About Us

Steve & Janet Ray, Owners of Footprints of God Pilgrimages

Steve and Janet Ray are the writers, producers and hosts of the Footprints of God video series. Steve is the author of five books, of which three are best selling books with Ignatius Press. Steve also speaks around the world and is a guest on many radio and television programs.

Life Before Catholicism: In 1982 they began touring Europe to research their Protestant Christian heritage; even smuggling Bibles, money and medicine behind the Iron Curtain before the Wall came down.

As Evangelical Protestants they studied in Switzerland with Dr. Francis Schaeffer at L’Abri and spent a year touring and discovering the European roots of Western Civilization and the Christian faith. Two years later they again drove through 14 countries over two months in Europe learning and exploring.

Steve is a Certified Guide for the Holy Sites in Israel

Conversion to Catholicism: In 1994 the Rays with their four children converted from Evangelical Protestantism to the Catholic Church.

Catholic Adventures and Projects: They began research and exploration in the Middle East starting with their conversion to the Catholic Church in 1994. Since then they have visited the Middle East and Europe over 100 times exploring, writing and filming in Israel, the Palestinian territories, Egypt, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon, Turkey, Greece, France, and Italy.

So far they have completed seven of a projected ten-part documentary series: Moses, David/Solomon, Mary, Jesus, Peter, Paul and Apostolic Fathers. They are currently working on Abraham.

Steve and Janet Ray with their ten grandchildren

The Family: In 1975 Steve started a family business and built it up to 800 employees with yearly sales of $12 million. In 2007 he sold the business to devote his life to biblical studies, writing, teaching, and guiding.

The Rays home-schooled their four children through High School. The first three did very well in college are now married. Their fourth daughter is studying to be a nurse. As of Christmas 2011 they had ten grandchildren.

Guiding in Israel and Beyond: Steve is a Certified Guide to the Holy Sites in Israel (see picture of his guide badge above). Steve and Janet have guided thousands of people through Israel and other biblical lands in the Middle East and Europe. There is nothing they love more!

Steve and Janet are now contract with John Hale at Corporate Travel (see below) to arrange and guide pilgrimages in many lands .

Corporate Travel: Steve’s Travel Agent Partner

(Picture to right: Mark Slater, Steve and Steve Ray, Raji Khoury of Shepherd Tours (our agent in Israel), Eileen, Suzanne Parran, and John Hale.)

Steve & Janet Ray have contracted with Corporate Travel to arrange their pilgrimages and cruises — registration, flights, insurance, etc.

John Hale of Corporate Travel is a fine man with a beautiful Catholic family. He and his team are great to work work with – professional and helpful. Mark Slater is Operations Manager. He handles pricing, flight reservations, and other travel details.

Pilgrimage Contacts: Suzanne Parran and Maria Michalik are the daily contacts for our pilgrims — they answer all the questions and assist with registration, insurance, dates, airlines and more.
Suzanne: sparran@ctscentral.net or 800-727-1999, ext. 121
Maria: mmichalik@ctscentral.net. or 800-727-1999, ext. 150

Cruise Contact: Susan Reinhardt handles arrangements and registration for cruises at SReinhardt@CTSCentral.net or 800-727-1999, ext. 161.