Enjoy a richer experience in a new place by learning from our expert tour leaders. Many of Tourmagination’s tour leaders have travelled to, worked or lived in the countries we visit. They can often open doors to experiences you could never have on your own. Their wisdom, insight, and fresh perspective on the destination offer you a transformative travel experience.
Tour Storyteller, Len Friesen, grew up knowing that the world was a big place; that it extended well beyond his home community. That’s no surprise given that he was the child of immigrants from another land, or the fact that his mother tongue was not English. In time, Len studied the history of other lands, which included a period of research and study overseas. Since 1994 he has been a history professor at Wilfrid Laurier University in Waterloo, Ontario, Canada. In 2000 Len also established Canada’s first university-level Global Studies programme, and it was that experience that opened the world, literally, to Len and Mary (they had married in 1977). Since then, Len and Mary have often led learning and adventure tours together to various European and African destinations. Both appreciate the informal interactions that occur on these tours, and they love to get beyond the museums and galleries to the everyday sights and sounds of a location. Len and Mary have three children, three in-laws, and seven grandchildren. Len says about TourMagination: “It’s unlike any other tour company I know; it really is travel with a purpose. TourMagination builds community in life-changing ways, and we’re delighted to be associated with it.” Upcoming tours with Len.
Mary (Burkholder) draws inspiration from the beauty of the world around her: whether it’s in a cosmopolitan city like St. Petersburg, London or Cape Town, remote hiking on the Inca trail or in the Swiss Alps, or simply visiting with a fellow traveller over local cuisine. She has lived abroad, travelled extensively, enjoyed hiking and has explored many UNESCO sites. She has co-led many international learning tours over the years with her husband, Len. Mary was an educator and a Special Education Consultant for the Waterloo Board of Education. Mary was married to Leonard Friesen in 1977 and they have called Waterloo, Ontario their home for the last 35 years. Together, they have been blessed with 3 adult children, three in-laws and 7 grandchildren. Upcoming tours with Mary.
Nelson Kraybill is a pastor and theologian who served as scholar-in-residence at Bethlehem Bible College in Palestine (2022–2023), as president of Mennonite World Conference (2015–2022), and as president of Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary (1997–2009). He taught high school in Puerto Rico, pastored churches in Vermont and Indiana, was program director at the London Mennonite Centre in England (1991-1996), and has taught widely on issues of mission, allegiance, early church, and the book of Revelation. He received a PhD in New Testament from Presbyterian Theological Seminary in Virginia and is author of the book Apocalypse and Allegiance: Worship, Politics and Devotion in the Book of Revelation. His most recent (2023) book is Stuck Together: The Hope of Christian Witness in a Polarized World. He and his wife Ellen are parents of two adult daughters. Follow Nelson’s blog with pictures and commentary on biblical sites at www.peace-pilgrim.com. Upcoming tours with Nelson.
Audrey Voth Petkau was born and raised in Winnipeg, Manitoba. After some years of study at college and university she married Terry Petkau and together they raised two sons. Audrey’s passion for education motivated her to serve in music and children’s programs and then later in education-related committees within the Manitoba Mennonite Brethren Conference. She has a strong interest in family history and has contributed Voth family artifacts to the Centre for Mennonite Brethren Studies/Archives in Winnipeg. In 1999 her family moved to Waterloo, Ontario. Since joining TourMagination in 2002, Audrey has provided leadership and coordination for numerous tours each year. She loves to create community on tours and to make new friends around the world. Now as the President of TourMagination, she and her supportive, competent team plan to continue offering unique, excellent quality tours while introducing exciting new travel opportunities. Upcoming tours with Audrey.
Fred has led tours for TourMagination since 2005. He has co-led “Exploring the World of Paul” many times. He has also been to Uzbekistan twice, to learn about the Mennonite presence there. After 30 years of being a pastor in Lancaster and Floradale, Ontario, Fred worked for Mennonite Central Committee Ontario. Fred is now the pastor of Poole Mennonite, where he writes a daily blog for the church. He is married to Shirley Stauffer Redekop, and they live in Elmira, Ontario. They have four children, a daughter-in-law, son-in-law, and two grandsons. His hobbies include cross-stitch, writing, reading, cycling, and cheering for the Toronto Maple Leafs. Upcoming tours with Fred.
Shirley grew up on a farm in the heart of Lancaster County PA. She went on a Medical Group Missions trip to Dominican Republic in high school, and was hooked on travel. She lived for a summer in Scotland with Teen Missions, and then moved to the Netherlands for a year with Intermenno (MCC sponsored), working as an au pair. This is where she met her future husband Fred, from Ontario, who lived in Switzerland and France. Together they lived 3 years in Thailand through MCC, supporting SE Asia refugees moving to Canada. Their first son was born there. Since moving to Elmira, Canada, Shirley has worked for Mennonite Church Canada as Director of Christian Service Ministries, and for the past 14 years works as a Family Outreach Worker with House of Friendship for families experiencing low-income in Waterloo region. Shirley’s husband Fred was a pastor at Floradale Mennonite Church for 25 years where she was youth pastor, worship leader, Sunday School teacher and Bible Study leader. They now attend St Jacob’s Mennonite Church. Shirley is presently President of Mennonite Women Canada. She and her husband have four amazing adult children, one daughter-in-law and two grandsons. Her travels have taken her to Europe, Thailand, Cambodia, Vietnam, Central/South America, Australia, New Zealand, Mexico, India, Turkey and Greece. Shirley enjoys reading, talking, coffee in outdoor cafes, movies, travel and motorcycling.
Although now retired, Ella Schmidt previously worked for both Habitat for Humanity (HFH) Waterloo Region and Habitat for Humanity Canada. Ella participated in HFH Global Village excursions to Mongolia, Nepal, and Mexico. While living in Malaysia for two plus years, Ella volunteered with HFH Malaysia on several special projects for their Board of Directors. Ella also served as the Vice-President of the International Women’s Association of Penang, Malaysia. An avid traveler, Ella has journeyed throughout Southeast Asia including to Indonesia, Thailand, South Korea, Cambodia, Vietnam, China and Malaysia. She has also been to Dominican Republic, Scotland, Germany, France, Belgium, The Netherlands, Luxembourg, Austria, Switzerland and Antarctica. Ella hiked the Inca Trail to Machu Picchu in Peru and only has a few kilometres left to finish the 900-kilometre long Bruce Trail in Ontario. 2019 is Ella’s 30th anniversary as a member of Girl Guides of Canada. Through Guiding, Ella was awarded the Queen’s Golden Jubilee Medal for outstanding volunteer leadership. Ella lives in Waterloo, Ontario with her husband of 47 years. Together they have 3 grown children and 3 grandchildren. Upcoming Tour with Ella
John Sharp is a recently retired historian who taught at Hesston (KS) College. He is a former director of the Mennonite Church USA Historical Committee and Archives. John holds an M.Div. from Anabaptist Mennonite Biblical Seminary and has 15 years of experience as a pastor. John has been an instructor of Road Scholar (Elderhostel) courses on Amish life and culture and a frequent presenter for lifelong learning programs. Books include My Calling to Fulfill: The Orie O. Miller Story (Herald Press, 2015); and The Bible as Story: An Introduction to Biblical Literature (WorkPlay Publishing, 2017). Since 2000, he has led various TourMagination heritage tours to Western Europe, Prague and Poland, and Central Asia. He is married to Michele Miller Sharp, a former physician assistant in family practice and currently Compliance and Eligibility Officer at Hesston College. Their family includes two living daughters and four grandchildren. Recently, his storytelling has focused on the life and work of his son MJ, who in 2017 was abducted and murdered in the Democratic Republic of the Congo while on a UN mission. As for travelling, John says there’s nothing like hearing stories on-site. As always, I eagerly anticipate the stories, landscapes, and fellowship that await us! Upcoming tours with John.
Michele Miller Sharp has been a teacher, health care provider and administrator. Currently she is a compliance officer at Hesston College and a freelance management analyst. Her preferred free-time activities are reading and spending time with their four grandchildren— two nearby and two in Denver. She is married to John Sharp. Upcoming tours with Michele.
Jack and Irene Suderman have lived in Costa Rica, Bolivia, and Colombia and speak Spanish fluently. The Sudermans have a 43 year connection to most parts of Latin America, and have learned to love the diversity of cultures and experiences. Jack has a PhD in Biblical Studies from the Universidad Pontificia Javeriana in Bogotá, Colombia, and has worked in teaching and administration in the church for 55 years. Irene has a music degree and has been heavily involved in the work of the church at the local and international levels. Jack was the former General Secretary of Mennonite Church Canada. Irene worked for many years in palliative care and in spiritual care for Seniors in the church. Jack and Irene attend First Mennonite Church in Kitchener, Ontario. They have three adult sons, three daughters-in-law, and 6 grandchildren. Upcoming tours with Jack and Irene.
Richard Blackburn is an Art Historian, as well as a conflict transformation consultant and family systems coach for pastors seeking to manage self in the midst of congregational anxieties. From 1983 to 2020, he served as Executive Director of the Lombard Mennonite Peace Center. He previously taught Art History at Trinity College, Goshen College, and Northern Illinois University, with a specialization in Medieval and Italian Renaissance art. He also taught conflict transformation and mediation skills at Southern Methodist University, Associated Mennonite Biblical Seminary, and Goshen College.
International experience includes teaching peacebuilding skills in Serbia during the war in the former Yugoslavia. From 1996 to 2011, Richard led an annual training event in conflict transformation and family systems theory hosted by the London Mennonite Centre. He has also periodically led training events in the Netherlands and at the Theological Seminary Bienenberg in Switzerland. For several years he led a Peacemaker’s Pilgrimage to the Holy Land. Finally, each summer between 2006 and 2013, he taught a course in Florence, Italy, for Southern Methodist University, which included lecturing in the museums and churches on the theme of Conflict as an Impetus to Creativity in Italian Renaissance Art. Upcoming tours with Richard.
I was bitten by the “travel bug” when at 14 years old I traveled alone, by train, from Richmond VA to Sarasota FL. That experience confirmed travel would be an important part of my life. Trips with my family to various parts of the US helped me understand there’s a big world out there waiting to be explored. Thanks to travel companions, including family and friends, I’ve had the opportunity to see much of North America, parts of Europe, Central and South America, Africa, the South Pacific, and the Middle East. There’s still so much more for me to see and experience. After retiring, I returned to my hometown of Sarasota, FL and began organizing “people to people” trips to Cuba. Learning to know Cuban people and the rich culture of the island, which is often seen as off-limits, proved to be an enriching experience for many “people to people” participants. Isn’t that the benefit of travel – expanding our horizons, and hopefully making us better citizens of the world? Group travel holds a particular attraction for me. I enjoy getting to know new traveling companions, hearing their stories and participating in the enjoyment of being exposed to new cultures and the people who help create the rich tapestry that make up our world. Tours with JB.
Ayold lives in the Netherlands and works for a Mennonite congregation in Haarlem as a custodian. He enjoys adventure travel—including an annual snowshoe trek in Norway. Through his theological studies at the Dutch Mennonite Seminary, at the VU University in Amsterdam, he became interested in European Mennonite History. Wanting to share this interest, he began organizing Mennonite Heritage Tours. “For me a Mennonite Heritage Tour is not just a heritage tour, but also a spiritual journey into the faith and life of our forbearers,” says Ayold. His tours help people explore what early Anabaptists discovered about Jesus, that would make them want give up their homesteads and their lives. Upcoming tours with Ayold.
Meet Wes and Sandra Reimer, our escorts for the October 2023 Iceland tour! Wes spent his childhood in Nigeria, England, and Kuwait as the son of MCC volunteer English teachers. Wes and Sandra are both creative professionals: Wes is a designer and Sandra is a writer. Both are nerdy about words and play a mean game of Boggle! They are open to new ideas, new people, and new experiences. Together they have travelled to Zimbabwe, Germany, Ireland, Hawaii, Mexico and around Canada and the US. You can expect adventure and fun with Sandra and Wes. “Our default response to new experiences is ‘yes!’. We look forward to deep, enriching conversations and stupefied silence as we admire God’s creation in Iceland.” Upcoming tours with Wes & Sandra.
Kimberly D. Schmidt is an Affiliate Professor of Gender History at Eastern Mennonite University (EMU) and directed EMU’s DC program, the Washington Community Scholars’ Center, for over twenty years. She has a long and demonstrated engagement with women’s history, especially on topics relating to Anabaptist and Mennonite women and gender dynamics in Mennonite communities. Her current research focuses on the intersections between Mennonite and Cheyenne women’s history, 1880-1950. She has lived in German-speaking areas of Europe and has led Reformation History tours for EMU students, most recently in 2017, the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. “I never tired of witnessing student transformations in identity and thinking that resulted from deeply engaging and significant cross-cultural and history travel opportunities. I intend to foster transformative experiences for tour participants in 2025.” Upcoming tours with Kimberly.
Mary S. Sprunger, Chair and Professor of History at EMU, has been teaching World, Women’s and European History since 1992. Her scholarship on Dutch Anabaptists and Mennonites in the 16th- and 17th-centuries has led to many extended stays in Amsterdam. She has also lived in England and Germany and travelled extensively in Europe as well as Turkey and Morocco. In 2018 she co-led an EMU intercultural semester in China. “History comes alive on site, so I’m really looking forward to connecting story with place. The 500th anniversary gives us a unique opportunity for reflection on a tour like this. In my Mennonite History and Thought course, I love getting students to think about how the past informs the present and how the present informs what we look for in the past. What do we want to take away from the early Anabaptist movements, and what do we do with those things in our history that we would rather forget? Both are important as we confront present realities and look to the future.” Upcoming tours with Mary.
David Neufeld is a professor of history at Conrad Grebel University College, where he directs the Institute of Anabaptist and Mennonite Studies. Extended stays in Europe and Latin America early in his life sparked an enduring fascination with cross-cultural relationship building, language learning, and study of the past. More recently, his scholarship on the life and thought of early Anabaptists has taken him to archives and historical sites across Switzerland, France, and Germany. On tour, he is excited to share fresh insight about who these people were and what their stories might mean for us today. He looks forward to joining others in exploring old places with new eyes, focusing both on what these sites teach us about the past, and what they reveal about the dynamic, changing communities in which they are preserved. Upcoming tours with David.
Troy Osborne teaches European, Reformation, and Mennonite history at Conrad Grebel University College in Waterloo, Ontario. He has also taught at Bluffton University, Gustavus Adolphus College, and the University of Minnesota, where he earned a PhD for his study of seventeenth-century Dutch Mennonites. In 2024, his book Radicals and Reformers: A Survey of Global Anabaptist History will be published by Herald Press.
It was on a college travel course that Troy first encountered the captivating past and vibrant present of European Anabaptists. Inspired by the friendships he made on that first trip, he lived and worked with Mennonites in the Netherlands and Germany during two terms with the InterMenno exchange program, which eventually led to over thirty years of traveling in Europe and studying the Anabaptists’ story. He looks forward to sharing his passion for the history, people, and culture (especially the food) of Europe with others. Upcoming tours with Troy.
Since his teenage years, Conrad has been a student of Mennonite and Anabaptist history. He has turned his passion into a career in his role as archivist at the Mennonite Heritage Archives in Winnipeg where he is also a faculty member at Canadian Mennonite University. Touring locations that have a role to play in the Mennonite and Anabaptist story is an ongoing process of discovery. Join Conrad as together you can partake in the stories of the past that can influence, shape, caution, and inspire. Upcoming tours with Conrad.
Michelle’s love of travel began when she was 9 years old on an assignment with Mennonite Central Committee in Nigeria with her parents. She has continued to travel primarily with family in North America and for her, trip planning helps build excitement and anticipation. She is excited to be part of TourMagination Mennonite heritage tours. Upcoming tours with Michelle.
