Church History Tours

Douglas & Cheryl Bond

  • CHURCH HISTORY TOURS
  • OXFORD Creative Writing
  • LUTHER 500 2017
  • ENGLAND 2016
  • Bond's Books
  • New Reformation Hymns

The Mission of Church History Tours

spacer Author Douglas Bond and his wife Cheryl guide folks on Church history tours to connect this generation with the people of God who contended for the gospel in previous generations.

"...the saints in the land, they are the excellent ones, in whom is all my delight." Psalm 16:3

Our goal on every tour is that Christians today, as they encounter followers of Jesus Christ from the past, will be equipped and inspired to hazard all for the good news of salvation by grace alone, through faith alone, in Christ alone.

If this sounds good to you...Don't miss the ENGLAND CHURCH HISTORY AND HYMN TOUR 2016 or the ROME to GENEVA CHURCH HISTORY TOUR 2016

We invite you to explore Church History where it happened!

spacer Since 1996, author Douglas Bond has guided 100s of students and families on never-to-be-forgotten adventures exploring Church history in Europe. Recent tour participants said this about their experience:spacer

"...through the Bond tours we have made friends for eternity!" (group comment by New Englanders and Canadians who met on the Ref Tour '13)

"History is easier to remember the Bond way!" KNOX 500 traveler, 2014; more highlights from KNOX 500 Tour

"The tour way exceeded my expectations--and I expected it to be great!" (UK/France 2014, follow blog images of the tour and see the Queen!)

"So thankful for the life-changing experience in Europe on the Reformation 2013 tour! It was wonderful--we were reminded so often of God's free grace this summer." (See blog images of the REFORMATION TOUR 2013)

"You were the most apt, able and wonderful tour guide that has walked the earth! Such enthusiasm and knowledge! The folks who go on your tours get an unforgettable education! Thanks for all of the blessings!" (Hymn Tour, England & Wales, 2012)

"The tour far and aspacer way exceeded all our expectations," (Calvin 500, 2009 Tour).

 "Words really fail me here - if only I had Mr. Bond's talents!  I am so incredibly blessed. Your enthusiasm for history and literature are contagious." (UK and France Tour, 2010). 

"It was such an incredible gift and challenge to me to see how Christ-centered you are..."

"The tour really was way more than we ever expected or imagined..."

"When is the next tour? We're on it!" (Crown & Covenant Trilogy Tour, Scotland, 2011)

A previous traveler (2-time) put together this awesome fun video: "What to expect on a Bond Tour."

EXCITING TOURS (watch for more tours, 2016 and beyond)

spacer 2016--ROME to GENEVA CHURCH HISTORY TOUR (Contact us today at bondbooks.net@gmail.com or call 253.381.1961spacer )

2016--ENGLISH CHURCH HISTORY & HYMN TOUR

2016--OXFORD CREATIVE WRITING MASTER CLASS (very limited space left on this writing excursion)

2015--ROME to GENEVA TOUR (Early Church, Renaissance, Reformation tour)! A marvelous time had by all!.

2014--John Knox at 500 Tour TOUR IS FULL June 24-July 4. spacer ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS! Space is limited... 

2014-- UK/Normandy Student Tour, March 24-April 8 (Closed tour)

2013 -- The REFORMATION FOR ALL TIME TOUR: France, Switzerland, Germany, June 21-July 1, 2013. IS FULLY BOOKED, NO OPENINGS. A wonderful success, thanks be to God!

2012--UK Normandy History Tour, a wonderful success! SDG

2012 -- HYMNS FOR ALL TIME TOUR: England and Wales, thanks be to God, was a wonderful success!

2011--Crown & Covenant Trilogy Tour, Scotland and England,  thanks be to God, was a wonderful success!

2010--UK/Normandy Tour, Student Tour, April

2009--John Calvin at 500 Tour, France, Germany, Switzerland

1996-2009, biennial tours 

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NEVER A DULL MOMENT! 2010 UK tour featured on CBS London

Don't miss out on the Rome to Geneva Tour, 2015! ACCEPTING REGISTRATIONS! Space is limited; contact us today at bondbooks.net@gmail.com or call 253-381-1961

Douglas Bond--profile

Douglas Bond is author of twenty-five books of historical fiction, biography, devotion, and practical theology, including two adult novels translated and published by Dutch publishing houses. He has been married to his delightfully patient and supportive wife Cheryl since 1983; they have been blessed with six children and two grandchildren (pictured teaching a larger master class at Christ Church College meadow, Oxford. One of the unique characteristics of the OCWMC is its advantageous student/tutor ratio of 8:1).

Bond has earned a Masters in Teaching (MIT) from St Martin's University, and a Preliminary Certificate in Theology from Moore Theological College, NSW Australia. He is adjunct Instructor in Church History at Western Reformed Seminary (WRS) where his Church history tours can be taken for graduate elective credit. A teacher of English and history for many years, Bond was awarded by the Pierce County Library Foundation and Arts Commission the "2005 Teacher Award"  for his teaching of writing; his student writers have consistently dominated local and regional double-blind-judged writing contests, including a 1st, 2nd, and 3rd place sweep of the three-state and British Columbia Optimist 2015 high school essay writing contest. Bond is an adjunct instructor of English Literature and writing at Northwest Nazarene University, and frequently speaks on writing at conferences. Bond has ministered in Peru, at Lavengamalie College in the Kingdom of Tonga, and with Equipping Leaders International (ELI) in Uganda (2007).

He is on the advisory board of Glorious Films (Montreal) with Derek Thomas, Michael Haykin, and others (2014). As a hymn writer and author of several books on hymn writers and hymnody, Bond was asked to be a consultant for the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation's (CBC) special feature series on Christian hymns God's Greatest Hits (2012). His NEW REFORMATION HYMNS album with Greg Wilbur, Steve Green, and Nathan Clarke George releases in 2015; a growing number of his hymns are being sung in churches and at conferences.

Bond is a ruling elder in the PCA, has served on a Presbytery committee, and in 2015 was elected to the permanent General Assembly national committee for Reformed University Ministries, which oversees the campus ministry Reformed University Fellowship (RUF).

As an outgrowth of his books and teaching, Bond has led church history tours in Europe since 1996 (www.bondvoyage.webs.com), and has also been consulted on a history documentary film on the Reformation. Meridian Filmworks is in negotiation with Bond’s publisher to create a major motion picture of his Scottish Covenanter Golden Medallion nominee novel Duncan’s War.

Frequently interviewed on Christian radio stations, Bond was featured in French newspaper Le Midi Libre (1/18/2015) on his book HAMMER OF THE HUGUENOTS, researched and written on-location in France. Additionally, Bond's articles on church history and theology have appeared in Modern Reformation, Table Talk, byFaith (author interview), Western Reformed Seminary Journal, Light and Life magazines, and in the Aquila Report. In addition to leading church history tours, Bond often lectures at conferences on literature and church history, including being scheduled for a third bonus speaking session at the Ligonier West Coast Conference in 2016.

"Douglas Bond understands the human condition, always finds the joy in teaching, and imparts the most profound wisdom to his students." David V. Kimball

 

Listen in on and take a peek at previous tours

  • Listen in on Bond's talks on the JOHN CALVIN at 500 TOUR, 2009
  • Listen in on Bond's talks on the CROWN & COVENANT TRILOGY SCOTLAND TOUR, June 28-July 8, 2011
  • Listen in on Bond's talks on the CHS UK/Normandy Tour, April, 2012

GLASGOW & FENWICK --Day 1

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  • The tour begins: Glasgow High Kirk (Cathedral)
  • Knox monument, Necropolis, reading from Mighty Weakness of John Knox
  • At St. George's Tron, "Despise not the day of small things."
  • Kinney, member at the Tron, speaks of crisis in Church of Scotland
  • Fenwick Kirk, background to Covenanters, William Guthrie, Captain Paton, John Howie
  • Geoff Redmayne, pastor of Fenwick Kirk on Covenanters and crisis in Church of Scotland

CROWN & COVENANT TRILOGY in Ayrshire -- Day 2

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  • Barr Castle, Alexander Peden
  • Drumclog (from King's Arrow)
  • David Randall, pastor of Loudoun Parish Church, speaking on crisis in Church of Scotland
  • Strathaven Castle (from Rebel's Keep)
  • Loudoun Keep (from Rebel's Keep)
  • Irvine Bridge, Newmilns (Willie Whyte, from Crown & Covenant Trilogy)

Dalry, Threave Castle, Anwoth -- Day 3

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  • Dalry, Galloway at the Gordon Aisle (reading from Duncan's War)
  • Anwoth, Samuel Rutherford's parish and singing The Sands of Time
  • Threave Castle, Covenanters in the Bishops Wars

Hadrian's Wall, Vindolanda Roman Fort -- Day 4 and 5

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  • Nearing 18th century Northumbrian farm Saughy Rigg Farm Inn
  • Roman Britain history and context at Vindolanda Roman Fort
  • Discovery of Vindolanda ancient writing tablets (inspiration for Hostage Lands)
  • Context for Hostage Lands
  • Reading from chapter 6 of Hostage Lands at the Wall
  • By listener requests, reading on in Hostage Lands while at the Wall
  • Archeologist, Andrew Birley, describes new discoveries and ancient murder victim remains 
  • Reading Hadrian's Wall episode from Guns of the Lion

Newcastle, Jedburgh & Melrose Abbeys, Rullion Green--Day 6

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  • Knox preaching at Newcastle, overview of English Reformation and Knox's role therein
  • Jedburgh Abbey, Rutherford's schooling here, St. Margaret and Malcom (Macbeth recitation)
  • Melrose Abbey, Anne of Bohemia and Richard II, Bruce's heart, medieval monasticism 
  • Rullion Green battlefield, 1666, reading from Duncan's War

Edinburgh -- Day 7

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  • Grassmarket, Greyfriars Abbey, National Covenant, Knox grave marker, Edinburgh Castle, and hangings
  • Sunday worship at Holyrood Abbey Church: singing new Stuart Townend hymn, pastoral prayer, sermon by Philip Hair. 
  • Sunday dinner at Tolbooth Prison (reading from Rebel's Keep)
  • In John Knox home reading from Mighty Weakness final chapter written in his home.
  • Singing at Horatius Bonar's grave, Cannongate Kirk (hours after the Queen was here)
  • Economics 101 at Adam Smith's grave, Cannongate Kirk.
  • At St. Giles, more on Knox and Covenanters
  • Daniel Roberts, one of the finest baritones I know,singing below at St. Giles

St Andrews -- Day 8

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  • Patrick Hamilton, at San Salvator's College chapel
  • Medieval abuses and errors and need for Reformation in Scotland
  • Singing Scottish Psalter, Psalm 23, and Bonar's O Love of God in chapel where Knox preached 
  • At St. Mary's College Hall where Rutherford taught and died
  • At Holy Trinity Archbishop Sharpe monument, "murder" by over-zealous Covenanters
  • St. Andrews Cathedral and Scottish Reformation
  • At Rutherford's grave
  • Writing tutorial in monkish stalls at St. Andrews Cathedral ruin

Leuchars, Dundee, Perth -- Day 9

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  • Leuchars parish kirk and Alexander Henderson
  • At St. Peter's Dundee, Robet Murray M'Cheyne
  • Deacon Hugh singing Psalm 23 to Free Kirk tune
  • Reading from my forthcoming Knox novel, The Thunder, chapter on iconoclasm in Perth
  • At St. John's Kirk, Perth where Knox preached in 1555 and revival and iconoclasm erupted

Stirling Castle, Argyll Lodging, Guthrie's Church, Bannockburn...

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  • At Stirling Castle
  • At Bannockburn battlefield, 1314

Grand Central Hotel, Glasgow, final dinner and reflections

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  • Michael Pimpo's sonnet on Crown & Covenant Scotland Tour
Listen in on Bond's talks on the JOHN CALVIN at 500 TOUR, 2009

CHS UK/Normandy Tour, April, 2012

spacer spacer Windsor Castle

Devotions at Cambridge YHA

At Isaac Watts' grave, Bunhill Fields, London

Previous Tours...

FULL: 2013--REFORMATION FOR ALL TIME--Continental Europe

spacer The 450th anniversary of the crafting of the Heidelberg Catechism (1563) occurs in 2013. See detailed ITINERARY. Join us as we follow John Calvin from his birthplace in Noyon to Paris and Geneva, and then as his students made their way to Heidelberg there to compose one of the greatest question and answer guides to what the Bible teaches about Guilt, Grace, and Gratitude. We will stay in one of my wife's favorite cities on the planet, Strasbourg, where Calvin and Martin Bucer proclaimed the gospel; we will visit Luther's birthplace, where he studied at Erfurt and taught at Wittenberg, where he translated the New Testament into German at the Wartburg Castle, and where he took his immortal stand at Worms. We will also follow Ulrich Zwingli's ministry in Zurich--and eat sausages!

REFORMATION FOR ALL TIME TOUR is appropriate for all ages: seniors, families with children, married couples and singles. Join us for eleven unforgettable days of rich fellowship, great food and accommodation, and comfortable coach travel in France, Switzerland, & Germany. 

The Reformation tour has only a few seats left. Reserve yourspacer

place today.

  • Ground cost per adult: (projected, based on USD and exchange rates) $2,750 Register early and get a discount. Ask about discounts for families.
  • Interested? Join this site today.
  • Questions? Email: douglas@bondbooks.net or call 253.381.1961
  • Get your early registration discount: Register today! douglas@bondbooks.net or 253.381.1961

2012--HYMNS FOR ALL TIME TOUR -- England and Wales

spacer Join us August 11-21, 2012 as we explore the byways of England and Wales where hymn writers were born, educated, ministered, worshiped, taught, and wrote their timeless and enduring hymns. Come close with us into the quaint villages, birthplace cottages, ancient parish churches, magisterial Gothic cathedrals, and final resting places of John Newton, William Cowper, Isaac Watts, Anna Waring, Christina Rossetti, Francis Havergal, Thomas Ken, Richard Baxter, Reginald Heber, William Williams, Charles Wesley, Samuel Crossman, Samuel Trevor Francis, James Montgomery, Henry Lyte, Augustus Toplady, John Bunyan, and many others. Each day will be rich with sketches of the lives and times of the hymn writers and composers, with delicious food, quaint accommodations, with warm fellowship--and of course with lots of singing!

spacer HYMNS FOR ALL TIME TOUR, August 11-21, 2012, is an eleven day coach tour appropriate for all ages: mature Christians who already know and love classic hymns, families with children rediscovering hymns (maybe using my Mr. Pipes series to help do so!), college students and seminarians, ministers and musicians eager to deepen their understanding and appreciation of why Psalm-like hymns are relevant and essential for Christian worship in every age. During the tour, Bond will introduce several NEW REFORMATION HYMNS

We anticipate a fully subscribed tour. Space is limited. We invite you to reserve your place today.Interested? Join this site today.

Questions? Email: douglas@bondbooks.net or call 253.381.1961

spacer Get your early registration discount. Register today! Email: douglas@bondbooks.net or call 253.381.1961 

"It was a five-star tour at a two-star price," said a recent traveler.

*Register early and get a $150 discount.

Travelers on the hymn tour will receive a free signed copy of my forthcoming biography with Reformation Trust (Ligonier), THE POETIC WONDER OF ISAAC WATTS, or my biography with Evangelical Press (EP in UK) A

 

Previous Tours Singing hymns by Bunyan, Watts, and Newton


John Knox at 500 Tour 2014 a wonderful success; contact us today about other tours at bondbooks.net@gmail.com or call 253-381-1961

 

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