Description
Israel & Petra Tour with Pastor Randy Butler & Mission Increase - April 2024
"Our feet shall stand within thy gates, O Jerusalem." Psalms 122:2 A journey to the Holy Land! We want to invite you on an unforgettable journey into the Holy Land which is filled with ancient biblical history, culture and spiritual blessings. Visit the places that witnessed the events of such decisive and enduring importance in the history of humanity. This journey will provide you a deeper understanding of scriptures traveling through the lands of the Bible. You will get a closer look at the life of Jesus Christ and His mission of redemption. When you make this journey in the company of friends and others of like mind, you can look forward to an unforgettable experience. You begin the tour in Jordan with a visit to Petra, recognized as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, Madaba, Mt Nebo where you will have a view of Israel just like Moses would have. Picture yourself sailing in a boat like the disciples on the Sea of Galilee in northern Israel, (“And Jesus said to them, follow me and I will make you become fishers of men” Mark 1:17), floating in the Dead Sea, seeing our Lord Jesus’ birth place in Bethlehem, walking the streets of Jerusalem and having communion at the empty tomb where Jesus rose from the dead (“He is not here; he has risen, just as he said. Come and see the place where he lay” Matthew 28:6). At the end of this tour two things will most certainly be changed, you, and your understanding of the Bible. Join us on this life changing tour.
What's Included
Our tours are all-inclusive. Always.
Videos
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Itinerary
Day by Day
- 3
Sunday
Netanya, Caesarea, Megiddo, Nazareth, TiberiasThis morning we proceed to Caesarea, capital of the Roman procurators of Judea. Visit the Roman port, Crusader's Moat, Roman theater and aqueduct. Continue to Muhraka on Mount Carmel where Elijah challenged Baal’s priests. This afternoon, after a Middle Eastern lunch at a Druse restaurant(optional), we proceed to Megiddo to visit the excavations that unearthed 20 different civilizations. This is Michener’s “The Source”. Continue down the road to Nazareth, boyhood home of Jesus where we will go to the look out and view the entire valley. Then, it’s on to Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee for dinner and overnight at our hotel.
- 4
Monday
Chorazin, Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Magdala"The Head of all those Kingdoms" (Joshua 11:10) The Sources of the Jordan. This morning our drive takes us to Chorazin and then to the northern limits of Jesus' travel as we cross the River Hatzbani to Dan. Here we combine a nature walk beside the Upper Jordan with views of the ancient ruins, topped by the Israelite high place that supported a golden calf (I Kings 12). Then a short drive to Banias (Caesarea Philippi), dedicated to Pan the Greek god of pastures, flocks and shepherds; here Peter made his great profession of faith, recognition of Christ Jesus (Matthew 16). Driving along the foot of Mount Hermon, we ascend onto the Golan Plateau for a magnificent view of upper Israel. On our return we will travel, time permitting, through the Hula Valley to Hazor, ruins of the powerful Canaanite city destroyed by Joshua and rebuilt by King Jabin and then by Solomon as a chariot city to command upper Galilee. Next we visit Magdala, one of the oldest synagogues dating back to the first century AD. Home of Mary Magdalena and was the fishing center where Peter would have brought his catch to be sold or processed. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 5
Tuesday
Sea of Galilee, Capernaum, Mt. Arbel, Kursi, Jordan RiverThis morning we enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, landing at Nof Ginosar where we will see the New Testament boat found below the sea and watch a video. Continue our morning tour with a visit to Capernaum, Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes. After lunch we will climb to the top of Mt. Arbel for the most fantastic view of the Sea of Galilee and Tiberias you could ever imagine. Continue on to Kursi, the traditional location of Jesus miracle at Gadarenes/Gergesa – healing the madman, driving out his devils into a herd of pigs who then drown in the lake. Our last stop today will be at the Jordan River where we will have the opportunity to be baptized, and then transfer to the hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.
- 6
Wednesday
Tiberias, Bet Shean, Jacob's Well, Bethel, Shilo, JerusalemThis morning we follow the Rift Valley running parallel to the Jordan, along the route Jesus most frequently traveled to Jerusalem. We visit Bet Shean at the foot of Mt. Gilboa, where King Saul was slain, see the evidences of Egyptian, Roman and Byzantine occupations, and view the ancient tel, Roman Theater and church mosaics.. We head to Jacob's Well, the place Jesus met the lady to draw water. She said the Well was deep. Drop a pebble and wait!!! This afternoon continue through the hill country with great stops such as the Good Samaritan Village, Bethel and Shilo. Continue to The Holy City for a panoramic view before we head to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 7
Thursday
Mt. Zion, Walk Jerusalem Walls, Hezekiah's Tunnel, Free TimeThis morning we begin our day with a visit to Mt Zion where we visit the grounds of a church called Peter in Gallicantu, which affords the best view of early Jerusalem from the west. (Here, the Assumptions Fathers suggest, was the house where the High Priest Caiaphas interrogated Jesus). Continue on to visit the Upper Room and King David’s Tomb. Next we make our way to Zion’s Gate to walk on the walls of Jerusalem—what a great way to be introduced to this ancient city! From here, we’ll enter the City of David to walk though Hezekiah’s Tunnel. Bring water shoes and a flashlight and be prepared to get wet – at least a little. We’ll actually trek through the 2,700 year old water tunnel in an adventure that can’t be missed. We’ll finish up at the Pool of Siloam. The rest of the afternoon is free to explore the old city on our own. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 8
Friday
Masada, Qumran, Dead Sea, JerichoToday we drive to Masada and ascend by cable car to the magnificent ruins of the fortress where, from 70 to 73 AD, Jewish defenders made their last stand in the Judean revolt against Rome. We see the remains of storehouses, cisterns and a sixth-century Byzantine church. Continuing alongside the Dead Sea, 1,300 ft. below sea level -- the lowest spot on earth -- we proceed to Ein Gedi where time permitting we will walk the path to see the waterfall in the desert. This afternoon we continue to Qumran and the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We will have a stop for lunch and time for those that want to swim in the Dead Sea. We travel to Jericho, the world’s oldest city. From the excavated tel atop the ruins of ancient Jericho we view the lush green Jordan Valley, Elisha’s spring and Qarantal, the Mount of Temptation. We return to the hotel for dinner.
- 9
Saturday
Mt. of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Herodium, Shepherd's Fields, Bethlehem"If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace" (Luke 19:42) We start the day via the Chapel of Ascension and Paternoster to the Mt. of Olives for an orientation view of Jerusalem and the opportunity of a group photograph overlooking Jerusalem. We then walk the traditional Passion walk. We descend to the church known as Dominus Flevit ("Our Lord weeps"). After viewing the Golden Gate, we walk downhill to Gethsemane, where we take time to meditate on the Gospel text in the private garden then view the Church of All Nations. I bring you good news of great joy that will be for all the people. Today in the town of David a Savior has been born to you; he is Christ the Lord. (Luke 2:10-11). We drive south to the region of Bethlehem passing Rachel's Tomb on the outskirts of Bethlehem. We drive to a hilltop for a view of Bethlehem, noting its relation to the rest of the central mountain range, including Jerusalem, as well as to the desert and the area of ancient Moab. This is Herodium, the palace set in a conical mountain built by Herod to mark his tomb. Note the juxtaposition of the two Kings of the Jews. The King Herod buried in great opulence and the King of the Jews born in a humble manger in Bethlehem sitting in the background of the Herodium. We then drive to one of the possible sites for Shepherds' Fields. We continue into Bethlehem itself, walking through the restored old town to the Church of the Nativity and visiting the manger and see the cave of St. Jerome. We drive back to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.
- 10
Sunday
Western Wall Tunnel, Temple Institute, Yad Vashem, Shrine of the BookThis morning we will board our bus for our exciting tour to the famous Rabbi Tunnel. Here we will enter by the Western Wall Plaza and go down to the foundation of the Second Temple. We will see a model that will demonstrate where we are in location to the Temple in the time of Christ. Continue along the tunnel as we proceed to the Gateway of the Priests entry to the Holy of Holies. We will continue to the Temple Institute where we will see the making of the instruments for the new temple. We will see how they are following the Bible for exact instructions. We will see a film explaining where the Rabbi believes the Temple and courts could be located. From here we will head to Yad Vashem and see the Museum of the Holocaust. Continue to Shrine of the Book and the model city of Jerusalem at the time of the Second Temple. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 11
Monday
Old City, Via Dolorosa, Southern Steps, Communion Garden Tomb“He has risen!” (Mark 16:6) After breakfast we transfer to the Dung Gate, where we walk via the Western Wall, Judaism’s holiest site. We ascend to the Dome of the Rock and the al-Aqsa Mosque, considered the third holiest site of Islam, located on the site of the ancient Temple Mount. Here the first and second Temples once stood. Just to the north we find the Pools of Bethesda (John 5) and St. Anne’s Church. The church is perfectly preserved from the Crusader period – with remarkable acoustics. Continuing on we see Pilate’s Judgment Hall, the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostrotos, and the Arch of Ecce Homo (Behold the Man). We then follow the Way of the Cross (Via Dolorosa) through the bazaars as far as the Holy Sepulcher. After time for lunch we walk from the Christian Quarter along the Arab Souks through the Cardo Maximo. We proceed to the Steps that entered the temple and the Southern Wall. It was here that Jesus would have taught the disciples. See a video that shows the temple as it was at Herod's (or Jesus') time. We board our bus to the Garden Tomb where we will end our day with a special visit and private communion on the grounds outside the city walls. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 13
Wednesday
Jerusalem, Jordan River, Mt. Nebo, Madaba, PetraThis morning we will go to the famous Allenby Bridge. We will cross over to Jordan. Meet our guide and head north to the traditional site where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Continue to Mt. Nebo, from where God showed Moses the Promised Land. Drive to Madaba to St George’s Church with its 6th century mosaic floor showing a map of the Holy Land as Christian pilgrims knew it in that period. From here we continue to the Rose Red city of Petra. Upon arrival we are taken to our hotel for dinner and overnight.
- 14
Thursday
PetraToday we will spend time in one of the Seven Wonders of the World. Start the tour of Petra; you are in the heart of the rose red Seir mountains as mentioned in the Biblical Book of Genesis. This mountain range houses the Aaron Peak, which is the highest locality in Petra and the burial place of Aaron brother of Moses. A walk down through the narrow ‘Siq’ passage, being the main entrance to Petra, along 1250 meters brings you to the first monument Treasure "the same as the one seen in the Indiana Jones' movie". A walk further down through the outer ‘Siq’ encompassed by tombs and burial chambers brings you to one of the largest theaters in Jordan. This theater is carved into the sand stone mountains of Petra at the bottom of the High place of Sacrifice Mountain. Apparently some sacrificial rituals used to take place here. Now, it is time to walk up hill to the Royal Tombs. You will have a great view of the lower part of Petra with all its Roman remains. These tombs are: The Urn- Corinthian- Silk- and Palace tombs. We retrace our steps to the entrance and return to our hotel in Petra for dinner and overnight.
- 16
Saturday
Amman, USAThis morning we transfer to the airport where we board our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always. Knowing we have walked in the footsteps of Jesus and the early Christians on such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our Bible reading.
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