Your pilgrimage begins as you depart the USA on an overnight flight.

Arrive in Tel Aviv and transfer to Bethlehem for a welcome meeting, dinner, and overnight stay.

In Bethlehem, visit the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace and see the Church of the Nativity constructed over the site (Matthew 1: 18 -25). Gaze out over the Shepherds’ Field, where angels first proclaimed the Good News. This afternoon, visit an olive wood factory. Visit the Tomb of Rachel, the beloved wife of Jacob (Genesis 29 -35), who helped mother the twelve tribes of Israel. Read about her death and burial while the family was en route to Bethel (Genesis 35:16-20). Visit the Milk Grotto Chapel and sit and discuss the story of Ruth the Moabitess, who married Boaz, whose field was just east of Bethlehem. Ruth became the great-grandmother of David, King of Israel. Tonight, enjoy dinner at your hotel.

Travel to Ein Karem, the birthplace of John the Baptist, and where Mary visited Elizabeth (Read Luke 1: 26 -40). Journey to modern-day Nablus (ancient Shechem and see where the Samaritan woman encountered Christ (Read John 4:1-26) at Jacob’s Well. Enjoy a traditional lunch at a Samarian restaurant. Visit the Franciscan Wedding Chapel in Cana, where Mary encouraged Jesus to perform His first miracle (read John 2:1-11). Visit Nazareth, Joseph and Mary’s home where they raised Jesus. Continue to the Church of the Annunciation that stands over the cave that tradition holds to be the home of the Mary.

Enjoy a guided tour at Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene. View a recently discovered first-century synagogue. Take time to meditate in the hall dedicated to women of the Bible. See the amazing depiction of Jesus healing the Woman with the Issue of Blood (Read Mark 5:25-34). Sail across the Sea of Galilee and enjoy a special time of worship while on board. Enjoy beautiful Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry, where Jesus healed Peter’s mother-in-law (Read Mark 1:29 -31), and visit the synagogue located on the site where Jesus taught (Matthew 4:13, 23; John 6). On the Mount of Beatitudes, contemplate the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matt. 5-7). Visit the Church of the Loaves and Fish in Tabgha, the traditional location of the feeding of the multitudes (Luke 9:10 -17; Matthew 14:13 -21). Walk down to the shore of the Sea of Galilee at the Primacy of Peter Chapel.

You will visit Bethany, the village of Lazarus and Martha, and view the Tomb of Lazarus (Read John 11:20 - 44 and Luke 10:38 - 41). Be inspired by the breathtaking beauty of Jerusalem (“the Golden City”) as you stand on the Mount of Olives, the place from which Jesus ascended into heaven forty days after His resurrection (Acts 1:9 -12). Walk to the Garden of Gethsemane and pray beneath the ancient olive trees (Matthew 26:36 -44). Visit both the Church of All Nations and the private garden area across the road for a time of contemplation in the Garden of Gethsemane (Matt. 26:36 -44).

Stop to visit the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus healed the blind man (John 9:1-12). Explore the Davidson Center and the Southern Wall Excavations, including a time of reflection at the Teaching Steps, and you will have time to pray at the Western Wall. Visit the Temple Mount, (read John 8:2-11) where the religious leaders wanted to stone the adulteress woman, and Jesus instead forgave her. Also, pause and read about the Prophetess Ana, who served the Lord in the Temple day and night (Luke 2:36-38). Share communion together at the Garden Tomb in celebration of Jesus’ Resurrection. Read together Mark 16:1-13, and discuss the incredible devotion demonstrated by these mothers of the Apostles, Mary and Salome, and the frustration they must have felt when their testimony about the risen Lord was not believed.

This morning, reflect back on the eternal impact made by so many women and how God has raised them up and utilized their gifts in the fulfillment of His divine plan of redemption. Also, read about Deborah, from nearby Shiloh (Judges 4 & 5), who judged Israel and brought about a great military victory for God’s children. Read about Hannah, the barren wife of Elkanah (read 1 Samuel 1 & 2:1-11), who committed to the Lord her son if He would only bless her with a child. God answered her prayer, and Samuel was born. Samuel became both a prophet and a priest and replaced Eli as the Lord’s priest. If you elect to visit the Dead Sea today, be sure to read the story of Lot’s Wife, who became a pillar of salt for disobeying God’s command not to look back as He rained destruction down on the cities of Sodom and Gomorrah (Gen. 19:23-26). For the remainder of the day, enjoy free time in Jerusalem to explore on your own or choose an optional tour below. Optional trips: 1) Dead Sea Experience & Ahava Tour ($90 additional) 2) Jerusalem Market & Cooking Demo (limited to groups of 20) ($85 additional) 3) Icon and Pottery Art Tour - Bethlehem ($80 additional) Suggestions for exploring on your own include the Israel Museum, Rockefeller Museum, Citadel Museum, Ramparts Walk, or Yad Vashem

View the Pool of Bethesda, where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle (John 5: 1 -31). Sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne, renowned for its beautiful acoustics. Walk the Via Dolorosa, “the Way of the Cross.” Reflect on the sorrow of the Daughters of Jerusalem (Luke 23:28) as they watched their Savior, bloodied and beaten, carry the cross on which He would give His life for our forgiveness. Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, which many believe to be the site of Jesus’ crucifixion. Return to your hotel for dinner and rest and prepare for a late-night transfer to the airport for your journey home.

Return to the USA with a new appreciation for God, who has honored and utilized women throughout the ages to accomplish His purposes and bring Him glory.