Intercultural Learning Trips
“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 2001, WMI has sent 987 individuals to 61 countries.
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.
January 2026 Trips
Philippines: Christian Responsibility for God’s Creation
Travel Dates: January 9-20, 2026
Co-Leaders: Dr. Scott Hagley, PTS' Associate Professor of World Mission and Evangelism 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: January 9-20, 2026
Co-Leaders: The Rev. Bala Khyllep, PTS' Acting Director of the World Mission Initiative and the Rev. Dr. Kimberly Russaw, PTS' Associate Professor of Old Testament
We will visit migrant farm worker communities between Tampa and Ft. Myers to help participants understand the life situation of farmworkers 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: January 9-20, 2026
Co-Leaders: The Rev. Dr. Hunter Farrell, PTS' Senior Research Fellow for the World Mission Initiative and Dr. Emiola Oriola Jr. '18, Vibrant Pittsburgh
How do Palestinian Christians understand their context of conflict and violence and their consequent engagement in God's mission? What does faithful witness look like in a context of exclusion and control? In the Middle East and in Pittsburgh, is it possible to engage in God’s mission without attending to God’s justice?
Cost
Please refer to the application form for the cost of each trip.
Important Dates
Trip Application Period
The trip application will be open from Aug. 28 - Oct. 3, 2025. Stay tuned for an application link here.
Information Session
Want to Learn More?? PLEASE JOIN US on Tuesday, September 16th for:
- Chapel at 11:30 am in Chapel
- Information session at 12:15-1:00 p.m. in McNaugher Kadel Dining Room 1.
Class Registration
J-Term class registration opens Oct. 20, 2025.
Other Dates
Save the dates for Sat., Oct. 25 and Sat., Nov. 15, 2025, for the trip orientations in the fall. Stay tuned for more important dates and events here.
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.