Our journey begins when we depart the U.S.A.

Welcome to Israel! Upon arrival at the Tel Aviv Ben Gurion Airport, we will be met by our guide and transferred south to our hotel on the shores of the Dead Sea for dinner and overnight.

At Timna Park, we visit both the oldest Copper Mines in the world with relics from Ancient Egypt as well as a tour of the model of the Tabernacle that is situated in the park. “A land where the rocks are iron and you can dig copper out of the hills” (Deuteronomy 8:9). Then at Masada, we ascend Herod’s magnificent mountaintop fortress by cable car. Here we learn about the last stand of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. We return to our hotel and spend some time floating in the renowned salt and mineral-laden of the Dead Sea.

This morning, we visit the oasis of Ein Gedi, where David hid from Saul. At Qumran, we learn about the Essenes, a desert community that authored the Dead Sea Scrolls. We travel north along the Jordan River to Beit Shean, one of the best-preserved Roman Decapolis cities. Finally, we gather at the Yardenit Jordan River Baptismal Site to remember or renew our baptismal vows. We check in to our hotel at the Sea of Galilee for dinner and overnight.

We begin the day by visiting Mt. Arbel, a mountain on the northwest corner of the Sea of Galilee. We will have the option to hike to the top of this 800-foot cliff (the bus will take others to the top from the other side). The view from the top is the best there is of the whole Sea of Galilee below! We then travel north to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter confessed, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13-16). We continue to Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee. From there we set sail on the Sea of Galilee for a special time of worship on the water. Then, at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar we will see the Ancient Boat, a fishing boat from the time of Christ. If time permits, we will also include a visit to Korazim (Matthew 11: 20-22). We return to our hotel at the Sea of Galilee for dinner and overnight.

Today we visit Qatzrin, a partially reconstructed Talmudic village. We see what a typical village looked like during the days of Jesus. Sitting in a reconstructed stone house, we’ll read from Mark 2 about the lame man being lowered down to Jesus through the roof. Next, we explore Sepphoris, including its famous “Mona Lisa of the Galilee” mosaic. After that, we stand atop Mt. Carmel, where Elijah defeated the prophets of ba’al. Then we continue to Caesarea Maritima, the port city of Herod the Great. It was here that Peter proclaimed the Good News to the Roman Centurion and is also where Paul was held before being taken to Rome for trial. The vast site includes a theater, hippodrome and aqueduct among its many ruins. We then travel inland to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

Today we visit the City of David, including an exciting walkthrough Hezekiah’s Tunnel. (Wear water shoes and bring a flashlight!) At the Israel Museum, we see the remarkable 1:50scale model of 1st century Jerusalem as well as the Shrine of the Book Dead Sea Scrolls exhibit. We have free time the rest of the afternoon to explore the incredible city of Jerusalem. Dinner and overnight are at our Jerusalem hotel.

We begin our day on the Mount of Olives for a breathtaking view of the Old City. We walk down the Palm Sunday Road recalling the shouts of “Hosanna!” as Jesus made His triumphal entry. At the Garden of Gethsemane, we reflect on the night Jesus was betrayed among the olive trees. Next, we visit the Southern Steps – the original steps leading up to the Temple. We get to pray alongside the Jewish faithful at the Western Wall and then take a step underground and back in in time in the Western Wall Tunnels. Next, we make our way to the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus healed a man on the Sabbath. We also visit the nearby Church of St. Anne and then walk along the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. We return to our Jerusalem hotel for dinner and overnight.

This morning, we visit Christ Church, the oldest Protestant Church in the Middle East. At the Garden Tomb, we gather for communion & worship, as we reflect on the agony of the crucifixion, then celebrate the joy of the resurrection! Next, we get to participate at the Temple Sifting Project, to see what we can find among dirt and debris that was removed from the Temple Mount area. Then we travel to the Judean Wilderness of Wadi Kelt and reflect on Psalm 23. We return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast we make our way to Beit Shemesh, a strategically located city given to the Levites. Next is Khirbeit Qeiyafa, a fortress city overlooking the Valley of Elah, where David slew Goliath. We also see Tel Gezer, associated with Joshua and Solomon. On the Mediterranean coast, we explore Old Jaffa. We return to the hotel in Jerusalem for our Farewell Dinner and overnight.

We have a very early transfer to the airport for our return flight home. Today we return to the U.S.A., with a transformed faith and memories to last a lifetime!