Behind the Tour

EPISODE 31 – Part Two:  Behind the Tour:  Stops Along the Underground Railroad SUMMARY On this podcast – host Aaron Cronk and guest ACTS Education Program Leaders Krista Wenzel and Jay Proffitt pick up where they left off on the last episode of Behind the Tour (Episode 31 - Part 1) and continue taking you on tour of a few more stops along the Underground Railroad. This is Part Two of a Two Part Podcast. Krista then takes listeners Behind the Person for a segment on Harriet Tubman - nicknamed "Moses" due to her repeatedly leading enslaved persons out of bondage into freedom. She is believed to have rescued over 70 enslaved persons during 13 missions. The episode ends with a Call to Action reminding listeners that enslavement is going on today around the world and providing people with an option for getting involved in helping end trafficking today. LINKS: Check out the different tour programs available through American Christian Tours: Find A Program | American Christian Tours (acts-tours.com) Underground Railroad – National Park Service Underground Railroad (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) Project Gutenberg's A Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe Original facts and documents used by Harriet Beecher Stowe used to help write Uncle Tom’s Cabin The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe Slavery is going on today.  We recommend Destiny Rescue as a possible way to help end human trafficking today. RescueOp1/20 - Destiny Rescue | Destiny Rescue KEY WORDS: ACTS, American Christian Tours, Behind the Tour, Underground Railroad, The Pearl, Harriet Beecher Stowe,  Harpers Ferry, Harriet Beecher Stowe House, Harriet Tubman, enslaved persons, North Star

EPISODE 31 – Part One:  Behind the Tour:  Stops Along the Underground Railroad SUMMARY On this podcast – host Aaron Cronk and guest ACTS Education Program Leaders Krista Wenzel and Jay Proffitt join together to take you on a tour of stops along the Underground Railroad. This is Part One of a Two Part Podcast. First the podcasters talk about what the Underground Railroad (UGRR) was.  The discussion talks about where the Underground Railroad when.  Then there is discussion about the terms related to the UGRR.   There is a reminder that this situation is due to the sin of mankind and sinful choices. Then the podcasters start focusing on stops that are related to the UGRR that can be seen at some of the major routes that are part of our existing ACTS tours. The podcast ends in the middle of focusing on stops which will be continued in Part Two that is scheduled to post on February 24, 2022. LINKS: Check out the different tour programs available through American Christian Tours: Find A Program | American Christian Tours (acts-tours.com) Underground Railroad – National Park Service Underground Railroad (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov) Project Gutenberg's A Key to Uncle Tom's Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe Original facts and documents used by Harriet Beecher Stowe used to help write Uncle Tom’s Cabin The Project Gutenberg eBook of A Key to Uncle Tom’s Cabin, by Harriet Beecher Stowe Slavery is going on today.  We recommend Destiny Rescue as a possible way to help end human trafficking today. RescueOp1/20 - Destiny Rescue | Destiny Rescue KEY WORDS: ACTS, American Christian Tours, Behind the Tour, Underground Railroad, Harriet Tubman, The Pearl, Harriet Beecher Stowe, Frederick Douglass, Paul and Milly Edmondson, Mary and Emily Edmonson, Harpers Ferry, The Dobbin House, Beechdale Farm, Harriet Beecher Stowe House, enslaved persons, north star, Amazing Grace, Amistad

EPISODE 30:  Behind the Tour – California, Here we Come! SUMMARY On this podcast, Host Aaron Cronk is joined by ACTS Education Program Leader (EPL), Teri VanKlaveren.  Teri works primarily on our West Coast California and Arizona programs. They will discuss the fun and exciting ACTS California State History tour programs.  They will highlight the purpose of the ACTS California Programs and then Teri will put on her guide hat and walk Aaron through a brief highlight of what they see on an average program.  The discussion will focus on Sacramento, Coloma, Yosemite, and San Francisco.  In the Behind the Stone segment, they will talk about the Pony Express Memorial in Sacramento.  Even though it is cast in bronze we figured it could fit in with all the stone statues! Then the lives of Theodore Judah, John Sutter, and James Marshall are all highlighted in the conversation in the Behind the Person segment. Finally, the conversation wraps up with a Call to Action. We encourage listeners to consider participating in on of ACTS California tour programs. LINKS: Check out the different California tour programs available through American Christian Tours: ACTS California and West Coast Education Tour Programs KEY WORDS: Behind the Tour, American Christian Tours, California Education Tour Programs, ACTS, Education Program Leader, Sacramento, Coloma, Yosemite National Park, San Francisco, Central Valley, California State Capitol Building, Old Town Sacrament, California State Railroad Museum, Sutter’s Fort, Pony Express Memorial, John Sutter, James Marshall, Jeremiah Judah, education student tours, California

SUMMARY On this podcast – host Aaron Cronk and guest ACTS Education Program Leader Nolan Hargis take you behind their most recent tour – The March: From Civil War to Civil Rights. The discussion walks listeners through the American Christian Tours tour program that focuses on the struggle for Civil Rights that occurred after the end of the Civil War and carried on.  The tour starts in Memphis and makes its way through the Deep South.  Some of the stops include Selma, Birmingham, Montgomery, Tuskeegee, and ends in Atlanta.  Different Civil Rights memorials are visited, instrumental churches, museums, and sites – even schools are taken in.  The tour also includes some Civil War sites along the way. Our second segment highlights Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.  and his involvement in the Civil Rights movement.  Many of the sites along The March include places where Dr. King either pastored, let protests, the site of his assassination and finally his final resting place in Atlanta. Cronk’s Corner will encourage you as Aaron focuses Dr. Kings message to us.  Something to think about as we remember Dr. King this coming weekend.  The podcast wraps up with a Call to Action. LINKS: Check out The March tour program available through American Christian Tours: The March: Civil War to Civil Rights | ACTS (acts-tours.com) A Letter from the Birmingham Jail Letter from Birmingham Jail (csuchico.edu) KEY WORDS: American Christian Tours, ACTS, Behind the Tour; Civil Rights; Memphis; Selma; Birmingham; Montgomery; Tuskeegee University; Tuskeegee Airmen; Booker T. Washington; Rosa Parks; Montgomery Bus Strikes; Atlanta; 16th Street Baptist Church; Ebenezer Baptist Church; Dexter Avenue Baptist Church; Dr. Martin Luther King Day

SUMMARY Merry Christmas listeners!  On this podcast – host Aaron Cronk and guest ACTS Education Program Leader Jay Proffitt join together to take you on Christmas-themed podcast. First the discussion focuses on some American historical events that happened on Christmas Eve or Christmas Day.  George Washington leads his forces on a middle of the night dangerous crossing of the ice-filled Delaware River to attack Hessian soldiers in Trenton, N.J.  Then we hear about the signing of the Treaty of Ghent which took place on Christmas Eve – ending the War of 1812.  Also is a story of a huge fire in Washington, D.C. that destroyed invaluable collections.  Finally, we hear about a special reading that took place from a unique place on Christmas Eve in 1968. Our second segment highlights some Christmas traditions that take place at some places our tour programs visit.  Hear about Wreaths Across America at Arlington National Cemetery, the National Christmas Tree at the White House, and more. Cronk’s Corner will encourage you as Aaron focuses our hearts on the Light of the World.  The podcast wraps up with a Call to Action. Behind the Tour and American Christian Tours is thankful for all the support and encouragement from all our listeners and tour participants.  We wish you all a very Merry Christmas as you celebrate the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ. LINKS: Check out the different tour programs available through American Christian Tours: Find A Program | American Christian Tours (acts-tours.com) The Apollo 8 Christmas Eve telecast Reading Genesis 1:1-10 in space Museum of the Bible  | Sight and Sound  Christmas Specials A SILENT NIGHT at Museum of the Bible - Sight & Sound TV (sight-sound.tv) Wreaths Across America website: Wreaths Across America Colonial Williamsburg Grand Illumination Grand Illumination (colonialwilliamsburg.org) Mount Vernon Illumination Mount Vernon Illumination KEY WORDS: American Christian Tours, ACTS, Behind the Tour; Christmas; Crossing the Delaware; George Washington; Treaty of Ghent; War of 1812; Library of Congress; Apollo 8; Genesis 1:1-10; Wreaths Across America; Arlington National Cemetery; National Christmas Tree; Mount Vernon; Colonial Williamsburg; Rockefeller Center; Sight and Sound Theatres; Museum of the Bible

SUMMARY Down to Florida we go as Behind the Tour host Aaron Cronk meets up with ACTS Education Program Leaders (EPLs) Julie Groton and Lisa Strong and take a tour of historic St. Augustine – America’s Oldest City. Aaron starts off with a brief history of Florida – including the French attempting to gain a foothold there, Spain fighting them off, the British moving in – then out again after the Revolutionary War.  Spain returning and finally Florida becoming a U.S. State. The podcast then follows Julie and Lisa as they walk us through the many stops that are normally included on American Christian Tours St. Augustine education tour programs – including the Fountain of Youth, the Castillo de San Marcos, the Bridge of Lions, and more! A couple other segments of the podcast include Cronk’s Corner, Behind the Stone, and a Call to Action. We encourage listeners to check out the American Christian Tours tour on St. Augustine on the ACTS website and consider booking a tour there. 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 St. Augustine: St. Augustine | ACTS (acts-tours.com) KEY WORDS: American Christian Tours, ACTS, Behind the Tour; St. Augustine; Florida; Castillo de San Marcos; Bridge of Lions; Henry Flagler; Flagler Memorial Church; Fountain of Youth; Ponce de Leon  

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