Moments of Hope
May 18 - May 29, 2024
Trip Details:
You are invited to take your first, second or third trip with us to Israel, May 18-29, 2024. Dr. Nunnally and his team will provide an on-site, educational experience where we will study the Bible together in context. Scripture will come alive as you learn more about the history, geography, language, culture and ancient literature of various sites. We look forward to exploring the Bible, plus the land, people and customs of Israel with you and your congregation. Registration is open for the Moments of Hope congregation.
Dates of trip: May 18-29, 2024
Registration: Contact Moments of Hope, Charlotte, NC
Itinerary:
Saturday, May 18, 2024 – Day 1
Depart USA
Sunday, May 19 – Day 2
Arrive in Israel. You will follow the ancient road called the Way of the Sea through the Plain of Sharon to get to your hotel. Overnight on Coast
Monday, May 20 – Day 3
We pack up and start the day with a stop at Caesarea where we will focus on Peter, Paul and the early Church. On to Tel Megiddo to view ancient remains and the Jezreel Valley/ Armageddon. 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’ hometown of Nazareth. Overnight in Galilee
Tuesday, May 21 – Day 4
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 Jereboam.
Next, the bus will carry us about two miles to Caesarea Philippi, the capital of Philip’s territory and discuss Peter’s great confession of faith. Afterwards, we will ascend the Golan Heights to the War Memorial that provides an excellent view of the surrounding region. From this vantage point we will view Mt Hermon and discuss Paul’s encounter with the risen Jesus on the Damascus Road.
We will move on to Katsrin, a reconstructed ancient village from just after the time of Jesus. Will conclude the day with a stop at Gadara (Gergesa) for a discussion of the Gadarene demoniac. Overnight in Galilee
Wednesday, May 22 – Day 5
Today we will travel around the Sea of Galilee with several stops. Our first stop will surround Matthew 11 and Luke 10 at the site of Korazin and then to Capernaum which was the home base of Jesus’ ministry and on to the Mt of Beatitudes.
A favorite stop is the Yigal Alon Museum that holds a 1st-century fishing boat from the Sea of Galilee, similar to the ones Jesus used. We too will travel on the Sea of Galilee by boat which will orient us to biblical locations around the lake. Our next site is Magdala, home of Mary Magdalene, which has an excavated 1st-century synagogue where Jesus likely taught. Overnight in Galilee
Thursday, May 23 – Day 6
We will leave our Galilee hotel to explore the Jezreel Valley. This begins with an opportunity for baptism in the Jordan River. We drive through the area of Beit Shan, the Harod Valley and into the Jezreel Valley. Here, we visit Gideon’s Spring/Ein Harod, area of the first Israeli kibbutz and where God chose the 300 for battle. Jezreel is our next stop which involves Ahab and Jezebel. Then we move on to Har Barkan for a view of the Jezreel Valley, northern Samaria and the Dothan Valley where we will study related Biblical passages. Overnight in Jerusalem
Friday, May 24 – Day 7
Our morning begins with a visit to the Mount of Olives which includes a survey of biblical events and an overview of Jerusalem from the east. A brief bus ride from the top of the Mt of Olives takes us down into the Kidron Valley and the Church of All Nations. Here, we visit the Garden of Gethsemane and discuss the arrest of Jesus and His ultimate sacrifice. We re-enter the Old City through St. Stephen’s/Lions’ Gate and then enter St. Anne’s Church. This compound also includes the Pools of Bethesda where Jesus healed a man unable to walk. Next, we will visit and pray at Judaism’s most holy site, the Western Wall. We will conclude with a visit to the Pinnacle of the Temple and the Southern Steps leading to the Temple Mount. Overnight in Jerusalem
Saturday, May 25- Day 8 Shabbat
Today we will drive to the ascent to the top of Masada which is Herod’s greatest fortress. We will travel about 20 miles to the settlement at Qumran and the Dead Sea Scrolls caves which contained our oldest Biblical manuscripts. Now on to a Dead Sea float at Kaliya Beach. On our way to Jerusalem we will view the Jerusalem-Jericho Road/Judean Wilderness and discuss the parable of the Good Samaritan & John the Baptist. Overnight Jerusalem
Sunday, May 26 – Day 9
We will start our day in Jerusalem with a stop at the City of David. Extensive excavations take us through the periods of David and Solomon and back to the Jebusite period. An optional walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel is available. Several paths lead us to the Pool of Siloam and a discussion of Jesus’ healing of the blind man.
The premier Israel Museum will provide opportunity to view Dead Sea Scrolls and other artifacts in the Shrine of the Book. A model of Jerusalem & the Temple in the time of Jesus will also be visited. In addition, we will visit the archeological wing of the museum. Overnight in Jerusalem
Monday, May 27 – Day 10
The first stop of the day is Bethlehem, which includes the Church of the Nativity related to Jesus’ birth, the Shepherds’ Field, an olivewood shop, and lunch in the city of the birthplace of our Savior.
We will return to Jerusalem to visit the Tower of David Museum and Herod’s Palace where Jesus was turned over to Pilate. We conclude our study today with a visit to the Church of Holy Sepulcher/Resurrection, the traditional location of the crucifixion, burial, and resurrection of Jesus.
This evening, we leave the hotel buffet behind for an evening meal overlooking the Old City. We will dine at the spectacular Notre Dame rooftop restaurant. https://www.notredamecenter.org/cheeseandwine
Overnight in Jerusalem
Tuesday, May 28 , Day 11
After breakfast, we will check-out of our hotel and proceed to the Upper Room for a discussion of the Last Supper & the day of Pentecost.
Next, we will visit a Christian university located on Mt Zion, that serves many notable universities in the USA, including Wheaton, Azuza Pacific and many others. At Jerusalem University College you will find several archeological sites, including a 1st century Essene gate on the campus grounds. In addition, we will visit the famous Christian Zionist Horatio Spafford’s gravesite https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horatio_Spafford We will bless the students with care items brought from the USA as part of the service component of our trip.
After lunch, we will travel through the Elah Valley which is home to Azekah, Socoh, Sha’araim and the Brook Elah which leads us to a discussion of the battle between David & Goliath.
After our evening meal on the road, we will depart for Ben Gurion Airport.
Wednesday, May 29 – Day 12
Arrive back in the USA
Schedules, housing and itinerary are subject to change without notice due to COVID-19, the devaluation of the dollar and political and religious 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 operating hours as regards to Jewish, Christian and Muslim holidays and holy days.