Missionary 'Reality' Series Aim to Inspire and Inform
by Allie Martin
December 24, 2003
(AgapePress) - The creators of a new reality television series say they wanted to give a unique look into the world of frontline mission work.The series, called Travel the Road, follows the adventures of 28-year-old William Decker and 24-year-old Timothy Scott. Over an 18-month period, the pair traveled to 25 countries, covering more than 40,000 miles while they shared the gospel, chronicled everything on videotape -- and carried one backpack containing a change of clothing.
Michael Scott, executive producer of the series, explains that the show offers viewers a first-hand look at the life of a missionary. "When [people] watch it, what we want to really instill in them is to take a new look at missions [and to] see what it's all about," he says. "We're trying to inspire a new generation of missionaries to go into all the world and preach the gospel."
Scott, a pastor's son, says he has received e-mails from across the world telling him that the series has inspired viewers to "really take a look at missions" and to realize the Lord has placed a similar calling on their lives.
According to the producer, the focus of Travel the Road differs significantly from reality series such as Survivor that include large monetary prizes.
"[In our case] the TV show was secondary," Scott says. "What was most important [to us] was the mission that the guys were on. It wasn't necessarily that this was a TV show -- what we wanted to do was document and show what was going on."
And there were many challenges along the way, he says. "We shot in the most remote places on the face of the earth -- from the tops of the Tibetan plateaus to the middle of the deserts in Africa."
Travel the Road can be seen every Tuesday and Saturday night on the Trinity Broadcasting Network. All 12 episodes of the series are also available on VHS or DVD format through the program's website. Plans for a sequel are in the works.
