Professional

Faith-Based Travel

“Travelling is almost like talking to men in other centuries.”

Rene Descartes (1596 – 1650)

About DAP

Down Ancient Paths is a professionally resourced and operated travel program which...

PROMOTES literacy about the breadth and depth of the global Christian heritage;

DEEPENS understanding of the interweaving of history, geography, and spirituality;   

INFUSES one’s life with a spirit of adventure and exploration;

OFFERS an opportunity for lifelong learning beyond the season of formal education; and    

ENCOURAGES a personal commitment to life as a spiritual journey.

About Me

Over the past 23 years, Dr. Charles Nienkirchen (PhD University of Waterloo) has led over 40 customised, faith-based, international educational travel ventures to explore biblical landscapes and the global Christian heritage across 34 countries and five continents. Teaching and travel have been vocationally interwoven for him in his commitment to enriching experiential education.       

He is retired Professor Emeritus of Christian History and Spirituality at Ambrose University in Calgary, Alberta, Canada and served for many years as Visiting Professor of Christian Spirituality at Tyndale Seminary in Toronto, Ontario, Canada.

In 1998, Dr. Nienkirchen received The Distinguished Alumnus Award from Tyndale College in Toronto, Canada and in 2006 he was honoured with an Award of Distinction for the Internationalization of the Teaching and Learning Practice given by the Government of Alberta’s Ministry of Advanced Education for the creation of the Down Ancient Paths Travel study program in 2000.  In his retirement, Dr. Nienkirchen continues to direct the Down Ancient Paths travel program, in partnership with Tutku Educational Travel based in Izmir, Turkey. 

Throughout his life, Dr. Nienkirchen’s passion for personal and professional travelling has remained undaunted. His academic career has exuded a rich international flavour, inspiring his students to think ‘globally’ and travel intentionally. He has been a Scholar in Residence at Oxford University in Oxford, England; Tantur Ecumenical Institute in Jerusalem, Israel; and Tamil Nadu Theological Seminary in Madurai, South India. Additionally, he has taught courses on selected and underappreciated aspects of Christian spirituality at numerous seminaries and graduate schools identified with various Christian traditions across Canada, the United States, and Russia. As well, he has given lectures in Mexico, Cuba, the United Kingdom, Hungary, Turkey, and Israel.

Partnering with TUTKU

Down Ancient Paths is proud to partner with TUTKU Educational Travel for all of its ventures.

Based in Izmir, Turkey, in the heart of the Seven Churches of the Revelation, TUTKU has over 31 years of experience creating successful educational travel experiences in Europe, the Middle East, and Africa.

TUTKU is committed to excellence and has earned the confidence of thousands of travellers around the world.

“Replacing Walls with Wheels”

In 2015, Dr. Nienkirchen addressed an international assembly of faith-based, travel study groups at the Ephesus Meeting, sponsored by Tutku Educational Travel of Izmir, Turkey.

He articulated a vision for faith-based, educational travel as an effective vehicle for spiritual direction and formation that called for ‘Replacing Walls with Wheels’.   

Friends of the Program

  • "I highly recommend DAP to learn more about ancient and Reformed Christian traditions as manifested in the lives of saints, scholars, martyrs, and visionaries. DAP itineraries are meticulously researched and curated. They feature guest lectures by distinguished scholars, and fascinating onsite stories by knowledgeable local guides. I've travelled on two stellar DAP ventures to Germany to celebrate Luther and the Reformation 500 (2017) and to the UK to explore John and Charles Wesley (2023). Charles is exceptional as an engaging tour mentor and professional host. He treats travellers with courtesy and respect, as they enter sacred space and time and experience the mystery of faith with like-minded souls. Travelling these ancient paths is transformative, as they lead to Christ, the Light of the World."

    Dr. Linda Schwartz
    Vice President Academic & Dean
    Booth University College
    Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

  • "DAP tours are not cookie cutter but customized with local travel experts to maximise the interaction of participants with the ancient landscape of Christianity. The DAP vision encompasses a diversity of regions, countries, and continents across various Christian traditions. No matter what their background, participants come to experience firsthand the sights, tastes, smells, even the sweat, of ancient Christians who walked these paths before. As a group leader, Charles has knowledge, experience, and passion, which is why his DAP tours are so successful."

    Dr. Mark Wilson
    Director, Asia Minor Research Centre, Antalya, Turkey
    Professor Extraordinary of New Testament, Stellenbosch University, South Africa

  • "I have been associated with DAP since its early years and have participated in several of the odysseys and ventures through various countries. I can attest to the quality of education one gets as you travel through ancient lands, experiencing first hand the ancient cultures and traditions of Christianity. In these ventures, you always have the wise guidance of Dr. Nienkirchen, as well as the knowledge of the carefully selected local guides, who take you deeper into the local customs and secrets of the land. Frequently, you are encouraged to explore theological, historical, and cultural themes on the very spots where much of that was created."

    Rev. Father Panayiotis Papageorgiou, PhD
    Pastor of Holy Transfiguration Church
    Marietta, Georgia USA

  • "Down Ancient Paths provides an exciting opportunity to learn about the global Christian heritage through travel. Dr. Nienkirchen is an experienced, passionate, and expert guide to historical sites of global significance to the Christian faith. Participating in DAP is an ideal and enjoyable way to connect and reconnect with Christianity as an ancient, yet still vibrant modern movement."

    Dr. Geordan Hammond
    Director, Manchester Wesley Research Centre
    Senior Lecturer in Church History and Wesley Studies
    Nazarene Theological College, Manchester, United Kingdom

  • "DAP changed my life. I’ve been on five adventures, and each one allowed me to explore Christian origins and the global Christian heritage. I traced the paths of the Celtic Christians, walked the path of Francis and Clare of Assisi, explored the Stave Churches and the Vikings, and visited all 7 church sites in the Book of Revelation. I met people from all over the world who represent diverse church backgrounds. Dr. Nienkirchen's teaching is dynamic, energetic, intellectual, and challenging. He has pushed me to examine the gaps in my own Christian education. I will travel with Dr. Nienkirchen anywhere he goes!"

    Shelia Sutton, NBCT, LMFT
    National Board Certified Teacher
    Licensed Marriage and Family Therapist
    Pasadena, California, USA

  • "DAP is a work of wonder and invites participants on every venture to ponder a penetrating question: - ‘What are you doing here?’ (1 Kings 19:9). It’s a question asked to all humanity in every generation and culture. DAP is about the unfolding purpose of God’s story. 35 years ago, I had a chance, roadside encounter with Dr. Nienkirchen in Oxford, UK. He is a ‘Professor and Pilgrim’ who became my friend. He invites students, colleagues, friends, and fellow travellers to join him on faith-deepening journeys of anticipation, discovery, curiosity and encounter. Every DAP venture is meticulously and creatively planned."

    Rev. John Samways
    Retired Anglican Priest
    Frome, United Kingdom

  • "The four touchstones of the DAP travel program - exploration, imagination, integration, and transformation are clearly evident. Exploring ancient Christian sites with top travel guides, hearing lectures by reputable scholars, and interacting with an ecumenical range of fellow travellers, fostered stimulating dialogues and opened space for absorbing new perspectives and sharing experiences of the Sacred. I travelled to Israel and Russia with DAP. The beauty and solemnity of the sacred sites visited and actually walking in the ancient pathways, spawned reverence and deeper connection to our Christian heritage. Dr. Nienkirchen is an informed travel scholar. He prompted stimulating conversation and entertained with his unique humour. These travels remain valuable and memorable experiences."

    Dr. Jackie Stinton
    Psychologist
    Calgary, Alberta, Canada

  • "The DAP program invites a deeper appreciation for the way Christ has formed His church. In history, in culture, in people groups and geographic locations. DAP gives an unparalleled quality opportunity to listen and to learn from a global perspective. WARNING - do one DAP experience and you will be hooked for the next one. My DAP journeys have been life giving and have fleshed out my pastoral ministry. I share God’s Word more effectively having been to many of the biblical sites and sampled firsthand the environment. Charles leads with a generous spirit formed by Christ. His learned perspective facilitates a healthy challenge that every lifelong learner should experience."

    Rev. Scott Dixon
    Lead Pastor
    University Drive Alliance Church
    Lethbridge, Alberta, Canada

  • "The value of the DAP Wesleys study tour to the UK exceeded my expectations. Charles possesses a broad knowledge of church history which made the "classroom on wheels" a rich educational experience. While the focus was on the Wesley brothers, we touched on a broad range of church traditions. The study tour was personally rewarding and refreshing."

    Rev. Dr. Ian Lawson
    Former Academic Dean
    Briercrest College
    Caronport, Saskatchewan, Canada

  • "The DAP travel program has been a rich experience for me, as I have travelled to learn about the roots and development of the Christian faith in many places, cultures, and traditions. Dr. Nienkirchen brings a wealth of knowledge and a passion for learning, as he guides our exploration through readings, site visits, local lecturers, people stories, Scriptural reflections, and friendly dialogue. Fascinating. Thought-provoking. Fun. Thoroughly worthwhile."

    Helen Wyse
    People Care Facilitator
    Toronto Youth Unlimited, Toronto, Ontario, Canada

  • “In the Footsteps of John Wesley” included talks and tours in Guernsey to show that the faith of a few can develop into a major Christian movement. The development of Methodism in the British Channel Islands was enhanced when John Wesley visited in 1787 to galvanise the seed of faith to the Guernsey islanders. Charles enlisted me as a tour guide, and additional resource persons gave talks on the early development of the Methodist faith. I lectured on the Nazi occupation of the island during World War II and led tours of the John Wesley sites. Nothing was too much trouble for Charles. We worked well together to provide the best experience for the group. Participants left Guernsey with a sound understanding of how Methodism developed from a converted fisherman in Canada to the islands of Jersey and Guernsey."

    Eric Grimsley, MCC Ed (Hons)
    Gold Accredited Tour Guide
    Guernsey, Channel Islands