Gotham Alum Seeks to Help Others Travel in ‘Purposeful’ Ways

Christie Holmes was burdened.

As she saw her children growing up, she sought to have tools at her disposal to better influence her children’s values given the “cacophony of opinion in our culture.”

Specifically, she was burdened to raise adults that would “be empathic and compassionate towards other cultures, beliefs and traditions” and “be prepared to engage on the Global Stage.”

A tall, gospel-inspired order.

But what started as a fledgling burden five years ago has now become a vehicle for transformation among families and cultures since a public launch two years ago.

It was through Holmes’ participation in the Nashville Institute for Faith & Work’s Gotham leadership program that her capstone project has now blossomed into Global CommUnity, a thoughtful travel company that helps families map and plan explorations around the world.

The organization helps families engage one another in meaningful ways by designing unique travel programs that tap into their specific interests and help them engage other cultures in deep, purposeful ways.

“Our community impact opportunities are founded on a mutual exchange of ideas - they are about looking at what each destination is doing to bring people, places, and things to life,” said Holmes the Co-Founder and CEO of Global CommUnity. “My hope is that as our travelers experience these opportunities they create memories as a family and then return home curious how they can further engage common issues in their home communities.”

Upon expressing interest in traveling with Global CommUnity, a family is paired with an itinerary planner to tailor the trip to their specific educational and experiential goals.

Currently, they’ve fostered relationships and itineraries in at least 36 different countries around the world to create an impactful and sustainable travel experience. It’s not voluntourism, rather it’s a mutually-beneficial partnership.

“Community impact opportunities are an attempt to even the playing field,” Holmes said, “by addressing attitudes of unconscious bias, racial and economic divide, and providing an opportunity to allow us to learn from each other.”

The work for Holmes also finds theological underpinnings in the notion that every human is made in the image of God (Gen. 1:27). This key biblical principle, emphasized through Holmes time in Gotham, served as a means to foster unity and care for both those traveling and those receiving travelers into their own cultures.

“My hope is that we will start a trend in cultural sustainability that is equal to the trendy ecological sustainability,” Holmes said. “I'd like for people as they travel become aware of other cultures, appreciate differences, and deepen empathy.”

Holmes is in the precarious balance of start-up work at the moment with Global CommUnity. Most of her days involve “a lot of everything,” including marketing itinerary development, managing staff and contract employees, sales, and investor relationships.

“Five years ago we were a concept,” Holmes said. “We have had the struggles common for many startups but have survived two years in business, one round raising investment capital, and have gotten great feedback and media coverage.

“We are onto something unique.”

For those looking to support Global CommUnity’s work, things like traveling with the organization, following along on social media, becoming an Ambassador (referring clients and earning a referral fee), joining the team, or simply learning more about cultural sustainability.

“I think we can become a change agent in culture as a social movement,” Holmes said, “not only sending people on amazing trips, but also calling people to more social engagement and awareness.”

Learn more about Gotham, NIFW’s faith + work leadership program designed for Christians seeking to steward their role for God’s glory & the common good.

Learn more about Gotham