DAY 1 WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 29
ATLANTA / EN ROUTE TO ISRAEL
Today we are warmly welcomed by Pastor Dykes at the ATLANTA HARTSFIELD AIRPORT in Atlanta, GA. After check-in and security clearance, our Continental jet departs for a short “hop” to NEWARK before we transfer to our international flight. As we leave the US coastline behind, our pilgrimage “officially begins!” Our spirits will soar with prayerful expectations of all that awaits us in the 'Land of the Bible.' Complimentary meals are served on board.

DAY 2 THURSDAY, MARCH 1
BEN GURION AIRPORT / JOPPA / CAESAREA MARITIMA – CRUSADER FORTRESS – ROMAN THEATER – AQUEDUCT / TIBERIAS
Arrival at BEN GURION AIRPORT is anticipated at 9:25AM, local time. After passport control, our guide will greet and escort us to our awaiting driver and motor coach. We catch our first glimpse of Israel as we journey to ancient JOPPA (Jaffa) situated on the Mediterranean Sea – the oldest known port city. It was from here that Jonah sailed away from God’s will and into the belly of the waiting fish (Jonah 1:3) and Peter had his housetop vision at the home of Simon the Tanner (Acts 10:8). From the summit of Joppa, the city of Tel-Aviv lies before us – hugging the coastline! After lunch, we travel north to CASEAREA MARITIMA (Acts 25:4), where we’ll walk through the ruins of a CRUSADER FORTRESS and view the archeological remains of where Paul was imprisoned. We will walk along the newly excavated harbor – from where he sailed to Rome – and see the ROMAN THEATER where Paul stood before King Agrippa. We conclude our sightseeing with a brief stop at one of Herod's engineering masterpieces – an AQUEDUCT. From here we journey over the Galilean hills to TIBERIAS and arrive at our deluxe hotel. Before dinner, there’s time to walk along the Galilee, explore the many nearby shops or simply relax! Dinner and overnight are at the RIMONIM GALEI KINNERETH HOTEL nestled along the Sea of Galilee.

DAY 3 FRIDAY, MARCH 2
CANA / NAZARETH VILLAGE / MARY’S WELL / MUHRAKA ON MT. CARMEL / MEGIDDO / TIBERIAS
After a hearty breakfast, we drive west through the town of Cana where Jesus performed the first of his earthly miracles, turning water into wine. Our first stop is NAZARETH (Matt. 2:19-23), the boyhood home of Jesus. Here we will spend a few hours in the NAZARETH VILLAGE, a biblically authentic, recreated village designed to transport us back 2000 years to the time of Jesus’ childhood. We will walk through fields with locals in costume and visit a threshing floor and a vineyard. We will read scripture in the ancient synagogue and see a home like the one Jesus grew up in. Leaving the Nazareth Village, we’ll stop at MARY'S WELL,the same water source that Mary and young Jesus visited so often. As we depart Nazareth we make a brief stop at the traditional PRECIPICE (Luke 4:28-30), believed to be where the mob took Jesus with the intention of throwing Him from the cliff. Our journey continues to MUHRAKA (I Kings 18:18), on the Mt. Carmel range, where we remember Elijah's contest with the false prophets of Baal. Our final stop is at MEGIDDO (I Kings 9:15) where we enjoy the breath-taking panorama of the Jezreel Valley, the site of the coming battle of Armageddon. As we look across this ancient and future battlefield, we’ll read of Christ's Second Coming in all of His power and glory! Following Shabbat dinner tonight, we’ll gather in a conference room for introductions and testimonies! Overnight in TIBERIAS.

DAY 4 SATURDAY, MARCH 3
CHORAZIN / GOLAN HTS. / CAESAREA PHILIPPI / CAPERNAUM / CHURCH OF THE PRIMACY / TABGHA / MT. OF BEATITUDES / BAPTISM AT YARDENIT
This morning starts with breakfast while overlooking the Sea of Galilee! Our sightseeing begins with a drive north, stopping first at CHORAZIN, a village of Galilee in whose synagogue Jesus preached the gospel of the kingdom. We’ll visit the remains of that synagogue! If these stones could talk, they could tell us of His glory! Continuing north we make our way to CAESAREA PHILIPPI (Matt. 16:13-18) – now called Banias. Situated at the foot of Mt. Hermon, it is a source of the Jordan River and also the site where Peter made his ringing confession concerning Jesus Christ, "Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God!" After our worship service here we will return to the Galilee, traveling along the strategic GOLAN HEIGHTS. We pass the deserted landmark of Kuneitra, once the chief Syrian city of the Golan. After a “must have” fish lunch, CAPERNAUM (John 6:24) is our next stop to see the ruins of an ancient synagogue, the home of Peter, and much more! Nearby, we’ll stop at the CHURCH of the PRIMACY (John 21:15-17) and TABGHA (John 6:1) situated on the shore of the Sea of Galilee. This afternoon will be especially meaningful as we gather on the very hillside – the MOUNT of BEATITUDES (Matt. 5) – where Jesus delivered His renowned sermon. This wonderful day concludes with a memorable BAPTISMAL SERVICE in the Jordan River at YARDENIT. Dinner and overnight in TIBERIAS.

DAY 5 SUNDAY, MARCH 4
SEA OF GALILEE / MT. ARBEL / BEIT SHE'AN / EIN HAROD / DEAD SEA
Today begins with a boat ride on the SEA of GALILEE (Matt. 14:25). Once we're out on the lake we’ll turn off the engines for a wonderful worship service, remembering the many miracles that Jesus performed on these same waters. Landing at Nof Ginnosaur, we’ll see a two thousand year old fishing boat discovered in the mud shore of the Sea of Galilee! Could this be one of the very boats that Jesus sailed on…or walked to?! From here, we ascend MT. ARBEL for our final panoramic view of the entire Galilee region … be sure to bring your camera! Our next stop is BEIT SHE'AN (I Sam. 31:10), an amazing archaeological site where painstaking excavations and reconstruction are currently underway. This city, one of the Decapolis league, is remembered as the place where the Philistines hung the bodies of Saul and his son, Jonathan, upon the city walls. Then it's on to EIN HAROD (Gideon Springs – Judg. 7), where God reduced Gideon's army to a few valiant men who later defeated the Midianites. This afternoon we continue our drive south along the Jordan Valley to our luxury hotel on the Dead Sea. Take this opportunity to float in the waters which are so dense with minerals that it is impossible for you to sink. Dinner and overnight along the shore of the DEAD SEA at the LE MERIDIEN HOTEL.

DAY 6 MONDAY, MARCH 5
DEAD SEA / MASADA / EN GEDI SPRING / QUMRAN / JERICHO / JUDEAN WILDERNESS / JERUSALEM
This morning you will awaken in one of the finest hotels in the country offering breathtaking views of the Salt Sea. Drink in the view before coming down for a deluxe breakfast in the resort’s beautiful dining room. After check-out, we drive to MASADA, King Herod the Great's fortress/palace built in the middle of the desert. First we’ll learn the story of the Jewish zealots who chose death atop Masada in 73 AD rather than becoming slaves to their Roman conquerors. Then it’s off to the summit by cable car to view the exquisitely restored archeological remains of the palace complex. Next, we continue to the SPRINGS OF EN GEDI (I Sam. 23:29) where we will take a short hike to David’s Waterfall. It's here that David hid in caves from the murderous King Saul. En Gedi is also significant in Bible prophecy as the place where fishermen will dry their nets next to the Dead Sea in the coming kingdom of Jesus. Further north, we stop at QUMRAN, the place where Essene scribes hid ancient scrolls nearly 2,000 years ago. These parchments were discovered in 1947 in the greatest archaeological find of the twentieth century and became known as the Dead Sea Scrolls. From here we will travel to the oldest city in the world, Jericho! Here Jesus healed blind Bartimaeus and forgave that wee little man, Zacchaeus. While in Jericho we’ll climb to the top of Tel Jericho and remember the story of the marching Israelites and the falling walls. After a delicious lunch, we begin our Aliya, making our way to Jerusalem as we ascend through the JUDEAN WILDERNESS. Along the way, we'll stop for a service overlooking the 'Valley of the Shadow of Death' which David sang about in Psalm 23. This special day concludes with our first glimpse of JERUSALEM – The Golden City. Dinner and overnight at the deluxe DAN PANORAMA HOTEL in the heart of JERUSALEM.

DAY 7 TUESDAY, MARCH 6
SOUTHERN EXCAVATIONS / WESTERN WALL / TEMPLE MOUNT / RABBINIC TUNNEL / POOL OF BETHESDA / BETHLEHEM – CHURCH OF THE NATIVITY – SHEPHERDS’ FIELDS
After a sumptuous breakfast, we enter the Old City through the Dung Gate. Just inside the gate we’ll visit the SOUTHERN EXCAVATIONS of the Second Temple and stand on the ancient stairs that Jesus would have used to ascend to the Temple. Nearby, we visit the visible remnant of the Temple's WESTERN WALL, also known as the Wailing Wall. For it is here that the Jews lament the destruction of their Temple and pray for the coming of their Messiah. Subject to availability, we’ll ascend to the TEMPLE MOUNT. Though entering the mosques is prohibited, we can view the Mt. of Olives and the Eastern Gate. As we exit, we’ll walk through the narrow streets and circle back to the entrance of the RABBINIC TUNNEL system by which means the priests traveled from their homes to the Temple. Subject to availability, we’ll enter the tunnel to view ancient passages, arches, and cisterns as we walk on roman pavement stones over 2,000 years old! Upon exiting, we stop for a visit at the Church of St. Anne and the POOL of BETHESDA (John 5:1) where Jesus healed the lame man. A short stroll brings us to St. Stephen's Gate through which we will exit to meet our bus. This afternoon we'll journey south to BETHLEHEM (Micah 5:2 / Luke 2:1) to visit the CHURCH of the NATIVITY, the holiest site of Christendom, built over the traditional location of Christ's birth. After lunch in a Bedouin style tent, we will visit the SHEPHERDS' FIELDS where we’ll read and reflect on Luke 2 which relates the joyful announcement of Jesus’ birth. Dinner and overnight in JERUSALEM.

DAY 8 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 7
KING DAVID’S TOMB / UPPER ROOM / CARDO / BURNT HOUSE / THIRD TEMPLE INSTITUTE / NEHEMIAH’S WALL / YAD VASHEM / SHRINE OF THE BOOK – MODEL CITY
Our tour begins today on Mount Zion as we visit the TOMB of KING DAVID and the traditional UPPER ROOM (Mark 14:12). Next we enter through the Zion Gate into the Jewish Quarter where our first stop will be the CARDO, the ancient marketplace. Nearby, we pass by a remnant of Nehemiah's Wall on our way to the BURNT HOUSE. Once belonging to a temple priest, it's a vivid illustration of the destruction of Jerusalem in 70AD. From here it's a short walk through the narrow streets to the THIRD TEMPLE INSTITUTE where rabbis, goldsmiths, weavers and artisans are creating authentic Temple utensils based on Biblical, Talmudic and archeological research to be used in the future Third Temple. Our descent to the Dung Gate will provide plenty of photo ops of the Temple Mount and the Western Wall! This afternoon, we travel to YAD VASHEM, Israel’s memorial to the Holocaust. Spend time touring this brand new complex with its Children’s Pavilion and walk along the Avenue of the Righteous, where trees have been planted to commemorate the many Christians who helped save the lives of Jews during World War II. Our day concludes at the SHRINE of the BOOK, located on the grounds of the Israel Museum, which houses many original manuscripts and copies of the Dead Sea Scrolls. While on the grounds, we’ll visit the newly re-opened MODEL CITY which explains “the look” of Jerusalem during the time of Jesus. Overnight in JERUSALEM.

DAY 9 THURSDAY, MARCH 8
MOUNT OF OLIVES / DOMINUS FLEVIT / GETHSEMANE / HOUSE OF CAIAPHAS / LITHOSTROTOS / VIA DOLOROSA / CALVARY / GARDEN TOMB
Today will be a day like no other as we trace the final footsteps of our Lord. We begin on the summit of the MT. of OLIVES (Acts 1:8) for a panoramic view of the Old City while our guide answers our many questions. Nearby we start our walk down the slope to the tear-shaped church of DOMINUS FLEVIT (Luke 19:41-44), where tradition holds that Jesus wept over His beloved city of Jerusalem. We continue our leisurely stroll to the GARDEN of GETHSEMANE (Mat. 26:36) with its ancient olive trees where the Bible states Jesus prayed until His sweat turned to blood. The gardener will unlock the gate allowing our group to enter a private part of the olive grove where we can partake in a quiet worship service, giving praise to Jesus for His agony in this very garden. Each of us may then find our own secluded spot to pray in this special place. Leaving Gethsemane we drive across the Kidron Valley to the HOUSE of CAIAPHAS (John 18:12), the home of the high priest of Jerusalem. It is here that Jesus was tried and beaten late into the night. You and I will descend into the pit where Christ was kept until morning when He was led away to Pilate. From here, we visit the LITHOSTROTOS of ANTONIO FORTRESS, also known as 'The Pavement’ (John 19:1-19). In this courtyard, as lots were cast for His garments, Jesus was stripped, beaten, and later led away to be crucified. We, then, follow in His steps along the traditional VIA DOLOROSA and out the Damascus Gate to climax our tour with a visit to CALVARY (Luke 23) and the GARDEN TOMB(John 19:38). In this serene garden setting, we see the places of the crucifixion, burial and resurrection of our Lord, culminating our time together with a celebration of communion. For our final stop in the tour we will head back over to the mount of Olives for scripture reading regarding the ascension of Jesus and his return to this very mountain. We will enjoy a time of thrilling worship here overlooking the city of God! Our hearts will be forever changed after this incredible experience! Farewell dinner and overnight in JERUSALEM.

DAY 10 FRIDAY, MARCH 9
BEN GURION AIRPORT / NEWARK AIRPORT / ATLANTA HARTSFIELD AIRPORT
This morning our journey in His Land comes to an end. Our guide will escort us to BEN GURION AIRPORT for our return flight @ 11:15A. After a brief transfer at NEWARK AIRPORT arrival at ATLANTA HARTSFIELD AIRPORT is anticipated for 11:25PM of the same day. In flight we can fellowship with our new friends as we reflect on all that we have seen and learned as we walked in the footsteps of Jesus! Our memories that will last a lifetime!