For Partner Denominations
Bring your tradition into the shared work. We welcome formal partnerships with churches and communities ready to send volunteers, artists, and clergy.
Partner with usWhat starts at the Sea of Galilee goes worldwide.
Christians of many traditions serving pilgrims together, so the world may believe.
Pull up a chair.
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The Vision
On the night before he died, Jesus prayed for the people who would come after him:
“that they may all be one…so that the world may believe”
John 17:20–23
Two thousand years and a thousand divisions later, that prayer still waits.
The response begins at Magdala — a first-century town uncovered on the shore of the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus himself walked.
One Step Closer – Hospitality Together envisions a blossoming culture of Christian oneness (John 17) where disciples of Jesus from diverse traditions walk closer together through hospitality, friendship, and collaborative service to those in need.
Around one table. In one hope.
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Four Stepping Stones
The path begins in Galilee.
Step on each stone to walk the path from acting on Jesus’ Oneness Prayer in Galilee to living oneness at home.
The path crosses the water — step onto the first stone.
The stone shown is a study — its final form will follow the art commission.
A Covenant in Stone
The Oneness Stone
XXX TRADITIONS · III RINGS · I STONE
At the entrance of the future John 17 Landmark at Magdala, one stone will carry the names of the Christian traditions taking part in this work — gathered not on separate monuments, but on a single shared stone.
It is a marker of friendship and shared purpose — a sign that Catholics, Protestants, and Eastern Christians can work side by side in concrete ways, each remaining faithful to their own tradition.
“That they may all be one.” — John 17:21
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Magdala Crossroads
A culture of encounter.
Magdala has been favored with superlatively-labeled archeological findings, gifted artists, and open-minded leadership. Standing around a 2,000-year-old synagogue in the area where Jesus traveled from synagogue to synagogue, Christians realize that here in Galilee — the fountainhead of that stream animating billions worldwide — they stand again side by side, where once no divisions fractured their blessed discipleship.
Without our intentional planning, Providence has surprised us with world-ranking artists from Reformation, Catholic, and Eastern churches who decorated Duc in Altum, Magdala’s church on the shore. A culture of encounter flourishes for everyone of faith or no faith. Interfaith prejudice subsides. Fresh acquaintances spark developing friendships. Each one builds with their neighbor on what they share in common.
Cherished Magdala vocabulary includes crossroads, culture of encounter, commonality. No wonder One Step Closer — Hospitality Together sprouted on this fertile terrain for our shared treasures of humanity.
ONE STEP CLOSER IN ACTION
Progress on the path.
The work as it unfolds — the Landmark, volunteers, artwork, and the encounters along the way.
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Magdala Crossroads · Monthly Journal
Reflections from Galilee.
How to Take a Step
Three ways to walk with us
For Pilgrims
Plan a pilgrimage that includes serving alongside Christians from other traditions. Stay, encounter, and carry the leaven home.
Plan your pilgrimageFor Friends and Supporters
Help build the John 17 Landmark, fund volunteers, commission the artwork. Every gift is a stone laid in the path.
Donate