"Thessalonians: Contexts, Culture and Communities" Seminar
Join Jerusalem University College and University Methodist Church for a two-day in-person seminar exploring the letters of Paul to the church in Thessalonica. Through careful study of 1 and 2 Thessalonians, discover how the historical setting, cultural world, and biblical context of these early Christian communities bring Scripture into sharper focus and deepen its relevance for Christian faith and practice.
Mark your calendars for August 14–15, 2026, in San Antonio, Texas, at University Methodist Church.
Event Dates
August 8 - 11am-12pm (ET) Live Online Pre-Event Lecture, "Paul in Thessalonica"
August 13 - 7-9pm (CT) - Pre-Event Reception
August 14-15 - In-Person Conference
Event Location
University Methodist Church
5084 De Zavala Rd, San Antonio, TX 78249
Event Cost
The cost per guest is $99. This includes event costs, lecture materials, and lunches.
Event Schedule
Saturday, August 8, 2026 |
|
|---|---|
| Time | Activity |
| 11:00am - 12:00pm (ET) 10:00am - 11:00 am (CT) |
Live Online Pre-Event Lecture, "Paul in Thessalonica" You'll receive access to join the lecture after registration. |
Thursday, August 13, 2026 |
|
|---|---|
| Time (CT) | Activity |
| 7:00- 9:00pm | Reception You'll receive a separate RSVP form to this event after registration. |
Friday, August 14, 2026 |
|
|---|---|
| Time (CT) | Activity |
| 8:30am | Morning Session |
| 12:00pm | Lunch (provided) |
| 1:00pm | Afternoon Session |
| 4:30pm | Conclusion |
Saturday, August 15, 2026 |
|
|---|---|
| Time (CT) | Activity |
| 8:30am | Morning Session |
| 12:00pm | Lunch (provided) |
| 1:00pm | Afternoon Session |
| 4:30pm | Conclusion |
| 8:00pm | Vespers Service |
Event Lecturer
Dr. Chris Vlachos: Dr. Vlachos earned an M.A. at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and a Ph.D. at Wheaton College under the supervision of Douglas J. Moo. He went on to teach at Wheaton College for 17 years where he also served for many years as the director of the Wheaton in the Holy Lands program and later helped to launch, in partnership with JUC, Wheaton College’s new Semester in Jerusalem program. Dr. Vlachos has been teaching in-residence at JUC during fall semesters since 2021. He and his wife Patty live on the south side of Chicago and are the parents of three children and grandparents of six grandchildren.
Register Today
Cost: $99 Per Person
Included in the cost of registration are lunches, snacks, and coffee breaks. You will also receive conference handouts and study materials.
Registration Deadline: July 31, 2026.
Lecturer: Dr. Chris Vlachos
Event FAQs
Lecture materials, daily lunches, and complimentary beverages during sessions will be provided for you.
Causal or business casual attire is appropriate (particularly for evening activities).
Yes, if your spouse is attending with you, he/she must complete a separate registration form.
If you have questions about the upcoming event, please reach out to JUC at admissions@juc.edu.
Along with your luggage if travelign to San Antonio for the event, please bring a Bible in your preferred translation to use during the morning and afternoon sessions. You may also want to bring a notebook for note-taking.
JUC has secured a block of rooms at the Drury Inn & Suites San Antonio Near La Cantera Pkwy for seminar attendees. The hotel is 2 miles away from the conference venue. For their guests, parking is free and the Drury Inn & Suites does offer a free breakfast buffet with eggs, pancakes, etc. (M-F, 6-9:30a; Sat & Sun, 7a-10a) and a free dinner buffet that they call Kickback (it also has hot food, salad, and drink options).
Please note that hotel accommodations are not included in the registration fee. To receive the discounted group rate, make your reservation by July 31, 2026.
Reservations may be made online through the group reservation website or by calling 1-800-325-0720 and referencing group number 10190308.
No, the in-person conference will not be recorded.
The pre-seminar lecture on August 8, 2026, will be recorded and made available to registered conference attendees who are unable to participate in the live online session.
No, there will not be a shuttle provided. The hotel is approximately two miles from the seminar venue. We recommend renting a vehicle or using a taxi or rideshare service such as Uber or Lyft for transportation.
Rideshare services are readily available in the area, and the average cost is approximately $10 per trip.