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Join Mary Ann and the Bentheimers International Society on this unforgettable tour!

Enjoy teachings on C.S. Lewis each morning by Dr. Bill Kuhn, Dean of the School of Theology and Ministry at Crown College. Lessons each morning will give context to tour sites throughout the trip.

Phil and Sophia grew up in Grand Rapids, MI, but now reside full-time in Green Valley, AZ. Sophia is the sister of Henry Witte, founder of Witte Travel, and John Witte; she is originally from the Netherlands. Phil is a Navy veteran who also spent two years in the Peace Corps. Both are retired teachers who enjoy traveling, hiking, and the arts. They recently hosted a birding tour in the Netherlands and have traveled extensively throughout the United States. They are very excited about hosting the Ireland tour and would love to have you join them.

Hal & Jeanie Oakley have been married 49 years, and they have three married children and ten grandchildren. Hal served 32 years as Lead Pastor of a church in Huntsville, AL. Jeanie served for 25 years as Co-Director and teacher of Parent Initiative, a nonprofit ministry of Second Mile Development. Some of their shared values are loving and enjoying people, teaching marriage and parenting, leadership, and travel. They have ventured to Central America, Mexico, and Africa by leading church mission trips, and since 2016, they have led three spiritual journeys to the Holy Land, Greece/Turkey, and Germany/Switzerland. This new adventure focuses on a country where three faiths meet: Judaism, Islam, and Christianity have been an integral part of Spain’s rich history. This tour will provide an opportunity to learn about and reflect upon historical influences, contemporary Spain, and our own faith. Hal & Jeanie strongly believe travel opens our eyes to the reality that people are just people, wherever they live; that we have much in common with one another, that we can learn from one another, and that we can enjoy one another.

Hal: 256-658-5252 |
Jeanie: 256-468-4501 |

Suzanne Bratt, Jim’s daughter, is a music librarian at the University of Cincinnati who has a PhD in musicology. Suzanne wrote her dissertation on J.S. Bach, and she will share her knowledge with us on tour.

Jim Bratt, professor of history emeritus, will offer insights to places connected with the Protestant Reformation, the Enlightenment, and Romanticism—tracing how these three movements influenced American intellectual and religious history.

(616) 446-3956 •

Executive Director, Alumni and Family Engagement – Courtney is an experienced higher education professional who leads Hope’s Office of Alumni and Family Engagement. Throughout her career she has worked with students, faculty, staff, families, alumni, and community members to create opportunities for people to innovate, grow, and be empowered. With an interest in gaining new knowledge and appreciating cultures, Courtney is honored to travel with you and grateful for this immersive experience you will share. Email:

Assistant Professor of Dance and Theatre – Lighting and Sound Design – Eric Van Tassell has been a faculty member in both Hope’s Theatre and Dance Departments since 2019, where his primary focus is lighting design. He has decades of experience working on stages ranging from exploratory storefront theaters in Chicago to The John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts in Washington, D.C. and is looking forward to sharing that knowledge and context with you as you explore the Edinburgh Fringe Festival and the dramatic history and landscapes of Scotland. Email: