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Israel Study Tour with Ada Bible Church
July 24 - August 4, 2023
Led by Brad Holmes
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Trip Blog Posts
Day 09 - Jerusalem: Mount of Olives, Gethsemane, St. Anne’s Church, Pools of Bethesda, Israel Museum, Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Farewell Dinner
posted on Thursday August 03 2023 at 6:00 pm UTC
Our last day in Israel began with 15 more minutes of sleep than normal, a good breakfast, and a devotional reading of Psalm 114. We also took a few minutes to share what had brought us joy and laughter on this trip. Answers varied from locations visited, to silly pictures taken, to goofy...
Day 08 - Jerusalem: City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Davidson Center, Southern Steps, Yad Vashem
posted on Wednesday August 02 2023 at 8:00 pm UTC
“I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.‘ Our feet are standing in your gates, Jerusalem" (Psalm 122:1-2). We once again began our day overlooking the city from the hotel’s terrace as Pastor Ben led our devotional. He read Psalm 122 as we recalled...
Day 07 - Jerusalem: Temple Mount, Western Wall, Rabbinic Tunnels, Bethlehem, Herodium
posted on Tuesday August 01 2023 at 9:00 pm UTC
We began our first full day in Jerusalem, overlooking the city with a reading from Luke 19:28-41. This passage describes Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where his followers praise him, but he weeps over the city. Jerusalem was a challenging place for Jesus. It’s still a challenging...
Day 06 - Galilee – Jerusalem: Beth She’an, Megiddo, Mt. Carmel, Caesarea Maritima
posted on Monday July 31 2023 at 7:00 pm UTC
Although resolutely headed for Jerusalem as our terminus for Day 6 of the trip, we began with a devotional by Pastor Brad Holmes on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. Calling our attention to the hills high above us to the east, Brad told of two visits to this area (the Decapolis or Ten Cities) by Jesus....
Day 05 - Galilee: Katzrin, Mt. Bental, Caesarea Philippi, Tel Dan
posted on Sunday July 30 2023 at 8:00 pm UTC
“One generation commends your works to another; they tell of your mighty acts” Psalm 145:4. Unique and unexpected experiences filled our day, in good ways! We looked again at the importance and power of community. God didn’t intend for us to live our faith in isolation. We’re...
Day 04 - Galilee: Capernaum, Mt Arbel, Tabgha, Chorazin, Ancient Boat (Ginosar), Galilee Boat Ride, Sea of Galilee
posted on Saturday July 29 2023 at 9:00 pm UTC
“And rising very early in the morning, while it was still dark, he departed and went out to a desolate place, and there he prayed” (Mark 1:35). Shabbat Shalom! If you ask us which day on this tour was our favorite, we will likely reply, “Every day!” but today will...
Day 03 - Negev: Ein Gedi, Qumran, Lower Jordan
posted on Friday July 28 2023 at 11:00 pm UTC
“Let anyone who is thirsty come to me and drink. Whoever believes in me, as the Scripture has said, rivers of living water will flow from within them” (John 7:37-38). After two days in the desert, today was all about water. From the waterfalls of Ein Gedi to the famed Jordan River to waves...
Day 02 - Negev: Masada — Bedouin Hospitality — Tel Arad — Dead Sea
posted on Thursday July 27 2023 at 10:00 pm UTC
“Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the wasteland” Isaiah 43:18-19 Day 2 will be one we remember for the rest of our lives!...
Day 01 - Shephelah: Kiriath Jearim, Bet Shemesh, Azekah, Bet Guvrin/Maresha, Dead Sea
posted on Wednesday July 26 2023 at 6:00 pm UTC
“All those gathered here will know that it is not by sword or spear that the Lord saves; for the battle is the Lord’s and he will give all of you into our hands.” 1 Samuel 17:47. Welcome to Day 1! Today we explored caves, cisterns and battle sites between the Israelites...
Day 00 - ARRIVAL
posted on Wednesday July 26 2023 at 12:00 am UTC
Travel Day: Grand Rapids – Chicago – Istanbul – Tel Aviv. Shalom! Thank you for following our trip through the Holy Land and for your prayers as we step “in the text” of Scripture. We have safely arrived in Tel Aviv after a day (or 2…we’ve lost...
Preparing for Israel
posted on Monday July 24 2023 at 4:48 pm UTC
Our trip will be here before you know it! Once we're on the ground we'll post periodic updates and photos. Check back often or get update notifications using the subscribe options on this page. We'll be sharing our travel experiences online with you, our friends and family, to not only bring you...