10-Day Tour of Israel
CLERGY FAMILIARIZATION TRIP

Tour members meet for our flight to Israel. After dinner is served, sit back and relax, enjoying the on-board entertainment as you prepare for this exciting adventure of a lifetime, walking where Jesus walked.

In Tel Aviv, we meet our agent who assists us through customs and security. Then we transfer to our motor coach, and depending on arrival time, have a short visit in Jaffa to visit Simon the Tanner’s Home. We then arrive at our hotel in Netanya in time for our dinner and overnight. 

Today, we will visit the following Biblical sites: Caesarea (where Peter proclaimed the Good News to the Roman Centurion - Acts 10), Megiddo (overlooking the Valley of Armageddon) and Mt. Carmel (where Elijah prayed, and God defeated 450 prophets of Baal with fire from heaven - 1 Kings 18). Time permitting, we’ll stop at the Druze Village for a short lunch break (lunch is on your own). Then we have a visit with Harvest of Asher Congregation in Akko. Dinner and overnight will be in Tiberias.

There is nothing like watching a sunrise on the Sea of Galilee from our hotel. We begin our sightseeing with a visit to the Mt. of Beatitudes (Matthew 5-7), with time for reflection and time for a short devotion. From here, we make our way to Capernaum, Jesus’ base for His early ministry. Next, we board a replica wooden “Jesus Boat” as we sail on the Sea of Galilee. We will include a visit to the Jesus Boat Museum, where we will have an opportunity to view a boat that dates back to the time of Jesus. Our lunch stop includes the option of ordering the special St. Peter’s Fish for those interested (not included). We continue to Magdala to see a synagogue from the time of Jesus. In Nazareth we visit “Nazareth Village” with a detailed explanation of what life was like during the time of Jesus, and time permitting, visit Christ the King Church Nazareth. We continue to Cana (John 2), where Jesus performed His first miracle at a wedding reception, those who would like to will have opportunity to renew their marriage vows. Afterwards, we make our way to Gadara and then head to the River Jordan. There, we will have the opportunity to step into this special river. Dinner and overnight will be in Tiberias.

After breakfast, we travel north for the Golan Heights and view the area from a special lookout. We drive to Caesarea Philippi, where Peter made the good confession of Christ as “the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:13- 16). We will have a short hike/walk to Tel Dan where we will see the gate of Jeroboam and then we make our way for Gideon Springs. Afterwards, we visit Beit Shean, one of the bestpreserved Decapolis Roman cities. In Beit Shean, the bodies of King Saul and his sons were hung from the city walls (1 Samuel 31:10-12) after they were defeated by the Philistines. We then ascend to the majestic city of Jerusalem in time for dinner and overnight. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem.” (Psalm 122:1-2 NASB).

After breakfast, we begin our sightseeing and drive to the Wilderness. The road from Jerusalem to the Dead Sea region is a decent of 4,000 feet in 13 miles. Our first stop will be at Masada, where we take a cable car to the fortress built by King Herod. Here, we survey the ruins of fortifications, waterworks, synagogue, temples, and palaces. We drive to Qumran and the settlement of the first century sect known as the Essenes, authors of the Dead Sea Scrolls. Afterwards, a short drive takes us to Ein Gedi where David hid from King Saul. We will make a special stop at the Dead Sea (the lowest physical spot on earth) for a short swim/float. Time and conditions permitting, we’ll include a visit to the new Jordan River Qasr Al-Yahud Baptismal Site, where tradition believes Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. If time permits, we will have a short visit to Jericho. Dinner and overnight will be in Jerusalem.

We begin the day on the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the breathtaking panorama of the Holy City. Our pilgrimage will proceed down the Old Palm Sunday Road to the Garden of Gethsemane with its ancient olive grove, and the Church of Agony, where tradition holds that Jesus prayed. We will enter Jerusalem through the Zion Gate and walk to the holiest site in the whole Jewish world, the Western (Wailing) Wall. Beyond the wall lies the 35- acre Temple area purchased by King David (2 Samuel 24:18- 25). On this site now stands Al-Aqsa Mosque, and the magnificent Dome of the Rock (the third holiest shrine in Islam). From the Temple area, we make our way to St. Stephen’s Gate to walk the Via Dolorosa which includes St. Anne’s Crusader Church, Pools of Bethesda, the Pavement (where Jesus stood while being tried by Pilate), Ecce Homo Arch, and the ancient Cardo. We continue to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Next, a short walk takes us to stand on the original steps that Jesus walked on as He entered the Temple area, the Southern Steps. We conclude our sightseeing today with a visit to Bethlehem. We pass by Rachel’s Tomb on the outskirts and visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds’ Field. We will have dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. Following dinner, we return to the Western Wall to visit the Rabbis’ Tunnel. 

After breakfast, we visit the Shrine of the Book Museum, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are displayed. You will be fascinated by the 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem as it would have appeared in Jesus’ time. Next, we drive to the incredible archaeological find, the City of David. Afterwards, we have a short walk to Hezekiah’s Tunnel (conditions permitting). Be sure to bring a flashlight and good water shoes with you, as you will get wet walking through the tunnel. (Those who prefer to stay dry can walk through the shaft). If time permits, we will quickly visit the new excavation and view the Pool of Siloam. Afterwards, we will make our way to the Church of Agony at St. Peter Gallicantu. Finally, we will visit Golgotha and the Garden Tomb for worship and communion. Overnight will be in Jerusalem.

We begin our morning with time at leisure in Jerusalem. Then we will depart Jerusalem late morning/early afternoon and begin our sightseeing with a drive to Shiloh. This is where the Tabernacle once stood. Here we see impressive archaeological ruins dating to the days of Samuel. We continue to the Elah Valley and the brook where David slew Goliath. If we were not able to visit Jaffa on day of arrival, then we will make a stop in Jaffa today. We have a Farewell Dinner and final overnight at our hotel in Jerusalem.

This morning we transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our return flight home. We arrive home same day.