Intercultural Learning Trips

Find Your Program Apply Online Visit Campus Request Info
WMI Menu

“The only people who see the whole picture are those who step outside the frame.” - Indo-British novelist Salman Rushdie

Pittsburgh Theological Seminary’s World Mission Initiative organizes intercultural trips to help participants see their own ministry with new eyes by stepping outside their context. These trips are part of a required Intercultural/Experiential Learning course (MI 310) that is offered by the Seminary every January Term. This course will provide pre- and post-experience orientation and reflection in cultural proficiency and anti-racism, intercultural communication, a theology of short-term mission engagement, area studies for the specific context to be studied, and spiritual practices for mission. 

Since 2002, WMI has sent 600+ individuals to 40+ destinationa (both domestically and internationally).

Read reflections from previous student participants.

The Seminary's required intercultural experiences for MDiv students puts PTS in a category of its own in U.S. theological education. No other seminary is investing the resources PTS is to get our students and faculty to the cutting edge of where God is engaging in mission today.

 

Hunter Farrell, WMI Director
Student Reflections
Seminarians reflect on their recent intercultural mission trips to Cuba and the Philippines.

January 2026 Trips

Philippines: Christian Responsibility for God’s Creation

Travel Dates: Jan. 9-20, 2026

Co-Leaders: Dr. Scott Hagley, W. Don McClure Associate Professor of World Mission and Evangelism at PTS and the Rev. Brenda Henry '17, Pittsburgh Lutheran United Ministries

Deep learning occurs when we allow ourselves to see familiar issues through another’s eyes. This group will travel to Silliman University to hear our partners’ views on Christian responsibility for God’s Creation: “Climate change is not merely an environmental or political or economic problem. It is a moral and spiritual problem. It is the obligation of people of faith to speak and act to address this issue. We have seen the poor suffer most from the impact of climate change. There is an urgent call to hear the voices of those most affected by the climate crisis. They demand justice. It is a call for climate justice. And climate justice means global solidarity.”

Florida: Sojourners Among Us

Travel Dates: Jan. 10-18, 2026

Co-Leaders: The Rev. Bala Khyllep, Acting Director of the World Mission Initiative at PTS and the Rev. Dr. Kimberly Russaw, Associate Professor of Old Testament at PTS

We will visit migrant farm worker communities between Tampa and Ft. Myers to help participants understand the life situation of farm workers in the U.S., their relationship with agro-business, and their role in the economic chain that connects our lives with the land. We will visit ministry partners at Beth-El Ministry, Misión Peniel (a ministry of Peace River Presbytery), and the award-winning Coalition of Immokalee Workers to experience the strengths and weaknesses of different responses by churches—from charity to activism—to the workers’ daily life.

Israel/Palestine: Mission in Context

Travel Dates: Jan. 9-19, 2026

Co-Leaders: The Rev. Dr. Hunter Farrell, Senior Research Fellow for the World Mission Initiative at PTS and Dr. Emiola Oriola Jr. '18, Vibrant Pittsburgh

What does faithful witness look like in a context of exclusion and control--when the suffering of your people is routinely ignored by the world? How do Palestinian Christians understand theologically their context as a persecuted minority and their consequent engagement in God's mission? In Palestine and in Pittsburgh, is it possible to engage in God’s mission without attending to God’s justice? Join us in dialogue with young Palestinian pastors, theologians and activists.

Cost

Please refer to the instruction on the application form for the cost of each trip and financial support.

Important Dates and Application

  • Trip Application Period

The trip application will be open from Sept. 2 to Oct. 3, 2025. To apply for each of the trip please click on the following links:

  1. Philippines Trip Application Form 
  2. Florida Trip Application Form
  3. Israel/Palestine Trip Application Form

  • Information Session

Want to learn more? Join us Sept. 16 for:

  1. Worship at 11:30 a.m. in Hicks Chapel 
  2. Information session at 12:15 p.m. in Dining Room 1, Kadel Dining Room, McNaugher Hall. Lunch will be provided. RSVP required by emailing Lisa at wmi@pts.edu if you need food by Sept. 9. 

  • Class Registration

First time travelers need to register J-Term course MI-310 between Oct. 20-24, 2025.

  • Mandatory Trip Orientations  

All trip participants are required to attend two virtual trip orientations - Sat., Oct. 25 and Sat., Nov. 15, 2025, from 9:30 - 11:30 am. 

Trip With Credit

Any PTS student planning to participate in an Intercultural Learning Trip for the first time is required to enroll in the Intercultural Experiential Learning (MI 310) course, which consists of 15 hours of pre-trip orientation (plus preparatory readings) and 15 hours of post-trip reflection and integration. Students will receive three credits or can audit the course.

Trip Without Credit

Students who have traveled before and completed the course are required to attend pre-trip orientation and post-trip classes.

Non-PTS students are required to register/audit for the course. The three credits are transferable to the Graduate Certificate in Missional Leadership. Non-registered applicants are required to complete five hours pre- and post-trip classroom time.