Prepare for Turkey
Your journey to Turkey will take you deep into the world of the New Testament and the Book of Revelation. You will walk among the ruins of the seven churches addressed in John’s vision, stand in the great cities of Ephesus, Pergamum, and Sardis, and discover how faith thrived and struggled in the Roman world. This trip will not only enrich your knowledge of Scripture, it will challenge your heart as you see the very places where early believers lived courageously for Christ.
To make the most of your experience, take time to prepare in four ways:
Prepare your mind with some background learning.
Prepare your stuff so your trip is smooth and comfortable.
Prepare your body so you can enjoy every step of the journey.
Prepare your heart so you are open to all that God desires to show you.
Prepare Your Mind
A little study before you arrive will make the sites come alive immediately. Take a map of modern Turkey and look at the western region along the Aegean coast—this is ancient Asia Minor, the heart of the early Christian movement.
The Seven Churches named in Revelation 2–3 are all located in this region. Here are the key sites you will encounter:
Ephesus: One of the greatest cities of the Roman world, where Paul ministered and John likely lived.
Smyrna (modern Izmir): A bustling port city, praised for its faithfulness amid persecution.
Pergamum: Known for its altar to Zeus and described as the place “where Satan’s throne is.”
Thyatira: A trade city known for its guilds and Lydia, the seller of purple cloth.
Sardis: A once-great city, now remembered for its spiritual complacency.
Philadelphia: Commended for its endurance and open door for the gospel.
Laodicea: A wealthy city, rebuked for being lukewarm in faith.
Reading Revelation 1–3 before your trip will help you connect each site with John’s letters. A Bible atlas or a simple online map of Asia Minor can help you trace the route the messenger would have taken when carrying John’s scroll.
Prepare Your Stuff
Bring your Bible or Bible app—you’ll be reading from Revelation at each site.
Practical tips for travel in Turkey:
Clothing: Comfortable walking shoes are essential. Some sites require modest dress (covered shoulders and knees), especially if visiting mosques. Pack a light scarf or wrap.
Weather: Summers are hot and dry; spring and fall are pleasant but can still be sunny. A hat, sunscreen, and a refillable water bottle are important.
Electronics: Turkey uses 220V electricity with Type F plugs. Most phones and laptops auto-adjust voltage, but you’ll need adapters.
Day pack: A small backpack for water, Bible, and journal will serve you well at archaeological sites.
Currency: The Turkish lira is the local currency, but credit cards are widely accepted in larger cities.
Prepare Your Body
Expect lots of walking at ancient sites, sometimes over uneven stones and up steep hills (Pergamum especially has high slopes). Begin walking regularly before your trip, and practice on hilly or uneven ground.
Adjusting to jet lag will be important. Turkey is several hours ahead of the U.S., so prepare with good hydration, regular walking, and perhaps a sleep aid or melatonin for the first few nights.
Prepare Your Heart
This tour is more than history—it is a pilgrimage into the heart of Revelation’s message. As you read John’s letters at the very locations where they were first heard, you will sense their urgency in new ways.
Here are three ways to get ready spiritually:
Pray—Ask God to prepare you to hear His Word afresh in the places where it was first proclaimed. Invite friends to pray for your trip.
Read—Spend time in Revelation 1–3. Imagine how the original congregations might have felt hearing those words.
Journal—Write down questions, prayers, and reflections before you travel. Bring your journal on the trip and record how each site challenges or encourages you.
The more you prepare, the more you will gain—not just an understanding of the Seven Churches, but a renewed vision of what it means to be faithful in your own life today.