"We Care" Pastors' Tour to Israel

Special 10 Day Pastors’ Familiarization Tour to the Holy Land

Led by Rev. Richard Saxon - February, 18 - 26, 2009

Dear pastor friend,

I would like to invite you and your spouse on a tour of the Holy Land that you will never forget. This tour, ("WE CARE" HOLY LAND TOUR), is a 10 day familiarization tour that will be absolutely packed with sights, special interests points, and concentrated instruction not included on an ordinary tour. With the assistance of one of the most experienced veteran guides in Israel, and as an experienced host, we promise that not one moment will be waisted. But please know that because of the rising fuel charges and the lowering value of the American dollar, you will probably never have this opportunity again for such a great price. Be sure to get your deposit in as
quick as possible to hold your place.

Sincerely, your tour host to Israel,

Rev. Richard Saxon

Imagine walking along the ancient corridors of Old Jerusalem - exactly where Jesus walked 2000 years ago. Floating in the Dead Sea, viewing the Dead Sea Scrolls, crossing the Sea of Galilee, baptize in the Jordan River and reading the Scripture while overlooking the fields of Bethlehem..

it's all waiting for you to experience!

Day-By-Day Tour Itinerary

Day 1 - Wednesday, February 18, 2009   U.S.A Departure

Today we embark on our Journey to the Holy Land. Delta flight departs Atlanta at 10:40 pm. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight…Tomorrow you will be walking where Jesus walked!  Overnight onboard

Day 2 - Thursday February 19, 2009 Arrival - Welcome to Israel

We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport (flight arrives around 5:20 pm) where you will be met by our   airport representative to assist you through security & customs. At the arrival hall you will meet Ruthi Geva - your Israeli tour guide and your bus driver. We will ascend to Jerusalem, the Holy City of Zion. Upon arriving in Jerusalem, experience a breathtaking panoramic view of Jerusalem from the Haas Promenade. Continue to our hotel for check in. Introduction & welcome dinner. Free time to rest, relax and enjoy your first evening in Jerusalem.  Overnight: Regency hotel- Jerusalem

Day 3 - Friday, February 20, 2009   Old City Jerusalem

Today we walk where Jesus walked; following breakfast we will begin our first day of touring and head to the top of the Mount of Olives and stand where our Lord ascended into heaven (Acts 1).  From the Mount of Olives we take in a breathtaking view of the city across the Kidron Valley to the Eastern Gate which is blocked up and shut where the Prince of Peace will enter.  (Ezekiel 44)  We will pass by Pater Noster Church and visit Dominus Flevit where “the Lord wept” as he beheld the Holy City, knowing that it would be destroyed. ”without one stone standing on another.”  (Luke 19)  We’ll take the Palm Sunday Road down to the Garden of Gethsemane where we will see olive trees that date back to the time of Christ. Next we visit St. Peter in Gallicantu, the site of Caiaphas the high priest's house (John 18) where Jesus was scourged.  See a likely pit where Jesus was held for the evening and the ancient hillside steps he walked as He was taken to be condemned.   We will enter the Old City through the St. Stephen’s Gate to sing in the St. Anne Church (an 11-second echo!) and pray for healing by the Pool of Bethesda.  We will start our walk along the Stations of the Cross, to visit the Judgment Hall of Pilate, hear of those who conspired against Him and are reminded of His brutal beating and humiliation.  While walking along the Via Dolorosa, we are reminded of His way of suffering along with a visit to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher.  In late afternoon we visit the Garden Tomb we celebrate the resurrection with communion and a time of praise (Luke 23). We end the touring day by the western wall to experience the holiness of this important place as hundreds of Jews are welcoming the entrance of the Shabbat by praying at the western wall. Return to the hotel for dinner.

Overnight: Regency hotel - Jerusalem

Day 4 - Saturday, February 21, 2009   Old City Jerusalem and Bethlehem

After breakfast we will drive to Mt. Zion and worship in the Upper Room (Luke 22) - the traditional site, where Jesus instituted the Lord’s supper and where later Thomas cried, "My Lord & my God. “  We will head on to the New City, via the Knesset (the Israeli Parliament) and visit the Israel Museum, hosting a scale model of the city set in New Testament Times, including the Second Temple, and the Shrine of the Book where the Dead Sea Scrolls collection displays the authenticity of God's eternal Word. After lunch, we will head on to Bethlehem, to visit Rachel’s Tomb and visit the Church of the Nativity (Luke 2: 1-7). We venture out to Shepherd’s Field, referenced in Luke 2:8-20, where an angel appeared to announce the birth of Jesus. Return to the old city to walk through the colorful Christian Quarter Market and pass by David’s Citadel to the Jaffa Gate. Overnight: Regency hotel - Jerusalem

Day 5 - Sunday, February 22, 2009   New City Jerusalem

Following breakfast, we begin the day with a visit to the Southern Steps”, the archaeological reconstruction of the Temple Steps where Jesus walked so often. From here Jesus entered the Temple Mount and drove out the vendors and money changers who were exploiting the people. It is also likely that this is the place that Peter stood and preached and where thousands were saved and baptized on the Day of Pentecost.  We will visit the Temple Mount if visits are allowed.  Then on to the fascinating Rabbinical Tunnels, running along the base of the Western Wall and leading us through the Second Temple era.  The tunnel and exhibit give a clear understanding of the amazing construction of the Temple Mount , giant stones, water supply and Roman street where our Lord was led to judgment.  We will head to the Jewish quarter. Walking through the Jewish quarter we will visit the Cardo, the Hurva Synagogue and the Temple Institute. Enjoy the local bazaar of the old city. We will end the day at the Holocaust Museum -Yad Vashem.  Return to the hotel for dinner and enjoy our last evening in Jerusalem.  Overnight: Regency hotel- Jerusalem

Day 6 - Monday, February 23, 2009  From Jerusalem to the Sea of Galilee

Following breakfast, we will leave the city of Jerusalem and travel to the lowest place on earth - the Dead Sea. One of our stops will be Qumran, site of the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls and an ancient Essene community. We will continue past the shores of the Dead Sea and arrive at Masada, the spectacular mountaintop fortress built by Herod, famous for being the last stronghold of the Jewish rebellion against the Romans. From the top of Masada, the Roman camps and siege ramps can be seen. Than we will visit the oasis of Ein Gedi, where David hid in a cave when running from Saul (1 Samuel 23). It was here that David composed several of the Psalms. We will drive through the Jordanian valley and the city of Jericho to the ancient city of Beth Shean for an overview of this remarkable archeological site. It was here that after defeating Saul and his sons on Mount Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beth Shean (1 Samuel 31). Continue on to the Galilee and drive to the Sea of Galilee to our lovely kibbutz Hotel on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Before check in we will take a breathtaking view of the Sea of Galilee. Check in and dinner. Overnight: Kibbutz Maagan - Sea of Galilee

Day 7 - Tuesday, February 24, 2009  Around the Sea of Galilee - Jesus early ministry

Today we will experience the area of Jesus’ early ministry around the Sea of Galilee. After breakfast we will drive along the western shore of the Sea of Galilee to visit the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Continue to Tabgha - the site of the Feeding of the 5,000 & Primacy of Peter. Continue on to the 2000 year old remains of Capernaum (Luke 4). Here we can stand in what is left of the synagogue in which Jesus ministered. It was from this city that Jesus did most of his Galilean ministry, where he performed many miracles, and where Peter's mother-in-law lived and was healed. After lunch we will board a wooden boat and sail on the Sea of Galilee. At Kibbutz Ginosar we will visit the ancient boat from the time of Jesus. We will end this remarkable at Yardenit – the baptismal site on the Jordan River. Drive back to the hotel for Dinner. Overnight: Kibbutz Maagan-Sea of Galilee

Day 8 - Wednesday, February 25, 2009  Golan Heights / Caesarea Philippi / Dan

Today we drive up to the Golan Heights to the peak of Har Bental, where we can view Mt. Hermon. Here you can enter army bunkers and take in a panoramic view at the crossroads of three countries. From this point we can see across the Golan Plateau bordering with Syria and observe the abandoned Syrian city of Kuneitra and the U.N. outpost located nearby. Visit Banias - ancient Caesarea Philippi, where Jesus said on this rock I will built my Church . We will continue down to the tranquil Dan natural reservation. A fascinating look at the ancient city of Dan gives us an opportunity to view the high place of the city, condemned by the Hebrew prophets of old. We conclude this day by visiting the ancient synagogue of Corazim.  Corazim was a settlement from the time of Jesus and was mentioned in the New Testament (Matthew 11:20). Return to the hotel for dinner Overnight: Kibbutz Maagan - Sea of Galilee

Day 9 - Thursday, February 26, 2009   From the Galilee to Tel Aviv and departure

Our final day in Israel begins with a visit to the city of Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, Then on to Megiddo and the Valley of Armageddon (Revelation 16), site of the final battle.  After exploring magnificent archaeological excavations at Megiddo we go through the famous water tunnel through the mount to our bus which awaits us at the other side. Then visit Mt. Carmel site of Elijah’s prayer and fire from heaven on the top of Mount Carmel. Proceed to Caesaria - the remnants of the city and ancient port built by Herod the Great. It is here that Cornelius the Centurion and his household were saved and baptized (Acts 10), and it was also where Paul made his defense before Festus and King Agrippa prior to his final journey to Rome (Acts 25 & 26). We will arrive in the evening to Tel-Aviv and celebrate the end of our tour with a great farewell dinner at a Middle Eastern restaurant. From here a short drive to the airport for our flight back to the U.S. (Delta flight departs at 11:25pm).

Day 10 - Friday, February 27, 2009   Arrival in the U.S.

Arrive this morning (around 5:40am) back in Atlanta and start planning your next trip to the Holy Land........

* Remember to bring your Bible and Notepad as we study the Scriptures at each site identified in the Bible