International Travel Study (iTs) Faculty Development Program for our Gather-NOW Programs:

iTs provide educational and inspirational programs to the Holy Land including our innovative Gather-NOW programs as well as a Study Abroad Program (through ITSI).

Our Gather-NOW programs are a deeply spiritual in nature and come with the added potential and possibility of a subsidized trip. We are passionate about our Summer Youth Programs to the Holy Land, but also offer trips for YSA (Young Single Adults) and others of all ages. These programs focus on the Life of Christ and will follow His life chronologically. This program will be similar to an EFY or FSY Program, but will be done in Jerusalem and the Holy Land. Each session will be led by a trained and experienced director (possibly you) and also have a Young Single Adult counselor for each gender and will include morning and evening devotionals. The purpose of this program is to anchor youth in their testimonies, dedication, and doctrines of Jesus Christ. For two weeks they will immerse themselves in His life, ministry, and atonement. Youth will literally walk where the Savior walked, will see the sites He saw, visit the locations He frequented, and review up close and personal His Life, teachings from His birth to the final moments of His life and beyond. It is our desire for them to feel the power of place! Several of our Youth Programs will include an extension option to visit Petra, Jordan, Mt. Sinai, and the wonders of Egypt. This will provide an additional insight as we will trace Lehi and his family’s exodus from Jerusalem, traces Moses and the Exodus with the Children of Israel to Mt Sinai, provides incredible Temple preparation as we explore the ancient Egyptian Temples and rituals (including the Valley of the Kings), and will also expose them to two of the 7 Wonders of the World (Pyramids & Sphinx, and Petra). 

In order to maintain the integrity and magnitude of these programs, capable and trained directors and faculty members are needed and desired. For this purpose iTs and ITSI are in search of interested potential faculty and staff for these programs and have developed the following process for identifying and training potential faculty members. (Please read on if you are interested)

Potential Faculty Requirements: 

iTs/ITSI Faculty should be proficient in 3 main categories:

1. It is expected that each Faculty Candidate be trained and skilled in scriptural understanding and proper interpretation including modern revelation and scripture through living oracles. An understanding of the 4 standard works (Old Testament, New Testament, Book of Mormon, & Doctrine & Covenants) with also a firm hold on teachings of the Living Prophets. This is essential.
2. It is critical that Faculty members are effective and skilled in teaching in the Savior’s way; particularly presenting and providing proper application to the scriptures. It is also important that our faculty are effective at connecting appropriately with people of all ages, but particularly young people, including youth and teenagers.
3. A knowledge of the land , culture, and the logistics of leading a group in the Holy Land and throughout the Middle East is mandatory (Training is available—see below). Travel and study in the Middle East is unique and like no other place in the world. It also requires knowledge and experience in order to provide the best experience possible for participants. 

Our iTs/ITSI faculty trainers and administrators (Dr. Clark D. Anderson and Dann W. Hone) each have 40+ years’ experience in Holy Land logistics and studies and have also recruited those who have even more experience to help train our potential faculty members through our Faculty Training Program and Lecture Series (see below). 

iTs Faculty Training Program:

Those interested in becoming a Faculty Member and Director for iTs and ITSI will fill out an application form affirming their desire for participation in the Training Program. (link)

Those accepted into the program will go through the following Training Program:

Phase 1: Orientation to the Holy Land (Physical Visit)

A physical in person visit to the Holy Land (Israel, Jordan, Sinai, and Egypt). Candidates who have never visited the Holy Land or who would like to visit will be offered a trip to the Holy Land through iTs AT COST (approximately $2,500). One training session trip will be offered in the summer of 2021:

June 9-26th to Israel, Options to Petra, Sinai, & Egypt led by Dr. Clark D. Anderson and will be for any faculty candidate (and spouse) but specifically for those desiring to be Directors for the Youth Programs. [This Tour includes a few special extension options to Petra, Sinai, & Egypt]. Others besides faculty candidates are also welcome to join this tour. (See more detail below)

Candidates who have visited the Holy Land before may be exempt from this phase. One can opt out of this phase by filling out the Exemption Form provided upon request and questionnaire. In order to direct the full program to Israel, Jordan, Sinai, and Egypt a candidate will first need to visit these locations. 

Phase 2: Direct a Holy Land Program as an Assistant Director & Complete our Lecture Series

Candidates who have completed phase 1 will be eligible for phase 2 which is to accompany an iTs or ITSI program as an Assistant Director. Expenses for the Assistant Director will be paid for by iTs but no income stipend will be given. There will be no out of pocket expenses for the Assistant Director other than personal souvenirs or other personal services. This will be upon invitation and availability and a first come basis. Submit your application for phase 2 Assistant Director here: (link)

A Lecture Series will be recorded and expected for each Faculty Candidate to attend and complete. These seminars include online study materials, frequent live discussions with ITSI administration, faculty, and training instructors. Many of these instructors and travel study specialists have over 40-years of experience and knowledge in the educational travel industry, teaching onsite experience, and conducting humanitarian expeditions. Their backgrounds include professional teaching and instruction at institutions of secondary and higher education demonstrating a proficient knowledge of the lands, cultures, peoples, languages, histories, religions, and scriptures associated with the countries visited through the ITSI programs. 

Phase 3: Be the Main Director for an iTs Program

Be the main Faculty Director for one of the iTs programs with an iTs administrator as an Assistant Director. This is the final phase in becoming a full Faculty Member. The Assistant Director (iTs Administrator) will be a passive silent guide and will only be there to assist as needed. 

We anticipate steady growth in the years to come which will increase our need for qualified Faculty Members and Administrators. 

We welcome any and all who feel they would like to become an iTs Faculty Member and also feel qualified. 

PLEASE join us! 

Below is some additional information from our ITSI website and programs:

Professional Development Programs

ITSI Faculty and Tour Host Training

Mission of International Travel Studies Institute: 

A major pillar of education is built upon the underpinning that nurturing and preserving the values and knowledge of the past through teaching the lives and inventions of inspired and courageous leaders is a priceless educational gift to the community that will stir future generations to accomplish much good. Further, as the world becomes more cosmopolitan, the greater the need to understand the transcultural foundations of society, which can best be learned through actual mingling in the lands and among the peoples of their origins. The mission of the International Travel Studies Institute is to provide academic and continuing education certification through traditional classroom, on-site instruction, online curricula and text materials for individuals, families, students, and professionals. This function is realized through educational travel, youth adventures, humanitarian expeditions, professional development workshops, internships, intensive explorations, and study abroad programs. More specifically, through academic and cultural experiences, the Institute offers:

1) Curricula designed to enhance an understanding of one's own religious and cultural heritage while gaining a knowledge of the peoples, places, and organizations indigenous to the regions visited;

2) Development of scholarship in all areas of international studies, reinforced by unique opportunities of residence and travel in the various lands visited;

3) Cultural exchange through personal contact and interaction with the peoples of the nations visited, discovering their way of life, their hopes, their ambitions and aspirations;

4) Service and humanitarian opportunities for students to discover the value of true charity while providing relief, educational and professional instructions, and genuine assistance to indigenous peoples; and,

5) Community and educational programs and materials that will enhance the lives of people in all regions of the world.

The institute does not provide an advanced degree of any kind but serves as an institution of learning that provides transcultural curricula that may be recognized by accredited secondary and higher education institutions who may choose to apply its offerings towards their institutional degree programs. Specific curriculum and unit certification course outlines are available for each program. Faculty, who develop and teach the educational packages on programs sponsored by the institute possess graduate degrees (university level Masters and Doctorates) or equivalent experience, and these faculty along with internationally recognized leaders, professionals, and scholars in various fields are retained as guest lecturers in the countries visited by participants. The Institute also works with public and private secondary education schools, universities, institutions of higher learning, and professional associations to obtain faculty and design curricula, and through affiliation or articulation agreements, transferable academic and continuing education credits are provided by their institutions. Each program has specific criteria for application and admission requirements. The Institute intends to receive additional recognition and accreditation through national and international accreditation associations as it grows over time. The transcultural offerings are also made available to all ages who find the materials beneficial to their understanding of peoples, lands, and cultures. Upon completion of a course’s requirements a “Certification of Completion” for each is provided by the International Travel Studies Institute, verifying that the student has successfully and satisfactorily completed all requirements. Courses typically require capstone field study experiences beyond the online and classroom requirements. 

Professional Development Programs – ITSI Faculty and Tour Host Training

International Travel Studies Institute (ITSI) provides edifying, educational tours and expeditions as well as professional training programs. We specialize in international travel study, humanitarian expeditions, young single adult tours, wilderness survival experiences, and youth programs. We also provide professional training programs designed to identify and train ITSI faculty and tour hosts for our all of our programs. These training programs are designed to prepare faculty and tour hosts for teaching and directing tours and field study trips on the variety of International Travel Studies Institute programs. These seminars include online study materials, frequent live discussions with ITSI administration, faculty, and training instructors, and participation in a field study travel program in country and on site with skilled ITSI travel faculty specialists. Many of these instructors and travel study specialists have over 40-years of experience and knowledge in the educational travel industry, teaching onsite experience, and conducting humanitarian expeditions. Their backgrounds include professional teaching and instruction at institutions of secondary and higher education demonstrating a proficient knowledge of the lands, cultures, peoples, languages, histories, religions, and scriptures associated with the countries visited through the ITSI programs. 

Participation and Admission 

Application for admission to these training programs may be found at: https://travelstudiesinstitute.org/. It is expected that each individual applicant be committed to the policies and standards outlined in the application forms. On-site training programs specifically include scriptural sites throughout the word; Israel (Gethsemane, Calvary, Jerusalem, Mt of Olives, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Galilee, Capernaum, etc.), Mt Sinai, Egypt (Red Sea, Luxor, Cairo), Jordan (Petra), Church History Sites (Palmyra, Kirtland, Nauvoo, Adam-Ondi-Ahman, Independence, Far West, Liberty, Carthage, Harmony, Fayette, Winter Quarters, Pioneer Trail), Meso-American sites (potential Book of Mormon sites) in Guatemala, Honduras, Belize, and Mexico. Humanitarian locations include; Guatemala, Israel, Peru, Africa, etc. Application for admission to these training programs may be found at our website. It is expected that each individual applicant be committed to the policies and standards outlined in the application forms.

Tuition and Fees (TBA as per training program)

Current S&I/CES Employee Discounts

Special training discounts are afforded members of the Seminaries & Institutes of Religion and Church Education System teachers as well as employees of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints for participation in all ITS and ITSI programs. Special discounts will be given to those accepted to participate as potential directors for our educational programs to scriptural locations (Eastern Mediterranean locations for the Old and New Testament sites, Church Historical sites, as well as potential Book of Mormon sites found in Central and Mesoamerica sites). Typically, a course of instruction includes both pre-tour instruction; including the online materials and live discussions, and well as the field study trip experiences in the lands for which they are preparing to eventually be selected as a faculty member or travel host.

ITSI is particularly interested in identifying CES & S&I members as faculty due to their special training regarding scriptural knowledge and presentation. Participation in the ITSI programs will provide each faculty member and their spouses travel experiences and valuable professional development in the areas of history, archaeology, cultural knowledge, and scriptural studies of the locations of scriptural events with the intent that this instruction would benefit their teaching in their professional assignments with the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

This unique Tour is designed for anyone desiring to have an in depth experience in the Holy Land and registration will be on a first come basis. It is also serving a dual purpose for those with interest in becoming a Director for iTs and any of our future Youth Programs to the Holy Land. This trip serves as Step 1 in our Faculty Training Program . Those participating with that goal in mind will also enroll and participate in our Pre-Tour Curriculum & Preparation Course.

Those NOT interested in this training are welcome to participate in this tour. It just means you will get a more detailed and in depth exploration of the Holy Land. :) 

Please indicate on your Registration Form if you desire to participate in our 2022 Faculty Training Program . 

We look forward to exploring the Holy Land with you!