israel tours pastors

Experience The Holy Land

Artza the holy land, delivered., your life will be forever changed, are you a pastor interested in learning more about israel, join us current tours.

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Oh, the places you'll go experience the holy land like you never imagined.

Caesarea Maritima

Jezreel Valley

WHAT TO EXPECT We Give You A World-class Experience

Engaging excursions, majestic scenery, unforgettable sunsets, guided with excellence, local cuisine, world-class translators, daily destinations, what our clients are saying rave reviews.

It Will Change Your Life!

It’s hard even to put or even find words to describe what you go through in Israel; literally the Bible comes alive!

Mark & Missy Winterton

The bible came to life.

If you ever get a chance to go, you need to check out Dr. Crisp’s tours and let him be your guide!!

Tammy McKinney

A renewed passion....

Dr. Crisp’s understanding of the geographical, historical, cultural, and linguistic contexts of the Bible is unmatched.

Dr. D. Scott Henderson

I was blessed.

The trip gave me a renewed love not only for God’s Word, but the land of Israel and its people!

Rebecca Illingworth

Excellent tour guide & teacher.

Without question, my 2 trips to the Holy Land with TLC changed my Christian life and ministry!

Martin Puckett

Recently return from a trip stay in touch, contact tlc holyland tours, a special invitation to pastors & senior staff, study the word of god in israel.

Speaking from Mt. Arbel, overlooking the Sea of Galilee, Tony reflects on an important story that explains how critical it is for pastors to come and visit the Holy Land.

"Through decades of travel, thousands of lives have been transformed by this life-changing experience."

Dr. tony crisp.

Featured Sponsor

Tony thanks knoxville wholesale furniture.

Tony brings hundreds of pastors and leaders to Israel in order to make them better teachers of God’s word.

Would you like a life changing and never-to-be-forgotten experience? It is our joy to invite you to join us on a trip to the Holy Land where you will find a new dimension in the understanding of Biblical history and the life of our LORD.

• Take a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee.
• Worship in the Garden of Gethsemane.
• Stand on the Temple Southern steps.
• And much, much more!

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• Current Expeditions

January 2024 Israel Familiarization Trip for Pastors

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We’re here to help! Call or email one of our expedition specialists today.

(877) 234-3002

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Calling all pastors… Christian Expedition is hosting a 9-day familiarization trip to Israel!

This expedition is open to senior, lead, or executive pastors of churches with 500+ attendance. Some exceptions apply. Please call (877) 234-3002 or email [email protected] if you are unsure about eligibility.

What's Included

• Roundtrip flight from New York, NY
• One check-in bag (50 lbs.) & one carry-on
• 4-star hotel accommodations
• Private motorcoach transportation
• Breakfast and dinner served daily
• Dedicated service from a tour manager
• Licensed guiding
• Audio devices with tours
• Admission fees
• Tips for restaurant & hotel staff
• Devotionals & worship service
• Luggage assistance at hotels
• 9am-5pm (EST) Reservation Support
• 24/7 Travel Emergency Support
• Custom name badge & luggage tag
• Airport taxes & fuel surcharges

Not Included

• Tips for bus driver & tour manager
• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance
• The cost of compliance with entry/exit requirements

Pricing per person

Pastor's guest, single room.

A deposit of $450 per person is required to hold your reservation. Remaining payment is due on October 26, 2022. Payments are accepted via debit/credit cards and checks.

Day 1: Monday, January 9, 2023 Depart the USA

The day has arrived, and we depart the US traveling overnight to Israel.

Day 2: Tuesday, January 10, 2023 Arrive in Israel

Today we arrive in Tel Aviv, Israel, at Ben Gurion Airport. As we depart the airport, we will be met by our Christian Expedition Tour Director. We board our modern deluxe coach bus and make our way towards the Mediterranean Coast. Time permitting, we will visit the ancient town of Jaffa where Peter had a vision atop the house of Simon the Tanner. We check into our hotel and enjoy dinner.

🌙 Overnight in Tel Aviv 🍴Dinner included today

Day 3: Wednesday, January 11, 2023 Caesarea Maritima, Mount Carmel, Megiddo, Nazareth, Sea of Galilee

We enjoy breakfast together before departing our hotel for Caesarea Maritima. At Caesarea Maritima we see the remains of a once-magnificent city, including Roman, Byzantine, and Crusader ruins. Acts 10 tells us that the Gentile Cornelius received a vision at Caesarea, which prompted him to send for the Apostle Peter, who then came to Caesarea and preached the Gospel to Cornelius and those assembled at his house. All those who heard the message received the Holy Spirit! Departing Caesarea, we travel along the coast to Mount Carmel, where Elijah confronted Baal and his prophets, and God sent fire from heaven in response to Elijah’s prayer. (1 Kings 18) We discuss the reasons why Elijah chose Mount Carmel for this contest, and the lessons we can take from this story. We then have lunch together and make our way to Megiddo, the Armageddon Battlefield of Revelation 16, before moving onto Nazareth where we see the Church of the Annunciation. It is believed that this church was built over the house of Mary, where the angel appeared to her in order to announce that she was going to give birth to Jesus. We visit the Upper Basilica and the nearby archaeological museum, seeing the remains of Nazareth from the time of Jesus. We travel on to the Sea of Galilee, where we spend the night.

🌙 Overnight in Sea of Galilee area 🍴Breakfast, lunch & dinner included today

Day 4: Thursday, January 12, 2023 Sea of Galilee, Magdala, Mount of Beatitudes, Peter’s Primacy, Capernaum, Yardenit Baptismal Site

After breakfast we set sail on the Sea of Galilee on a replica of a boat from the time of Jesus. We dock at Ginosar, where we visit a museum containing a 2,000-year-old fishing boat. We visit Magdala, the hometown of Mary Magdalene and the home of the oldest Synagogue discovered on the shores of the Sea of Galilee. Then it’s on to the Mount of Beatitudes, where we enjoy the gardens there and reflect on Jesus’ teachings in the Sermon on the Mount. In Tabgha we visit the church of St. Peter’s Primacy, where it is believed Jesus appeared to his disciples for the third time after his resurrection. At lunch we will eat a common meal from the time of Jesus – “St. Peter’s fish” from the Sea of Galilee (non-fish options also available). We will visit Capernaum, where we will see the house of Peter’s mother-in-law and an ancient synagogue where Jesus taught. Finally, we visit the Yardenit Baptismal Site, on the Jordan River, where we will have an opportunity to be baptized in the same river as Jesus. We will then return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

Day 5: Friday, January 13, 2023 Beit She’an, Bet Arabah, Jericho, Wadi Qelt, Jerusalem

This morning we leave the Galilee area and travel south through the Jordan River Valley. We visit Beit She’an, or Scythopolis as it was called by the Romans. 1 Samuel 31 tells us that King Saul was defeated by the Philistines and died on nearby Mount Gilboa. When the Philistines found Saul’s body, they fastened it to the wall of Beit She’an. Later, during Jesus’ time, Scythopolis was a member of the Decapolis, a group of ten cities sharing Greek culture and government, mentioned in Matthew 4:25, Mark 5:20, and Mark 7:31. We follow the Jordan Valley further south, getting a sense of Israel’s agricultural fertility, which cause it to be called a “Land of Milk and Honey” (Deuteronomy 31:20). We visit Bet Arabah (“Qasr el Yahud”), also known as Gilgal. This is the location where the Israelites entered the promised land, from where Elijah was taken to heaven, and where Jesus was baptized. Following this we enter Jericho where we have lunch before visiting Tel Jericho. We will see the location of Jericho in the time of Joshua and the Mount of Temptation. We will enjoy a panoramic tour of Jericho, including a sycamore tree which reminds us of the encounter between Jesus and Zacchaeus. We travel on to Wadi Qelt, the location of St. George Monastery, which has been active since the 5 th century. Some consider Wadi Qelt to be the “valley of the shadow of death” from Psalm 23. We drive, then, to Jerusalem, where we check into our hotel. 

🌙 Overnight in Jerusalem 🍴Breakfast, lunch & dinner included today

Day 6: Saturday, January 14, 2023 Mount of Olives, Dominus Flevit, Upper Room, Israeli Museum, Bethlehem, Shepherd’s Field, Jerusalem

This morning we visit the Mount of Olives, from which we take in a panoramic view of Jerusalem. We walk along Palm Sunday Road, stopping at Dominus Flevit, where Jesus wept for the city. Traveling on to Mount Zion, we visit the Cenacle, which has been traditionally held to be the upper room in which Jesus shared the Last Supper with his disciples. We will then visit the Israeli Museum, where we will see a model of the city of Jerusalem as it looked in the first century A.D., and the Shrine of the Book, which houses some of the Dead Sea Scrolls. We visit the Shepherd’s Field, where the angels appeared to the shepherds announcing the birth of Jesus, and which serve as the setting for the Book of Ruth. We visit Bethlehem, where we see Manger Square and the Church of the Nativity which is believed to be built over the site of Jesus’ birth. In the evening we return to our hotel and spend the night.

Day 7: Sunday, January 15, 2023 Western Wall, Temple Mount, Pools of Bethesda, Masada, Qumran, Jerusalem

This morning we visit the Western Wall, also called the Wailing Wall, which is a section of the western retaining wall of the Temple Mount, and Judaism’s holiest site. We visit the Temple Mount itself, where the Jewish temple stood until its destruction in 70 AD. We visit the Pools of Bethesda, where the healing recorded in John 5 took place, and the nearby St. Anne’s Church, a Crusader church where travelers frequently take the opportunity sing a song, capitalizing on the church’s magnificent acoustics. We then drive to Masada, an ancient mountaintop fortress built by King Herod the Great and made famous by the zealot last stand that took place in 73/74 AD. We take a cable car to the fortress and visit the ruins which are a UNESCO World Heritage Site. We proceed to Qumran, where we have lunch together, before visiting the site itself, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Time and weather permitting we will enjoy a float on the Dead Sea before returning to our hotel.

Day 8: Monday, January 16, 2023 Gethsemane, Kidron Valley, House of Caiaphas, Ecce Homo, Via Dolorosa, Garden Tomb

We begin our day at the Garden of Gethsemane. There, amid 2,000-year-old trees, we see the Rock of Agony on which it is believed that Jesus prayed. We also see a nearby cave where Jesus often spent the night and where he was arrested by the High Priest’s guards. We walk the Kidron Valley, following the footsteps of Jesus, seeing Absalom’s Tomb, Gihon Spring, and the Water Gate. We then visit the House of Caiaphas and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu, where we can see parts of the streets that Jesus was dragged along by his captors. We will also see a cave where Jesus was kept overnight. Then it’s on to the Old City, where we visit Ecce Homo, a site named for Pontius Pilate’s words “Behold the man.” Here Jesus was beaten, crowned with thorns and clothed in a purple robe. We will be able to see and walk upon stone pavement walked by Jesus himself called the Lithostratos. We walk the Via Dolorosa, following the traditional route of Jesus toward the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, one of two potential sites for Jesus’ burial and resurrection. After lunch we will visit the other potential site, the Garden Tomb. Our flight home may depart either tonight or tomorrow morning.

🌙 Overnight in Jerusalem or return flight home 🍴Breakfast, lunch & dinner included today

Day 9: Tuesday, January 17, 2023 Return home

Today we arrive back at home in the US. If our flight departs today, breakfast is included.

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TRAVELER SUPPORT

Home of the Bible

Visiting Israel as a Christian transforms your faith. The diverse landscape of the Holy Land takes you from ancient sites to thriving cities, and from lush vineyards to arid deserts. Along the dusty streets of Jerusalem and the spectacular shores of Galilee, you’ll step into biblical history with like-minded believers. Be forever changed as you gain deeper insight into God’s Word and make lifelong spiritual connections on your Israel tour.

Caesarea by the Sea

Visit this ancient Roman seaport where the gospel came to the Gentiles. Peter preached his first sermon and baptized Cornelius and his household here.

This small village was at the center of Jesus’ ministry. Here He called disciples and performed many miracles. Nearby is the iconic St. Peter’s Church.

City of David

Walk the same paths as biblical figures and witness archaeological marvels. King David established his kingdom here more than 3,000 years ago.

The Garden of Gethsemane

Sit where Jesus went to pray the night of His arrest. We encourage our travelers to pause among the ancient trees for prayerful contemplation.

Mount Carmel

Overlooking the Jezreel Valley, travelers will experience historical stories, including the destined site of the final battle between good and evil.

Mount of Beatitudes

Jesus delivered His “Sermon on the Mount” on this very spot. Hear a sermon overlooking sparkling, tranquil waters and experience the powerful natural acoustics.

Mount of Olives

Jesus wept over Jerusalem here, where He ascended into Heaven on His last day on earth. Gaze at the gate He will walk through when He returns.

Nazareth Village

Tour this ancient village! Hear period actors share parables, pet a donkey or two, and enjoy the breathtaking scenery as you walk through this tiny town.

Old City Jerusalem

Walk the stone paths as you take in the ancient culture. Search for the perfect items and bargain with vendors for local wares and gifts for loved ones.

Sea of Galilee

Jesus spent much of His public ministry near these shores. Sail in traditional wooden boats through the calm waters while contemplating the area's significance.

Southern Steps of the Temple Mount

Stand where Jesus stood 2,000 years ago to teach and heal the crowds of Jerusalem and where ancient Jewish worshipers ascended to enter the Temple.

Western Wall

See one of the most sacred sites in Judaism, all that remains of the original Temple. Now known as the Wailing Wall, people worldwide come to pray.

Remarkable Places

Discover the iconic places you’ve read about in scripture for years! Step foot in places where Jesus lived, worshiped, proclaimed the gospel, and healed the sick.

Featured Events

Experience Israel with Alistair Begg

Experience Israel Tour with Kristi McLelland

Journey Through the Land with Angie Tuffnell

Welcome to listing page, incredible experiences.

Active archaeological dig (Magdala)

Experience the past coming to life at this ongoing excavation, which has captured the attention of scholars and travelers worldwide.

Communion at the Garden Tomb

Bask in the peaceful garden where it is believed Jesus was buried and resurrected. This is the perfect location to worship and take communion together.

Explore Old City Jerusalem

Wander the ancient stone streets of the Jewish Quarter, following paths traveled during the days of Christ. Haggle with local vendors and take home a treasure.

Float in the Dead Sea

Float in these waters with salt levels so dense, you won’t sink! Some travelers cover themselves in the mineral-rich mud known for its healing properties.

Jerusalem’s outdoor markets

Mix with local Israelis in the place they lovingly refer to as “the shuk,” which teems with delicious eats, fresh spices and vibrant colorful wares.

Jordan River baptism

Affirm your faith in Christ by being baptized in the same waters as Jesus. Few things in life compare to spiritual landmark moments like this.

Pray at the Western Wall

Stand with the Jewish people as you pray at one of the most spiritually transformative places on earth. Tuck your own handwritten prayer between its stones.

Sail the Sea of Galilee

As waves lap against your wooden boat, picture Jesus walking on water here. Once at the center of the lake, take part in a worship service unlike any other.

Tastes of modern-day Israel

Try the famous hummus made by the Druze people in Tiberias or a delicious layered coffee drink (café hafuch) at Aroma, the nation’s favorite coffeehouse.

YOUR TRAVEL DREAMS FULFILLED

Call us to book your trip of a lifetime, 800 247 1899, traveler experiences.

"Anyone considering a trip to Israel should definitely go! I recommend Inspiration for every detail. They position you to receive a touch from heaven. I promise, you will never be the same!"

Rutland, VT

"...The beauty of Jerusalem all dressed in white limestone...Gorgeous. Everything I dreamed it would be."

"My dream of walking where Jesus walked was fulfilled. The baptism in the Jordan River was amazing. The Bible truly came alive in words I can't begin to express!"

North Charleston, SC

"The best experience I had was the community formed on our bus in Israel as we shared stories of our lives. Seeing how God was at work in so many lives was a great encouragement!"

"We booked this trip expecting it to be wonderful, but it was so much more than that. Every detail was meticulously worked out. There are no words to describe that first glimpse of Jerusalem."

Joe & Teresa V.

Watertown, sd.

"I loved everything about this life-changing trip. Being baptized in the Jordan River was incredible. Whenever I read of John baptizing Jesus, I think, ‘Wow! I was baptized there too.'"

Johnette L.

The Adventure of a Lifetime

Our goal is to help as many people as possible experience the life-changing journey to the land of the Bible. We know that for most travelers, this will be a once in a lifetime trip. Whether you’re a group of 50 or a single traveler, we will do all we can to make your trip an experience you’ll never forget.

Higher Quality at a Lower Price

We provide the experience of a lifetime without spending your life savings.

More Nights in Israel

Although a tour maybe advertised as 9, 10, or 11 days, check how many nights you actually spend in Israel. Many times, it will only be seven. All our tours spend eight nights at beautiful, four-star hotels and full touring on the last day.

Friendly Flights

Why be forced to spend the extra $300-400 to travel to New York? In many cases, we can arrange for you to depart from a nearby, major airport for little or no extra cost.

No Hidden Costs

Tips? Personal listening device? Airport taxes? Fuel  surcharges ? Admission to ALL sites you’ll visit? Yep, it’s all included.

Amazing and Affordable

All without breaking the bank.

Starting From $3899

• roundtrip, international airfare from a nearby major airport (select markets; subject to availability)
• deluxe, air-conditioned bus, with WiFi
• four-star hotel accommodations
• buffet breakfast and dinner
• entrance fees to all sites visited
• professional, English-speaking guide
• ALL tips are included!

Learn From Men Who Love Jesus

Travel the world with people who love the Word.

One of the greatest joys of my life has been to visit the country of Israel! Passages I had studied in the Bible suddenly came to life. Things that I thought I understood were clarified in a fresh way. The reality of who Jesus is and how he lived captured me in a unique way as I literally walked where He walked.

Join us! Take it from me, you won’t regret it.

Kurt Skelly

Got Questions?

Here are the things we get asked the most. If this doesn’t answer your question, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.

Is it safe?

Yes! Millions of visitors travel to Israel each year, amazed and inspired! In fact you’ll feel just as safe (or safer) in Israel then any major city in the US. When visiting take the usual tourist precautions; don’t leave personal items unattended, use the safe deposit box at your hotels, be more mindful where you go at night, travel in groups and accompanied when possible.

Is it affordable?

One of the main reasons we started Land of the Bible Tours was to allow people to see Israel who thought they never could afford to! Our trips include just about everything–flights, hotels, land transportations, professional guide, tips, buffet breakfast/dinner, and all site admission fees. Going to Israel is probably easier and less expensive than you think!

How taxing is it physically?

We do a lot of walking! But with a little preparation, you’ll be good to go. An average day is about 10,000-12,000 steps. If you have a concern about being able to handle the trip physically, let us know!

What about insurance?

We  strongly  recommend travel insurance! It is relatively inexpensive and easy to obtain. See our  Insurance  page to learn more and purchase travel insurance.

How much money should I bring?

The only thing that you’ll need money for is lunches and souvenirs/gifts. Lunches average $15-18 per day, and there are LOTS of opportunities for shopping. Most locations in Israel will accept credit cards and the overwhelming majority will take American money. There will be changes to exchange for local currency.

Do I need a visa?

For stays of up to three months, you don’t need a visa. The only travel document you need is your passport. Just be sure that it is valid for at least six months after  your trip.

Can I buy my own plane ticket?

We do provide a land-only version of the trip. Contact us for more information.

Should I go?

A trip to the Holy Land is life-changing! As you read your Bible, you’ll find yourself saying “I’ve been there!” or “I know exactly what that looks like!” Every Christian should travel to Israel at least once!

Still have questions?

Contact us .

Testimonials

You are going to love touring the land of the Bible with us. But, don’t take our word for it.

It’ll bring the Bible to life. You’ll be able to see it when you preach. Your Bible reading and imagination of the Biblical landscapes where Christ ministered will go from black and white to vibrant color. You need to go.

Baltimore, MD

Word cannot express how grateful I am to have first visited the Holy Land with Land of the Bible Tours. Their attention to detail and excellence at such an affordable rate made the trip not only accessible but a truly transformative experience for my walk with and ministry for the Lord. I cannot wait to return with many in our church and community.

Wooster, OH

Every part of the trip was packed with enjoyable and inspirational truth. Seeing Israel in person gave structure and perspective to the Bible in a way that you have never seen it before. You won’t regret the investment in your own personal understanding and growth.

Hamilton, Ontario, Canada

What are you waiting for?

11 DAY ISRAEL TOUR with ISAAC DAVIS

September 9-19, 2024 | $3899

11 DAY ISRAEL TOUR with CODY KUEHL

10 day journeys of paul (greece) with duston moore, 10 day journeys of paul (greece) with dan fleet, 10 day journeys of paul (greece) with kurt skelly, 10 day journeys of paul (greece) with kurt skelly and morris henriquez, 10 day journeys of paul (greece) with kurt skelly and tj wilder, 10 day journeys of paul (greece) with kurt skelly and noel cwenar, 10 day journeys of paul (greece) with george ross, 11 day israel tour with david martin.

December 2-12, 2024 | $3899

11 DAY ISRAEL TOUR with ANTHONY FUSCO

11 day israel tour with tad marshall, 11 day israel tour with david mims, 11 day israel tour with scott pauley.

December 3-14, 2024 | $3959

11 DAY ISRAEL TOUR with PCC

December 26-January 5, 2024 | Private Tour

Several trips have filled up already.

10 DAY ISRAEL TOUR with SHANNON FOOTE

January 6-16, 2025 | $3899

11 DAY ISRAEL TOUR for PASTORS with KURT SKELLY

January 14-24, 2025 | $1500 for Pastors, $1800 for spouses; Airfare not included

11 DAY ISRAEL TOUR with DENNIS FOUNTAIN

February 10-20, 2025 | $3899

11 DAY ISRAEL TOUR with JASON SHULER

February 24 – March 6, 2025 | $3899

11 DAY ISRAEL TOUR with MARTY HERON

May 16-27, 2025 | $4099

11 DAY ISRAEL TOUR with JONATHAN BLANKENSHIP

September, 2025 | $3899

11 DAY ISRAEL TOUR with NICK HARDY

11 day israel tour with steven hobbins.

November 3-13, 2025 | $3899

11 DAY ISRAEL TOUR with JOHN HASH

December 1-11, 2025 | $3999

11 DAY ISRAEL TOUR with BRYAN SAMMS

11 day israel tour with duston moore.

Group of 25 or more? Contact us to choose your own dates.

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HOLY LAND TOURS TO ISRAEL

Learning the Bible with a Christian Group Tour in the Land of the Bible

Galilee • Masada • Qumran • Bethlehem • Jerusalem

HIGHLIGHTS OF YOUR ISRAEL GROUP TOUR

• Roundtrip airfare from New York or a city of your choice from the list below
• First Class Hotels, Full Israeli Buffet Breakfast and Dinner Daily
• Deluxe, air-conditioned Motor coaches
• Visits to Sites as mentioned below
• Comprehensive Sightseeing per the Itinerary
• Professional Tour Manager
• Gratuities to Guide, Driver and Restaurant staff
• Airport taxes & airline fuel surcharges

Watch the video below and hear what people are saying about Friendship Tours to Israel

Our past and present travelers know the quality of tours we deliver. Friendship Tours is America’s leading Christian tour company since 1981.  We believe every Christian must be given the opportunity to visit the land of our Lord and experience the Bible come alive! 

  We are offering this “high quality & all inclusive” Christian tour of Israel at extremely low rates. There are no additional expenses other than your lunches and any gifts you buy.   Rates include airfare, 8 nights hotels, gratuities and much more.   

We will print your custom brochures in color. With your name and your church name.

  Pick a date, any date from below, and plan your own group for your church. Get your own private bus with 30 or more paid passengers. Pastors & spouse always travel free. Please call us for more details.  

CHRISTIAN TOUR OF ISRAEL DAILY ITINERARY

Day 1 —  usa• tel aviv.

Depart from USA on our flight to Tel Aviv, Israel   Meals and overnight on board.  After dinner relax and enjoy the on-board entertainment.

DAY 2 —  TEL AVIV

Arrive at Tel Aviv’s Ben-Gurion Airport and meet our guide who will welcome us to the Land of the Bible and escort us throughout our stay in Israel. Israeli guides are legendary for their knowledge and dedication. Ours will instruct us on the many sites we will visit and their relationship to the religion, history, archaeology, culture, and modern life in Israel. Time permitting, visit Old Jaffa , the traditional home of Simon the Tanner and the port from which Jonah sailed. Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Tiberias.

DAY 3 —  TIBERIAS

Refreshed from a good night’s sleep you may wish to stroll the beach before a full Israeli Buffet Breakfast. Today we pass through the fast growing towns and farms of the Plain of  Sharon enroute to Caesarea , site of major events in the lives of Peter and Paul . It’s on to Megiddo , inspiration for James Michener’s “The Source”. Archaeological digs reveal 20 layers of civilization, including fortifications of King Solomon and the water tunnel of King Ahab . Megiddo provides a magnificent view of the fertile Jezreel Valley , prophesied site of Armageddon , at the crossroads of the ancient Via Maris .   Continue through the rolling hills of the Galilee to Nazareth , site of Mary’s Well, and Cana , site of His first miracle, before arriving in Tiberias . Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Tiberias .

“I LOVE LOVE LOVE Israel and Friendship Tours. As a Pastor I will bring my Church every year until everyone has experienced Gods Chosen Land and people. Deena Clayman is the BEST Guide in all of Israel!”

DAY 4 —  TIBERIAS

This day alone is worth the trip!  We are now literally walking in the footsteps of Jesus.  We will take a most memorable boat ride on the Sea of Galilee , in a replica of the ancient wooden boat used in Jesus’ day.  We will visit an ancient boat believed to be from Jesus’ time found in the Sea of Galilee in 1986.  We walk into old Capernaum with the ancient synagogue ; on to the site of the Multiplication of the Loaves and Fishes (Tabgha), the Sermon on the Mount and the Mount of Beatitudes .  You will have an opportunity for a lunch of St. Peter’s fish (optional.)  In the afternoon we will journey north to Caesarea Phillipi (Banias Spring) where Peter confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (Matthew 16:16.)   Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Tiberias .

DAY 5 —  TIBERIAS • JERUSALEM

This morning we will visit the Jordan River and have the opportunity for a baptismal service .  Drive along the Jordan Valley to Beit She’an to see the expansive excavations taking place at this ancient Roman Decapolis city.  Stop at Gideon’s Spring where Gideon selected his soldiers to do battle against the Midianites.  It’s now time to “go up” to Jerusalem .  We will enter the city as pilgrims did since ancient times to fulfill the words of the prophet “I was glad when they said unto me: ‘Our feet shall stand within thy Gates, O Jerusalem’ ” (Psalms 122:1-2.)   Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem .

DAY 6 — JERUSALEM   

Start the day with a magnificent view of the Old City from the top of the Mt. of Olives .  Take the “Palm Sunday Walk” to the Garden of Gethsemane , the Church of All Nations and drive across the Kidron Valley .  Enter the Old City through St. Stephen’s Gate (Lions’ Gate) to the Muslim Quarter , visit the beautiful Church of St. Anne and the Pool of Bethesda , Pilate’s Judgment Hall , and the Ecce Homo Arch .  Walk along the Via Dolorosa, into the Christian Quarter , and see the Stations of the Cross .  Drive to Mt. Zion to see the House of Caiaphas and the Upper Room of the Last Supper .  We will visit Bethlehem and see Manger Square , the Church of the Nativity , and view Shepherds’ Fields and the Fields of Boaz and Ruth .  Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem .

DAY 7 — MASADA • DEAD  SEA • QUMRAN

Depart to Masada , overlooking the Dead Sea , the lowest spot on Earth, where we ascend by cable car to visit the remnants of Herod’s Palace and where in 73 A.D. the Zealots made their last stand against the might of Rome.  Visit Ein Gedi , fabled Spring of David , and proceed to Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found in 1947.  Time permitting, we will go for a swim, rather a “float”, in the salted waters of the Dead Sea .  Return to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8 — JERUSALEM

We will begin the day with a visit to the reconstructed Jewish Quarter , walk through the Cardo , the original Roman street and see the amazing remains of the massive wall built by King Hezekiah . See the important excavations taking place at the Western Wall and the Southern Temple Staircase . On to the Temple Mount , where Abraham was to sacrifice Isaac.  See the Dome of the Rock and al-Aqsa Mosque that now stands there.   End the afternoon at Golgotha (Gordon’s Calvary) and the empty Garden Tomb .  Special time is planned for worship, communion, meditation and inspiration

DAY 9  —  JERUSALEM

Today is a day at leisure for you to relax and enjoy the Old city on your own. .  This evening we  will share in a Farewell Dinner and the presentation of a Certificate of Pilgrimage to each tour  participant. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem .

DAY 10   —  ISRAEL • USA

Today we transfer to the airport.  Our guide will assist us with check-in procedures.  Depart on our flight home.  We arrive home today with wonderful memories of a visit to the Land of the Bible!

“We always feel safe in Israel. Traveling with Friendship Tours is a great experience. They really know what they are doing”

Special Rates

Our rates below are all inclusive and include a 20% bundle savings. All passengers pay for are their lunches & souvenirs.  There are no hidden charges!

*Value Pricing With Limited Inventory

Egypt – Four day optional extension that can be combined with above tour dates. $1085 Add Egypt Extension

Jordan – Four day optional extension that can be combined with above tour dates. $1200 Add Jordan Extension

East Coast – New York, Boston, Washington Dulles, Newark Central Coast – Chicago, Houston, Dallas, Miami, Atlanta West Coast – Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle

Note: All above rates are based in U.S Dollars

Our philosophy is very simple!

We offer an all-inclusive price with airfare, 4 star hotels, two meals a day and all the sightseeing outlined above. The only thing that is not included in our pricing is lunches.

Hotels we use:

Tiberias – Leonardo Club & Lake House, or similar

Jerusalem – Grand Court Hotel, Ramada Jerusalem Hotel or Leonardo Jerusalem Hotel, or similar

Important Note: All rates are subject to change without notice

Airfares and airline fuel surcharges are subject to change without notice!

REQUEST MORE INFORMATION

Please fill out the form below and one of our travel experts will follow up with you with additional information about our travel packages and answer any questions you may have.

CUSTOMIZE YOUR TOUR FROM YOUR GATEWAY CITY

If you have a group of 20 or more we will create a custom tour for you with an itinerary of your choosing including your own private motor coach. We will price your tour from your gateway city. Then we will print a custom brochure personalized to your group. We will offer our suggestions to complement your ideas in order to achieve the best possible program for your group. We are happy to design any program you like. Flexibility is part of our service to you.

(800) 213-9155

Testimonials.

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Book your tour now

    https://www.friendshiptours.com/book-a-trip/

Questions to consider when selecting your Tour Company

  research is key to selecting the right company, please read this carefully before you sign up with any tour company.

What is the Tour Company’s main focus?

Several vacation tour companies have attempted to make inroads into the Christian

Pilgrimage market. Friendship Tours only specializes in Christian pilgrimages. We do not sell vacation packages to other countries. Christian Pilgrimages is all we do and we do it well!

What knowledge does the company have about their guides?

The owners of Friendship Tours personally screen and select all of our guides.  We choose guides who are flexible and responsive to the needs of our group leaders.  Our guides are well informed with a broad base of knowledge in both the Old and New Testament. Our guides make us successful and this is why our group leaders re-book year after year with us.

How long has the company been around?

After 9/11 several companies avoided refunding churches the tour payments and closed shop only to re-open under a different name. Friendship Tours has been in business since 1982 and has refunded all travelers their money.  Every client was cared for after 9/11. This level of service and trust is important in the ever-changing world we live in.

Are the company owners Christian?

Friendship Tours is a Christian Company.  We consider our work to be the work of God on behalf of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  We understand Christian Pilgrimage and we make every effort to help you in planning a meaningful, memorable and faithful experience.

What financial protection does the company offer?

Friendship Tours carries high limits of liability insurance that protects the churches that work with us. We adhere to all US government over sight with regard to Financial regulations. We have strict company policies prohibiting the commingling of client deposits. This is a critical component of our integrity. During difficult times some companies will use customer deposits to survive and run out of funds to service their group commitments.  Friendship Tours is a member of the Better Business Bureau with an “A” rating. Friendship Tours has the best buying power due to our long-standing professional relations with all international airlines offering us the lowest airfares with the best connections. Our buying power for ground services is reflected in the prices we are able to offer. Very few

Companies are able to do what we do. How do we do it? Very simple. As a wholesale Tour Operator, we work on large volume of passengers and pass the savings on to our clients.  This is our mission.  This is a ministry entrusted to us by God.  At every turn we will seek to be faithful to you and our mission.  Our

Tagline says it all. “We build lasting relations. One client at a time.”

Christian Group Tours to Israel

Israel is a land steeped in rich history, where Jesus was born, delivered his famous Sermon on the Mount, performed miracles, and was resurrected. There’s no way to describe the joy and wonder of walking the path followed by Jesus, his disciples, and other biblical luminaries with our Israel tour groups. You simply have to see it for yourself.

At Friendship Tours, our goal has always been to enrich the lives of our Christian friends by offering affordable travel to the Holy Land. We want you to experience the awe that can only come from standing in the birthplace of Jesus, following in the footsteps of his disciples, and entering the city of Jerusalem as pilgrims have done for generations.

When you choose Friendship Tours for your Christian tours of Israel, you become our friend. We treat our Isreal tour groups with the utmost care and consideration.

You’ll enjoy all-inclusive pricing, upscale hotel accommodations, and informative and entertaining tours delivered by carefully vetted local guides. Your safety and satisfaction are always our highest priorities.

If you’re ready for 10 days filled with unforgettable sights and experiences that you’ll cherish for the rest of your life, book to join a group tour to Israel today.

What to Expect with Our All-Inclusive Israel Group Tours

There’s no better way to travel to the Holy Land than with an all-inclusive itinerary from Friendship Tours. Planning a trip is not easy, between arranging for transportation, lodgings, and meals, and figuring out what your Israel tour group wants to see once you arrive.

With over four decades of experience, the team at Friendship Tours is more than qualified to do the heavy lifting for you. We’ve established long-term partnerships with vendors all across Israel and beyond in order to provide a worry-free travel experience, so you can enjoy every minute of your trip.

Whether you want to visit the Holy Land as a personal treat, travel with a partner, bring the whole family, or arrange a trip for a large church group, we make the process easy with pre-planned itineraries and affordable pricing.

Don’t forget, we offer one free trip for every five paying travelers, allowing you to bring ministry staff or parishioners that otherwise couldn’t afford to join.

Food, Lodgings, and Transportation

All-inclusive travel, first and foremost, must cover all the basic necessities, including food, lodgings, and transportation. Your final price per person includes airfare from a range of East Coast, Central, and West Coast cities with major airports. You’ll also enjoy two meals a day (lunch not included) and lodgings at safe and comfortable 4-star hotels.

We carefully choose hotels that we have visited and found to meet standards for cleanliness, friendliness, and expected amenities for our Israel tour groups.

These hotels include the Leonardo Club & Lake House (or similar) in Tiberias and the Grand Court Hotel, Ramada Jerusalem Hotel, or Leonardo Jerusalem Hotel (or similar) in Jerusalem. Gratuities and taxes are also covered.

Our philosophy of providing unmatched value at competitive pricing also includes tours and excursions. Travel by deluxe, air-conditioned motor coach and tours led by expert guides are both part of the package with Friendship Tours.

Expert-Guided Tours

When it comes to planning tours to Israel, choosing the right guides is essential to ensuring a fun and fulfilling experience. This is why we take the time to personally interview every guide we employ and endeavor to build long-term relationships for the benefit of everyone involved.

Our guides offer impressive knowledge of history and religion in the area, not to mention a love and appreciation for their native land.

What’s Included in Your 10-Day Itinerary?

Your tour of Israel will take you from the U.S. to Tel Aviv, Tiberias, and Jerusalem, along with Masada, overlooking the Dead Sea, and Qumran, where the famous Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Our renowned Israel group tours include important sites in the lives of Jesus, Peter, Paul, and others connected with His life.

Make Your Dream a Reality Today

If you’ve always dreamed of visiting Cana, the Mount of Beatitudes, the Mt. of Olives, and the Stations of the Cross, among other holy sites, you’ll find what you seek and so much more with Friendship Tours.

You’ve been waiting your whole life to embark on a tour of the Holy Land, and our Christian tours of Israel offer experienced planners, tour managers, and guides who treat you as friends. If you’re ready to experience the power of His life on a 10-day tour of the land He called home, book your tour today!

The experts in the planning and delivery of high quality, worldwide, custom Christian group tours. ©2024 Friendship Tours   P.O.Box 1140, Moorpark, California 93021 All rights reserved Telephone: (800) 213-9155 | CST # 2069059-40 Privacy Policy Booking Terms & Conditions

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We do not serve individual travelers and we are unable to book you on one of our custom groups. Please do not submit this form if you are not already a part of a group with 15+ people..

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Pastors' Israel Tour 2023

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About this trip

Join Mayfair Travel on this incredible opportunity to experience the Holy Land firsthand.

Journey to the land that is the center of God’s planet! Explore Israel’s extraordinary natural beauty and its spiritual, historical, and geopolitical significance. Experience the Bible through your eyes as it jumps off the pages on this pastors’ familiarization tour of Israel. Enjoy onsite biblical teachings by pastors experienced leading tours to Israel and guiding by an expert Christian guide.

Pastor Gary Clark of Calvary Chapel Gloucester County is leading this tour.

* Get 50% of the cost of your trip back if you book & complete travel with a new group of at least 15 passengers to Israel within 2 years of this trip/ limit one 50% refund per church

This discounted tour is designed for pastors and other church leaders.  Maximum 2 people per church permitted.

Covid Travel Info

As of publishing this page (June 2022) there are no testing or vaccination requirements in effect from either the Israeli or US government.  Government regulations are subject to change. 

What’s included

• Rountrip Airfare Newark or Portland to Tel Aviv (other gateways or land-only option available)
• Fully guided tour Escorted motor coach tour with expert driver & guide
• Hotels 6 nights lodging (1 Netanya / 2 Galilee / 3 Jerusalem)
• Meals Breakfast & Dinner daily
• Admissions All admissions to all sites
• On site Bible studies Enjoy on site biblical studies by pastors experienced leading tours to Israel
• Gratuities Tips to driver, guide, hotel staff
• Medical insurance Emergency medical insurance overseas, up to $25,000, excluding pre-existing conditions
• Document Package Travel wallet & luggage tags

What’s not included

• Anything not mentioned
• Cancellation insurance Recommended & available for purchase during registration

Available Packages

Per person price for one person sharing a room with another person. This option does not include air. The tour begins at the Tel Aviv airport on January 17th at 2:20PM and concludes at the Tel Aviv airport the evening of January 23rd at 9PM. 

Rate for pastor or leader if sharing a room with a travel companion or another person with air from Newark.

If you do not have a roommate yet and would like us to try to find a roommate for you, you can still choose this option.

Rate for pastor or leader if sharing a room with a travel companion or another person with air from Portland, Oregon. If you do not have a roommate yet and would like us to try to find a roommate for you, you can still choose this option.

 Depart Newark on your overnight flights to Tel Aviv.  Our tour guide will meet you at the airport to begin your Israel adventure.

Welcome to Israel!  We will proceed through the airport as a group and meet our guide who will take us to our bus. Explore the ancient sea port of Joppa, where Peter received a vision in Acts 10.  See Caesarea Maritime, the headquarters of the Roman Empire in Israel and home Pontius Pilate, Cornelius, Felix the Governor, and where Paul was imprisoned for two years.  

Overnight Island Suites Hotel or similar

Galilee, where our Savior spent the majority of His ministry. Some of the highlights include:  Mt Carmel, Nazareth, Tel Megiddo, Capernaum, Sea of Galilee cruise, Mount Arbel, Magdala, Tel Dan, Ceasarea Philippi, Mount of Beatitudes, Beit She’an & More. 

Hotel:  2 nights Kibbutz Nof Ginosar

"If I forget you, oh Jerusalem" Psalm 137:5  Mount Zion, the City of David.  Discover the Holy City that was the seat of the Davidic dynasty, and the place that Jesus was crucified.  

Highlights include:

Mount of Olives, Palm Sunday Road, Garden of Gethsemane, Temple Mount, Southern Steps, Western Wall & Rabbi’s Tunnels, Old City Jerusalem, Israel Museum, Masada, Ein Gedi, Pools of Bethesda & Siloam, City of David, Holocaust Museum, Way of the Cross, Garden Tomb & more.  Celebrate the culmination of a wonderfu trip with a farewell dinner.  

Hotel:  3 nights Ambassador Jerusalem

Overnight flight home - Arrive home with memories that will last a lifetime.  

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• A word from the owner
• Tour Questions
• Terms and Conditions
• ISRAEL TOURS
• TESTIMONIALS
• ABOUT ISRAEL

10 days Pastor/Leader Tour

Allow us to take you by the hand and lead you through the Land of the Bible

Ministry tours allow you not just to see the Land of Israel , but to meet and connect with the local believers and build bridges with the local congregations/churches/assemblies.

from 1950 $

We invite pastors, leaders and ministers of evangelical churches to visit israel and to raise up our voice in prayer for the salvation of the house of israel. we will also visit the israeli knesset and meet with a member of the israeli parliament that is responsible for christian and israeli relations. bring a real blessing home from israel to your family and your church.

The group will be accompanied by Israeli minister of a local congregation!!!

TOUR PROGRAM

Arrival to the Ben Gurion International airport, Welcome to Israel! Upon arrival into Ben Gurion International Airport, you are met and assisted by Isra Home Tours airport representative. Transfer to your hotel. Overnight in Tel Aviv

After breakfast, visit the ancient Joppa (Jaffa): here was the house of Simon the Tanner and the place of the Miracle of Tabitha’s resurrection. After this visit we will drive north to Caesarea Maritima. Visit the spectacular Roman Amphitheater and port, Herod’s Palace, the Palace of the Roman Procurator, the Crusaders’ City and Harbor. Proceed to Mount Carmel where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal. From the Mount we will have a beautiful view of the Jezreel Plain, site of many Biblical events. Through the Galilee proceed to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast, boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, where Jesus walked on the water. The ride will end at Ginnosar, and we’ll visit the Ancient Boat from the time of Jesus that was found nearby. Drive to the Mount of Beatitudes where the Sermon on the Mount was held. Proceed to Tabgha, for a visit of the Church of the Loaves and the Fish. Driving along the Northern shores of the Sea of Galilee we shall reach Capernaum, the town of Jesus, where he lived performing from there his miracles and healings. We’ll stop at the site of a synagogue where Jesus had preached to the local community. By the end of the day we will come to the Southern part of the Sea of Galilee to visit the Yardenit Baptismal site where Baptism shall be held for all interested. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight. After dinner we enjoy a special lecture by one of the leaders of local Messianic congregation giving us a perspective of Messianic life in Israel.

After breakfast, drive to the Nazareth Village which is based on solid New Testament scholarship and the most up-to-date archaeology, Nazareth Village brings to life a farm and Galilean village, recreating Nazareth as it was 2,000 years ago… Here we will have a unique lunch in First century manner. The last stop in Nazareth area is Mount of Precipice. Cross the Jezreel Valley, sometimes called “the battlefield of the Bible” and now Israel’s breadbasket, to Mt. Tabor to hear the account of the prophetess Deborah gathering her forces here in the time of the Judges to battle against Sisera. Jesus came to Tabor with Peter and James, was transfigured before them, and met with Moses and Elijah. After a breathtaking view of the valley below, visit the beautiful two-level Church of the Transfiguration. Drive south to Jerusalem for dinner and overnight.

After breakfast we start our day from Mount of Olives for the breathtaking view on the Old City of Jerusalem and Kedron valley. After that we will proceed to Gethsemane and visit the church of all nations. Then we will enter the Old City of Jerusalem at Jaffa Gate on foot. We will visit Christ Church, first Protestant church in the Middle East, and then walk through the streets of the Jewish Quarter to the restored Roman Cardo, which was the main street of Jerusalem during the Roman occupation. Continue to the Western Wall, the last remnant of the second temple. Then proceed to the city of David. After entering the Lion’s Gate walk along the Via Dolorosa passing the Stations of the Cross to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight in Jerusalem

After breakfast, drive to the Israel Museum with its Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea scrolls are kept, the spectacular Model of Jerusalem as it was at the time of the Second Temple in Jesus’ time. Then we will visit Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist. Proceed to Yad Vashem, the Memorial to the victims of the Holocaust. We will end our day in the Garden Tomb, in the area of Golgotha, where we will celebrate the resurrection of Jesus with communion and praise.

Day begins with breakfast, followed by a VIP tour to Knesset and a meeting with Knesset deputy members. We will then proceed to have a meeting and fellowship with a group of Israeli Pastors. Return to hotel, dinner and rest. After dinner we enjoy a special lecture by Israeli evangelical scholar.

After breakfast drive to Gush Ezion area. Walk along the Patriarch’s Highway which begins near Alon Shvut, travelled by Abraham, Isaac and Jacob as mentioned in biblical narratives. After lunch we will have unique opportunity to discuss Judaism and Christianity antagonism that will be led by a Jewish Rabbi. Return to hotel for dinner and overnight.

After early breakfast, we will drive south to the Judean desert via the Good Samaritan Inn to the mountain fortress of Masada, stronghold of the Jews in the war against the Romans. Ascend to the fortress by cable car to visit the palaces of Herod the Great with its Roman baths and pools. We will be overlooking the Dead Sea. We descend down the side of the fortress and proceed to Ein Gedi, “Spring of the Goat,” an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Because of its warm climate and abundant supply of water, the site developed a reputation for its fragrant plants and date palm groves. This is where King David hid from Saul, and where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led by King Jehoshaphat. Eventually we will reach the salty water of Dead Sea for a possible “dip” and “float” in the world’s lowest place. On the way back to Jerusalem, stop in Qumran, the place where the Dead Sea scrolls were found in a cave by a shepherd in 1948. Dinner and overnight in Jerusalem.

Check out, and transfer to the airport.

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Pastors and Leaders' Tour

Get to know the people that god calls his own and the land that jesus called ‘home’ through firsthand experience with us in israel., march 4-11, 2024, preliminary price (excluding flights):, last registration day:, january 15, 2024, last payment day:, january 25, 2024.

For pastors and leaders

Combining amazing excursions and clarifying lectures In an environment where questions and in-depth discussions are encouraged Equipping leaders to teach about Israel in their churches Including hikes and much walking (a reasonable level of fitness is needed)

Practical Information

Included in the price:

• Share in double room
• Excursions, entrance fees, guiding, tip, lectures, airport transfers in Israel (depending on flight times)

Not included:

• Lunch and everything not specifically stated as included
• Single room supplement (dependent on availability)

Price is subject to changes resulting from currency fluctuations.

Please, do not book a flight ticket to participate in this tour before consulting with the Israel Next office.

Planned lectures:

• Why Every Christian Should Have an Israel Engagement
• The Rise of Modern Israel
• Israel Today: Society/Politics/Religion/Demography
• Israel in the Time of Jesus
• Controversial Issues on Israel (selected by the participants)
• Islam and Israel
• Teaching About Israel in Churches - Some Advice

Some topics may be added or changed according to the needs of the group.

Language & Translation

The tour will be conducted in English. Translation may be arranged for specific language groups. Contact us for more information.

Itinerary based on previous tours - changes may take place

Arrival at Ben Gurion airport Tel Aviv

Transfer to Tiberias

Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee

Mount Ben Tal on the Golan Heights

Mount Precipice, Nazareth

Nazareth Church of Annunciation

Mount of Beatitudes

Qaser al Yahoud. Jordan River Baptism place

Lunch and swim in the Dead Sea

Mount Scopus viewpoint in Jerusalem

City of David

Davidson Center

Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Garden Tomb

Shabbat prayer at the Western Wall

Mount of Olives

Bethlehem, Church of Nativity

Shepherds’ Field

Temple Mount

Sebastia/Samaria

Jacob’s Well

Departure for the airport

Please note: We will add gatherings of different sorts to this itinerary.

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© 2020 Israel Next.

Welcome to  Biblical Israel Ministries & Tours 

Shalom ! Thank you so much for visiting our web site. We are so very humbled to be able to share our ministry and unique teaching / tours with you! We are an evangelical / Bible-based non-profit ministry that is dedicated and committed to offering two primary things:

We offer unique, in-depth, “non-touristy,” and highly biblical tours to Israel (& other lands of the Bible)

We offer unique & life-transforming biblical teaching that focuses upon learning the Bible in the context of the land of Israel.

** UPDATE ON TRAVEL:   We have now resumed our Israel trips! Our recent March, May and June 2024 trips went very well! It was very safe and now is the IDEAL time to travel!  We anticipate all our 2024 trips to happen! The next two Israel trips are September and November, 2024!

** A BIMT STATEMENT OF SUPPORT FOR ISRAEL & CONDEMNATION OF ANTISEMITISM: Go HERE  to read this “Statement” Go HERE to watch a personal 10 minute video from Director Dr. John DeLancey (on our Youtube Channel)

QUICK LINKS :

• Go  HERE  if you are interested in our Upcoming Israel tours  in 2024-2026 led by Dr. John DeLancey.
• Go HER E  to follow our latest June, 2024 Israel Trip (June 6-16)
• Go HERE  to see our latest Greece-Turkey-Rome trip   (Sept 10-24, 2023).
• Go HERE  to download our free new BIMT iPhone/iPAd app!  Go HERE  for Google/Android.
• Go HERE to watch (& subscribe to) our teaching videos on our YouTube Channel  (we have 28.5K subscribers!)
• Go HERE if would like to have one of our “ Bringing the Bible to Life ” (BBL) or “ Life of Christ in Context ” seminars in your  church.
• Go HERE to check out our resources page (e.g. drone video, books, topography maps)
• Go HERE  to register for our on-line video courses at  The Institute of Biblical Israel . For an overview, go HERE .
• Dr. John DeLancey’s email: [email protected] . Phone number: 412-999-5697 (NOTE: new BIMT Address: PO Box 220, Sugar Grove, PA 16350)

Personal Greeting from Dr. John DeLancey

Watch, listen, and enjoy a personal greeting from Israel from Dr. John DeLancey, Director of BIMT . This brief three minute greeting was recently recorded at the lower level of the northern palace of Herod the Great at Masada (Hebrew  metzada,  or “fortress” – Psalm 18:1-2).

We hope this word of greeting gives you a good sense of the types of Israel trips and the in-depth teaching we offer. We  love  unfolding the context of the Bible for you in a way that brings the Bible  alive ! Thanks and blessings for visiting us today! We are so very thankful for the opportunity to share our ministry and personal friendship with you We are here to serve and help you grow in your understand of God’s Word “ in context ” and to inspire your faith walk with Christ!

As stated above, we have now resumed ALL our Israel trips! Israel is safe for traveling. We already have made three Israel trips since the war (October 7th). So are the other biblical lands of the Bible (i.e. Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Greece, and Italy).

To date, Dr. John has led 89  Israel tours in addition to his one year of study as an archaeology and historical geography student at JUC in Jerusalem in 1981-82. He has also led  15  Greece & Turkey and countless other trip extensions to Jordan and Egypt. He has excavated at 8 archaeological sites in Israel to date. He brings his passion, experience and expertise to every trip he leads.

We welcome you to join Dr. John for a life-changing BIMT study tour to Israel and other biblical lands! Not only will the Bible come to life in amazing ways, but your walk of faith and discipleship will be inspired to a new level!

"Life-transforming Israel tours & teaching in the context of the land of the Bible"

Join an israel tour.

Biblical Israel Ministries & Tours (BIMT)  offers some of the most unique Christian Israel tours on the market. What sets us apart are the many more biblical sites (vs. “traditional” sites & churches) we visit (many are  off-the-beaten-path sites that other groups don’t go), the in-depth biblical teaching Dr. DeLancey offers at each site, and the spiritual formational / discipleship lessons we encounter on the way. We also uniquely include optional hikes into each Israel program, allowing you to experience “walking the land” firsthand. We also take time for reflection and worship. Gleaning from Dr. DeLancey’s unique itineraries and his vast experience and expertise sets each of our tours apart from average “touristy tour!” We aim to offer the best evangelically-based biblical tour in the market! So as God leads, we warmly welcome you on one of our trips!  Go  HERE  if you are interested in any of our upcoming Israel tours.

“ I feel so blessed that the Lord led me to Biblical Israel Ministries and Tours while looking for a guide for my first trip to Israel. I have dreamed of visiting the land of the Bible for over twenty years and wanted to go with someone who is passionate about God’s Word, well trained in the areas of archeology and geography, and committed to the spiritual growth of those they lead. Dr. John Delancey checks all of the boxes. With his extensive knowledge of the Bible and the land, his obvious interest and experience in archeology, and his pastor’s heart, Dr. John led our group on a trip that was both incredibly informative and deeply life changing. The Lord used my time in Israel to deepen my love for and understanding of His Word, and to minister to my soul in ways I did not expect. If you are considering a trip to the land of the Bible, I highly recommend Dr. Delancey and Biblical Israel Ministries and Tours! ” Pastor Chris (June 2022, ME)

Life Impact

Every Israel trip is the ultimate discipleship program that will help you go deeper and grow stronger in your spiritual walk with God! Your excitement for reading God’s Word will reach new heights and your heart will be touched beyond imagination!  Simply put, a trip to Israel is a lifetime investment in your “faith journey.”

Host a “BBL” Seminar for your church!

One way for us to bring “Israel” to churches around the country is through our “ Bringing the Bible to Life”  ( BBL )  seminars! This seminar includes about 7.5 hours of unique biblical teaching. Our aim is to bring the Bible to life through the teaching of the  physical settings  of the Bible. We do this through teaching biblical archaeology, historical geography, the Hebraic background of the life & ministry of Jesus, and the customs & culture of the Bible. NEW: We are now offering a second weekend seminar: “The Life of Christ in Context.” Ask Dr. John for further details!

A Discipleship Encounter

The BBL seminar includes seven power point presentations, aerial / drone videos and footage, and detailed teaching that will help you “ connect the dots ” between the many stories from the Bible and the land. Specifically, the Bible will be opened in “3-D color,” including the history and stories of the OT to the life of Jesus! While the seminar is geared towards helping you understand what we like to call the “playing board” (the “land”) of the Bible, there are also many life-lessons and spiritual formational applications to be gleaned! Other than picking up the transportation cost (airfare or mileage in a car) for Dr. DeLancey to your church or conference, and taking up a free-will offering for BIMT, there are no other costs for hosting a seminar! Go  HERE to learn more about our BBL seminars. Dr. DeLancey is also available to speak to pastors’ groups and pastor/church conferences. NOTE: We are now able to offer the same  BBL  seminar but through the Zoom platform! This works best for churches outside of the U.S. Contact Dr. John to set this up!

Free On-line “Trip Preparation” Course

We are pleased to share Pre-trip Zoom session (about 1.5 hours) of on-line teaching to help you prepare for the your trip. This will be through the Zoom video platform . Dr. DeLancey will personally teach this class and walk you through a series of helpful trip and travel suggestions and many of the biblical connections  in advance  of your trip. These will be offered about 4 weeks prior to your tour. We cover trip suggestions as well as biblical connections. We want you to be prepared for a trip that is filled with countless biblical connections and heart-transforming experiences!

Meet our Director & Primary Tour Leader/Teacher

Rev. Dr. John DeLancey serves as the  Director  of  BIMT.  Dr. John studied in Jerusalem as an archaeology & historical geography student for one year (1981-82), pastored for 26 years (churches in MN & PA), excavated at 8 archaeological sites (City of David, Kh. Nysia, Abel Beit Maacah, Gezer, Gath, Tel Burnah/Libnah, Dan, and Shiloh), and to date has lead 89  Israel trips (and many dozens of these included extensions to Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, and Italy). He brings a unique wealth of knowledge and experience to every trip he leads. He has also led 15  separate Greece & Turkey “ Footsteps of Paul ” trips.

Pastor John writes his own itineraries for all his trips. They are not cookie-cutter  and touristy  trips like 90% + Israel tours! His passion is to teach the Bible in the context of the land of Israel and to lead people to a life-transforming faith experience! His expertise is  historical  geography  and  biblical archaeology  of Israel! He will take you to places not visited by most groups. He will share up-to-date information and many biblical connections at each site. Each day will be like a “Bible study” in 3-D color, with the biblical narratives from both the OT and NT coming to life in real ways!

Dr. DeLancey is married (Sue) and they have three children and three grandchildren. They also have two golden retrievers and five cats. He has enjoyed 30 years of ultra-marathon trail running, biking, and kayaking. He has authored two books:  Devotional Treasures from the Holyland  and  Connecting the Dots Between the Bible and the Land of Israel. 

“ The May 2022 biblical Israel tour was everything! It’s going to take some time for this spiritual experience to sink in. There was not a single second of any moment I would have changed. Dr. John DeLancey is an amazing human being who commits his time, sharing his love and passion for Jesus Christ and the land of Israel. From caves, tunnels, hikes, off-beat paths, scripture, songs and prayer, Dr. John knew how to guide us to the sites and spiritual breakthroughs of a lifetime! I have a renewed spirit for bible reading and for the rededication of my life to Jesus Christ. Thank you .” Dana  (May 2022, NJ).

Support BIMT

Biblical Israel Ministries & Tours (BIMT) is a support-based ministry. We depend upon the contributions for our ministry. We are so thankful for the faithfulness and blessing of God seen through the generous donations since our beginning year of ministry (2016).

While our Support Page offers the details of the various ways we receive financial contributions, the button below provides a quick and safe way to donate to our ministry. As God leads you, we welcome monthly support and/or one-time donations to our ministry.

This is a safe and easy way to financially support the ministry of BIMT! As God leads, thank you for your donation.

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12 Minute Virtual Tour of Israel

Dr. DeLancey put together this 12 minute virtual tour of Israel that takes you to many biblical sites. From Old Testament sites to locations where Jesus walked, you will get a good sense of the unique regions of the land of Israel. The tour ends in Jerusalem, Israel’s historic and biblical capital.

“ Traveling to the Holy Land was a trip that truly changed my perspective. The trip brought the Bible to life for me and I better understand God’s story. As I read the Bible now in the comfort of my own home, I am able to picture the places I am reading about. It’s incredible to read stories of Jesus’ ministry and connect the dots with the places we traveled to. Dr. John DeLancey was a wonderful tour guide. He has a great knowledge of the land of Israel, archeology, and the Bible. At every site, he read a passage of scripture, explained the importance of the site, and then left our group with an applicable challenge. If you are thinking about traveling to Israel, travel with BIMT. ”  (Teirrah, MN, Jan 2022)

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Tour the Holy Land

Biblical Perspective • Messianic Jew Tour Guide

Messianic Jew Tour Guide

Gain unparalleled insights into the Holy Land and Jewish culture, ancient and modern, as explained by a Messianic Jew.

Scheduling Options

We offer a variety of holy land tour packages, including large & small group tours, 1, 2, 7 & 10 day tours, customized tours and open tours for individuals to join.

Competitively Priced

Inclusive Package that includes first-class hotels, deluxe motor coaches, entrance fees, buffet breakfasts, dinners and much more.

Spectacular meeting of history and beauty.

Experience the Land of Israel

Roman Aqueducts

Galilee Sunrise

Davidson Center Archaeological Park

Garden of Gethsemane

Overlooking Sea of Galilee

Israel Bible Tours invites you to experience the land of Israel, the Holy Land, where the patriarchs, the judges, the prophets, and our Lord Jesus walked. Together, we will study how the Word of God, the history, and the archaeology of Israel richly connect. Our desire is that every person whether already a follower of Jesus, or not yet, will have a face to face encounter with the Lord, and grow in the grace and knowledge of our Savior.

Israel Bible Tours is a ministry and not just a business. Before, during, and after a tour our goal is to minister to you, pray with you, and serve you in every way we can. We welcome you to join us in the Land.

Feast your eyes on the beauty of Israel.

Tour Highlights

Judean desert.

Sea of Galilee

Damascus Gate

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Home / Plan a Church Group

Plan a Private Church Group with America Israel Tours

Welcome pastors and church leaders! Every year America Israel Tours creates customized tours to the Holy Land for hundreds of church congregations. We uniquely design each tour to fit the specific needs and desires of each individual group.

Call us today and let's discuss the different options and discounts available for church groups and church leaders. Taking your congregation to Israel will be one of the most inspiring journeys you can offer to your church.

Private Group Benefits:

• Your group will enjoy discounted and competitive tour pricing.
• As a tour leader, you will receive incentives and discounts. *
• We will customize a dedicated landing page, flyer and more to help your marketing efforts and get the word out. View example
• Free airfare quotes to travelers joining the group.
• A dedicated travel specialist will coordinate your tour, guide you through the process and assist you until you're on your way to the Holy Land.
• Will will customize your itinerary ( sample itinerary ) so you can visit only the sites and do the activities that will be of interest to your group.
• For more information, request a quote today and one of our travel specialists will contact you to start planning your tour!
• Request a Quote

We take your privacy seriously. We’ll never sell or rent your information.

We had an amazing tour. Thanks for all the exceptional arrangements. Shlomo was an outstanding guide; he is a phenomenal historian and cared for our group well. Whael not only drove the bus but served our passengers. The facsimile of the Dead Sea fragment of Gen.1 is on my wall and displayed proudly. AIT hit it out of the park. The accommodations were excellent. Most importantly, our pilgrims had an incredible learning and spiritual experience."

November 21, 2018

I am writing to commend your company for a well-structured program, dynamic, vibrant, highly resourceful and professional guide and driver that have become the trademark of your company. The hotels are first class, the food classic and the entire arrangement great. I want to believe that you are the best and most proficient tour company to the Holy land. Please note that the guide – Mr. Yoram Black and driver Nisan provided for our last tour have been exceptionally professional, resourceful, humble, painstaking and courteous throughout the tour. It is the consensus of the entire members of the group that they should be exceptionally recognized by your company. They are both great assets and image booster for your company. They are the only option for our next tour of 2019. Perhaps I should mentioned that about 30 members are currently ready to register for the next tour slated for April 27, 2019. I will be delighted if you can please provide us with the cost and applications for immediate processing. May I also, once again, request for your indulgence to provide us with Yoram Black as the Guide and Nisan as the driver. Thanks and God bless."

May 18, 2018

As pastor and tour leader of our church’s first holy land tour, I felt a huge responsibility for finding the best possible tour company for our trip. I wanted the best possible guidance, the best accommodations, the best food, the best transportation and driver, and the best tour guide ever. I carefully researched the many holy land tour companies and chose America Israel Tours over all the others. My expectations were extremely high. And America Israel succeeded and exceeded in every possible category. From my initial inquiry, Noam, Pauline, Regan, George and the whole team were on top of everything. Phone calls and messages were promptly returned. They always remembered me as well as the church and family issues I was facing at the time. They were genuinely interested in even the smallest detail and worked diligently to make sure our trip was just as we wanted it to be, answering questions and making suggestions. I never felt neglected or alone or pressured at any step. When we arrived in Israel, we were met by not one but three representatives of the company. Our scheduled tour guide Barak had become ill and admitted to the hospital while we were in route and unaware of the situation. They took care of the problem without a hitch. They were invaluable to me personally as the airline had lost my luggage and without their assistance I am not sure if I could have handled the paperwork that Israel requires. Marcia of AIT was on the phone with me immediately reassuring me about all the arrangements. A substitute guide, Onet, was there for our first day and absolutely wonderful. One would not have even known there had ever been a problem. They even made sure I got toiletries and clothes which was great since my luggage didn’t show up for four days. Not really a problem, and the airline reimbursed everything and then some. Our new tour guide Yeshay (Jesse) Savag was there to greet us the next morning and was spectacular. We fell in love with him and want him for our next trip. We also fell in love with our bus driver Albert Elgrabli. We always felt safe and protected with him at the wheel. He is not only a great driver but knows everyone in Israel. We want him next time too. Our bus was one week old! The accommodations were perfect and perfectly located. And the buffets exceptional; best food and variety ever and I have traveled the world. Israel was beautiful and the people were friendly and welcoming. AIT was always available and responsive. They took us to the airport and had someone to walk us through security. Five stars are not enough to give them."

May 14, 2018

We went on the trip of a lifetime and AIT made it all possible. 35 members from our church were treated with every courtesy, Our guide was Yoram Black - the best! He was knowledgeable about all the places we toured and had a great sense of humor. In my opinion, he made the trip special. Our accommodations were wonderful, the food was great and the transportation and our driver, Modi, was superb. If you are considering making a trip to the Holy Land, there is only one agency to contact - American Israel Travel!"

May 4, 2018

Third time using AIT and I must say this truly was the best trip of all. Getting to see new sights was such a blast. Our guide did a wonderful job as well as our bus driver. The itinerary did get changed a little bit, but it always worked out in our favor. Our hotels got changed at the last minute due to the hotel chain overbooking, but AIT not only got us placed in comparable hotels they also took care of 3 of our lunches as we traveled out and about. AIT showed me they truly care about their customers and I would recommend them to anyone."

We just came back from our 2nd trip to Israel-- and AIT handled both of them. After our first trip, we enjoyed it so much, we wanted to return-- and discovered that 18 of our friends from our church wanted to go too, so we called AIT. They took care of EVERYTHING: guides, buses, hotels, tours. Noam and his staff both in the US and in Israel are top notch, supremely knowledgable, and hugely helpful. Our trip was a private group, so we had the liberty of making changes. Noam was super helpful in assisting us in setting up a perfect visit for our group. BTW, AIT's prices are very competitive, but the attention, facilities, guides, and transportation are top-notch-- and way better for the price than what we observed for other tour companies. Can't recommend AIT enough!"

March 24, 2018

Our experience first live Calvary Chapel with GLENDALE and la Palma churches too (a year ago February 2017) was a great experience, the tour guide was great, the bus driver was great, the timing was great, the hotels were great, everything was wonderful."

January 26, 2018

I am so satisfied with the professionalism and excellent service provided by America Israel Tours. I have never experience with any other company, such an excellent service as America Israel Tours provided for my group of 50 people. I highly recommend this agency to everyone that is looking for a great pilgrimage fill with joy, professional expertise and excellent service overall. This co. provides Top of the Line Tours. I cannot wait to go again on my next tours with America Israel Tours."

May 19, 2017

We had a wonderful trip. Started from Egypt to Sinai, it is designed well, as we were crossing from Egypt to Jorden and going from one place to another; the journey was well organizer. The tour men, they were very knowledgeable."

April 13, 2017

My wife and I were attracted to the "Into the Promised Land" tour because we had not seen a Holy Land tour being offered anywhere with all the options AIT had put together. And we were not disappointed. Everything was a First Class experience--the dining, the lodging, the guides, the transportation and especially the Price. Thanks, AIT, for practicing what you preached!"

July 10, 2015

It was an amazing experience for my wife and I. Your tour guide, the hotels, the food, and the places visited surpass all our expectations. As pastors, the tour guide, major Rahanan, has a special insight of the Jewish roots that connects in harmony with the Christian faith. He was is very informative and extremely courteous gentleman with everyone all time. Whenever we return with a group, we will definitely ask for him. All the Leonardo hotels were an exquisite treat. We were spoiled with the best organic food. The selection and timing of the sights gave us a sense of following the footsteps of Jesus. We got tons more compare to the price we paid. Thank you so much for your professionalism, we are so glad to connect our first trip to the Holy Land with your company."

June 20, 2015

I highly recommend traveling to Israel. The tour was succinctly planned. Not only did we see the awesome landscape on the tour bus, we had an opportunity to speak to the people of Israel, visit a museum, a center for seniors, frequented historical sites and too many other places to mention. It was a wonderful experience. I felt completely safe. I never experienced being fearful or nervous while I was there. Israel is a beautiful place and I long to return there real soon."

May 18, 2015

From a well planned itinerary to an outstanding guide (Danny), our Israel tour was all that I had hoped. The hotels were nice and our guide's knowledge and ability to adapt to changing conditions (it snowed in Jerusalem while we were there) made our tour very rewarding. We felt safe the entire time and even stayed an additional week on our own in Jerusalem following the tour. Never did we feel that we were in danger, even when roaming around on our own. I'm very satisfied and plan to organize a return trip with AIT."

May 4, 2015

I took 21 other people with me to israel last month and we had a wonderful time. America Israel travel is awesome. This now makes two trips to Israel I have used them for and look forward to using them again."

April 22, 2015

Ready to plan your Group? Let's Talk!

Call us today at 1-877-248-8687 or click here to request a call.

Why should I lead my church group to Israel?

A trip to the Holy Land is the single greatest supplement to the study of God's Word. To walk in the footsteps of Jesus will change the way you and your congregants study the Bible for the rest of your life. Just imagine: you will walk, pray, weep, and worship in the very places that you have read about all your life. From a baptismal service in the Jordan River... to reading, "Do you love me" along the shores of the Sea of Galilee...to an unforgettable Lord's Supper Service at the Garden Tomb! Well, it's pretty hard to imagine, and yet you and your congregation will actually experience all this and more. Make this journey with America Israel Tours and see why there is nothing that enriches your relationship with God and your understanding of the scriptures like a trip to the Holy Land. Get ready for a truly blessed experience.

Why should I count on America Israel Tours for my group tour?

America Israel Tours knows exactly what you need to lead your flock to Israel. We have worked with hundreds of tour leaders in delivering all inclusive Israel tour packages that include: air transport, accommodations, ground transportation, meals, sightseeing, Government-licensed, biblically oriented, professional tour guides, and coordination of events and special activities. We take care of all the details so that you can fully focus your attention on shepherding your group. Count on our expertise to lead you and your group on a spiritual journey through the Holy Land.

These are a few of the church groups traveling with us:

Phone: 1-877-248-8687

Email: [email protected]

Address: 4505 Las Virgenes Rd. | Suite 210, Calabasas, CA 91302

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While we continue to pray for our entire AIT team in Israel, as well as their families and all innocents affected in Israel, we remain thankful for all passengers who returned home with us safely. We will be updating each of our passengers on the status of their October 2023 tours. Please check your email for updates from our Staff, and email or call us at 877-248-8687 with any questions, or if you don’t think you have received an email update(s). We appreciate your patience while we work with our many passengers.

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What's included, our tours are all-inclusive. always., all-inclusive tours, testimonials, what our passengers are saying....

Dear Maranatha Tours, Your company has put together one the best things I have ever experienced. I am very thankful for the trip of a life you made possible for me to enjoy and to be educated at the same time. I always dreamed about going to Israel and confirming my dreams, was more than I expected.

It was well organized and every day activity was outlined in the booklet or by the tour guide personnel. Malcolm and his staff were awesome. Malcolm is well educated about the place and most of all he was informative and patient. Thank God for people like him. His bus driver was humble and friendly. The hotel personnel was helpful in every way possible in the dining room and made sure I was please and comfortable.

I appreciated all that they and I want to thank each and every one in your staff for they all came together to make this possible for me. Thank you again and again.

I am yours truly,

Norma Summer

I just watched the Gethsemane video clip and relived my March 2013 experience.  I remember the old gnarled olive trees.  If they could only speak!  My trip to Israel was a life-changing experience.  I thoroughly enjoyed it and I learned so much.  I’d do it again as soon as it becomes possible.  As I continue to read my Bible I feel the need to revisit and heighten my appreciation for the land where my Lord lived while on earth.  The Bible really comes alive after visiting Israel.  Just one simple way is to recollect the large shrub covered with yellow flowers produced from the tiny mustard seed.  When we crossed the Adam bridge, our host mentioned the Jericho crossing.  I had never before noticed the name Adam in the book of Joshua!  Now I never miss it!  Sailing on the Sea of Galilee was unforgettable.  Walking on the Via Dolorosa was a pensive journey and the Empty Tomb brought a feeling of exhilaration.  There were so many places that brought my Bible alive – too many to mention. Even as I write memories are flooding my mind.  As I said, I would go again.

This was a trip of a lifetime. More than I even had hoped. Our guide Malcolm was terrific and one of the most educated and informational people I have ever run across. The food was spectacular. The accommodations were great. Each day was filled with wonderful sites and a look back in history. Some of my favorite moments were the times we were singing in churches or the Shepherd's cave, the Sea of Galilee boat ride, communion at the garden tomb and the Holocaust museum. Having a rededication of my baptism in the Jordan River was a memorable experience. If I would have changed anything it would have been had to have more time at the museum as there was so much to see there. I also loved going to the marketplace and experiencing what life is like for people who live there. Thank you for the wonderful experience and I have been sharing it with all I am coming in contact with. Everything was well planned and I would highly recommend it to anyone.

Jean Marie Stockton (Pastor Steve Engram Group)

About Maranatha Tours

The holy land's most trusted christian tour operator.

The most important decision you will make regarding a Spiritual tour is choosing the company that will arrange the tour for you, and must be sure you receive the best tour for their dollars spent. We present to you Maranatha Tours, Inc., family owned and operated for over 47 years.

Maranatha Tours was founded by Richard S. Reilly and Michael S. Reilly to promote Christian group travel. Dick Reilly’s unique background as a missionary in India, director of a mission society for 16 years, pastor, evangelist, and a Youth for Christ leader, brought unusual insight into the ways and means of successful group travel. Though Dick Reilly has passed on, his Christian philosophy used in establishing Maranatha Tours lives on. Dick’s son, Michael, as President of Fellowship Tours for 16 years, managed one of the largest tour operations for Christian group travel in the United States and has been President of Maranatha since its opening. We are family owned and have his son, Greg in sales, and daughter Jennifer handling all our operations. You will be very pleased with our staff’s professionalism and our concern for each detail.

Maranatha Tours specializes in Christian tours that visit places of the Bible or history in Israel, Greece, Italy, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey, Europe and more.

Romans 10 : 9 "because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved."

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PastorMentor

Proven Practices for a Better, Bigger Church

A Pastor’s Guide to an Easy, Successful Israel Tour

You can Lead a Tour to Israel

Have you ever thought about leading a tour from your church to the Holy Lands? But you didn’t pursue it because you didn’t know how to make it happen?

It’s another pastor-skill that you just don’t learn in seminary.

I’ve led five tours and thought I’d share the know-how I’ve gained over the years to make it easy for you to lead a group of people from your church on a life-changing Israel tour.

Solve the Problems that Hold you Back 1. Is it safe?

Yes. Tourism is a big deal in Israel and the place is crawling with shiny buses filled with pilgrims from around the world. We feel safer in Israel than any other country we’ve visited.

And no. International travel is never perfectly safe.

The State Department has travel restrictions on the Gaza Strip, the Golan Heights, and the West Bank. The Gaza Strip and the Golan Heights are easy to avoid, but you need to go into the West Bank to see Bethlehem and Jericho. Your tour guide and bus driver will see that you do it safely. You and the hundreds of other visitors who go to the Church of the Nativity that day.

Exercise the same safety precautions we use in the U.S.A. And of course, ask God for a safe trip.

2. Is it affordable?

The trip should cost around $3,500 per person for 10 days. That includes airfare, hotels, meals, transportation, and sightseeing. People will want to bring money for shopping, incidentals and tips.

The tour company will cover the cost of the trip for the pastor and spouse who organize the tour.

3. How do we know what to see and when to see it?

The tour operator will have experience and opinions on a good tour schedule.

I’ve learned more about what to see and when to see it each time I go, and I have definite preferences based on my experience. I’ve included the schedule I used on this most recent trip as a download.

4. Who organizes the tour?

As the pastor, I choose the dates that work best for me. The tour operator then builds the itinerary around my schedule and preferences.

The agency makes all the travel arrangements for the trip: air travel, hotels, the bus.

And the agency hires the tour guide. Every tour in Israel is required to hire a licensed tour guide. These guides know the Bible and Israel’s history, they speak many languages, and are always learning more. And they know everyone. Qualifying for a tour guide license is rigorous. This may surprise you, but most tour guides know more about the Bible than most pastors.

You may recruit a volunteer tour coordinator from your church to work with your members before the trip: answering their questions, and helping them connect with the tour operator to book the flights and make payments. It takes the details of the trip off your shoulders.

You, the pastor, cast vision for the trip, coordinate with the tour operator, and prepare to do some devotional teaching on the tour.

5. What about accommodations and meals?

The hotels serve breakfast and dinner buffets every day. The food is Mediterranean-style: meats, vegetables, and salads with enough exotic options to keep foodies interested.

Lunches are organized by the tour guide. There are good restaurants near all the major sites that are set up to feed busloads of hangry pilgrims. Be sure to request a variety of local favorites. No one wants falafel every day.

5. Should I go on a tour before I lead a tour?

It would be helpful, but not essential if you do your homework beforehand. There is a recommended reading list in the download at the end of this post.

6 Steps to Organize a Holy Lands Tour

1. pick a tour company..

It’s an important decision. Get this right and everything will be easy. Pick a less capable organization and you’ll find yourself resolving issues that shouldn’t have been problems in the first place.

The best way to find a good tour operator, of course, is by recommendations from people you know. I’m recommending the group we used this year. They have done an excellent job. Your tribe of churches may work with preferred operators.

What to look for in a tour company:

• Christians – for their understanding of the sites that are important to you.
• Experience – how well they know Israel, how well connected they are.
• Integrity – this may be hard to gauge, except by word of mouth.
• U.S. Based – planning is easier if their time zone is close to yours and the calls aren’t international.

2. Set the dates.

Spring is the best time to go. The hills are green. The temperature will be in the 60s to 80s. There may be some rain, but importantly, you want to avoid the heat that drains a traveler’s enthusiasm.

If you go in springtime, work around the timing of Easter that year.

October and November are are also good months to go. The weather is the same as spring; the only difference is that the hills aren’t green.

Which days of the week are best?

It’s easier for your church members if you depart on Friday night or Saturday morning. For the preacher, leaving on Sunday night or Monday is more convenient.

I like to arrive home on Thursday of the following week. It’s better not to preach that weekend while jet lag rages.

In addition to the dates of the trip, work with your tour operator to set these dates in your early planning:

• When you will do publicity.
• When the deposit and payments are due.

When you put it on the calendar, it becomes real.

3. Publicize the trip to your congregation.

Making a pilgrimage to Israel is a step of discipleship for the members of your church. Their lives will be changed as they see the places that Jesus walked, so don’t feel reluctant to talk about the trip. It’s good for your church.

Use these means of communication:

• Announce the trip during announcements in weekend services.
• Preach it by connecting it to a relevant point in your sermon two or three times.
• Use the video, webpage, and printed brochure that your tour operator provides.
• Post lots of social media that links to the web page of your tour.
• Have an information meeting to tell more about the trip and to answer questions. Have your tour operator present, or Skype in.

You should allow about six months to talk about the trip and give people time to decide before the initial deposit is due.

4. Decisions and deposits are made.

It’s busy in the days leading up the the deposit deadline because people will have questions. They may need some reassurance or clarification from you. Some people may not be able to do all the walking the trip requires.

Your tour operator will handle all the financial transactions. People can pay online or send a check.

5. Hold a trip meeting.

Have a meeting sometime after the first deposit is made so people who are coming can meet each other, and so you can cast vision for the importance of the trip in their spiritual lives.

They will also want to know how to prepare for the trip and you can answer their lingering questions.

6. Confirm final arrangements.

In the days leading up the departure, work with the volunteer trip coordinator to answer questions, confirm travel arrangements and double-check documents.

Your tour operator will tell you what they need and will work with your people.

Timeline for a Holy Land Tour

12 months in advance.

• Pick a Tour Company.
• Set the dates.
• Recruit a volunteer trip coordinator in your church.

6-12 months

• Publicize the trip to your congregation.
• Hold an informational meeting for those considering going – at 6 months.

3 months out

• Hold a orientation meeting for those who are going.

Tips and Recommendations

1.  leave at night..

Book a flight that leaves in the evening and flies through Europe. Sleep on that first flight. When you wake up adjust your watches to Israeli time, and make the flight from London, Frankfurt or Istanbul to Tel Aviv. Go to bed when you get to the hotel that evening.

2. Stay in just two hotels.

The first one is in Tiberias on the Sea of Galilee. Stay there for 3 nights. Check out on the morning of the fourth day, put the suitcases on the bus, and travel from the Galilee down to Jerusalem via Jericho and the Mount of Temptation.

Your group will feel more comfortable returning to a familiar hotel and you will spend less time packing and moving luggage.

3. Have a Christian tour guide.

You can work with a Jewish guide because he or she will probably know the New Testament better than you and your group can lead the praying, but it is easier if the guide is a brother or sister in Christ. Our tour operator works with Arab Christians. We recommend them.

4. Make the most of lunch.

The buffet in the hotels starts to feel pretty routine after a few days, so use the lunches to give a more varied eating experience. St. Peter’s Restaurant near the Church of the Multiplication serves some scary looking local fish. Even if most in your group aren’t adventurous enough to eat them, they should at least take a picture.

Pre-arrange with someone who can sing who signs up for the trip to lead singing.

Sing often. Whatever hymn or chorus comes to mind as you stand at the site where Jesus was born, or in a boat on the Sea of Galilee, or as you sit in the temple at Capernaum. It’s worship of the most authentic kind.

6. Pursue the perfect itinerary.

You can see enough in ten days.

Your tour operator will have ideas, but they will want what you want. In my Pastor’s Perfect Tour Israel Book I give you the perfect schedule.

You will develop some personal preferences over multiple trips. Each time I go, I rely on our tour guide for one or two things I haven’t done before. We recently discovered Magdala, the tunnels under the Wailing Wall, and the Antonia Fortress.

7. Read before you go.

Plan to invest some time to prepare to lead this trip. Your tour guide will have enough to say, but be ready to bring the Bible into every site. You will skip between Old Testament stories, the Gospels, ancient history, and first century culture.

Your preparation if you haven’t led a trip to Israel before:

• Learn about the sites that you will visit.
• Choose the Bible passages that happened at those sites.
• Know what is significant about that place or that passage.
• Refresh your memory by reading an overview of the history of the people and the land so you understand the context.

Encourage your tour group to do some reading about Israel:

• Search on Amazon for books about Israel and read what interests them.
• Watch the old Peter O’Toole movie called Masada.
• Read the Gospels and Joshua through 2 Kings in the Old Testament.

8. Baptize.

Many people choose to be baptized again in the Jordan River. It’s a meaningful experience in the midst of their pilgrimage.

This time I had the privilege of baptizing six women from Philly and Jamaica, and most of our tour group. Baptisms are one of my favorite things anywhere, but especially in Israel.

Consider using the Tour Operator we use: Good Shepherd Travel

Call Tony Abuaita at 844.659.5263 or email him at [email protected]

Blessings on your pilgrimage!

Start Here to learn more about the resources available for you at PastorMentor.

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Leader of Pastors' Group Visiting Israel: 'An Absolute Need' for Pastors, Congregations to Raise Voices

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JERUSALEM, Israel – A pastor to pastors says that today it's almost as important for them to concentrate on the Jews of the world as it is on their own Christian congregations.

Bishop Robert Stearns from Eagles' Wings Ministries brings pastors to Israel every year, and  CBN News  met a group recently at the Western Wall.

Stearns told us, "Jewish communities around the world are under attack. It's not safe for Jewish people to walk through major cities on our planet. There is an absolute need for Christians to raise their voices as some real as watchmen on the wall on behalf of Israel and the Jewish people."

The pastors took Stearn's message to heart. Here's what they had to say.  

        View this post on Instagram                       A post shared by Jerusalem Dateline (@jerusalemdateline)

To watch Bishop Stearns' stirring message to pastors in Jerusalem and everywhere, click on the video at the top of the article.

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Pastor John MacArthur tells Ben Shapiro, 'not all Jews are true Jews' spiritually, but 'all Israel will be saved' through the Messiah in the last days

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Prominent American pastor, author and theologian, John MacArthur, told Ben Shapiro in a recent interview that “not all Jews are true Jews in the spiritual sense,” and that he is “driven by love” to call “the Jews to come to the knowledge of Christ as the Messiah.”

MacArthur, who pastors the Grace Community Church in Sun Valley, also said that the preservation of ethnic Israel is part of the plan of God, and that, according to the prophecy of Romans 11:26, “all Israel will be saved” in the last days.

Though Shapiro, an American conservative political commentator, is a practicing Orthodox Jew who denies that Jesus is the Messiah, he responded to MacArthur’s comments by saying the desire of Christians to see him saved is “a good thing.”

“I’m not offended at all by the fact that Christians want me saved,” Shapiro told MacArthur. “I’m quite flattered by it that people care enough for my soul that they want me saved after death. And so I’ve never found, you know, anybody attempting to convert me to be offensive or dangerous in any way. Again, I think that’s quite a good thing.”

The conversation was the second published interaction between Shapiro and MacArthur, the first having taken place in 2018.

MacArthur, one of America’s most well-known Evangelical leaders also leads the "Grace To You" media ministry.

During their conversation, MacArthur and Shapiro found common ground in their shared opposition to secularism and woke ideology, and the need to revive Christianity in America.

Shapiro spoke against the “bizarrely androgynous” version of Jesus presented in many churches, with many leaders being afraid to call out the sin of their congregants or in the world.

Agreeing with Shapiro’s comments, MacArthur said that Jesus wasn’t hesitant to call the world and the leaders of Israel to repentance.

“Much of his ministry was pronouncing judgment,” MacArthur said. “You either come to God for forgiveness and salvation, or you’re going to come under divine judgment.”

He noted that Jesus “at the beginning of his ministry went into the temple and made a whip, and cleaned out the buyers and sellers – and then he did it again in the passion week – three years later at the end of his ministry. And then he stood outside the temple and said not one stone is going to stand upon another in this temple, I’m going to bring it all down because it’s corrupt…and he pronounced judgment on that temple, and it wasn’t long after that that the Romans came in 70 A.D., and everybody knows what happened to Jerusalem, which is exactly what Jesus said would happen.”

While noting that most Jews reject Jesus as their Messiah, MacArthur said those Jews who accepted Christ were spiritually “true Jews.”

“In the meantime, of course, obviously there were true Jews. The New Testament says not all Jews are true Jews in the spiritual sense, in the sense that they love God and love his law and want to honor him.”

Shapiro responded by saying that he finds it flattering that Christians want him saved, and was concerned that “nefarious actors” were attempting to foster animosity between Jews and Christians.

“There’s been an attempt, I think, to divide Jews from Christians by some nefarious actors out there, who can’t hold two thoughts in their head at one time,” Shapiro said. “The thoughts being that yes, Christians would love Jews to convert, and the second thought being that also, Jews and Christians have a lot in common. You can hold both those thoughts in your head at the same exact time.”

Shapiro then asked MacArthur his thoughts about how Christians should relate to Jews

“What do you think that Christians’ relations with Jews should be like? How should Christianity approach Jews?”

MacArthur responded that “the difference between the Jews and the Christians” is “your view of Christ.”

He went on to say that Christians should, like the Apostle Paul, have a deep love for the people of Israel.

 “The Apostle Paul said, I could wish myself accursed for the salvation of my people Israel,” MacArthur said. “So, you know, that’s what I carry in my heart. Do I want you to be saved through faith in Christ? Yes. Do I want the Jewish people to be saved and do I want them to come to the truth that Jesus is actually their Messiah? He has to be because he fulfills Isaiah 53, he fulfills so many other Old Testament promises because he was a miracle worker who rose from the dead, he validated all of that. Do I want the Jews to believe? Yes. Paul, he actually said I could wish myself accursed for the salvation of my people Israel. So yes, we want the Jews to come to the knowledge of Christ as the Messiah. That is basically driven by love.”

MacArthur also said that “true Christians have a profound love for the Jewish people” since they were chosen by God to be central to his plan of redemption.

Noting that “the fulfillment of that choice, as far as Christianity is concerned, comes in the salvation that comes through the Messiah,” MacArthur said that “the prayer of Christians is always that the Jewish people would see Christ as their Messiah.”

He said the only way Jews will come to their Messiah is through reading the New Testament.

“All I can ask of Jewish people is read the four gospels. Just keep reading it. And see if you don’t find the awakening in your own heart that he is, in fact, the Messiah that he claimed to be…read the New Testament, that’s all I can say. That is the revelation of the Messiah. And you read it, and open your heart to the Lord, and see if he doesn’t convince that Jesus is your Messiah. That’s the joy that I would have for Israel, for you.”

Speaking of God’s preservation of the Jewish people through history, MacArthur said it was ultimately to fulfill the promises He made in the Old and New Testaments.

“The New Testament says, ‘so all Israel will be saved.’ There’s coming a kingdom, He will fulfill every promise He ever gave to David, every promise He ever gave to Abraham, every promise ever coming through the prophets will be fulfilled when Messiah establishes His kingdom. God is going to preserve that people.”

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From women pastors to sexual abuse to Trump, Southern Baptists have a busy few days ahead of them

FILE - An Attendee holds up a ballot during the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif., Tuesday, June 14, 2022. Thousands will gather in Indianapolis, June 11-12, 2024, for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

FILE - Attendees sing during a worship service at the Southern Baptist Convention’s annual meeting in Anaheim, Calif., Tuesday, June 14, 2022. Thousands will gather in Indianapolis, June 11-12, 2024, for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. (AP Photo/Jae C. Hong, File)

FILE - Delegates hold up their ballots at the Southern Baptist Convention at the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center in New Orleans, Tuesday, June 13, 2023. Thousands will gather in Indianapolis, June 11-12, 2024, for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention. (Scott Clause/The Daily Advertiser via AP, File)

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Thousands will gather in Indianapolis June 11-12 for the annual meeting of the Southern Baptist Convention.

The meeting comes at a fraught time in the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. Messengers — as voting delegates are known — will vote on whether to establish a constitutional ban on churches with women pastors . They’ll hear a report — and get outside criticism — of their handling of sexual abuse among their clergy.

With membership in steady decline, they’ll hear a report on how an earlier effort to reverse that trend fell short. And they’ll vote for a new president from among six candidates.

Speaking of presidential candidates, an outside group is inviting attendees to a virtual speech by former President Donald Trump , the presumptive Republican nominee, at an off-site event. Proposed resolutions deal with topics ranging from Gaza to abortion and in vitro fertilization.

Here’s some of what’s facing the SBC:

WHAT’S THE LATEST WITH THE SEXUAL ABUSE CRISIS?

The convention has struggled to respond to sexual abuse in its churches since a 2019 report by the Houston Chronicle and San Antonio Express-News, saying that roughly 380 Southern Baptist church leaders and volunteers faced allegations of sexual misconduct in the previous two decades. A subsequent consultant’s report said past leaders on the convention’s Executive Committee intimidated and mistreated survivors who sought help.

But survivors and advocates say the denomination’s actions don’t match its promises of reform.

An Abuse Reform Implementation Task Force recently concluded its work. While it has provided a curriculum for training churches on preventing and responding to abuse, it has not achieved the mandate of previous annual meetings to establish a database of offenders, which could help churches avoid hiring them.

In a recent YouTube interview with a fellow pastor, the chairman of the SBC’s Executive Committee, Philip Robertson, sought to downplay reports that there was a “systemic problem” of abuse in the denomination, which he contended were “not true.” This has been a talking point for some outside critics of SBC efforts to respond to the crisis, now voiced by at least one person in SBC leadership. Robertson also said insurers warned they wouldn’t cover the denomination if it had the database due to liability risks.

In response, the reform task force proposed having a separate nonprofit handle the list, but that has yet to materialize.

“Robertson’s remarks provide a window onto what has always been true,” said Christa Brown, a longtime advocate for fellow survivors of abuse within Southern Baptist churches, in an email. “SBC officials’ resistance to a database has always been about trying to minimize liability risks to the institution. ... And SBC officials are trying to operate this multi-billion dollar organization without taking on the inherent responsibilities that go along with it.”

In May, federal prosecutors charged Matt Queen, a former professor and administrator at an SBC-affiliated seminary in Texas with providing federal investigators with a false document. The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Southern District of New York asserted this document, involving an alleged case of sexual abuse by a seminary student, was provided with the intent to impede their investigation into sexual abuse within the convention.

The Executive Committee says it was told the federal investigation into its own actions has been completed.

WHY WOULD THE SBC BAN CHURCHES WITH WOMEN PASTORS?

In 2000, Southern Baptists amended the Baptist Faith and Message, their statement of doctrine, to say the office of pastor is limited to men, citing Bible verses such as one forbidding “a woman to teach or to have authority over a man.” This came amid a larger rightward push in the late 20th century SBC.

The doctrinal statement is nonbinding, and the denomination can’t tell its independent churches whom to call as pastor. Some churches with women pastors left, while others stayed but kept a low profile. Still others later appointed women pastors or allowed women to serve under male leaders in associate pastoral roles, citing biblical examples of women in ministry.

At this year’s meeting, messengers will vote on whether to give final approval to amending their constitution to ban churches – by deeming them not in “friendly cooperation” – with women pastors in lead or associate roles. The denomination preliminarily approved the amendment last year. That’s when it also began expelling congregations with women pastors, such as Saddleback Church, a California megachurch, on the grounds that they don’t closely identify with the Baptist Faith and Message. The amendment would codify an explicit ban on such churches, putting them in the same category as churches that “endorse homosexual behavior,” discriminate based on ethnicity or fail to address sexual abuse.

WHY MIGHT THIS AFFECT NON-WHITE CHURCHES MORE?

The National African American Fellowship, a caucus of predominantly Black congregations within the SBC, says an amendment barring churches with women pastors could disproportionately impact its members, many with women working in assistant pastor roles. Chinese and Hispanic Baptist fellowship leaders also say their churches could be impacted because of language differences in how pastors are described.

WHO ARE SOUTHERN BAPTISTS, ANYWAY?

The Southern Baptist Convention is the nation’s largest Protestant denomination. Members are overwhelmingly evangelical and conservative both in religion and politics, the continuation of a rightward shift that began in the 1980s. The denomination was founded in 1845 in defense of slavery in a schism with northern Baptists. In 1995, the mostly white denomination formally repented of its support for slavery and other racism, and it made some strides to diversify racially. It has lost some Black churches and pastors in recent years due to alleged racial insensitivity within its overwhelmingly white leadership.

HOW’S IT DOING?

Southern Baptist membership has steadily declined since 2006 and is now below 13 million, its lowest since 1976. There are also long-term declines in baptisms – the prime metric of spiritual vitality.

Alarmed by such trends, Southern Baptists in 2010 approved a seven-point plan to reenergize evangelistic efforts. A task force, evaluating how that went, reported this year that only two of the goals were met, and some were quickly forgotten.

The task force reported: “Regarding the simple question of whether or not the implementation (of the 2010 plan) reversed the decline of baptisms in the SBC, the answer is a clear and decisive, No.”

The report noted “a clear erosion of ‘trust, transparency and truth’ from within our convention which has ravaged our cooperative work.”

WHO WANTS TO LEAD THE DENOMINATION?

Six men are being nominated to succeed Bart Barber, a folksy cattle farmer and small-church pastor, as president.

The candidates include five pastors and a seminary dean. As in recent years, the contest will be among candidates with varying degrees of conservativism.

WILL THERE BE POLITICS?

Trump will speak virtually at a nearby event on Monday, the day before the annual meeting. That program includes some Southern Baptist leaders. It’s sponsored by an independent group but listed on the SBC calendar of events.

Former Vice President Mike Pence will speak Tuesday at a luncheon hosted by the Ethics and Religious Liberty Commission, but not in the main hall, as he did in 2018 .

Messengers are expected to vote on resolutions supporting Israel and blaming Hamas amid the Gaza war; recommitting to the abolition of abortion; and urging parents diagnosed with infertility to carefully consider ethical options.

Associated Press religion coverage receives support through the AP’s collaboration with The Conversation US, with funding from Lilly Endowment Inc. The AP is solely responsible for this content.

2023 ISRAEL FOR LIFE HOLY LAND TOUR

Led by pastor walter slaughter, february 5 – 14, 2023.

This  2023 Israel for Life Holy Land Tour  led by  Pastor Walter Slaughter  is a 10-day biblical study tour of the Holy Land. You’ll explore many of the places you’ve heard about in the Old & New Testaments such as: Jaffa, Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Sea of Galilee, Megiddo, Bet She’an, the Mount of Olives, Garden of Gethsemane, Western Wall, along with other cultural sites like the Yad Vashem, and the Israel Museum. Don’t pass up this amazing opportunity to discover the roots of your Christian faith.

DAY 1 – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 5

Usa / tel aviv.

Flight from USA to Tel-Aviv.

DAY 2 – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 6

Arrival / jaffa / tel aviv.

Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport near Tel Aviv where you will be assisted with customs and immigration along with the transfer of luggage before boarding your motor-coach for a drive to  Jaffa , one of the oldest cities in the world. Visit the House of Simon the Tanner, and walk through Jaffa’s reconstructed Old Quarter. Drive to your hotel in Tel Aviv. Dinner and Overnight: Hotel in Tel Aviv.

DAY 3 – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 7

Caesarea / mount carmel / megiddo / sea of galilee.

After breakfast drive to Caesarea, the seat of the Roman Procurator of Judea at the time of Christ, and the site where Peter converted the centurion Cornelius. This fortified harbor city was built 2000-years-ago by King Herod the Great. View the ruins of Roman, Byzantine and Crusader times. Explore the Roman Theater and the Aqueducts. A drive up Mt. Carmel will bring us to the site where Elijah challenged and defeated the 450 prophets of Baal. Continue to Megiddo, the Fortress City of King Solomon, later built again by King Ahab. The books of Daniel and Revelation will come alive as we study about the final Battle of Armageddon, while viewing the Plains of Jezreel. Drive to Tiberias, passing  Nazareth  and  Cana of Galilee . Dinner and overnight: Hotel in Tiberias.

DAY 4 – WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 8

Mount of beatitudes / tel dan / golan heights / capernaum.

Begin the day with a drive to the  Mt. of Beatitudes , site of the Sermon on the Mount. Drive along the Hula Valley to  Tel Dan  and visit the remains of the city. Continue on to  Caesarea Philippi , where Peter made his confession of faith to Jesus. Via a ride through the  Golan Heights  we return to the northern shore of the Sea of Galilee, the area where Jesus spent his years of ministry. For  lunch  you will have an opportunity to sample the  St. Peter fish  (optional) .  See the ruins of  Capernaum , the town where Jesus made his home after leaving Nazareth. View the remains of the ancient synagogue, in which he may have preached, and the house of Peter. After  a boat ride  on the Sea of Galilee drive to Kibbutz Ginosar and visit the  “Ancient Boat”  believed to be from Jesus’ time. End your day with a visit to  Magdala.  Dinner and overnight: Hotel in Tiberias.

DAY 5 – THURSDAY, FEBRUARY 9

Jordan river / bet she’an / gideon’s spring  / jerusalem.

Start the day at Yardenit, the Baptismal Center site on the Jordan River where you will have an opportunity to be baptized (optional). Then, depart the Sea of Galilee and drive to  Bet She’an  where recent excavations have unveiled the impressive ruins of the country’s largest city in the Roman and Byzantine periods, which was destroyed by an earthquake in 749 AD. Drive to  Ein Harod (Gideon’s Spring) , the site of Judge Gideon ( Judges 7: 1-25 ). The tour continues through the  Jordan Valley.  Stop at  Kasr Al Yahud , the place where Jesus was baptized. Pass Jericho, believed to be the world’s oldest walled city. This was the first city taken by Joshua when the Hebrews returned from Egypt – ‘and the walls fell down.’  It was also the site of the  Mount of Temptation  ( Mark 1:13 ). Drive to Jerusalem. Pass the traditional site of the Inn of the Good Samaritan. Enter the city of  Jerusalem  in the traditional way and view the city from  Mt. Scopus.  Dinner and overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem.

DAY 6 – FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 10

After breakfast we’ll ascend the  Mount of Olives  ( Matthew 24:3 ,  Luke 21:37 ) for a breathtaking panoramic view of the old city of Jerusalem. Walk along the  Palm Sunday Way  to the  Garden of Gethsemane  ( Matthew 26:36-46 ,  Luke 22:39-45 ,  Mark 14:32-42 ) where Jesus spent the last night before he was arrested. Visit the  Church of All the Nations.  Walk along the “last way” to  Mt. Zion.  Cross the Kidron Valley and see the Tombs of Absalom, Zachary and James.  Visit  the House of the High Priest Caiaphas . Visit the  Church of Peter in Gallicantu  ( Matthew 26:31-35 ). This is the place where Peter denied the Lord three times. Continue on to the  Last Supper Room  ( Matthew 26: 17-25 ) and  King David’s Tomb.  Dinner and overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem.

DAY 7 – SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 11

Masada / qumran / ein gedi / dead sea.

This morning drive to the Dead Sea and visit  Masada . Ascend Masada by cable car. Masada is the site of the most dramatic act in Jewish history. Explore the ancient excavation of Herod’s palace, the bathhouse, the storerooms, the siege ramp, and the oldest synagogue in the world. Continue to  Ein Gedi , an Oasis on the Dead Sea shore. Near the 200-meter-high waterfall is a cave where David had his famous meeting with King Saul ( First Samuel 24: 1-23 ). A walk around the nature reserve confirms that Ein Gedi is one of the most beautiful parks in the world. Visit  Qumran , where the 2000-year-old Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Continue to the  Dead Sea  shore for an afternoon “ float” on the sea.  Dinner and overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem.

DAY 8 – SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 12

After breakfast drive to  Mt. Moriah.  Visit the  Western Wall,  last remnant of the second Jewish Temple during the time of Jesus. Walk up to the temple site and view the  Dome of the Rock  and  El Aqsa Mosque . Walk along the  Jewish Quarter  (the Cardo), visit the  Davidson Center  (Southern Wall excavations) and the  Rabbinical Tunnel.  Today, you’ll also visit the  Pools of Bethesda  and  St. Anne’s Church  – a fine example of Crusader architecture. Walk through the colorful bazaar to the Jaffa Gate. End your day at the  City of David  and  Hezekiah’s Tunnel.  Dinner and overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem.

DAY 9 – MONDAY, FEBRUARY 13

Jerusalem / farewell dinner.

This morning drive to the western side of the city and stop at the famous  Menorah  (Israel symbol) near the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament). Then ,  visit the  Shrine of the Book  and the  Holy Land walk-around model  of the city of Jerusalem as it was in the Second Temple period (the time of Jesus) at the  Israel Museum.  Continue to  Yad Vashem,  the National Holocaust Museum. End our visit in Jerusalem with a service at the  Garden Tomb.  Tonight enjoy your Special  Farewell Dinner.  Overnight: Hotel in Jerusalem.

DAY 10 – TUESDAY, FEBRUARY 14

Jerusalem / tel aviv / usa.

Transfer from Jerusalem hotel to the airport for your flight home. Arrive USA the same day.

*Subject to Change*

TOUR BENEFITS, FEATURES & SITES

This inspiring Israel for Life Holy Land Tour is a customized bible study tour of Israel. Visit the most important historical, cultural and biblical sites in the Holy Land. Learn about the roots of your Christian faith and the place where the church first began on the day of Pentecost. Enjoy fellowship with other Christ followers as you draw closer to Jesus.

All Scripture is inspired by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, for training in righteousness; so that the servant of God may be equipped for every good work.  2 Timothy 3:16-17

Jaffa, Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Sea of Galilee, Mount of Olives, Jordan River, Old City of Jerusalem, Mount of Beatitudes, Caesarea Philippi, Megiddo, Capernaum, Bet She’an, Masada, Ein Gedi, Qumran, and many more.

Among other amazing sites, visit the Davidson Center (Southern Wall excavation), Yad Vashem, the Israel Museum, Garden Tomb, the pool of Siloam, Jordan River, Church of Peter in Gallicantu, and the house of the High Priest Caiaphas.

Features Included in this Israel for Life Holy Land Tour

• Round trip airfare: JFK/TLV/JFK
• Airline taxes & surcharges (Currently $700, to be adjusted at time of ticketing)**
• Tel Aviv – Leonardo Art Hotel*
• Tiberias – Leonardo Hotel*
• Jerusalem – Leonardo Hotel*
• Breakfast & dinner daily at hotels
• Licensed English-speaking guide throughout
• Round trip transfers: Airport/Hotel/Airport
• Touring in a deluxe air-conditioned motor-coach
• Sightseeing per itinerary
• Entrance fees to all included sites
• Porterage, hotel taxes & service charges
• Tips to guide, driver & hotel staff
• Farewell Dinner

Not Included in this Israel for Life Holy Land Tour

• Personal expenses
• Travel insurance – (highly recommended & available at an additional cost)
• Anything not mentioned as included

*Or similar ** At time of writing, subject to change – any changes will be billed at time of ticketing. Please see our terms and conditions for additional info.

Air/Land Package

Click here for brochure with pricing details. If you have any questions please click on this link to send us a request for more information or call 866.267.2511.

A deposit of $350.00 per person, along with a completed registration form, is required to ensure your space on this tour by October 5, 2022

TERMS & CONDITIONS

Deposits and Payments for the Israel for Life Holy Land Tour

A deposit of $350.00 is required with each reservation to guarantee booking. The balance is due 60 days prior to departure. All checks should be made payable to Coral Travel & Tours, Ltd.

Tour Arrangements

Air –  Air arrangements are included in most group tours. Air is available to individual travelers upon request.

Land –  All packages including overnight hotel stays are quoted based upon double occupancy sharing a twin or double room with private facilities. Coral Travel & Tours, Ltd. does not arrange sharing for individual travelers. Single rooms are available at additional cost. Coral Travel & Tours, Ltd. reserves the right to substitute hotels based upon availability when necessary. Sightseeing and entrance fees are included as per itinerary. Individual passengers and passengers arriving independently from a scheduled group are responsible for their own transfers.

Not Included

Gratuities, airport taxes and transfers (unless specifically included in certain group tours), optional tours, charges for passports, vaccinations and inoculations, excess baggage charges, accident, trip cancellation and baggage insurance, telephone and cable charges, laundry, meals not specified in the itinerary, liquor, items of a personal nature and any items not specifically listed as included.

Cancellation Penalties

All cancellations must be in writing

Up to 100 days prior to departure date $75.00 cancellation fee From 99-61 days prior to departure date $250.00 cancellation fee From 60-46 days prior to departure date $350.00 cancellation fee From 45 days prior to departure date and on – full cancellation fee (100%) Passports/Visa

You will be required to provide Coral Travel & Tours with a copy of your passport with final payment. Please Note: The State of Israel requires that your passport have an expiration date not less than 6 months after your date of arrival in Israel. There is no visa requirement for citizens of the United States traveling to Israel. Other nationals should contact their consulate for visa information. For other destinations please contact Coral Travel & Tours, Ltd. Coral Travel & Tours does NOT process visa applications. No inoculations are currently required for travel to Israel. Please contact public health authorities for further information or other destinations.

Fuel Surcharge

Please note fuel surcharges are set by the airline and Coral Travel & Tours has no control over nor receives advance notice of changes. Due to fluctuating global oil prices, the fee may change. The airline will only guarantee the fee at time of ticketing. If the airline imposes an increase, the difference will be the responsibility of each traveler and will be collected prior to departure.

Insurance Note

Travel Insurance is Highly recommended, See attached information. The Exclusion for Pre – Existing Condition will be waived i9f premium is received at the time of orwithin 14 days of the initial deposit/payment for the trip. See Travel Insurance Certificate for complete details. Travel Insurance Benefits are administered by :Trip Mate, Inc. (in CA, dba Trip Mate Insurance Agency). 9225 Ward Parkway, Suite 200, Kansas City, MO, 6411, 1-800-888-7292, To review full plan details online, go to: www.tripmate.com/wpF418C

Suitcases: 1 per person, not to exceed 50 lbs. for 1 bag. Each can measure up to 62 linear inches (length + height + width). Carry On Luggage: 1 per person, not to exceed 11 lbs. Each can measure up to 45 linear inches (length + height + width).

Any change in the basic program will result in the charge of $150 per change per person plus any additional charges that may apply for revised air or land arrangements.

CORAL TRAVEL & TOURS LTD. (CORAL), and/or its agents and their representatives abroad, act only as agents for the tour participants in making arrangements for hotels, transportation, touring, restaurants, or any other services in connection with the itinerary. They will exercise reasonable care in making such arrangements. However, they do not assume any liability whatsoever for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity to person or property because of any act or default of any hotel, carrier, restaurant, company, or person rendering any of the services included in the tours. The tickets, coupons, tariffs, rules or contracts currently in use by any carrier, hotel, restaurant, or other contractor rendering services shall constitute the sole contract between such contractor and the tour participants. CORAL, and/or its agents and their representatives abroad, accept no responsibility for any damage, delay, or injury due to sickness, pilferage, labor disputes, machinery breakdown, government restraints, hostile acts, terrorism, weather, acts of God, or any other cause beyond their personal control. CORAL, and/or its agents and their representatives abroad are not responsible for loss of or damage to your luggage, accidents en route, or ill health which may require travelers to miss parts of the tour or to return home without the group. No carrier shall be responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time tour participants are not on board its own conveyance. The tour programs are planned in advance. If between planning time and the actual tour operation, circumstances beyond control require changes, CORAL, and/or its agents and their representatives abroad reserve the right to vary itineraries and substitute components of tour programs. In the event it becomes necessary or advisable for any reason whatsoever to alter the arrangements of the itinerary, such alterations may be made without penalty to the operators. The right is reserved to accept or refuse any person as a member of the tour.

Registration Deadline is October 5, 2022.

Download a PDF version of the tour brochure for the Israel for Life Holy Land Tour .

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Israeli tour guides say leading groups to October 7 terror sites is the only way for them to make money now

• Amit Musaei, who survived the Nova Festival Hamas terror attack, now leads tours to the site.
• BI spoke to four Israeli tour guides who say October 7 tours are the only ones in demand now.
• They say it's emotionally draining, but they need to support their families financially.

Amit Musaei survived the Nova Festival terror attack in Israel late last year.

Now, months later, he's leading tours to the site where he narrowly escaped death, and where he lost three of his closest friends.

Musaei returns to the scene of his trauma at least three times a week, leaving him emotionally exhausted, all to earn a few hundred dollars a time to cover his mortgage, provide for his two kids, and support his friends' orphans.

"I'm in a situation where I need to make a living," he told Business Insider. "I need to support my family. I was unemployed for over six months."

On October 7, 2023, over a thousand people, mostly civilians, were killed in Hamas attacks on Israel, with the Nova musical festival being the site of the highest number of casualties.

Israel retaliated against Gaza, which, according to the UN, has led to more than 35,000 Palestinian deaths.

As a result, many tourists called off vacations and major airlines scrapped flights to Israel, ultimately leaving Musaei and other tour guides like him without an income.

Musaei says two years of pre-booked tours were canceled, and that he now tries to make ends meet by leading the small trickle of visitors to the sites of the October 7 atrocities.

BI talked to four tour guides, who said this form of dark tourism is their only means to make a living.

It takes a toll, but they feel they have few other choices.

Danny Herman, who runs "Danny The Digger" tours, said he was recently hospitalized for high blood pressure , which he attributes to the emotional stress of repeatedly visiting the "death sites."

"I had no desire to go see them," he told BI. "But I did it as I realized that if I want to earn a living, this is the only product right now in some demand."

For years, Herman gave tours of the Dead Sea, Jerusalem, and other religious and archeological sites.

He said demand for these tours has practically dropped to zero, but he's fully booked for the next week with tours to the Gaza Envelope — the parts of Israel within about four miles of the Gaza Strip border.

"The last thing I thought I would be doing is these types of tours, which I call 'Holocaust tours,'" he said. "It's like going to Auschwitz or Yad Vashem, and it's something that I didn't think I would do, and I wish I wouldn't have to do."

Herman said that tourists mostly want to bear witness to history, pay their respects, and maybe even volunteer.

However, he noted that there's no avoiding the grim reality, be it roadside memorials to those who died, the sound of artillery fire in the distance, tanks rolling by, or the sight of smoke rising over Gaza.

Ari Melnik, another tour guide, said that for some tourists, that's a draw.

"Some people would freak out if I told them there's bombing going on, and some people want to hear that," he told BI.

Melnik added, "Then, if they don't hear that, maybe they're disappointed."

While Melnik said he feels comfortable taking tourists to the area bordering Gaza and educating them on recent events, he is uncomfortable with certain facets of the tours.

He said he's unsure how to respectfully show people the kibbutzim, with their burned-out houses and cars , conscious that victims don't want their community to become "a zoo."

"It's not a question of if to go there; it's a question of how to go there," he said.

Another source of discomfort, he said, is how much to charge.

Though Melnik said he's been hemorrhaging money for months, he lets those on the tour decide how much to pay.

"I have been flexible because I haven't even felt sure I feel comfortable charging money for this," he said.

Another tour guide, Slava Bazarsky, solicits donations to the local kibbutzim while charging a participation fee.

He'd rather not charge, but he said he has no choice.

"In order to survive, you have to do something," he told BI.

He added: "Whether you like it or not, you have family, you have kids. It's uncomfortable, unpleasant, and hard, but you have to do it."

Even after pivoting, he says his business is still struggling.

Bazarsky said he has "barely 10%" of the bookings for tours he had this time last year.

Bazarsky said that even if there were more demand and more tourists, he'd have to limit the number of tours he gives because it would be too traumatic to do too regularly.

But for Musaei, the survivor-turned-tour guide, going several times a week has given him unexpected solace.

"It's therapy for me to overcome my trauma," he said. "Every time I share my story, it's another opportunity to process it."

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The North Americans Racing the 2024 Tour de France

There is no shortage of American and Canadian talent set for this year’s Tour.

Here’s a look at the North Americans competing in the 2024 Tour de France:

Guillaume Boivin (Israel-Premier Tech)

Premier Tech is a Canadian company, so it’s nice to see the team staying true to its identity by bringing three Canadians to the 2024 Tour de France. Boivin will be starting his fourth Tour in a row this year, and while he’s never recorded a high stage finish of his own, the 35-year-old is the exactly kind of selfless, strong, and experienced support rider a team needs while hunting for stage wins. If Israel-Premier Tech leaves the Tour with a stage victory (or two), expect Boivin to have played a role in making it happen.

Derek Gee (Israel-Premier Tech)

Gee exploded onto the scene in last year’s Giro d’Italia, where the Canadian scored six top-5 stage finishes including second-places finished on four stages in the Italian grand tour. It was only his first grand tour, but the then-25-year-old’s career also finished second overall in the Giro’s Points and King of the Mountains Classifications.

All those second-place finishes seem to have inspired the Canadian heading into 2024: he took the first WorldTour victory of his career by winning Stage 3 at the recent Critérium du Dauphiné–then hung around the top of the General Classification to finish third overall. But don’t expect him to shoot for a high GC finish at the Tour de France; he’s hunting for the stage victories that eluded him in last year’s Giro. And given the way he’s been riding, we won’t be surprised if he wins more than one.

Hugo Houle (Israel-Premier Tech)

Houle has started and finished every edition of the Tour de France since 2019. At first he was purely a domestique, riding on behalf of his GC captains at Astana. But then he moved (along with Premier Tech, who formerly sponsored Astana) to Israel-Premier Tech and was offered more opportunities to ride for himself.

Well, he took full advantage in 2022, when he scored a breakaway stage win (in the Pyrenees, no less) on Stage 16–just a few days after finishing third on Stage 13. The 33-year-old will get more chances this year, and his experience will prove invaluable to guys like Gee, who’s riding his first Tour de France and looks to be the cornerstone of the team’s opportunistic plans.

Matteo Jorgenson (Visma-Lease a Bike)

Even though he’s only 24-years-old, Jorgenson will be starting his third Tour de France this year, and his first since transferring from Movistar to Visma-Lease a Bike during the off-season. The kid from Idaho impressed everyone during his first two Tours, racing aggressively in pursuit of stage wins, coming close to winning a stage on multiple occasions.

But he’s reached new heights with Visma. First, he won Paris-Nice in early-March, defeating riders like Primož Roglič and Remco Evenepoel to take the biggest win of his still-young career. A few weeks later he won Dwars door Vlaanderen, a cobbled semi-Classic in Belgium. But his biggest breakthrough came at the Critérium du Dauphiné in early-June, where he raced like a Tour de France contender, riding consistently throughout the entirety of the 8-day stage race and almost stealing the overall victory from Roglič on the final stage.

He’s heading to the Tour in support of Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard. But if Vingegaard proves to be less competitive than the team hopes, Jorgenson could be given a chance to ride for himself–whether that means shooting for a high GC finish or a stage win we don’t exactly know. No matter what, Jorgenson is the most exciting rider American fans have had to root for in a while, someone who looks to have the makings of a future Tour de France champion.

Sepp Kuss (Visma-Lease a Bike)

Jorgenson’s arrival has made it easy to overlook Kuss, the American who won last year’s Vuelta a España and spent the past several seasons as the most valuable mountain domestique in the sport. And that’s not an exaggeration: the 29-year-old helped Denmark’s Jonas Vingegaard win the last two Tours de France and Slovenia’s Primož Roglič win three Vueltas a España and one Giro d’Italia–while taking a couple of stage wins (at the Vuelta in 2019 and at the Tour in 2021) for himself along the way.

Kuss has had a rather anonymous start to his season, but that’s usually been the case. As someone who prefers training to racing, he always saves his best for the grand tours. Like Jorgenson, he’ll once again start the Tour as Vingegaard’s mountain lieutenant, but he should be ready to ride for himself–or Jorgenson–if the team asks him to.

Sean Quinn (EF Education-EasyPost)

Quinn turned 24 in early-May and the American celebrated by winning the national road race championships in Charlestown, West Virginia nine days later. He then took his new stars-and-stripes jersey to the Critérium du Dauphiné, where he raced well enough throughout the week to have probably earned himself a spot on EF’s roster for the Tour de France.

This will be only the second grand tour of the American’s career, but we don’t expect the event to be too big for him. If he makes his team’s roster, expect to see him feature in a few breakaways, possibly as one of the riders looking to take an early lead in the Tour’s King of the Mountains competition during the Tour’s hilly opening weekend.

Neilson Powless (EF Education-EasyPost)

Powless will be starting his fifth Tour de France on Saturday, and he’s raced all of them with EF Education-EasyPost. The 27-year-old’s best Tour finish was twelfth overall in 2021, and last year he spent twelve days in the polka dot jersey as the leader of the Tour’s King of the Mountains competition.

This year we’d love to see Powless commit to winning a stage, which means not worrying about the GC standings or wasting energy chasing KOM points early in the Tour. He needs to sit down with the race bible, identify three or four stages that suit him the best, and then make those stages the focus of his entire Tour de France, essentially racing them like a series of one-day races–with long, hard training rides in between. With that kind of approach, he’s a good bet to take EF Education’s first Tour de France stage victory since 2022.

Since getting hooked on pro cycling while watching Lance Armstrong win the 1993 U.S. Pro Championship in Philadelphia, longtime Bicycling contributor Whit Yost has raced on Belgian cobbles, helped build a European pro team, and piloted that team from Malaysia to Mont Ventoux as an assistant director sportif. These days, he lives with his wife and son in Pennsylvania, spending his days serving as an assistant middle school principal and his nights playing Dungeons & Dragons.

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Derek Gee Is Ready to Pounce at the Tour de France

2024 Tour de France Green Jersey Contenders

Jonas Vingegaard Will Race the 2024 Tour de France

2024 Tour de France Yellow Jersey Contenders

2024 Tour de France: Florence to Nice

Is American Cycling Entering a New Era?

Tom Pidcock’s Tour de France Plans

Can Cavendish Win a 35th Tour de France Stage?

Pidcock to Race Crans-Montana XCO Ahead of Tour

Vingegaard Hits Mallorca for Tour de France Prep

Van der Poel Opts Out of Olympic Mountain Biking

World News | World’s oldest shipwreck found in deep water…

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World News | World’s oldest shipwreck found in deep water discovered far off Israel’s coast

The discovery of the late Bronze Age ship so far out at sea indicates that the navigation abilities of ancient seafarers were more advanced than previously thought because they could travel without a line of sight to land, the IAA said.

The great depth at which the ship was found means it has been left undisturbed by waves, currents or fishermen over the millennia, offering greater potential for research, it said.

“The discovery of this boat now changes our entire understanding of ancient mariner abilities. It is the very first to be found at such a great distance with no line of sight to any landmass,” said Jacob Sharvit, head of the IAA marine unit, adding that two similar ships from the same era had been discovered previously, but only close to shore.

Sharvit said the assumption by researchers until now has been that trade during that era was conducted by boats sailing close to the shore, keeping an eye on land while moving from port to port. He said the newly discovered boat’s sailors probably used the sun and the stars to find their way.

The wooden ship sank about 90 kilometers (55 miles) off Israel’s Mediterranean coast and was discovered at a depth of 1,800 meters (1.1 miles) by Energean, a natural gas company which operates a number of deep-sea natural gas fields in Israel’s territorial waters.

In its work, Energean said it uses a submersible robot to scour the sea floor. About a year ago, it came across the 12 to 14-meter-(39-to 45-foot)-long ship buried under the muddy bottom, nestled under hundreds of jugs that were thousands of years old.

The boat and its cargo were fully intact, the IAA said, adding that the vessel appeared to have sunk either in a storm or after coming under attack by pirates.

The ship for now is not being retrieved.

Energean worked with the IAA to retrieve two of the jugs, which were likely used for carrying oil, wine or fruit, and bring them to the surface for research.

The IAA identified the jugs as Canaanite, a people who resided in the lands abutting the eastern Mediterranean.

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