“The best stories are found between the pages of a Passport.”
Educational Opportunities Tours (EO) started as a dream by a young Methodist Pastor from Florida over 45 years ago. Dr. Jim Ridgway, Sr. had a vision that was compelling and clear – to create a ministry that made it possible for Pastors and Church leaders to experience the wonders of the Holy Land and to enjoy the rich historical and spiritual significance of major Church Heritage destinations. That dream continues through the leadership of James Ridgway and the EO Staff.
Educational Opportunities is North America’s largest provider of faith-based tours to the Holy Land. EO has been recognized by Celebrity, Norwegian, Royal Caribbean and AmaWaterways as the world leader in Faith-Based cruising. EO has also been recognized as the largest single world-wide distributor
of Oberammergau Passion Play tickets since 1980. Since it began, EO has made it possible for almost 450,000 people to fulfil their travel dreams.
To those who have travelled with EO, we sincerely thank you. If you have never travelled or led a group with EO, we invite you to see what sets EO apart from all the rest. To visit the main EO web site, just click on the button below. To view our current on-line catalogs, click on the links below.
When you are ready to make faith-based traveling a part of your ministry, please use the “Contact Us” tab on our web site to reach us. We will take care of all of the details to get you started. We look forward to serving you.
On-line Travel Catalogs
Educational Opportunities is celebrating its 50th year of touring. Many special events and trips have been planned for 2023. Check it out.
EOX is a new division that allows for specialized travel for smaller groups. Check out the newest EOX opportunities.
Pastors – Three steps to begin your travel ministry
As you teach and preach, you are constantly referencing the names of people and places central to our faith. Each sermon helps your hearers to connect with the life stories of those from the past who would learn first-hand that no life is beyond the grace and love of God. Each lesson revolves around a specific location that reminds your hearers that no place or situation is immune from the presence and power of God.
With all of the tools at our disposal these days, we can do a pretty good job at helping our hearers to connect with these ancient peoples and places. But I can assure you – there is NOTHING like taking your people to the lands of the Bible and allowing them to see, and taste, and touch for themselves the profound meanings behind your message. There is NOTHING like being there to make it all come to life!
We would like to invite YOU to consider beginning a “Travel Ministry” at your Church or ministry setting. We would like to invite YOU to experience the joy of leading others to some of these awe-inspiring places as a Tour Host with Educational Opportunities. That’s where it all begins – by your making the decision to draw your people into a deeper walk of faith by actually taking them to the places that will change their lives forever.
Once you make that decision, the rest will come easy. Becky and I will start the process and provide you with the resources that you will need to promote your trip. We can even come to your Church to share our experiences and to answer any/all questions that your people may have. Once we get that going, our expert EO Staff will take it from there. They will take care of all the planning, publicity items, lodging, meals, airfare, ground transportation, guides, ticketing, billing – EVERYTHING! Educational Opportunities has been doing this for over 45 years now. We have what it takes to help you succeed.
#1 Become a Tour host
Your Travel Ministry begins the day you decide to lead others on life-changing adventures around the world as an EO Tour Host.
#2 Select your trip
Visit the EO Web Site or call/email us to learn more about a specific trip(s). Use the “Contact Us” tab on this site to tell us which trip and date you have selected. We will book the trip for you. We will partner with you to provide the resources you need to tell others.
#3 Form Your Group
Once your trip is confirmed, invite family, friends, Church members, peers, neighbors, co-workers, social media contacts, and others to travel with you. There is plenty of room for everyone!
Benefits of Becoming a TouR Host
Sign up for FREE
“This sounds way too good to be true.” “Free?” “What’s the catch?”
I remember saying those things before I took my first EO trip over 20 years ago. I kept thinking to myself – “How is this possible?” But friend, dozens of trips later, I can affirm that becoming an EO Tour Host was one of the wisest long-term decisions that I made in my 32 years in the Pastorate. I have seen more lives changed, calls confirmed, and spirits renewed while walking among the ancient lands of the Bible. There is just something about that land that silently transforms us from within.
That’s why you decide to become a Tour Host with EO. You want to be at the epicenter of where God is touching and transforming lives. And here is the good news – there is no fee to become a Tour Host … there are no annual dues … and there are no travel quotas that you have to meet. Never! Promise! It doesn’t get any better than that.
Earn FREE Travel
Our way of thanking you for leading an EO tour is to provide you resources to reduce the cost of your travel. Most of our Tour Hosts will lead their groups for FREE. For instance:
- Your trip to the Holy Land is FREE with only five paid guests.
- Your trip on a Paul’s Journey Mediterranean Cruise is FREE with only seven paid guests.
- Your trip on a European River Cruise is FREE with only seven paid guests.
- Your trip on an Alaska trip is FREE with only ten paid guests.
In addition, many of our Holy Land trips offer scholarship discounts to Clergy and their Spouses who travel with EO for the first time. And most of our Holy Land trips also offer two free CEU credits to satisfy Denominational requirements.
Are YOU ready to become an EO Tour Host? Use the “Contact Us” tab on this web site to let us know. We will take care of ALL of the details.
Becoming an EO Tour Host is the key that unlocks the beauty, wonder and splendor of the world. Let us know when you are ready to begin your new adventure.
our relationship with Eo Tours
We currently serve alongside the staff as:
Tour hosts
We have been leading groups to various places around the world for over 25 years. Hundreds of people have made their “dream trips” with us. We trust the experience and the expertise of the EO Staff, on-site Operators and local Guides to manage every little detail of our travels. We have never been disappointed. You won’t be either.
“Dtm” team
As Directors of Travel Ministries (DTM’s), we have the joy of working with Pastors and Churches throughout South Carolina to help them with their EO travel needs. Whether they are long-time travel partners, or just beginning their Travel Ministry, we come alongside to offer our experience and resources to ensure a safe and successful trip.
Hospitality staff
We are part of a small group of seasoned EO Tour Hosts who are assigned to various trips or locations to assist our EO guests with any personal needs that might arise while on their journey. From lost luggage, to medical care, to needing to return home early for an issue or family emergency, we are in place to help in every way that we can.
Sign up for our tour host newsletter
Each quarter we send out a short email which informs you of any changes to tour dates or itineraries and lets you know about any incentives that you might take advantage of. Just click the “Sign up Today” button and leave your email address to be added to our newsletter. Thank you!