Rome 2026: Highlights and reflections from our trip to Rome
Rome had been on my bucket list for a while, because I wanted to see ancient buildings like the Colosseum and temples. I knew Rome would be cool, but I was still surprised by its beauty and its rich history. There is just so much to see, it is overwhelming. The amount of beautiful buildings, statues, paintings, carvings, ornaments and other pieces of art that we saw was at times too much to take in.
In three days we were able to visit all the major sites in Rome, from pagan temples to stunning fountains to magnificent churches. One of the highlights was standing on a hill next to the Forum and overseeing a big part of Rome, its church towers, the ruins of temples and the Colosseum. Another highlight was visiting the Basilica of Saint Paul. Walking in and around this building was breathtaking, even more because it was built such a long time ago. There was almost nobody there and in that peaceful place we read Acts 28 (Paul's arrival in Rome) and prayed together, which was just very good.
I think I speak for everyone if I say that this was a great trip. We had a lot of fun together and enjoyed the fellowship and getting to know one another better. Also, though we may not agree with some of the Roman Catholic practices and expressions, it was still enriching for our faith to see the beautiful artworks that were made to the glory of God. All in all, our visit to Rome has blessed me and the rest of the group.
Sander Hoekstra (The Netherlands), MDiv Student - March 2026
