In October of 2007, we hosted a 10 day trip to the Holy Land through Educational Opportunities Tours. It was a fantastic opportunity to see the land where Jesus walked, and the Patriarchs of the Bible lived. The past came alive as we walked in the places from the Bible of both the Old and New Testaments. If you have been thinking of making a pilgimage to the Holy Land, I would like to invite you to come along with us. We will be making another trip, beginning on September 16th and going through September 25th of 2008. This trip will be an expansion of last year's Holy Land Tour. We will be doing the Holy Land Classic Tour. This is a comprehensive tour of Israel that every Christian should do. Don't miss out on this incredible pilgrimage. It will truly be the Spiritual Journey of a Lifetime. The price for this trip, including airfare, first class hotels, breakfast and dinner daily, deluxe motorcoaches, profesional guides, and entrance fees to sites visited is only around $2,700.00. This is an incredible value!! If you would like to request a complete information packet, you may contact us through e-mail at ronadams@cafes.net, or you may write to us at Concepts In The Word, C/O Pastor Ron Adams, 228 Woodland Drive, Shelbyville, TN 37160. Please join us on this incredible spiritual journey.
DAY 1 & DAY 2 - USA to the HOLY LAND: Your spiritual pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight. You will be welcomed to Tel Aviv, Israel by our airport representative and transferred to your hotel. Enjoy dinner before you rest.
DAY 3 - THE GALILEE: With Bible in hand, cross the waters of the Sea of Galilee aboard a Kinnerith Sailing Company boat. Along the way, participate in a special on board worship service. Travel to Capernaum, the center of Jesus' ministry in the Galilee. Visit the synagogue which stands on the site where Jesus taught. Recall his teaching and preaching the gospel of the kingdom (Matt. 4: 13,23). At Kibbutz Nof Ginnosar, you'll learn about the "Ancient Boat", a rare example of the kind of boat in which Jesus would have sailed. Travel to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached to the people. At Tabgha, the traditional location for the calling of the disciples and the feeding of the 5000, you'll visit the church of the fish and the loaves (Luke 9: 10-17). You'll also visit the Chapel of the Primacy where three times Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ (John 21). At the River Jordan, you can remember your baptism in the Yardenit Baptismal Site.
DAY 4 - BEIT SHEAN, NAZARETH, MEGIDDO, and CAESAREA: Visit the ruins of Beit Shean which was continuously inhabited for 5000 years and was one of the Roman cities Jesus passed on his way from the Galilee to Jerusalem. Stroll through the colannaded streets etched by the wheels of ancient chariots two millenia ago. Stand in the grand theater where an onstage whisper can be heard in the top row. Visit Nazareth, Jesus' boyhood home and site of his first message. Visit the Mount of Fright outside of Nazareth for a spectaculay view of the Jezreel valley. Travel the ancient caravan route to Tel Megiddo where 20 cities lie superimposed upon each other. Visit the Roman Aqueduct and Theater at Caeserea Maritime on the shores of the Mediteranian. Here, Cornelius became the first Gentile convert to Christianity (Acts 10), and the Apostle Paul was imprisoned before being taken to Rome for trial.
DAY 5 - BETHLEHEM, QUMRAN, and JERICHO: In BETHLEHEM, you'll visit the Church of the Nativity, and visit the cave revered as the place where Jesus was born (Matt. 1: 18-25; Luke 2: 1-7). The church which was constructed on the site is the world's oldest functioning church. Nearby, you will view Shepherd's Fields where the angels appeared to the shepherds. Travel to Qumran, site of the Dead Sea Scroll discovery, to discuss the mysterious community of Essenes, who once lived on the shores of the Dead Sea. Travel to Jericho and visit the ruins of the ancient city, which was conquered by Joshua (Josh. 6:1,2,20). From Jericho, you can see the Mount of the Temptation of Christ
DAY 6 - JERUSALEM: Visit the Haas Promenade and enjoy a panoramic view of Jersalem, the Old City walls and the hill called Mount Moriah where Abraham was commanded by God to offer Isaac as a burnt offering (Gen. 22: 2-4). View the Kidron Valley and the Valley of Gehenna. Stand atop the Mount of Olives as Jesus did and enjoy a remerkable view of Jerusalem. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension. Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane as Jesus prayed (Matt. 26: 36-44). Continue to Mount Zion to visit the house of the High Priest Caiaphas where Jesus was imprisoned for a night (Matt. 26: 57-65). Stand in the Upper Room, revered as the place of the Last Supper (Mark 14: 12-26). View the site of King David's Tomb.
Day 7 - JERUSALEM: Visit the Southern Wall Excavations of the ancient Temple, including the Teaching Steps. Pray at the Western Wall, the holiest site in Jerusalem for the Jews. Visit the Chapel of the Ascension. Walk the Cardo, the ancient main street of the Old City once lined with shops, now partially restored. View the Pool of Bethesda (John 5: 1-31)where Jesus healed the lame man. Sing a hymn in the church of St. Anne which has an amazing 12 second resonance. Visit Herod's Antonia Fortress where Jesus was brought before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23: 1-11). Walk the Via Dolorosa, "the Way of the Cross," and stand in reverence at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.
DAY 8 - LEISURE DAY WITH OPTIONAL MASADA AND DEAD SEA TOUR: Explore on your own or visit Masada (additional charge), Herod's mountaintop fortress which became the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. Ride the cable car to the top to explore. Peer down upon the remains of the Roman camps and siege ramp below. Time permitting, you'll stop briefly at the shores of the Dead Sea for a quick dip in the salt and mineral laden waters.
DAY 9 - JERUSALEM: Travel to Ein Karem, known as the birthplace of John the Baptist and the place where the Virgin Mary visited Elizabeth (Luke 1: 26-40). Visit and worship at the Garden tomb, possible site of the garden of Joseph of Arimathea and experience the reality of the Resurrection. Your afternoon is free for exploring.
DAY 10 - RETURN TO THE USA
