Pastors Pat and Mike Abendroth are excited to be teaming up to lead a tour to Israel. Not only will the tour take you to the most strategic locations history has ever known, it will be accompanied by insightful biblical explanations and devotions. It is safe to say that you will never read your Bible the same way once you have experienced this tour. The ten day trip to Israel (2.15.11-2.24.11) will be followed by an optional three day extension to Egypt. This extension will include things like the Red Sea, Mount Sinai, and the Pyramids.

Check out the itinerary, the “Getting Yourself Ready” section, mark your calendar, and let me you if you are interested.  Downpayments will not be requested until we are one year away. But sign ups will fill.

To view pictures from a recent study tour taken by Pat Abendroth with the Master's Seminary you can click here or here.

Complete Itinerary

Day 1: Departure from US -- Today we embark on our Journey to the Holy Land. Prepare yourself for a life-changing experience. Get some rest on the flight…Tomorrow you will be walking where Jesus walked!

Day 2: Arrive Israel -- We arrive at Ben Gurion Airport where we will be met by our Israeli guide who will accompany us during our entire stay in Israel. We travel northward to our hotel for one night in the coastal area near Tel Aviv. The remainder of the day is free to walk along the Mediterranean, relax, and have dinner. Our guide will conduct our day’s devotional with the sunset over the “Great Sea.” We will enjoy a time of prayer of thanks for safety and the special blessings ahead, a prayer for the people of this land, and a good night’s rest.

Day 3: Caesarea, Megiddo & Nazareth -- After breakfast, we travel by private motor coach along the coast of the Mediterranean Sea toCaesarea, where Gentiles first heard the Good News from Peter and were baptized. See the Roman Amphitheatre and aqueduct. Then we’ll journey on to Mt. Carmel, where Elijah hid from King Ahab, and through the Jezreal Valley to Megiddo, where archaeologists have unearthed 20 levels of civilization. We continue on through the area of Cana and Nazareth, the boyhood home of Jesus, where we visit the Nazareth Village - a wonderful recreation of Biblical times with costumed guides. We will have dinner and overnight lodging for the next two nights in the Tiberias area on the Sea of Galilee.

Day 4: Capernaum, Dan, Caesarea Philippi & Mount of Beatitudes -- Following breakfast, our morning travels take us to two valuable northern sites emphasizing the loss of God's blessing on Israel. Dan is where the children of Israel fell to the depths of pagan worship andCaesarea Philippi which is also the site of Peter’s Confession. In order to save valuable time, a box lunch will be provided. In Capernaumwe will visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue and Peter’s home. Then we travel on to the site of the multiplication of loaves and fishes and the Mount of the Beatitudes overlooking the Sea where our guide will reenact Jesus’ famous “Sermon on the Mount.” A relaxing cruise on the Sea of Galilee with easy viewing of the nearby Golan Heights brings to life the experiences of the fishermen disciples and a conclusion to a wonderful day.

Day 5: Jordan River Baptism Site, Beth Shean & Dead Sea -- We begin our day with a visit to the Jordan River Baptismal site. Next we travel southward to Beit-Shean/Scythopolis, the most magnificent archeological site in Israel, located at the strategic juncture of the Jezreel and Jordan valleys. Like Jericho, it has been almost continuously occupied throughout history. After defeating Saul and his sons on Mt. Gilboa, the Philistines hanged their bodies on the walls of Beit-Shean. (1 Sam 31:10-12) During the intertestamental period, the city was renamed the "Scythopolis". Archaeologists have uncovered a huge number of ruins of the Roman/Byzantine Scythopolis. During the time of Jesus, Scythopolis was one of the chief cities of the Decapolis--a league of ten cities sharing Greek culture and government. As we travel along we will view the oldest city in the world - Jericho, before coming to our lodging for the evening at theDead Sea. Spend time in the special spa and enjoy a dip in the Dead Sea for a relaxing float before dinner.

Day 6: Masada, Dead Sea Scrolls, Ein Gedi -- Our day begins with a cable car ride to the mountain top fortress of Masada. Here our guide will treat us to the history of the famous zealot stand. We'll visit Qumran Caves, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. Afterwards we proceed to Ein Gedi, "Spring of the Goat," an oasis on the western shore of the Dead Sea. Because of its warm climate and abundant supply of water, the site developed a reputation for its fragrant plants and date palm groves. This is where King David hid from Saul, and where God defeated the enemies of the Israelites by praise and worship led by King Jehoshaphat. (1 Sam 23:29; 24 Song of Songs 1:14). This evening we will take part in the Genesis Land/Dinner in Abraham's Tent, where we enjoy a trip back in time; a reliving of life in the time of the Patriarchs, complete with costume, dramatic presentation, and authentic food (this dinner subject to minimum numbers of 20 or more) Our lodging for the next four nights will be in Jerusalem.

Day 7: Jesus' Steps, the Last Days -- Today we walk where Jesus walked. Begin the day with a panoramic view of the city, Mount Moriah and the Dome of the Rock from atop the Mount of Olives and then the Garden of Gethsemane. How many have wished to be whisked back in time to get a glimpse of our Lord or hear His voice if only for a moment. To walk between the ancient olive trees, read the scriptures of Jesus' prayer and take time for personal reflection is important here. Next we visit the house of Caiaphas and the "Upper Room" where the disciple whom Jesus loved laid his head on His breast and where later Thomas cried; "my Lord & my God." From here we will see the ancient Roman Cardo, Arab marketplace, Herodian Mansion, Temple Institute and Western Wall.

Day 8: Around Jerusalem, Bible Times -- An interesting and educational day of touring awaits us today beginning at the Israeli Museum. Walk through collections of centuries old Israeli artifacts including the Dead Sea Scrolls, and a guided walk through an accurately detailed model of Biblical Jerusalem. Next, we visit the Southern Wall Excavations -This southern side of The Temple was the main entrance for the common folk, whereas the Priests and Levites had their own entrance from the higher, eastern side. Parts of the giant stairs, which led to the Temple Mount from the courtyard, have been unearthed. It is in this courtyard that Jesus likely drove out the vendors and money exchangers who were exploiting the people. It is also likely that this is where Peter stood and preached and where thousands were saved and baptized. On our way out of the city we will visit the Wailing Wall and then the fascinating Rabbinical Tunnels leading us through the Second Temple era.

Day 9: Way of Suffering, Garden Tomb -- This morning we enter the Old City through Stephen's Gate and visit the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus cured a cripple. We move on to 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, view the Church of the Sepulcher before we arrive at the climax of our tour - the Garden Tomb. Your faith, that blessed hope and communion with Christ, will take on a tremendous new meaning today. The remainder of your day is free to shop in the Arab Market or sightsee on your own. As an option, individuals can choose to travel and visit the Children's Exhibit of the Holocaust Museum

Day 10: Home -- A very early morning departure for the Tel Aviv Airport for our flight homeward will allow for arrival home by early afternoon.

Optional Egypt Extension:
Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of the group

Day 10: Red Sea & Mt. Sinai -- This morning we depart Jerusalem and travel southward to the Red Sea resort city of Eilat for lunch. This afternoon we retrace the route of the Exodus across the Sinai and learn of the terrain and the history of this region en-route. Arriving in the late afternoon to the hotel at the St Catherine Monastery we have dinner and be sure to rest for our early morning activity.

Day 11: Sinai, Suez Canal, Cairo -- Just into the new day we wake and depart for a memorable candle light walk up Mt. Moses for a sunrise to remember. Once at the top we have a short service and then depart down the mountain for breakfast. A westward route through the wilderness of the Sinai will bring us to the Suez Canal and then into Cairo. This afternoon we enjoy a brief city tour and free time at the famous Bazaar before settling in to our lodging for the next two evenings.

Day 12: Cairo- Pyramids and Museum -- An entire day of exploring the ancient treasures of Egypt awaits us today. We spend time at one of the seven wonders of the world- the pyramids. Cheops, with an original height of 496 feet, is the most colossal pyramid ever built. Today, we will also see the Sphinx and tour the Egyptian Museum, location of Tutankhamen’s treasures and ancient remains.

Day 13: Homeward -- Early today we depart Cairo Airport for our flight home.

Getting Yourself Ready

• 1. Mark Your Calendar (2.15.11-2.24.11)
• 2. Sign Up
• 3. Secure Passport
• 4. Get in Shape (you will walk LOTS!)
• 5. Read Your Bible
• 6. Save Your Money ($3300 estimated until 12 mos prior)
• 7. Start Looking at Your Bible's Maps