I've been making maps since I was a child. My first venture into cartography was with my older sister in suburban Indianapolis. We created a map of our back yard. By also incorporating the dirt bike paths that ran along the wooded creek across the street into our map, we created the unofficial (but to us the very real) “Sonshine Park.” The detail was remarkable for two kids. For example, we indicated the change in depth that would be experienced if you ventured to the center of our swimming pool – albeit a drastic six inches, tops.

We were fortunate to have parents that gave us a grand vision of how big our world could be. The small back yard was left behind when we relocated to fifty-three acres of beautiful countryside in South-Central Indiana. This time, the place was more than just a pretend park. And the name, La Campagne Ministries, represents a destination that for more than thirty years has welcomed visitors from throughout the country and virtually every continent.

My map of La Campagne (French for “the countryside”) revealed the routes of walking trails we forged among deep fern-covered ravines. It identified Meditation Points – benches where hikers could stop, enjoy an expansive view, and be alone with God to pray. With the aid of a Soil & Water Conservation aerial photo, my map was very accurate, but it represented something more. It represented the rich experiences of a place I had thoroughly discovered, carefully tended, and eagerly shared with others. Today I can still show you where to catch the first glimpse of Salt & Pepper – the earliest bloom of the spring flowers or where to hide so you can best spy on a flock of wild turkey. La Campagne is a “destination” not just because it is a beautiful place but also because it continues to play host to the spiritually transforming human experiences of worship, fellowship, learning, prayer, challenge, rest, and vision.

My vision for maps has grown as I’ve traveled throughout our amazing country and some of the world’s most incredible places. My atlas is as dog-eared as my wife’s Bible. Like her, I study it closely to see what I can find and know for certain where I’m going.

What I’ve learned is that people everywhere have a passion to discover and share what they find with others. I’m confident this tendency to explore and understand is more than human nature. It is a desire placed deep within us by God to find, to know, and to give to others. As I’ve been welcomed into the homes of friends around the globe, I’ve found a common practice. People take maps and mark them. Often they’ll have a world map carefully displaying pushpins that mark where they’ve been, where they are going next, where they have friends, and where they one day in the future hope to venture.

My own personal journeys have transformed the way I view travel, my attitude toward others, and the intimate relationship I have with God. I’ve walked over flowing lava at Hawaii Volcanoes National Park with a scientist who asked me, “How can people believe in the creation theory?” While I’m overwhelmed by the majesty of God’s design, I stay respectful of our opposing opinions as we both get pleasure from the beauty before us. Whether someone is inline with our faith or not, as we travel we learn from how others view the world.

I’ve witnessed the life of an Indian woman I met in Singapore. She was an executive with Hewlett Packard, who chose to convert from Hinduism to Christianity. A highly educated professional, she is impacting her culture by a job well done. As followers of Christ, Christians have the opportunity to live out their faith in the marketplace. And I’ve touched the photos on display in the church near the footprint of the World Trade Center and shared in the pain these photos communicate.

Contacts I’ve made through the Internet have led to new friendships in Greece. I’ve been shaped by the enthusiasm of thousands of Chinese exercising early in Guangzhou, the southern part of the People’s Republic of China. And – I hope I’ve helped to shape the lives of friends I’ve known for more than a quarter century in Mexico.

MAP A Travel Lifestyle Magazine in many ways is an outgrowth of the joy I find in travel and a vision to connect spiritually with others on our very short journey through life. The mission of this magazine is to help people make connections between their travel interests and the Christian faith. It is a map to a richer kind of travel experience. We want to help you continually understand and refine WHY you travel. I like to tell people that you won’t read about “mission trips” in this magazine because we want to help you capture the vision that every trip you take has a mission. I’ve found that you truly experience the joy of travel when you share your smile with someone. We want to help you make travel fun.

A few years ago, I had the opportunity to organize a video production trip to Italy. The producer wanted to create a sense of adventure so I was asked to coordinate a climb to the summit of Mt. Vesuvius, the volcano that buried Pompeii in 79 AD. While doing the research I asked, “Why stop at the summit? What would it take to repel into the crater?” With the guidance of a professional climbing team, we descended past hot fumerals to the very active but peaceful center of the volcano. It was our choice to continue down—making that change in depth that contributed to the radical sense of accomplishment we experienced. One of the distinct differences you’ll find with map is that we venture beyond the scope of cliché travel journalism, delving into what can be experienced when we travel with the right perspective. It reflects an attitude toward travel that we take seriously. Don’t just go to the edge – go over it.

Our Executive Editor, Sharron Pankhurst, will host your journeys in map A Travel Lifestyle Magazine. Sharron and her husband Paul enjoy the excitement of travel to new destinations as they align their adventures to include a sense of Spiritual growth. You’ll find she and the rest of the growing team of Lifestyle Media Group are committed to helping fuel your passion for life that God has placed within you. This is your invitation. Start making your own map and live life today… full, fun and free

Brad Bloom is president of Lifestyle Media Group—visit the website: www.lifestylemediagroup.com, which publishes Faith & Fitness Magazine and now map A Travel Lifestyle Magazine. His travels throughout the U.S. and the world have been a source of adventure, challenge and opportunity to expand his worldview. His fondest experiences are when he travels with his wife and children. Brad's passion is to help people make connections between their lifestyle interests and the Christian faith. Contact him by clicking on the CONTACT US button in any of the Lifestyle Media Group magazines.