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

Today, you will arrive in Tel Aviv and will be met by your guide. You will transfer to Tel Aviv for dinner and an overnight stay.

Visit the old city of Jaffa, where Simon the Tanner lived, and from which Peter left to bring the gospel to Cornelius (Acts 9:10). Journey to Caesarea by the Sea and stand in the place where it is believed Paul addressed King Herod and Festus (Acts 25, 26). This port city reveals many extensive theater remains and other sites, including a Roman aqueduct along the Mediterranean shore. Continue your journey to Mount Carmel, where Elijah defeated the prophets of Baal (1 Kings 18). Biblically, Mount Carmel is often referenced as a symbol of beauty and fertility. To be given the “splendor of Carmel” was to be blessed indeed (Isa 35:2). Travel the ancient caravan route to Tel Megiddo, where 20 different cities lie superimposed upon each other.

This morning, you will pass through the Golan Heights and gain a better appreciation of its strategic importance. Look out from Mount Bental over the valley that leads to Damascus. Saul would have his life-transforming vision on his way there (Acts 9). Continue northward to Tel Dan. Walk the ancient remains of Tel Dan and see where the altar built by King Jeroboam I once stood (I Kings 12). Pass through Metulla, home to the “Good Fence,” and Nahal Ayyan Bridge. In the late 1800s, Baron de Rothschild bought land in the area for Jewish immigrants to return to Israel. It now sits on the border of Lebanon and Israel.

Sail across the Sea of Galilee and experience a unique on-board worship service. Visit the Church of the Loaves and Fish in Tabgha, the traditional location of the feeding of the 5,000 (Luke 9:10 -17). Enjoy beautiful Capernaum, the center of Jesus’ ministry, and visit the synagogue located on the site where Jesus taught (Matthew 4:13, 23). On the Mount of Beatitudes, contemplate the text of the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matt. 5-7). As you pray in the Chapel of the Primacy, remember how Peter professed his devotion to the risen Christ three times (John 21). In Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene, visit a recently discovered first-century synagogue. At the River Jordan, you can remember your baptism at the Yardenit Baptismal Site.

Visit Caesarea Philippi, where Peter told the Lord, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the Living God!” (Matt 16:16). Visit Nazareth Village. This immersive experience recreates daily life in the time of Jesus. From there, the group will explore the Church of the Annunciation, marking the angel Gabriel’s visit to Mary. The journey continues to Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle—turning water into wine—where couples will have the opportunity to renew their vows. Check into your hotel and then enjoy a dip in the salt and mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea.

Explore the beautiful area of Ein Gedi, where David hid from Saul. Ascend by cable car to Masada, Herod’s legendary mountaintop fortress, which became the last desperate stronghold of the Jewish Zealots against the Romans. You can still look down on the remains of the Roman camps and the siege ramp below. Continue to Jerusalem to check into your hotel.

Begin your day in Bethlehem. Travel to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus (Luke 2). Enter the Church of the Nativity, the world’s oldest continuously operating church. See the cave where tradition holds Jesus was born. Look out on the Shepherds’ Field, where angels spread the Good News. Journey to Mount Zion by visiting the House of the High Priest Caiaphas, where Jesus was questioned on the night of His betrayal (Matthew 26:57). Meditate on the events of the Last Supper as you visit the traditional location of the Upper Room (Mark 14:12-26). Travel beneath the Temple Mount and journey through the Rabbinical tunnel this afternoon.

After breakfast, take a group picture taken from the Mount of Olives, where Jesus ascended into heaven (Acts 1:9-12). Walk the Palm Sunday Road, pray in the Garden of Gethsemane, and envision the scenes of the night before Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 26:36-44). Head to the Western Wall Tunnel to see the foundation stones and southern steps of the Temple. Then, walk the Temple Mount (conditions permitting), once the site of the Temple of Solomon and home to the Dome of the Rock. Pray at the Wailing Wall.

Visit Pilate’s House, where Jesus stood trial. Sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne and experience its rich acoustics. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress, where Jesus appeared before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:1), and follow in Christ’s steps on the Via Dolorosa (“the Way of the Cross”), and then celebrate communion together at the Garden Tomb. This afternoon is free for you to explore Jerusalem on your own.

Return to the USA.