We are delighted to announce an incredible opportunity to attend the Oberammergau Passion Play as part of a once-in-a-lifetime tour June 9-19, 2010. The trip will wind through some of the most beautiful places in Europe, including Prague, Vienna, Salzburg, Oberammergau, and Munich. The trip will be led by special guest host Rev. Craig Swanson, who is a gifted communicator with a pastor's heart. Craig is Senior Pastor of First Evangelical Covenant Church in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The Oberammergau Passion Play is performed once every ten years and is an experience that is both thrilling and humbling. The tradition began in the 1600s as a response from grateful townsfolk, who thanked the Lord for being spared from the Black Plague, which was making its way through Europe and killing entire villages. This tour is designed to not only connect you with the history and reality of the church in Europe, but it is our goal for you to experience the Passion of Christ for the whole world. You will be introduced to I.N. Network indigenour staff from Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. You will never think of the Passion of Christ in quite the same way after you catch the excitement and joy of His special servants that you will have an opportunity to meet as you share the journey to Oberammergau together. Lifelong friendships will be forged and Christ's Passion for His world will be renewed in your life. · Trip price is approximately $4,590, depending on airfare and currency exchange. Price includes airfare, taxes, hotel breakfasts, dinners, transportation, tour guides, entrance fees, and tips. Call Margit de Jong at (616) 748-9620 or
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her with any questions about the I.N. Network Oberammergau Passion Play trip. Craig is ordained in the Evangelical Covenant Church and has pastored churches in Libertyville, Carol Stream, and Northbrook, IL. He has been at First Covenant in Grand Rapids since 2004. Craig is married with two young children. He loves to read, listen to music, and is a committed runner.
· The I.N. Network Oberammergau tour will be from June 9 - 19, 2010, following this approximate itinerary: · Wednesday, June 9 - Overnight Flight
Our journey begins with an overnight flight across the Atlantic Ocean, landing in Prague. · Thursday, June 10 - Prague
On arrival, our Tour Director and comfortable bus will meet us at the airport and we will begin with an orientation tour of Prague. Later, we will have time to relax and enjoy our surroundings. · Friday, June 11 - Prague continued
In the morning a local guide will join us for a fascinating walking tour of Hradcany Castle, the Gothic St.Vitus Cathedral, and a stroll across the famous Charles Bridge to reach the Old Town Square. The remainder of the afternoon is free. In the evening, enjoy dinner as a group and meet in a private setting with our I.N. Network ministry staff. · Saturday, June 12 - Vienna
We drive to beautiful Vienna, full of gorgeous Baroque architecture, charm, and history. Vienna was the capital of the Hapsburg Empire and is arguably the capital of European culture. After a city tour, we enjoy dinner in a local restaurant. · Sunday, June 13 - Vienna continued
In the morning we will have the opportunity to worship with local believers. Later, tour participants will have the option to visit Schönbrunn Palace, the beautiful Hapsburg palace with lovely gardens or individuals can choose to stay and enjoy the sites and sounds of Vienna's inner ring. In the evening, we will enjoy dinner at our hotel. Monday, June 14 - Oberammergau
Our morning starts early with a drive across the Austrian countryside. As we arrive close to Oberammergau in the afternoon, we visit the Monastery of Ettal and participate in a cheese-tasting. Our day ends in Oberammergau, where the world famous Passion Play, depicting the story of Christ, has been acted out for hundreds of years by the faithful villagers.
Tuesday, June 15 - Oberammergau continued
Enjoy exploring Oberammergau during this free morning. After lunch we will attend the Passion Play, the highlight of our tour. The history of the Oberammergau Passion Play begins in 1633. In the middle of the Thirty Years War, after months of suffering and dying from the plague, the people of Oberammergau took a vow to perform the play of the suffering, dying, and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ every ten years if the Lord would spare them from the plague. During Pentecost in 1634, the fulfilled their promise for the first time. Today, we attend the 41st production of the play. After a dinner intermission, we return to the Passion Play Theatre for the rest of the production. · Wednesday, June 16 - Salzburg
Leaving Oberammergau in the morning, we enjoy a beautiful drive in Bavaria before heading for Salzburg, Austria, the city of Mozart and the city where much of the movie "The Sound of Music" was filmed. En route, we stop to tour Linderhof Palace. In the afternoon, a local guide joins us for a walking tour of Old Salzburg, visiting Mozart's birthplace, and strolling through Mirabel Dardens. We'll tour Salzburg Cathedral, the Getreidegasse shopping area, the market area, St. Peter's Church, and more. · Thursday, June 17 - Munich (Erding)
Our morning is free for exploring Salzburg. Early in the afternoon we drive to Munich. Upon arrival we enjoy a panoramic drive around the ring and then have free time in the town center. We will meet at a local restaurant where we are free to order on our own from the menu. After dinner we will head to the village of Erding just outside of Munich and settle into our hotel.
· Friday, June 18 - Munich (Erding) continued
Our morning begins with a tour of the Holocaust Museum in Dachau. After reflecting on the lessons of history never to be forgotten, a local guide will join us for a city tour of Munich. In the evening, we enjoy a farewell dinner in Erding. · Saturday, June 19 - Return In the morning, our Tour Director escorts us to Munich airport for our flight home. · In 2000, I.N. Network led a similar tour to Oberammergau, which over 30 travelers enjoyed. Trip participants commented on the excitement of the tour and how blessed they were to meet I.N. Network national workers in person and hear about their ministries. Whether you are a veteran tour traveler or a first timer, this tour is designed to help you get the most out of your time in Europe and make life-long friends along the way! · See the descriptions below about each breathtaking tour location.
·  Prague, Czech Republic · ·  Vienna, Austria As the seat of the Habsburg empire for five centuries, Vienna's architecture reflects the wealth of its heritage. Sightseeing in this beautiful city highlights such famous sights as the Vienna State Opera House (pictured to the right), Schonbrunn Palace, the elegant Karntner Ring Street, St. Stefan's Cathedral, Hundertwasser House, as well as Upper and Lower Belvedere Palaces. · ·  Salzburg, Austria The drive from Vienna to Salzburg through the Alps provides a spectacular entry into Salzburg, the "city of Mozart." Upon arrival, take a walking tour of Old Salzburg. Stroll through the picturesque Mirabell Gardens to reach the Getreidegasse where you walk past Mozart's birth house to visit St. Peter's Cemetery and see the catacombs. We will also visit the impressive Salzburg Cathedral (pictured to the right) with its statues and ornamentation. On the way to Oberammergau, we will visit Berchtesgaden, where we will board a special bus to take us part way up the mountain peak and above the city to a tea house, commonly called the "Eagle's Nest," which was a 50th birthday present to Adolf Hitler by the Nazi Party. Reach the peak by walking into the Kehlstein Mountain and riding the rest of the way in an elevator. ·  Oberammergau, Germany Visit one of the castles built by King Ludwig II, either the fairytale Neuschwanstwein Castle or the Rococo Linderhof Castle. Return to Oberammergau for lunch, followed by a performance of the world-famous Passion Play. · In 1633, the quaint alpine village of Oberammergau was threatened by the deadly and contagious disease known as the Black Plague, which scourged Europe, killing two-thirds of the population of Germany. The people of Oberammergau vowed that if the village could be spared, a re-enactment of the life and suffering of Christ would be performed and commemorated every ten years. Against the breathtaking backdrop of the Alps, the play takes place during the afternoon and evening with a break to enjoy a true Bavarian dinner. This experience is not to be missed! · ·  Munich, Germany
Enjoy a walking tour of the centrum highlighting landmarks such as Frauenkirche, the late Gothic cathedral (pictured to the right), which is a signature image of the city. Hear the chimes of the famed glockenspiel at Marienplatz and enjoy time on your own for lunch and exploring the Victuals Market, Munich's most popular open-air market. Spend some more time learning about I.N. Network ministries from Central and Eastern Europe ministry leaders. Gather in the evening for a farewell dinner and closing service.
· General Trip Information Trip price is approximately $4,590, depending on airfare and currency exchange. To let us know of your interest, please call our office at (616) 748-9620 and speak to Margit de Jong or email
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. · Although June 2010 seems like a far-off date, Oberammergau Passion Play tickets sell out quickly. In order to ensure the availability of tickets to this highly sought-after event, we need to hear back from you by June 1, 2009. · A $300 deposit is required to hold your place for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Don't miss out - the Passion Play won't be back until 2020! · Deposits (payable to I.N. Network USA) may be sent to our Zeeland office at the following address:
Oberammergau 2010 Trip
I.N. Network USA
10432 Chicago Dr
Zeeland, MI 49464 ·
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Oberammergau 2010 
Special Guest Host Rev. Craig Swanson is Senior Pastor of