Israel Testimonials

Going to Israel is a life changing experience! Getting to walk the streets of Jerico, standing on MT. Carmel where Ezekiel called down the fire of God, walking in the old city of Jerusalem, walking the very roads Jesus himself walked, all this will help bring to life the scriptures of the Bible. For me Personally going to Israel like like going to your true Home! Where you feel the most love, excitement and exhilaration of the moment. Going to the Sea of Galilee is always one of my favorite times. Back in 2003 Jayson and I had the privilege of being on the trip together. Both of us have been numerous times but every time you go God does things that are unique for the people who are on the trip. On my most recent trip when we were at the Pool of Bethesda God cleansed me of something I have battled for 38 years! PTL! Also going to the Western Wall of the Temple is a special place. Every prayer request I have put in the wall has been answered! I tell every believer that you should go at least one time in your life! If you decide to go to Israel just know that you will never be the same! May God bless and keep you!

~ Dale

There is nothing like seeing places mentioned in the Bible with your own eyes. Walking where Jesus walked, and seeing what Jesus saw day by day is a real eye-opener.

The tour of Israel that I was privileged to participate in has had a lasting impact on my spiritual life. I would enthusiastically recommend this experience to any believer who wants to grow in knowledge and spiritual strength!

~ Glynis

I'd always half-joked that I didn't want to go to Israel now...that I'd wait until the Millennium, when it would be perfectly safe, a free trip, instantaneous travel, and Jesus himself could tell us where all the events happened, rather than hearing "experts" guess or lie. :-)

But back to seriousness: being raised a Baptist, being taught not to seek experiences but just rely on the Word for all that I need, I think I was somewhat insulated against what many others would have found deeply emotional. I even felt bad sometimes for NOT feeling something. However I'm a history buff, so finding the places where there is zero dispute that the biblical event happened THERE were perhaps the most impactful for me. And even more so when those involved Jesus. E.g., the southern steps of the temple where Jesus taught, and the scientifically verified 2000+ year old olive trees in Gethsemane. I felt a connection to Him in those places I might not have in the "guessed" locations. Just knowing for sure that my Savior had been there brought chills.

For me, the most emotional, albeit non-biblical site we visited was the Holocaust museum. Stunningly sad. Gordon's Calvary view from the Garden Tomb site, and the tomb itself, were a great time of reflection, even though there is no consensus on if those are the actual sites. We celebrated with praise songs. Conversely, seeing the Catholic/Orthodox versions of those sites is almost laughable (e.g., the mount of crucifixion and tomb are within a single church building, about 30 feet away from each other), but still a sight to behold with all the icons and ceremony.

I'd say that the longest lasting impact it had on my wife and me was that now when we read stories in the Bible, we are picturing the real places, no longer places we created in our heads. It brings "color" which makes things come alive again. It was an amazing trip from both a historical and spiritual standpoint. Our pastor stopped at key places, shared the Word, and gave us time to reflect and pray, which was much needed.

My wife adds that after our trip, she really wanted for us to move to Israel for a year or two, so we could spend even more time absorbing everything. How's that for impact? :-) We highly recommend going! It was the trip of a lifetime for us. Also, we never felt unsafe. Multiple times, we even saw young children (4-6 years old walking on busy streets alone, something you don't see here in the US anymore.)

~ Rich

My first trip to Israel was in 2002, and Jayson Albertson was my roommate. While there, we saw miracle after miracle. After just returning from my 11th trip last month, I can say I have only fallen more in love with the land God promised to His people. We are His people too. You literally get to walk where God walked. If God is calling you to the place He called home, go.

~ James

Visiting the land of Israel was one of the highlights of my life. Although much has changed in that part of the world since Bible times, still to visit the places where the things we read about in the Bible was an experience second-to-none. Having visited many of those places has transformed my understanding of the Scriptures and made it all come to life in such a special way. Strangely enough the thing that impacted me the most while in Israel was to see for myself that all the places Jesus was at, where He was born, where He lived and ministered and died and was raised again to life, are real places in this same world that I live in today. To see where He was and now today to see satellite dishes, cell phone towers, automobiles, buses and stop lights somehow brought home to my heart in an unexpected but extremely powerful way the truth that the Son of God literally did come down here to the planet earth and lived and dwelt among us. The experience was marvelous in every respect, and I highly recommend that anyone who can go on a trip to the Holy Land do so. You will ever regret it!

~ Ken

"Visiting Israel gave me a deep and abiding awareness of my Christian heritage. Being able to see the physical land, imagine the trials of those in the Sinai desert, and to walk where Jesus walked made the the Bible come alive for me on a new way. I gained an intense respect for the people and it gave me a greater appreciation for all Jesus did for me that has not gone away even after more than 30 years."

~Shari