One of the highlights of my life was being able to tour Israel last summer on my sabbatical. From the moment we arrived in Israel and began to walk where Jesus walked, I began telling my wife how much I wanted to come back.
Not only did I want to go back though, I wanted to go back with people I know so I could share the experience with them. I don’t know of a bigger faith builder I’ve had in my life outside of this trip and I would love for you to join me in June of 2019, with Faith Based Expeditions on another 9-Day trip to the Holy Land.
Registration for the trip is available HERE, and all the details about the trip you can find HERE.
When I returned from our trip last year, I wanted to read through the Gospels (Matthew, Mark, Luke, John) and read about what we had just walked through. When I got done with the book of Matthew I realized that there wasn’t one chapter in Matthew where I didn’t read about something we saw in Israel. From the birth place of Jesus in Bethlehem, to the Temple Mount, to the empty tomb and the mount of transfiguration, we got to see what Jesus saw and walk where Jesus walked. It was unreal.
On this 9-Day trip, here are some things we will see and do that I am most excited about. (You can read more about the things we will see by using the above links):
First Day In Israel — On Day one of our tour (Day three of the trip), we will go to Mt. Carmel (pictured above). This is the place where Elijah won the “prayer war” with 450 prophets of Baal in 1 Kings 18. It also overlooks the valley of Armageddon, which has a massive historical and prophetic significance. On this day we will also tour the ancient ruins of Ceasarea (Picture to the right), which is where Paul was on trial for his faith in Acts 25, and where the Gospel was first carried to the Gentiles in Acts 10. Both of these sights were part of my favorites during my previous trip.
Second Day In Israel — On day two of our tour (Day four of the trip), we will travel to Ceasarea Philippi and visit Pan Grotto, which is where tradition holds that Jesus made the famous statement, “On this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.” (We didn’t go here on my last trip. I am SO excited to visit this place.) On this day, we will also travel across the Sea of Galilee on a replica boat from the days of Jesus. It is surreal to float on the water that Jesus walked on while reading the story from Scripture. We will also stand on the beach where it is believed that Jesus re-instated Peter in John 21 following his denial of Jesus (Picture left).
Third Day In Israel — On day three of our tour (Day five of the trip), we will travel to the ancient 
city of Jericho (picture right) where Joshua and the people of Israel marched around and saw the Lord move on their behalf. I am most excited on this day to celebrate baptism at the traditional site of Jesus’ own baptism, which is also the proposed site where God parted the Jordan River and the Israelites entered the Promise Land. (We did not go to this site for baptism on my last trip. Cannot wait for this!)
Fourth Day In Israel — On day four of our tour (Day six of the trip), we will visit the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus would pray for “another way,” and would eventually be arrested. There are some olive trees still in this garden that date back to the time of Jesus.
Fifth Day In Israel —– On day five of our tour (Day seven of the trip), we will go to Ein Gedi (Pictured right). This was at the top of my favorites list from our trip. Ein Gedi is where King David hid from Saul when he was being pursued. It is also the place where he referred to in many of his Psalms. Ein Gedi is an oasis in the desert. The words, “As the deer pants for water, so my soul pants for You O God”, take on a whole new meaning here.
Sixth Day In Israel — On day six of our tour (Day eight of the trip), we will visit the (empty) Garden Tomb (pictured below). This is one of two proposed locations of the burial site of Jesus, along with the Church Of The Holy Sepulcher. At the Garden Tomb we will not only get to walk inside of it, but we will also view the hill called “Golgotha” (site of the crucifixion), and will participate in worship and communion at the empty tomb. This was such a moving moment for me on our trip. Almost couldn’t contain myself.
On this 9-Day trip, we will get six full days of touring the Holy Land (You lose a day when traveling there, and then have one travel day back). Those are just a few of the things we will see and places we will go. Again, follow the provided links above to get a more detailed list of the things we will see and do, as well as register for the trip.
If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact me: (hello@128.199.13.111)