Israel 2009

Have you ever dreamed of sitting on the hillside where Jesus delivered the Beatitudes, of sailing on the Sea of Galilee where Jesus taught and walked, touring the Temple Mount where Jesus spent His last week, or standing on the Mt. of Olives? Why not join us January 28--February 6, 2009, and make those dreams a reality? We can hardly wait to learn and worship and praise the Lord together with you in the Promised Land.

With Whom?

Dr. Richard Wells is the Senior Pastor of SCBC and former President of Criswell College in Dallas, Texas. Rev. Jim Sibley serves as Director of the Pasche Institute for Jewish Studies in Dallas. He and Kathy previously served for some thirteen years as missionaries to Israel. The Sibleys and the Wells have led numerous groups to Israel and Jordan, including archaeological groups. In addition to our excellent Israeli guide, they will offer biblical teaching throughout the tour to make your experience of the Holy Land the best it can be.

Basic Info

This is a deluxe 10-day tour, costing $3,190.00 per person including tax and tips, from Rapid City, South Dakota, double occupancy.

A Note On Pricing: Because of recent fuel price increases, all major airlines routinely add fuel surcharges at ticketing. The price quoted for the Tour includes a good faith estimate of fuel surcharges, but it could change (increase or decrease) slightly.

To register or for answers to questions, please contact Carol at the church office.

Details to Know

This tour is all inclusive—guides, drivers, dining, air-conditioned buses, entrance to all sites, taxes and tips. Deluxe Hotel accommodations are provided. Prices based on double occupancy. Meals—a full course buffet breakfast and dinner are served daily. Lunches extra.
Space is limited. Reservations will be on a first— come basis.
PHONE CALL WILL NOT HOLD SPACE. You must have a registration form.
A deposit of $300 must ACCOMPANY THE REGISTRATION FORM for EACH passenger enrolling on the tour. $150 is non-refundable. Balance is refundable up to 90 days prior to departure.
Registration form with $300 deposit must be returned by September 30th. Your final payment is due December 1st.
Passports must be valid. It takes about four or more weeks to secure a passport . Do not delay. No shots or visas are needed.
After your final payment is received, we will send you further information on your departure, bag tags, insurance forms, etc.
Single accommodations are $650 extra.

Itinerary

Note: For more explanation about what is in the pictures, please click on them or visit the photo site. The ones below were taken on the 2004 trip from South Canyon.

En route

Today we’ll leave Rapid City on board our flight to Atlanta. We’ll then go through security and board our overnight flight to Israel.

Tel Aviv

Welcome to Israel! Upon our early evening arrival into Ben Gurion International we will be met and transferred to our hotel in Tel Aviv.

Coastal Route

After enjoying a delicious Israeli breakfast, we’ll drive along the Mediterranean Coast to the 5000 year old port city of Jaffa. Here Jonah sought to escape God’s call and Peter had his rooftop vision before his call to Caesarea. We’ll drive northwards up the Mediterranean coast. First we’ll visit ancient Caesarea, site of Paul and Peter’s experiences on the Mediterranean Coast. From there we’ll visit Mount Carmel and Muhraka to witness the location of Elijah’s contest with Jezebel’s false prophets of Ba’al. Here we’ll be able to view the Jezreel Valley. We’ll then travel to Meggido, the site of 21 battles from the Old Testament and where it says in the Book of Revelation the final battle between good and evil will take place. Here we’ll also get to explore Canaanite ruins and the “Chariot Cities” of Kings Solomon and Ahab. Next we’ll visit Nazareth, Jesus’ childhood home. We’ll then descend to the Sea of Galilee to our hotel. Overnight, Maagan, Tiberias

Sea of Galilee/The Foot-Steps of Jesus

After breakfast we’ll depart for Tiberias where we’ll take a morning Boat Tour of the north shore of the Sea of Galilee. We’ll visit Migdal, the home of Mary Magdalene and see the “Jesus Boat” at Kibbutz Nof Ginosar. We’ll then drive the plain of Ginosar to Tabgha where Jesus “multiplied the loaves and fish.” Next on our stop is the Mount of Beatitudes for Sunday Worship. We’ll proceed to the basalt synagogue at Chorazin to see where Jesus taught and see the “Seat of Moses.” We’ll also view the Natural Amphitheater where Jesus also taught, we’ll visit Capernaum, home of the synagogue of Jesus’ ministry and miracles. Next we’ll cross the Jordan River and visit Bethsaida, home of Peter, Andrea, James and John. We’ll also see the Decapolis and Kursi where Jesus cast the demons out of a man into a heard of swine. We’ll then visit Zippori (Sepphoris), the Roman capital of the Galilee in Jesus’ day where Jesus attended Yeshiva (Jewish Seminary). Then it’s on to Cana, the site of Jesus’ first miracle of changing water into wine. Overnight, Maagan, Tiberias.

Hula Basin/Upper Galilee/Golan

Philippi at Banias, which is the Site of the Transfiguration; continue to Tel Dan Nature Reserve, source of the Dan. This morning we’ll pass ancient Hazor through the Hula Basin, known in the Old Testament as the Waters of Merom. We’ll hike in the Dan Nature Preserve and view the rushing Headwaters of the Jordan River. We’ll then visit the Dan of the Old Testament, known as the “Hill of the Judge” to explore the incredible excavations and altar where the golden calf was worshipped by Israel under King Jereboam. From there we’ll take a bus to Caesarea Philippi where Peter said to Jesus “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” Next we’ll drive to the Golan Heights where we’ll overlook the Jordan Valley and learn about the Golan Arab/Israel conflict (1948-1967). We’ll then see Mt. Hermon where our Lord was Transfigured and drive along the ancient Damascus Road. Next we’ll visit Qazrin and its reconstructed New Testament village. Next we’ll ascend the Golan and then descend via the winding road of the Yarmuk River to the shores of the Sea of Galilee to our hotel. Overnight, Maagan, Tiberias.Qumran

Jordan Valley/Dead Sea

After breakfast we’ll drive down the Jordan Valley to Beit Shean, an amazing New Testament Roman city with temples, baths, and a black basalt theater. Drive along the Jordan Valley, with Jordan on our east and the Mountains of Samaria on our west, past the oasis of Old Testament Jericho where Joshua led Israel in the siege of the city, and down to the Dead Sea. This is the lowest place on Earth and the site where John was baptized in Jordan at the mouth of the Sea. We will view and discuss the location of ancient Gilgal, Israel’s largest all Jewish city in history; on our right will be the awesome Wilderness of Judea. We will then visit Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered by a Bedouin boy. Our guide will share discoveries relating to Essene Qumran. We’ll overlook the ancient oasis of Ein Gedi (the Goat’s Rocks), where David hid from King Saul in the caves.. Drive south along the Dead Sea to our resort hotel. Overnight, Novotel, Dead Sea.

Wilderness of Judea/Massada/Jerusalem

This morning we have the option to depart at daybreak and taxi to Masada to hike to the top. The rest of us will take the bus to the Capernaum Golan Heights Qumran cable car and ride to top at 8:00am or stay at the hotel to enjoy the spas. Masada is the most important mountain in Israel’s history. Learn the incredible story of the Jewish Freedom Fighters who held out against the Romans in 73A.D. The story of the struggle, the excavations, and the view from the top is one unforgettable highlight of our tour. Drive to Beer Sheva to see the excavation of Tel Sheva, a watering hole for Abraham’s sheep. Beer Sheva is the town most closely associated with the Patriarchs: Isaac and Jacob lived here and Abraham gave it its name – The Well of the Oath – for it was here that he made his covenant with Abimelech. We will drive through Gat, Valley of Ellah, up onto the Golden City, Jerusalem. Overnight, Grand Court Hotel, Jerusalem.

The Holy City of Jerusalem

From the Mount of Olives our guide will share the geography and history of Jerusalem. This vivid lecture overlooks where it happened, the Kidron Valley, the Temple Area, and The Holy City. Descending the Mount of Olives by the path of Jesus’ Triumphant Entry into the Kidron Valley, visit Garden of Gethsemane discussing Jesus’ suffering and his “Passion Week.” Before us is the Golden Gate of the Temple Area, as when Jesus gave the Olivet Discourse in Matthew 24. We’ll then visit the House of Caiphas, the place of Jesus’ early trials when Peter denied Him. We’ll then view the Valley of the Cheesemaker, the Valley of Hinnon, the Field of Blood, where Judas took his life, Gehennah, and the Ophel, King David’s capital city. We’ll then visit Mount Zion, including a visit to David’s Tomb and the Upper Room, the traditional site of Jesus’ last Passover meal, or the Lord’s Supper. We’ll then enter the city through Jaffa Gate and visit the Citadel Museum of Herod’s Palace at “David’s Tower.” In the afternoon drive to Bethlehem, Shepherds fields. Overnight, Grand Court Hotel, Jerusalem.

Jerusalem Old City

Today we’ll discover more of the Old City of Jerusalem. First we’ll explore the Rabbinical Tunnels behind the Western Wall. We’ll see Gethsemane, David’s Citadel then see the Temple Mount Visit the Lions’ Gate and the Pools of Bethesda. We’ll then visit the Tower of Antonia, the Praetorium, and Pilate’s Judgment Hall. Here our Lord was tried by Pilate, beaten by the Roman Cohort, and took up His Cross for Calvary. The Ecce Homo begins the traditional Via Dolorosa leading to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Visit the Jewish Quarter including the Cardo, the Temple Institute, the Herodian Quarter, the Burnt House, and Nehemiah’s Wall. Afterwards we’ll explore the Southern Wall Excavations and depart the old city by the Dung Gate. We will conclude the day with a Special Service at the Garden Tomb. Overnight, Grand Court Hotel, Jerusalem.

Jerusalem-New City-departure

This morning we’ll be exploring the New City of Jerusalem. First we’ll visit the Knesset, Israel’s Parliament, and the Bronze Menorah in front of the building. We’ll also see the Model of First Century Jerusalem from the Holyland Hotel. We’ll also explore the exhibits at the Israel Museum all the way to the Shrine of the Book, home to the Dead Sea Scrolls We’ll finish our day with a visit to Yad Vashem Holocaust memorial and museum. This evening we’ll enjoy a Farewell Meal in a restaurant. Transfer to the airport for your flight home.

En route

Early morning arrival in Atlanta. Board your flight back home to Rapid City.