10 Day Trip to the Holy Land – 2022
Led by: Pastors Jamie Johnson and Dennis Cagle
Dates: May 31 – June 9, 2022
Pastor Dennis Cagle
Yael GroupFor thirty-seven years I have served the Lord and His church through pastoral and associational ministry. My heartbeat has always been to walk alongside believers as we advance God’s kingdom through any means possible. That desire has given me the opportunity to lead countless groups from multiple states around the world as volunteer missionaries.
Now we have an opportunity to travel together to the Holy Land. Studying the Holy Scripture for decades has produced a tremendous desire in my heart to visit the land that is at the center of it all. Soon I will have the pleasure of making this trip of a lifetime.
I am excited that I will be able to walk the same streets that Jesus walked and see the places where He changed lives and performed the miracles that we read about. There is no doubt that the scripture will come alive in new and fresh ways as we share these experiences together. Wouldn’t you like to go with me? Perhaps you’ve thought about it before, maybe you’ve said “someday.” It could be that this is the time. Why don’t you start now and plan to be a part of this inspirational and unforgettable trip? There is so much more for us to learn, so much more to experience.
I pray that God would open your heart and provide the means for you to join me. It will truly be an opportunity of a lifetime.
In His grip,
Dennis
Pastor Jamie Johnson
Yael GroupFor anyone who has studied the Bible very long, there is a good chance that visiting the Holy Land is something that has entertained their mind. For me, I had studied the Bible for many years before I had the opportunity to go. I had thought about it many times, but it just did not happen. In May 2017, I got my opportunity.
To say that it was worth it would be an understatement. On that trip, there were so many things that grabbed my attention. One of those had to do with the city of Jerusalem. As I stood on the Mount of Olives, I could see the old city of Jerusalem. The Temple Mount was right in front of me, just across the Kidron Valley. Below me was the Garden of Gethsemane. I did not realize that everything was so close. It was easy to visualize all of the events surrounding Jesus Passion. That was such a memorable trip.
Besides that trip, God opened the door for me to go a second time, and it was just as amazing. That second trip to the Holy Land was in January 2019. The wow factor was not there, so I felt that I took things in a little bit more. Just like 2017, we saw all of the important sites that you read about in Scripture. We were able to go on top of Mount Carmel, the place where Elijah challenged the false prophets 1 Kings 18. I had the opportunity to preach at Gideon Springs, and we visited the site where David killed Goliath. These are just a few of the amazing places that you will visit on the June 2022 trip to the Holy Land.
There is no way that I could get you to see just how special this trip would be for you. Before ever going, I would always hear this, “Visiting Israel will make the Bible come alive.” That is absolutely true. The touring company that we will be with is amazing. The tour guide is as good as it gets. You will come home completely changed, never reading the Bible the same again. I pray that God will lead you and provide the way for you to go to Israel with me.
Pastor Jamie Johnson
Flights
To be confirmed 11 months prior to departure.
Hotels
| City | Nights |
|---|---|
| Netanya | 1 night |
| Sea of Galilee or Nazareth | 2 nights |
| Jerusalem | 5 nights |
General Itinerary
Day 1 – Tuesday, May 31st, 2022 – Depart from the USA
Depart from the US to Tel Aviv. Dinner and breakfast will be served during the flight.
Day 2 – Wednesday, June 1st, 2022 – Arrive in Israel, Jaffa
Our representatives will meet you and walk you through customs. We’ll board our bus, then tour the city of Jaffa overlooking the Mediterranean Sea and visit St. Peter’s Church.
Dinner and overnight at our hotel in Netanya.
Day 3 – Thursday, June 2nd, 2022 – Caesarea / Mount Carmel / Nazareth / Cana
After breakfast we’ll visit the following sites:
Caesarea by the Sea to visit the Crusader Fortress built upon the ancient city of Caesarea, named after Augustus Caesar, who imposed the tax that brought Mary and Joseph to Bethlehem. Here we will visit an ancient Roman Amphitheatre, where the group can experience the acoustics of a structure built in the days of Christ.
Aqueduct of Caesarea. The Aqueduct brought running water to the old city of Caesarea, along a raised aqueduct. The source of the water was the springs of Shummi, 10KM away. Herod build the aqueduct in the 1st century BC. Later, in the 2nd century AD it was expanded by the Romans.
We proceed to Mount Carmel where Elijah issued his challenge to the False Prophets.
We will drive via the valley of Armagedon Tel Megiddo (Armageddon) to view one of the most important archaeological sites in Israel
Our next stop is Nazareth, the home of Jesus and where he spent his childhood. We will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation, which stands over the cave where the Angel Gabriel appeared before Mary to announce her conception of Jesus.
Visit the Franciscan Wedding Chapel in Cana, site of Jesus’ first miracle, before continuing on to Tiberias.
Dinner and overnight at our hotel at the Sea of Galilee
Day 4 – Friday, June 3rd, 2022 – The Galilee
Worship as you sail across the Sea of Galilee. Visit Capernaum, center of Jesus’ ministry in the Galilee, and visit the synagogue built on the site where Jesus taught (Matthew 4:13, 23). On the Mount of Beatitudes, contemplate the “Sermon on the Mount” (Matthew 5-7). Explore the Church of the Fish and the Loaves at Tabgha, traditional site of the feeding of the 5,000 (Luke 9:10-17). See the Chapel of the Primacy, where Peter professed his devotion three times to the risen Christ (John 21). In Magdala, once home to Mary Magdalene, visit a recently discovered first-century synagogue. Recall Jesus’ baptism by John the Baptist at the Jordan River.
Day 5 – Saturday, June 4th, 2022 – Yardenit baptismal site, Jericho, Mount of Olives
Today we will depart the Sea of Galilee, and we will arrive at Yardenit, the traditional baptismal site on the Jordan River.
Proceed via the Jordan Valley rift, stop in Jericho to view the ruins of the city conquered by Joshua (Joshua 6:1, 2, 20), in the distance you can also see the traditional site of the Temptation of Jesus (Matthew 4:1-11).
On our journey, we will stop at the site Qaser el-Yahud on the Jordan River where many believe Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist. This river borders the country of Jordan and Israel.
End your day with a group picture taken from the Mount of Olives, where Jesus ascended into heaven.
Day 6 – Sunday, June 5th, 2022 – Old City of Jerusalem
Our morning starts on the Mount of Olives with breathtaking panoramic view of Jerusalem. The day continues with visits to the sites that will helps us of understand the Lord’s prophecy about Jerusalem: The Chapel of Dominius Flevit, where Christ Prophesied the destruction of Jerusalem (Luke 18:41), The Garden of Gethsemane (Luke 22:39-53) and The Church of the Agony (Church of All Nations), the site where it is said that Judas betrayed Jesus
We will enter the old city walls to explore ancient Jerusalem at the Teaching Steps and the Western Wall. View the Pool of Bethesda where Jesus performed the Sabbath miracle (John 5:1-18). Sing a hymn in the Church of St. Anne and experience its rich acoustics. Visit Herod’s Antonia Fortress, where Jesus appeared before Pontius Pilate (Luke 23:1), and follow in Christ’s steps on the Via Dolorosa (“the Way of the Cross”). At the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, take time to reflect on His sacrificial love.
Dinner & overnight in Jerusalem
Day 7 – Monday, June 6th, 2022 – Jerusalem, Bethlehem
In Bethlehem, visit the cave revered as Jesus’ birthplace and see the Church of the Nativity constructed over the site (Matthew 28-25, Luke 2:1-7). Gaze out over Shepherds’ Field before returning to Jerusalem. Pray in the Garden of Gethsemane and envision the scenes of the night before Jesus’ crucifixion (Matthew 26:36 – 44). Continue to Mount Zion to visit the House of the High Priest Caiaphas, where Jesus was questioned the night of His betrayal (Matthew 26:57). Meditate on the events of the Last Supper as you visit the traditional location of the Upper Room (Mark 14:12-26).
Dinner & overnight in Jerusalem
Day 8 – Tuesday, June 7th, 2022 – Massada, Qumran, Dead Sea
Today you will visit Masada and the Dead Sea. Ascend by cable car to Masada, Herod’s legendary mountaintop fortress which became the last desperate stronghold of the Jewish Zealots against the Romans. You can still look down on the remains of the Roman camps and the siege ramp below.
Continue to Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered in 1947. (Acts 1:9-12).
End your day with a dip in the salt and mineral-laden waters of the Dead Sea.
Dinner & overnight stay in Jerusalem
Day 9 – Wednesday, June 8th, 2022 – Ein Karem, Yad Vashem, Garden Tomb
Travel to Ein Karem, birthplace of John the Baptist and where Mary visited Elizabeth (Luke 1:26-40). Explore the poignant exhibits of Yad Vashem, Israel’s Holocaust Memorial. Visit the Garden Tomb for a time of reflection and communion.
Dinner & overnight stay in Jerusalem
Day 10 – Thursday, June 9th – Departure, Arrival Back Home
We transfer to the airport for departure flight back to the US.
We return home full of rich and unforgettable memories. A common refrain is heard — is the trip really over? Can we start planning for our return visit?
- Schedules and/or local conditions may change while touring. Changes might be made in the order of the sites.