Christian Pastors Visit the Holy Land
In September, the State of Israel was honored to welcome a group of North American pastors and their wives for an unforgettable eight-day tour of the Holy Land. These men and women who were visiting Israel for the first time shared similar sentiments as they walked where Jesus walked, saw the Bible come alive before their eyes, and enjoyed the very best of Jewish culture and Israeli hospitality.
So, for this month's feature article, we would like to share just a few of the comments offered by members of the tour group while they were in Israel, just to give you a sense of what you can expect when you visit the Holy Land in person …
"Reflecting on this tour, I must say that this was probably the most enjoyable of my 14 trips to Israel!"
"All of the food was outstanding. The beauty, the abundance, and the quality are beyond words."
"Our guide was amazing. His knowledge, his energy, and his resilient spirit are remarkable."
"Every Christ-follower should visit the land of Israel!"
"Riding in a boat on the Sea of Galilee … sitting where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount … visiting the remains of the synagogue where Jesus taught in Capernaum … looking down at the valley of Armageddon where history will all come to a head … all of these places are now vividly etched in my mind."
"As I read the Bible and resume my responsibilities to teach God's Word, the places and events will jump off the page at me and add a whole new dimension."
"How many once-in-a-lifetime experiences can one person have in one week?"
"You get to see what Jesus saw and walk where Jesus walked. You are transported back into time. For example, sitting on the Mount of Beatitudes and seeing what Jesus saw as He taught … you get the picture!"
"You'll never be the same! I'm such a fallible human being but being in Israel has opened the door of my heart just a bit wider to God's work in my life. What He did there in my heart, I'll carry for a long time, and I'm sure He'll use it to continue His work in me."
When asked about their experience at the end of the tour, everyone in the group said the same thing: Now that they have visited Israel, they will never be the same! And they are all planning to go back. Perhaps you'll join them. If you do - you'll never be the same!
To read more about their trip, go to www.israeltrip2009.com.
Did you know that you can learn all about visiting Israel with just a few clicks of your mouse? Visit the official Israel Ministry of Tourism website at www.goisrael.com.
Originally published November 30, 2009.
