Las Cruces First

Join Pastor Vistine and others on a study trip to Israel where we zero-in on the teachings of the Bible, with a special emphasis on the words of Jesus. Join us and visit Caesarea, mentioned 15 times in Acts, as well as the Sea of Galilee, Jerusalem and the desert area of John the Baptist. Take a moment and review the itinerary for more site information. Come with us to Israel!

Cost

Land only Cost $3475
*   $500 registration
*   $1487.50   ½ payment due May 13, 2024
*   $1487.50    Final payment due August 13, 2024
*   Airline tickets are not included in this cost

Itinerary

Day 1 – Monday, October 28

Grab your passport and depart the USA!

Day 2 – Tuesday, October 29                                                                              

Arrive in Israel, view the Way of the Sea as you journey to your hotel.  Overnight on Coast

Day 3 – Wednesday, October 30                                   

We will start the day with a stop at Caesarea where we will focus on Peter, Paul and the early Church. Next we head up to Mt Carmel and address Elijah and the prophets of Baal. Part of today’s journey will include a visit to Jesus’s hometown of Nazareth. Next we will go back in time at Kafar Kedem where life in the Galilee will be reconstructed from 2000 years ago. Overnight in Galilee

Day 4 – Thursday, October 31                                                                            

Today we will travel around the Sea of Galilee. We will stop on the north shore at Korazin and then on to Capernaum, which was the home base of Jesus messianic ministry. Then on to the Yigael Alon Museum which holds a 1^st-century fishing boat from the Sea of Galilee, similar to the ones Jesus used. Grab a jacket, for our Sea of Galilee boat ride that will help orient us to Biblical locations around the lake and allow us to travel the same body of water that Jesus referred to so many times in the Word.  On the western shore is Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene, where we find an excavated 1^st-century synagogue where Jesus likely taught. Overnight in Galilee                                         

Day 5 – Friday, Nov 1     

On our visit to Tel Dan, we will enjoy a hike through a nature preserve where we see the sources of the Jordan River, study Scripture, visit the high place of Dan and city gates from the time of Abraham and Jeroboam. After this stop, we will drive about two miles to Caesarea Philippi, the capital of Philip’s territory and discuss Peter’s confession of faith. We will ascend the Golan Heights to the War Memorial. Here we will review Paul’s journey on the Damascus Road and review the role of Mt Hermon in ancient times and today. Next is Katsrin, a reconstructed village similar to those from the time of Jesus. The chocolate factory is a fun next stop! Then on to the eastern shore of the Sea of Galilee to Mitspeh Nuqeb where Jesus cast out the legion of demons. Overnight in Galilee

Day 6 – Saturday, Nov 2: Shabbat                        

We will pack up and have an early morning ride that will take us to the Judean Wilderness and Dead Sea area. This includes an ascent to the top of Masada, Herod’s greatest fortress, Qumran, the Dead Sea Scrolls caves, Kaliya Beach and a Dead Sea float and the Jerusalem-Jericho Road where we will recall the parable of the Good Samaritan. Overnight in Jerusalem 

Day 7 – Sunday, Nov 3                                                  

Our first stop is the Israel Museum, which houses a one-acre model of Jerusalem & the Temple in the time of Jesus. Next, we will tour the Shrine of the Book which houses Israel’s Dead Sea Scrolls.  Our next museum stop will be the City of David where we will see excavations first hand and hear accounts of King David and Jerusalem.  Next, we walk to the Western Wall for instruction and take time to pray at the Wall. After another short walk, we visit the Rabbinic Tunnels, the Pinnacle of the Temple and the Southern Steps leading to the Temple Mount. Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 8 – Monday, Nov 4                                         

The first stop of the day is Bethlehem, which includes the Church of the Nativity (the place of Jesus’ birth), the Shepherds’ Field, an olivewood shop, and meet with an expert on modern-day Israel and the building of the wall. Now back to Jerusalem to the Tower of David Museum and Herod’s Palace.  Here, we also get an overview of Old Jerusalem from the West. We will view the Genat Gate on the way to   the Burnt House which is an excavated house from the Second Temple period. Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 9 – Tuesday, Nov 5                              

Our morning begins with Yad Vashem, World Holocaust Remembrance Center. Our bus will take  us down into the Kidron Valley to the Church of All Nations.  Here, we visit the Garden of Gethsemane and discuss the arrest of Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice. Next a visit to the Church of Holy Sepulcher/Resurrection. Overnight in Jerusalem

Day 10 – Wednesday, Nov 6                                         

Today we will check out of the hotel in Jerusalem for our final day of exploration in Israel. After breakfast and hotel check out, we will go to The Garden Tomb. Jerusalem University College www.juc.edu is our next stop on Mt. Zion. We will tour archeological finds and the gravesite of Horatio Spafford. In addition, we will conduct a Service Project by bringing small gifts to students studying at JUC. We will walk from JUC to the traditional Upper Room.  Next, we will leave for the Shephelah and visit the Elah Valley and brook Elah, location of the battle of David and Goliath. Next dinner and on to the airport. Lunch & dinner at your expense.

Day 11 – Thursday, Nov 7

Arrive is USA

Schedules, housing and itinerary are subject to change without notice due to Covid, the devaluation of the dollar and political uncertainties. This itinerary is based on the best possible use of time management, keeping in mind the complexities of Jerusalem traffic, the current political climate and opening hours as regards to Jewish, Christian and Muslim holidays.