wonder Voyage team)
Oregon J2A Pilgrimage- 2007
Wonder Voyage is wonderful group to work with because of their high level of professionalism and devotion to the purpose of holy pilgrimage. From the moment I made contact I felt the WVM staff was trustworthy and experienced and I found that to be true throughout the entire experience, including the post-trip evaluation. Wonder Voyage is a 5 star faith based mission trip and pilgrimage planning organization and I would recommend them to any group looking to have a spirit-filled meaningful pilgrimage or mission experience.
Bill Wallace - Director of Youth Ministry
youth@stmichaelscathedral.org St. Michael’s Episcopal Cathedral- Idaho
Honduras J2A Pilgrimage- 2007
Oregon- 2008
Costa Rica J2A Pilgrimage- 2009
After our original pilgrimage trip to Italy arranged by another company was aborted, I contacted Wonder Voyage to see if they could help us. The WV team arranged a voyage to Honduras for our group that was a perfect blend of mission, pilgrimage and wonder. My group, including the adult chaperones, grew in ways that I still marvel about. The evening journaling and spiritual time helped the youth focus on where they saw God in the people they met, the places they went, and things they saw each day. Upon returning home the team uniformly expressed their thankfulness that they got to have their pilgrimage in Honduras rather than Italy. I look forward to next year’s mission trip with the Wonder Voyage.
Tom Schwolert - Director of Youth & Family Ministry
t.schwolert@faithflowermound.orgFaith Lutheran- Texas
Expozure Retreat- 2006 - 2009
Expozure weekend has been a key component to the success of our youth ministry. Expozure provides a vehicle for young people to develop their leadership skills and discover their unique role in God’s kingdom. This has helped strengthen our community so that youth continue to stay connected as they transition. We are thankful that the Wonder Voyage staff has such a passion for the Gospel.