SUMMARY Host Aaron Cronk is joined with ACTS® EPL Traci Gregory as they discuss the origins of the Thanksgiving holiday in America.  The story begins with the Pilgrims coming over to Plymouth and their encounter with the very interesting person named Squanto.  They discuss his life story, the challenges he faced, and his willingness to engage with the Pilgrims and assist them in their survival. The discussion then moves to the major Thanksgiving proclamations issued by Governor Bradford, George Washington, and Abraham Lincoln.  It is good to listen to their words and be reminded of how our nation and our leaders gave reverence, honor, and thanks to God for His care and provision – but also took time to ask for forgiveness for our national sins. A favorite “Thanksgiving” scripture is shared and then we share a couple of recordings we received from listeners sharing their thanksgiving thoughts. Aaron then gives listeners a Call to Action and wraps up the podcast. We wish all listeners a very Happy Thanksgiving 2021 filled with remembrances of all the goodness of God.  Enjoy your time with family and friends.    Behind the Tour and American Christian Tours is thankful for all the support and encouragement from all our listeners and tour participants.  Travel with Intention! LINKS: One of American Christian Tours education programs that includes a visit to historic Plymouth: Historic Massachusetts | ACTS (acts-tours.com) George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation (Mount Vernon website)   Governor William Bradford's 1623 Thanksgiving Day Proclamation   Inasmuch as the great Father has given us this year an abundant harvest of Indian corn, wheat, peas, beans, squashes, and garden vegetables, and has made the forests to abound with game and the sea with fish and clams, and inasmuch as he has protected us from the ravages of the savages, has spared us from pestilence and disease, has granted us freedom to worship God according to the dictates of our own conscience. Now I, your magistrate, do proclaim that all ye Pilgrims, with your wives and ye little ones, do gather at ye meeting house, on ye hill, between the hours of 9 and 12 in the day time, on Thursday, November 29th, of the year of our Lord one thousand six hundred and twenty-three and the third year since ye Pilgrims landed on ye Pilgrim Rock, there to listen to ye pastor and render thanksgiving to ye Almighty God for all His blessings. --William Bradford Ye Governor of Ye Colony A link to Abraham Lincolns Thanksgiving Address at the National Archives KEY WORDS: American Christian Tours, ACTS, Behind the Tour; Behind the Turkey; Squanto; Governor Bradford; George Washington; Abraham Lincoln

SUMMARY This episode focused on the new National World War I Memorial located in downtown Washington, D.C. on Pennsylvania Avenue.  An existing park – Pershing Park – with a statue of General John J. Pershing of World War I fame, was taken and repurposed as the new memorial.  The statue of Pershing was kept in the memorial. Host Aaron Cronk is joined by ACTS education program leader (EPL) Jay Proffitt.  They start of with a segment Behind the Holiday where they discuss the connection between Armistice Day and Veterans Day.   From there the discussion does a quick overview of World War I and the desire to create a National World War I Memorial.  In looking for a location a park is chosen that is already a memorial to General John J. Pershing, so the discussion leads into Behind the Person – and the life of Pershing is the topic.   Finally, it is Behind the Memorial as our hosts talk about the elements of the new memorial.   Aaron tops it off with a Call to Action. Join us for this journey on Behind the Tour! LINK: A comprehensive link to a PDF highlighting all the features of the new World War I Memorial memorial-design-19-09-07.pdf (worldwar1centennial.org)  KEY WORDS: American Christian Tours, ACTS, Behind the Tour; World War I Memorial; Pershing Park; General Pershing; World War I;

SUMMARY On the last episode of Behind the Tour (Episode #23), we joined Dr. Marshall Foster for a short podcast recorded live at the National Monument to the Forefathers in Plymouth, Massachusetts. On this episode, host Aaron Cronk is joined by ACTS education program leader (EPL) Lisa Strong. Lisa takes listeners on a virtual walking tour of the historic waterfront and downtown of Plymouth.  Numerous quotes from the early Pilgrims are shared as well as discussions of numerous sites in the Plymouth area that honor the early forefathers and their fortitude to leave England and Holland and come to the new world and establish a lasting nation that was built on honoring God and His precepts. May your heart be encouraged as you recall the sacrifices made by those before us who had a vision for the future and for future generations with a matrix and plan that would teach us how to prosper as we follow God.     LINK: One of American Christian Tours education programs that includes a visit to historic Plymouth: Historic Massachusetts | ACTS (acts-tours.com) KEY WORDS: American Christian Tours, ACTS, Behind the Tour; Plymouth, Massachusetts; Pilgrims; Plymouth Rock; Mayflower II; Massasoit; Plymouth Burial Ground; Jenney Grist Mill; Pilgrim Mother Statue;  Forefathers Monument

EPISODE 23:  Behind the Tour: "Plymouth 400" SUMMARY  On this week's episode Behind the Tour, host Aaron Cronk connects live with Dr. Marshall Foster, founder of the World History Institute, onsite at a gathering at the Forefathers Monument in Plymouth, Massachusetts.  Dr. Foster is in Plymouth celebrating Plymouth 400 - the 400th anniversary of the landing of the Pilgrims.  The event was to have taken place last year but was postponed due to the pandemic.    Since 1988, Marshall has led tours of America’s historic East Coast with American Christian Tours. He is now the Director of Christian Education with ACTS, training tour guides to lead over 10,000 students and families each year on the trip of a lifetime. He personally leads annual tours of the historic East Coast and Europe.  Dr. Foster is in Plymouth with Kirk Cameron, who is kicking off the American Campfire Revival Tour: A Night of Revival Under the Stars (see link below).   Their goal is to awaken and mobilize the church in America to set “brushfires of freedom” and revivals in their backyards.  Dr. Foster takes us on a quick tour of the Forefathers Monument – an 81-foot-tall granite structure – built in 1889, that provides a matrix for how to build a free society based upon the Biblical ideals and worldview of these early settlers.  This is a live event and Dr. Foster had just a few minutes prior to the even to join us for the podcast.  There is some noise in the background.  In the podcast we also put out an invitation for listeners to “join” our “Behind the Thanks” podcast.  To participate, make a short voice recording of yourself sharing about that person, thing, or event you are thankful for.  Then email and attach it to us at [email protected]   We are hoping to include a number of these “Behind the Thanks” recordings in our podcast as we get closer to Thanksgiving.  Recording may be edited.  Not all recordings may be included.    Recordings should be submitted by the end of October 2021.        LINKS:  -The Forefathers Monument guidebook  The Forefathers Monument Guidebook | Plymouth, MA   World History Institute   World History Institute American Campfire Revival  americancampfirerevival.com – American Campfire Revival  -Pilgrims Formula to Save America!  Kirk Cameron and Marshall Foster in Monumental.  The Pilgrims Formula To Save America!   The Mayflower Compact  Pilgrim Hall Museum - Beyond the Pilgrim Story - Text of Mayflower Compact  ACTS Historic Massachusetts tour  Historic Massachusetts | ACTS (acts-tours.com)  KEY WORDS:  American Christian Tours, ACTS, Behind the Tour; Forefathers Monument; Plymouth; Pilgrims; Dr. Marshall Foster; World History Institute; American Campfire Revival   

SUMMARY  On this week's episode we go Behind the Tour and talk about a brand-new memorial in Washington, D.C.  It is the Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial in memory of President Eisenhower, our nation’s 34th President.    Host Aaron Cronk is joined by ACTS Education Program Leader Traci Gregory to discuss this memorial and the man behind it.   First the discussion focuses on Behind the Person and talks about the life of Dwight Eisenhower from a young boy through his years in the military and finally as president.  They talk about some of the achievements of Eisenhower.  Most notable would be his leading U.S. Troops in the Invasion of Normandy and the defeat of the Axis armies in Europe.   Also, reminders of Eisenhower’s achievements as President are talked about and the demonstrations of his faith in God.  The discussion then moves Behind the Memorial.  The guides walk us through the memorial highlighting some of the features and meanings.  Then Aaron takes us into Cronk’s Corner where he shares a story of evangelist Billy Graham and his interactions with President Eisenhower and his faith journey.  Finally, there is a Call to Action.  Traci shares a dramatic story of Eisenhower as a boy with the audience and Aaron uses it to encourage us to good works and endurance.  The hosts also put out and invitation for listeners to “join” our “Behind the Thanks” podcast.  To participate, make a short voice recording of yourself sharing about that person, thing, or event you are thankful for.  Then email and attach it to us at [email protected]   We are hoping to include a number of these “Behind the Thanks” recordings in our podcast as we get closer to Thanksgiving.  Recording may be edited.  Not all recordings may be included.    Recordings should be submitted by the end of October 2021.        LINKS:  -Dwight D. Eisenhower Memorial (National Park Service site)  https://www.nps.gov/ddem/index.htm    - Dwight D. Eisenhower D-Day Speech   Eisenhower D-Day Speech    -Dwight D. Eisenhower – Inauguration Speech video.  Eisenhower prays in the first couple minutes.  Eisenhower's Inauguration Video  KEY WORDS:  American Christian Tours, ACTS, Behind the Tour; Dwight D. Eisenhower; President; 5 Star General; Normandy; D-Day Invasion; In God We Trust; NASA; 1957 Civil Rights Legislation; Holocaust Memorial  

EPISODE 21:  Behind the Tour   9/11 Remembered:  20 Years Later  SUMMARY  This week on Behind the Tour we remember a challenging day in American history.  Twenty years ago, our nation was attacked in what we now know as 9/11.  Saying those two numbers elicits a mental and emotional response in most adult Americans.  We start off with a short recap of the events of that day. We then segway into a section where one of our Education Program Leaders, who happened to have a tour group in Arlington National Cemetery that morning, shares the story of himself and his group of students. Then our host Aaron Cronk, and podcast guests Sabrina Carlson, President of ACTS and EPL Jay Proffitt each highlight one of the 9/11 Memorials that our groups can visit during different tours with ACTS.     We wrap up the podcast with a call to action.  LINKS:  - 9/11 Memorial  9/11 Memorial & Museum  - National 9/11 Pentagon Memorial  Pentagon Memorial  - Flight 93 National Memorial   Flight 93 Memorial      - Book by Lisa Beamer about her husband Todd and the story of Flight 93.   Let’s Roll!: Ordinary People, Extraordinary Courage    - Stephen Siller’s story of courage at Tunnel to Towers Foundation   Stephen Siller’s Story     "A common field one day, a field of honor forever."    "We will never forget."      "Absence made visable."   KEY WORDS:  American Christian Tours, ACTS, Behind the Tour; student educational tour programs; 9/11 Memorial; Pentagon Memorial; Flight 93 Memorial; 9/11; Ground Zero 

SUMMARY During today’s episode, we go behind the scenes for a recap.   Sabrina Carlson, President at American Christian Tours, joins host Aaron Cronk for a discussion the start of Behind the Tour Season Two. First they recap the past year and a half and how ACTS and the schools and organizers we work with moved through the start of the pandemic and shutdown.  The 2020 and Spring 2021 tour seasons are addressed and how God blessed us through those challenging days.  They also recap Season One of Behind the Tour and look forward to Season Two and some of the season topics on deck. Mostly praising God for His amazing protection, provision, and care! CALL TO ACTION: Go back and listen to any episodes of Season One you may have missed. If you have not already – consider planning a tour for the coming 2021 tour season and beyond. We have some open tours posted on the ACTS website that you can join. Consider joining an existing tour. Keep our schools, administrations, parents, teachers, and mostly students in prayer as they all maneuver through these challenging days. LINKS: - American Christian Tours – Open tour referenced https://www.acts-tours.com/ACTSAdultPrograms   KEY WORDS: American Christian Tours, ACTS, open tours, Behind the Tour Season Two, tours

In Episode #19 of Behind the Tour, we continue our journey of digging a little deeper into another one of the people that leads education program tours for American Christian Tours.     We believe that each one of our EPLS was connected with ACTS for "Such a Time as This."  We believe that God has given each one of our guides the gifts and talents they possess to help share with travelers on our programs the great story of our nation and how God has worked throughout our history. This episode is an extended version of Behind the Tour Guide.  We will spend time with Traci Gregory, a veteran Education Program Leader (EPL) with American Christian Tours®.  Traci has led several hundred tours with ACTS over the years.  She is full of life and laughter and has a passion for knowing God.  In this episode, we will get to know a little bit about Traci, her love for America, and her passion for sharing God with the people on her tours. Traci will tell us a bit about her background.  She will share what connected her with ACTS and what brings her back year after year, how she stays energized, her favorite tour destinations, some personal stories of special moments on tours, and more.  So, sit back and go Behind the Tour Guide with us! LINKS: We mention in the podcast a collection of resources for people to prepare to go on a tour with ACTS.  The link is below for Next Steps. Next Steps https://www.acts-tours.com/next-steps (mentioned by Traci as places not well known that she likes to show her groups.) Trylon of Freedom Trylon of Freedom Historical Marker (hmdb.org) The American Veterans Disabled for Life Memorial https://avdlm.org/ KEYWORDS:| American Christian Tours; ACTS; Behind the Tour; Behind the Tour Guide; Traci Gregory; Education Program Leader; EPL

Episode 18 of our Behind the Tour podcast takes us out into the rolling hills and farmlands of Lancaster County, known for its large Amish community.  Here, ACTS podcast host Aaron Cronk sits down with Katie Miller, Communications Director for Sight & Sound Theatres - a theater “Where the Bible Comes to Life.” About 40 years ago Glenn and Shirley Eshelman started a traveling multimedia presentation that they showcased around the country.  It was so successful that the Eshelmans, who now had a young family, decided to set up their presentation permanently and have people come to them.  The Sight & Sound Theater was born.   Now with its 2,000-seat state-of-the-art theater featuring their cast of around 50 singing live vocal music, a massive, 300-foot panoramic stage that wraps around the audience, live animals, sets up to 40 feet high, and state-of-the-art technology, the Sight & Sound shows have audiences fully engaged.   Currently, through the end of 2021, you can see Queen Esther at the Lancaster location with the next production coming in March of 2022 is David.  Jesus was the latest show in Lancaster.  Now, in response to the past year, the Sight & Sound Theatres has a virtual location.  You can watch their productions online or on devices with Sight & Sound TV – a location that will live beyond the pandemic.  So go Behind the Tour with us and learn more about Sight & Sound Theaters! LINKS: Sight & Sound Theatres https://www.sight-sound.com/ Sight & Sound TV https://www.sight-sound.tv/browse Sight & Sound Conservatory https://www.sight-sound.com/conservatory KEYWORDS: American Christian Tours, ACTS, Behind the Tour, Sight & Sound Theatres, Jesus, Queen Esther, David, live theater, live animals, Sight & Sound Conservatory, Lancaster County Pennsylvania, Branson Missouri

In episode #17 of this Behind the Tour podcast, we head a few blocks south of the National Mall in the heart of Washington, D.C. to visit with Museum of the Bible.  Host Aaron Cronk sits with Shannon Bennett, CMO for Museum of the Bible and takes our listeners on a quick journey of some of the highlights of this amazing museum. Opened to the public in November of 2017, the Museum of the Bible has been a favorite stop of many ACTS tour participants.  The museum aims to be among the most technologically advanced and engaging museums in the world and offers its visitors an immersive and personalized experience with the Bible and its ongoing impact on the world.  The museum showcases many rare and fascinating artifacts spanning 4,000 years of history.  Highlighted in this podcast is information on some of the popular exhibits, features of the building – its famous doors and main floor ceiling, the museum’s indoor “ride” Washington Revelations, information on how the museum was started, some of the challenges with artifacts, and much more.  LINKS: Museum of the Bible https://www.museumofthebible.org/ Museum of the Bible | Virtual Tours https://www.museumofthebible.org/tour?tourId=BibleInTheWorld Museum of the Bible | Online Engagement https://www.museumofthebible.org/online-engagement Museum of the Bible | Upcoming Magna Carta Exhibit Magna Carta: Tyranny. Justice. Liberty. | Museum of the Bible illumiNations – translating the Bible for all peoples, nations, and tongues. https://illuminations.bible/ ACTS Education Programs to Washington, D.C. with Museum of the Bible https://www.acts-tours.com/product-page/washington-dc-capital-city Museum of the Bible Podcast https://www.spreaker.com/show/museum-of-the-bible-the-podcast Washington Revelations https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qefp6pGfTng Most American Christian Tours Education and Leisure Program Tours include Museum of the Bible if possible. Check out "The Pilgrimage."  This ACTS tour features Museum of the Bible, Creation Museum and Ark Encounter, and Sight and Sound Theaters in Lancaster, PA. KEYWORDS: American Christian Tours, ACTS, Behind the Tour, Museum of the Bible, bronze doors, illumiNations, Magna Carta, Washington Revelations