WASHINGTON (BP) – In addition to reading and studying Scripture, it can be powerful to experience the Bible’s real-world impact. Inspire Experiences offers Christian groups experiential tours based around the biblical connections found in Washington, D.C.
The organization explores the various monuments and museums around the nation’s capital while exploring the impact of the Bible and faith upon the nation’s history.
Michael McAfee, Inspire’s president and co-founder, told Baptist Press the goal of Inspire is to give an experience that will help people holistically engage the truth of Scripture.
“We exist to inspire a generation to be biblically literate, historically informed and spiritually engaged,” McAfee said.
Inspire began test piloting their tours in late 2019, and officially launched its ministry in February 2020 – just before it had to shut down.
After making it through the COVID-19 pandemic, McAfee said the demand for the various experiences they offer is now sometimes more than they can keep up with. Various groups that come can include anything from school or church groups, to couples simply wanting to have a special travel experience.
Some of the sites explored within the tour options include the Jefferson Memorial and other historical monuments, the National Museum of African American History & Culture and the main attraction of the Museum of the Bible.
McAfee formerly worked for the Museum of the Bible, even before it opened. He said the job helped him realize the incredible discipleship opportunity the city had to offer.
“We realized that throughout Washington, D.C., there are so many biblical ties and connections that make a trip to D.C. a phenomenal discipleship experience,” McAfee said.
“If people walk away with one thing from our trip, we want them to know the whole Bible is a story that points to Jesus and that they have a starting point for engaging with the Scriptures when they go home.
“Ultimately, it’s not a win for us if we create a bunch of Pharisees that know a lot of things about the Bible but are not engaged in their church and living it out by making disciples in their own personal life.”
Living out discipleship is something McAfee wants to be a part of his own life.
Although frequently in Washington for his work with Inspire, McAfee is based in Oklahoma City where he serves as a teaching pastor at Council Road Baptist Church.
Council Road is the same church where McAfee meet his wife, Lauren, when they were 7 years old.
He now jokes that his whole life was figured out at that age because that is the same year he became a Christian, was baptized and determined he wanted to be a preacher when he grew up.
“I couldn’t imagine if we weren’t engaged with a local church regularly,” McAfee said.
“Our content and what we produce would be far less relevant, impactful or helpful. In our lives we’re trying to model discipleship and living in biblical community.”
In addition to local church work, the McAfees are involved with several other ministries together.
