Follow our adventures as these men and women of God experience the land of the Bible for the first time!

Our blog will be filled with great pics and special insights as we visit the various biblical and historical sites.  Hear about the beautiful hotels, fabulous restaurants, and special people we get to meet as well.

Read as our group discovers that once you visit Israel, You Will Never Be The Same!

On the Web: www.visittoisrael2010.com / Facebook: Israel Trip 2010

What a powerful experience that was as we studied the  scriptures, sang and prayed throughout Israel! Each of the pastors returned  from Israel spiritually recharged and committed to return with their congregation.

The trip was deemed a success and the  Government of Israel has asked me to host another group of 10 mega-church pastors and their wives an Educational Study Tour of Israel, January 26 –  February 3, 2010. This tour is complimentary and is designed  exclusively for pastors of mega-churches and their spouses who meet the  following criteria.

* Senior Pastor of a congregation with a peak  attendance of 2500+ in 2009

* Senior Pastor who has never been to Israel before or  has not been to Israel for at least 20 years

* Senior Pastor who has satisfactorily completed and  returned the attached profile prior to December 1, 2009 (mailing  instructions below)

If  you have ever traveled to the Holy Land, you know how significant a journey of  this nature can be. I am anxious to return with 10 more Christian leaders and  introduce them to the Israel I love. Please share this opportunity with any  pastors you know who may qualify.

Should you or they have any questions,  please feel free to contact me. My contact details appear below.  

mark@infinityconcepts.net

Thank you for your consideration and assistance.

Shalom  and God bless.

Mark

• The people in our group were all wonderful.  It is easy to see why God has raised them up to be significant leaders and pastors.
• The accommodations were absolutely delightful.
• All of the food was outstanding.  The beauty, the abundance, and the quality are beyond words.
• Our guide, Tsion Ben-David was amazing.  His knowledge, his energy, and his resilient spirit are remarkable.
• The itinerary was demanding – but the experience was well worth the long days and short nights.
• The presence of God among the group as we shared biblical experiences together was memorable.

Everyone in the group says the same thing:  Now that they have visited Israel, they will never be the same!  And they are all going back… Perhaps you will go with them.

If you do – You’ll never be the same!

Then we went to the Upper Room where Dr. Larry Macon taught us from the scriptures… When you hear something, and you see something, and you feel something, you ought to say something! – based on Acts 2.

Then we began our journey back in time…

We entered the old city through the Zion Gate, still riddled with bullet holes from the War of Independence in 1948.  Then we walk through the Jewish Quarter that has been restored since the 1967 war.

Down a few steps and we are in the Byzantine Era Cardo (main street).  This section, a portion of which is lined with modern shops, goes back to the 4th century.

After a few informative stops, and a brief lunch break, we continue to make our way back in time and visited the Western Wall, the Southern Temple Steps and the Davidson Center.  These steps are authentic and from the time of Christ.  Jesus and his disciples walked these very steps.

From there we exit the Old City through the Dung Gate – cross the street and go back another 1000 years to the City of David, an active excavation site.  We walk through the Canaanite tunnels and end at the Pool of Siloam, where Jesus cured the bliend man.

Instead of climbing back up the hill, we were fortunately met by the bus that drove us to Bethlehem.  We had to cross the border into the Palestinian Authority. Because our bus was owned by an Arab Israeli bus company the bus could go through but our Israeli guide could not.  We picked up a new Palestinian guide – Aybee.

In Bethlehem we went to Manger Square and visited the Church of the Nativity. This church is very old – from Crusader times.  The altar is ornately decorated inside this ancient church.

Soon, we left Bethlehem and drove to the hotel.  There, we changed before attending “The Night Spectacular” light and sound show at David’s Citadel… followed by dinner at the Olive and Fish Restaurant.

What a day!

We turned right and headed toward the Loins Gate (or St. Stephen’s Gate) but stopped just before to visit the Pools of Bethesda and St Anne’s Church.  In the church I lined all of out group up like a choir and we sang How Great Thou Art in the marvelous acoustics of the sanctuary. A Doctor of Music who is on sabbatical from her university post in London happened to be in the church while we were there and captured us singing and we kind enough to send us a recording.  She asked if we were a choral group! Not bad for an impromptu song.  Singing at St. Annes Church

At the Pools of Bethesda Bishop James Dixon shared from the Bible.  It was here Jesus healed the lame man.

We then walked the Via Dolorosa and discussed all 14 Stations of the Cross.  We started at the Antonia Fortress with a devotion by Ralph Sigler.  We ended at the Church of the Holy Seplucher.  While we all recognize the historic significance of this structure, it did not resonate with our group of Evangelical leaders.

We walked through the Old City to the Jaffa Gate and boarded our bus which took us to Ben Yehuda Street for lunch and a short time of shopping.  No trip to Israel would be complete without a little shopping time.

Then we drove to the Garden Tomb, located near the Damascus Gate to the Old City.  Our guide told us the story of the Garden and the reasons why they believe this might be the place where Jesus was crucified, buried, and rose again.

After visiting the empty tomb, I led the group in a short devotional time pulling together all we had experienced together during the past 6 days and we shared communion.

Afterwards, I invited everyone just to spend some time in the Graden before we left.  We had the opportunity to meet Christian people from other parts of the world. It was a very special time.

As we ended this very full day, we headed back to our hotel for our final dinner together.  As we sat around the table we were all filled with mixed feelings – happy to be there, but sad it was coming to an end.

After dinner we headed to the airport.  Even though we received VIP treatment, the security at Ben Gurion Airport is very high and very strict (probably why Israel is one of the safest places on earth). It took a little while to clear security (6 separate checkpoints), but we all made it through without incident and settled into our seats on the plane for our twelve hour flight home.

After Shawn Thornton shared some thoughts on top of the Mount of Olives, we began to walk down the Palm Sunday Road toward Jerusalem.  We stopped halfway down at Dominus Flavit – the church that commemorates where Jesus wept over Jerusalem.  Rick Scarborough shared a devotion there.  Then, we continued our walk down the hillside past the Mount of Olives cemetary to the Garden of Gethsemane.  After visiting the Church of All Nations and the small garden near the church, we received special access into another part of the Garden that was gated and quiet.  There, Donn Chapman shared his heart.

Next we boarded our bus and drove across town to the Israel Museum where Tsion showed us the Model of Jerusalem as it was in the 1st century AD (or CE for Common Era – as is typically stated in Israel).  Next we went to the Shrine of the Book and saw the 2000 year old scroll found at Qumran, where we had been the day before.

Next, I left the group to have a short meeting at the offices of the Ministry of Tourism while they went to Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial.  I met up with the group again at the office of the Mayor of Jerusalem.  We had a brief but delightful meeting with the Mayor, Nir Barkat – a special treat.

Next back to our hotel to quickly change then back on the bus for dinner at Bahazer Restaurant with two representatives from the Israel Ministry of Tourism.  Back to the hotel to sleep a few hours before our next adventure.

But I have to say that as good as it is to be back home, it’s sad to be away from Israel. I’m already looking forward to going back in about 5 months.

Ann and I had already scheduled a trip prior to this one so this gracious opportunity provided by the Israel Department of Tourism was a God-thing. Wow! How it prepared us for our own trip next year.

And what a great group to travel with . . . and they were all Pastors and their wives. We had a ball together . . . we laughed . . . shared stories . . . shared ministries . . . shed tears . . . and even joked with each other. Thanks to all of you for making it a fantastic group.

I love Mark and Susie . . . what great leaders for our team. Hearts of gold and wonderful insights at the various locations we visited. Thanks guys for being so loving.

Our guide . . . what can I say . . . “Follow me please . . .” will be etched into my mind for a long time. Tsion was just awesome . . . a walking encyclopedia . . . a very fast walking one at that. How one little guy can know so much . . . I’m amazed. I really hope we can connect again in the near future.

And thanks to the Israel Department of Tourism for providing this wonderful journey. What a gracious gift! It prepared us for the trip we will lead and it gave us a great platform from which to speak more intelligently to the people we will be leading.

Every Christ follower should visit the land of Israel. Here are my top 3 reasons:

1. The Bible will come alive. As I read the Bible and resume my responsibilities to teach God’s Word, the places and events will jump off the page at me and add a whole new dimension.

2. You get to see what Jesus saw and walk where Jesus walked. You are transported back into time. For example sitting on the Mt. of Beatitudes and seeing what Jesus saw as He taught . . . you get the picture!

3. You’ll never be the same. I’m such a fallible human being but being in Israel has opened the door of my heart just a bit wider to God’s work in my life. What He did there in my heart I’ll carry for a long time and I’m sure He’ll use it to continue His work in me.

It’s good to be home . . . I can’t wait to go back.

Here are a few of my favorite pics:

Our boat ride on the Sea of Galilee

The Mount of Beatitudes with the Sea of Galilee in the backgroud

Floating on the Dead Sea . . . and I can’t even swim!

The empty tomb . . . except for a couple of our group members

Exact place? Who knows and it doesn’t really matter . . . the right Person . . . that matters . . . that makes the difference . . . that makes all the difference!

But what a rush . . . to know that you are literally within feet or yards of where the stone was rolled away . . . where Jesus walked out . . . and where the angels announced He is not here!

In a few hours I won’t be here any longer either . . . the good Lord willing I will return again to this amazing land . . . without a doubt Jesus will! Everything else He predicted has come true and so will this. Come quickly Lord Jesus!