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Israel Study Tour with Crossroads Bible Church
June 20 - July 2, 2016
Led by rod vansolkema
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Trip Blog Posts
Study Tour Wrap Up
posted on Sunday July 03 2016 at 4:04 am UTC
Now that our study tour is complete hopefully you'll be able to talk to one of us in person about what we saw, heard, learned, and experienced! Below is a wrap up video that serves as a nice summary of the trip and a reminder of all that we did. Leave us a comment below or head over and like GTI...
Walking and knowing
posted on Friday July 01 2016 at 5:18 pm UTC
To sum up the last actual 10 days of hard (at least 7 miles a day) hiking, enlightening and poignant information about the text intersecting with the land, deep teaching on Jesus as our priest and profit (not to mention rabbi), and deep meditations on all we are experiencing is impossible. Basically...
What kind of king does my life emulate
posted on Thursday June 30 2016 at 9:18 pm UTC
We began the morning with a walk to and through Hezekiah’s Tunnel – an ancient underground water system built to ensure safety from enemies during times of war. It allowed Jerusalem to survive when Assyrians had conquered every other part of the country. For those of the team that are claustrophobic,...
Feet firmly planted on the narrow road
posted on Thursday June 30 2016 at 12:49 am UTC
An obvious theme for a trip to the Holy Land would be discipleship, and that theme has certainly resonated throughout our time here walking the path of the Bible and of Jesus. Today the meaning of discipleship hit us square in the face as we spent some time on two different roads. Do you remember Jesus...
You want me to go where?!
posted on Wednesday June 29 2016 at 1:40 am UTC
As day breaks on the Sea of Galilee, we are met with something we really haven’t seen on this trip since we left Michigan…clouds, not just overcast clouds, but what looks potentially like rain clouds! Our usual morning routine involves a quick breakfast, a quick devotional, and a group recitation...
Exploring The Ministry of Our One True Rabbi
posted on Tuesday June 28 2016 at 12:59 am UTC
Rest Location: Kibbutz of Ein Gev on The Sea of Galilee Sites Visited (Chronologically): 1. Mount Arbel 2. Tabgha (Catholic Church of the Primacy of Peter) 3. Capernaum 4. Chorazin 5. Bethsaeda In the time when Jesus walked, the land surrounding Galilee was rich in culture. The Kindgom of...
Mt Carmel / Caesarea / Nazareth
posted on Monday June 27 2016 at 12:54 am UTC
All of the spots that we were at today were of epic importance to our history. From all consuming fire coming down on Mt Carmel, to the sparkling marble Harbor of Caesarea, to finally getting to Nazareth; Jesus’ hometown. After a fairly grueling hike halfway up Mt Carmel, we got to really understand...
For what do we truly thirst?
posted on Sunday June 26 2016 at 12:50 am UTC
Today was our last day in the desert. We began it with a scorching endeavor into Engedi, the place where David hid from Saul in 1 Samuel 24. It is there where Saul brought 3,000 of his best men, or ‘Remmi’s as Rod calls them – after our Navy seal on the trip, to go after David and his men. The...
A marriage covenant
posted on Saturday June 25 2016 at 12:38 am UTC
Today we hiked up Timna in the Sinai desert. Our hike was up a shadeless rocky path that offered little relief from the sun. We were happy to find a small broom tree that offered us a bit of relief. We made our way up the sides of the mountain search for hand holds and places for our feet to land. We...
When I am weak, then I am Strong…
posted on Friday June 24 2016 at 12:38 am UTC
Masada: “In you Lord, I have taken refuge. Let me never be put to shame. Deliver me in your righteousness. Turn your ear to me. Come quickly to my rescue. Be my rock of refuge, a strong fortress to save me. Since you are my rock and my fortress, for the sake of your name, lead and guide me.” Psalm...
What it means "to know"
posted on Thursday June 23 2016 at 12:52 am UTC
Welp! Day 1 is in the books! It was a day full of sweat, dust, sweat, sunscreen, sweat, and I feel like I'm forgetting something...oh yea, sweat! The temperature was in the mid/high 90's all day and got over 100 as we descended toward The Dead Sea, the lowest place on Earth (approximately 1000 feet below...
A long flight ahead
posted on Monday June 20 2016 at 11:19 pm UTC
After many months of anticipation, our study tour is upon us! We'll be departing tonight evening on our two-leg journey to Israel. If you want to follow along with our flights, check out the links below. Chicago to Istanbul Istanbul to Tel Aviv ...
Preparing for Israel
posted on Tuesday May 31 2016 at 9:17 pm UTC
Our trip to Israel will be here before you know it! Once we're on the ground in Israel, 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,...