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10-day tour of Israel for pastors

Experience the Holy Land

Dec. 26, 2024 – Jan. 4, 2025

Registration will close on September 15 or when the tour reaches maximum capacity. Space is limited.

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Tour Code: SBTC24

hosted by:

Nathan Lorick, SBTC Executive Director

about the trip

The Southern Baptists of Texas Convention is hosting a 10-day trip to Israel next December. The trip is available to senior pastors of SBTC-affiliated churches at a discounted price, which includes $1,300 in financial assistance provided by a grant from the SBTC Executive Board. Special pricing is available on a first come, first served basis. Pastors who wish to register must currently be pastoring an SBTC church. A second pastor from the same church may travel at the regular clergy price, but only two pastors are allowed per church. Spouse pricing is available as well.

PROSPECTIVE LOCATIONS

  • Caesarea Maritima (where Peter proclaimed the Good News to the Roman Centurion)
  • Mt. Carmel (site of Elijah’s miracle)
  • Megiddo (the Valley of Armageddon)
  • Nazareth Village
  • Cana
  • Magdala
  • The Sea of Galilee (including a boat ride)
  • Capernaum (headquarters of Jesus’ ministry)
  • Jordan River
  • The Mount of Beatitudes
  • Caesarea Philippi (“whom do men say that I am?”)
  • Tel Dan
  • Gideon’s Spring
  • Bet Shean (amazing Roman city ruins)
  • Jerusalem
  • The Mount of Olives
  • Temple Mount
  • The Western Wall
  • The Church of the Sepulchre
  • Bethlehem
  • Qumran (site of the Dead Sea Scrolls)
  • The Dead Sea
  • Masada (Israel’s Alamo)
  • The Oasis of Ein Gedi
  • Shrine of the Book
  • Hezekiah’s Tunnel
  • Garden Tomb
  • Elah Valley

WHAT’S INCLUDED

  • Roundtrip airfare
  • Deluxe motor coaches
  • First Class / Superior First Class hotels
  • Guided sightseeing
  • Entrance fees to sites visited
  • Breakfast & dinner daily
  • Tips for guide, local host, driver, local guides and/or ships’ crew
  • Taxes and fuel charges

WHAT’S NOT INCLUDED (see brochure for complete list)

  • Passports
  • Lunches
  • Travel insurance (available at additional cost)
  • COVID-19 vaccinations
  • COVID-19 tests

No destination on earth provides the biblical learning, spiritual encouragement and historical significance of the Holy Land.

Walk in the paths of the patriarchs, travel the dusty roads of the disciples and take awe in the footsteps of Jesus.

daily itinerary

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Tour Code: SBTC24

Day 1- Thursday, December 26: Depart U.S.A.

Tour members meet for our flight to Israel. After dinner is served, it’s time to sit back, relax, and enjoy the on-board entertainment to prepare for this exciting adventure of a lifetime.

DAY 2 - Friday, December 27: Arrive in Tel Aviv

In Tel Aviv, we proceed through customs and security and meet our agent who assists us to our motor coach. We have a short drive to our hotel in the Netanya area in time for dinner and overnight.

DAY 3 - Saturday, December 28: Caesarea, Megiddo, Mt. Carmel, Nazareth Village, Cana, Galilee

This morning, we depart for the Galilee to visit Biblical sites at Caesarea Maritima, where Peter proclaimed the Good News to the Roman Centurion (Acts 10). We also see Megiddo and Mt. Carmel, where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Time permitting, we will stop at the Druze Village for a short lunch break (not included). Then we continue on to Nazareth (Jesus’ childhood home) to visit Nazareth Village, Cana (location of Jesus’ first miracle – John 2) and the Mt. of Precipice. We then arrive in Tiberias for dinner and overnight near the Sea of Galilee.

DAY 4 - Sunday, December 29: Galilee, Magdala, Mt. of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Boat Ride, Bethsaida, Jordan River

Nothing compares to watching the sun rise over the Sea of Galilee! We begin today at Magdala, Tabgha (the traditional site of the feeding of the 5000), and the Church of the Primacy of St. Peter. We then spend time reflecting and worshiping at the Mt. of Beatitudes and then head to Capernaum, Jesus’ base for His early ministry. Afterwards, we board a replica wooden “Jesus Boat” to set sail on the Sea of Galilee. For those interested, our lunch stop includes the option of ordering the special St. Peter’s Fish (not included). After lunch, we head to Gadara and Bethsaida (time permitting) before making our way to the Jordan River. Dinner and overnight are back in Tiberias.

DAY 5 - Monday, December 30: Golan Heights, Caesarea Philippi, Tel Dan, Gideon Springs, Beit Shean, Jerusalem

After breakfast, we travel north to the Golan Heights for a beautiful view of northern Israel’s landscape. Then we head to Caesarea Philippi where Peter confessed, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:13- 16). We embark on a short hike to Tel Dan to see the altar of Jeroboam before heading to Gideon Springs (time permitting). Next, we visit Beit Shean, one of the best-preserved Decapolis Roman cities. This is where King Saul and his sons’ bodies were hung from the city walls after being defeated by the Philistines (1 Samuel 31:10-12). Finally, we ascend to the majestic city of Jerusalem in time for dinner and overnight. “I was glad when they said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’ Our feet are standing within your gates, O Jerusalem” (Psalm 122:1-2 NASB). Today’s sightseeing maybe revised conditions permitting.

DAY 6 - Tuesday, December 31: Mt. of Olives, Palm Sunday Road, Garden of Gethsemane, Western Wall, Temple Mount, Via Dolorosa, Southern Steps, Bethlehem

We begin today on the beautiful Mt. of Olives to behold the famous, breathtaking panorama of the Holy City. Our pilgrimage proceeds down the Old Palm Sunday Road to the ancient olive grove at the Garden of Gethsemane. Then we continue on to the Church of the Agony (Church of All Nations) where

tradition says Jesus prayed before his arrest. We enter Jerusalem through the Zion Gate and proceed to the Western (Wailing) Wall, the holiest site in Judaism. Beyond the wall lies the 35-acre temple area purchased by King David (2 Samuel 24:18-25), which is called the Temple Mount (conditions permitting). This area is the third holiest shrine in Islam, housing both the El-Aqsa Mosque and the magnificent Dome of the Rock. From the temple area we make our way to St. Stephen’s Gate to walk the Via Dolorosa – including St. Anne’s Crusader Church, Pools of Bethesda, the Pavement (where Jesus stood while being tried by Pilate), Ecce Homo Arch, and the ancient Cardo. We continue to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and then conclude our day with a short walk to the original steps that Jesus climbed as he entered the Temple area. We finish off our sightseeing with a visit to Bethlehem as we pass by Rachel’s tomb on the outskirts and then visit the Church of the Nativity and Shepherds’ Field. We have dinner and overnight in Jerusalem. After dinner, we make our way back to the Western Wall for a visit to the Rabbi’s Tunnel.

DAY 7 - Wednesday, January 1: Happy New Year! Qumran, Ein Gedi, Masada, Dead Sea for Swim/ Float

After breakfast, we drive to Qumran, the settlement of the Essenes. They were the first century sect who authored the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here, we head to Ein Gedi where David hid from King Saul. We then travel south along the western shore of the Dead Sea toward Masada where we ascend by cable car up to King Herod’s astonishing fortress. Afterwards, we make a special stop at the Dead Sea for a short swim or float. Time and conditions permitting, we’ll include a visit to Qasr El-Yahud, the newly excavated site where tradition holds that Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. If possible, we will also include a short visit to Jericho (conditions permitting). Dinner and overnight are again in Jerusalem.

DAY 8 - Thursday, January 2: Shrine of the Book, Model City, City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Pool of Siloam, St. Peter Gallicantu, Garden Tomb

After breakfast, we visit the Shrine of the Book Museum to see the Dead Sea Scrolls and the fascinating 1:50 scale model of Jerusalem as it would have appeared in Jesus’ time. Next, we drive to the City of David, and then we go on a short walk to Hezekiah’s Tunnel (conditions permitting). Be sure to bring a flashlight and water shoes to walk through the tunnel. Anyone wanting to stay dry can walk through Hezekiah’s shaft, (time permitting), we will visit the newly excavated Pool of Siloam and the Church of St. Peter in Gallicantu. We end our day in worship at Golgotha and the Garden Tomb for a time of reflection. Dinner and overnight are in Jerusalem.

DAY 9 - Friday, January 3: Jerusalem, Yad Vashem, Elah Valley, Jaffa, Farewell Dinner, Ben Gurion Airport

In the morning, we have leisure time in Jerusalem and then we depart the city late morning/early afternoon for the Elah Valley to see the brook where David slew Goliath (conditions permitting). From here, we continue our drive to Jaffa for a special Farewell Dinner. We then transfer to Ben Gurion Airport for our flight back to the U.S.A. (Depending on flight schedule this days sightseeing may be adjusted).

DAY 10 - Saturday, January 4: Arrive in U.S.A.

We arrive back in the U.S.A. in the morning. At the close of an unforgettable tour, we take home wonderful memories of the Old and New Testament, a renewal of our faith, and a greater understanding of the life of our Lord.