ISRAEL JOURNEY through the HOLY LAND 2017

SEA OF GALILEE

Dear Friend of Bethel: It is my pleasure to invite you to join Barb and me on a journey to the Holy Land from June 9-21, 2017. Together with other members of our Bethel family, we will explore ancient places made familiar to us through Scripture.

Following the footsteps of Jesus and His disciples, we will travel from the shores of the Mediterranean Sea all the way to Calvary. As we make our way from Caesarea to Jerusalem, we will explore Nazareth, Capernaum, the ruins of Massada, Qumran, Ein Gedi, the Wilderness of Judea, Bethlehem, and many other sacred and modern places. Mark Strauss, university professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary San Diego, will travel alongside us through Israel, lending insight into the historical and spiritual significance of the places we visit. Local tour guides will also add their expertise as we explore the treasures of the Holy Land. Barb and I are delighted to host this unique trip to a place so integral to our faith. We would be honored to have you travel with us and other Bethel friends on this journey of a lifetime. Sincerely, Jay Barnes

JOURNEY THROUGH THE HOLY LANDJUNE 9–21, 2017

Sacred sites, the power of God’s presence, and the joy of the fellowship of the saints.

TRIP HOSTS

President Jay and Barb BarnesJay Barnes has served as Bethel University’s president since 2008. He previously served for 13 years as Bethel’s executive vice president and provost of the College of Arts & Sciences, College of Adult & Professional Studies, and Graduate School. Prior to his time at Bethel, he served at Messiah College in Pennsylvania; at Wheaton College in Illinois; and at Black Forest Academy in Kandern, Germany.

Jay and Barb love seeing God at work in the lives of students. They believe in study abroad programs because they can be life transforming.

Dr. Mark StraussMark Strauss is university professor of New Testament at Bethel Seminary San Diego. He has been a Bethel faculty member since 1993 and currently teaches courses in Hermeneutics, New Testament Survey, Greek, and Exegetical Explorations. He is a prolific author of books and articles, including Four Portraits, One Jesus: An Introduction to Jesus and the Gospels; and The Essential Bible Companion (with John Walton). Strauss has also served on several key editorial

and steering committees, including vice-chair of the Committee on Bible Trans-lation for the New International Version. He desires to help men and women develop godly character and acquire skills to serve effectively in ministry.

ISRAEL ITINERARY 2017A 13-Day Journey through the Holy Land

JUNE 9 | Day 1Depart from the United StatesWe begin our trip to Israel with an overnight flight to Tel Aviv. Our prayer is that this journey away from home and through the land where our Savior walked, taught, and gave His life will deepen friendships and transform our hearts and lives for Christ. JUNE 10 | Day 2Arrive in Israel | Mediterranean SeaUpon arrival in Tel Aviv, we are greeted by our guide and brought to the coast of the Mediter-ranean Sea. Here we settle into our hotel and enjoy the first taste of the Holy Land with a delicious buffet dinner. JUNE 11 | Day 3Caesarea | Mt. Carmel | Nazareth | Mt. of Precipice | Cana of GalileeWe begin our time in the Holy Land in wor-ship together and then embark on our tour of Israel. Our first destination is Caesarea, where we visit the Roman Theater, a pier Paul used on his way to Rome, and an aqueduct built by Herod the Great. Leaving the coast of the Mediterranean Sea, we travel to Mount Carmel, where God rained down fire when Elijah challenged the prophets of Baal. The afternoon takes us through the spectacular Valley of Jezreel. A panoramic view at Megid-do reveals ruins of cities from Solomon’s days, and Mount of Precipice offers views of Nazareth and the Valley of Armageddon. We continue to Nazareth, Jesus’ hometown, where we experience a taste of first-century life in Nazareth Village. We then drive by Cana in Galilee as we make our way to our hotel in the region of Galilee.

JUNE 12 | Day 4Hula Valley | Mt. Hermon | Caesarea Philippi | Jeroboam’s AltarThe fourth day of our journey takes us through the northern portion of Israel as we follow the accounts described in chapter nine of the Gospel of Luke. We drive through the Hula Valley past Mount Hermon, where Jesus was transfigured in the presence of the disciples. A stop at a military post offers a view of the road to Damascus and a beautiful overlook of the Golan Heights, Mount Hermon, and Syria. From there we head to Banias, one of the headwaters of the Jordan River, and to the site of Caesarea Philippi. From there we travel to the Dan Nature Reserve where we see Jeroboam’s Altar and a city gate from the time of Abraham. JUNE 13 | Day 5Sea of Galilee | Capernaum | Mt. of Beatitudes | Tabgha | Jordan RiverOur travels on day five bring us to the places in which Jesus spent the majority of His public life. We set sail on the Sea of Galilee in a wooden fishing boat similar to those used by fisherman and the first disciples. Next we make our way to Capernaum, and continue to the Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus delivered the Sermon on the Mount. We visit the recently discovered Magdala Synagogue before making our way around the sea to Tab-gha, where Jesus fed the 5,000. We also stop at the part of the Jordan River in which Jesus was baptized. JUNE 14 | Day 6Beth Shean | Jordan Valley | Jericho | Dead SeaThis morning we depart from Galilee and travel to Beth Shean, a magnificent Roman city mentioned in the Gospels. Here we walk on ancient streets and view a Roman theater, coliseum, market, steam baths, and temples. We then continue down the Jordan Valley to the ancient city of Jericho. A breathtaking ride along the Dead Sea (the lowest place on earth at 1,300 feet below sea level!) brings us to our hotel and the close of our sixth day.

JUNE 15 | Day 7Massada | Ein Gedi | Sodom and GomorrahThe spectacular ruins of Massada mark the first stop of the day. A cable car takes us to Herod’s desert fortress, where we explore well-preserved palaces, cisterns, and store-houses. Next we visit the oasis of Ein Gedi, where David wrote some of the Psalms. We see waterfalls where he quietly cut off a piece of Saul’s robe, and visit salt mines where Sodom and Gomorrah stood. Time is provided at the end of the day to swim in the Dead Sea, enjoy the hotel spa, or simply relax. JUNE 16 | Day 8Qumran | Old Jericho Road | Judean Wilderness | Mt. of Olives | Jerusalem Our journey this day begins with time in Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. We ride a portion of the Old Jericho Road and view an isolated monastery. Next we cross the Wilderness of Judea and become acquainted with the Bedouin way of life. We then ascend into Jerusalem, with the Mount of Olives offering a stunning view of Jerusalem. Once in the city, we walk down the road Jesus traveled on Palm Sunday and make our way to the Garden of Gethsemane. JUNE 17 | Day 9Bethlehem | Church of Nativity | Elah ValleyToday we travel to the town of Bethlehem. We visit the Church of the Nativity, originally commissioned by Constantine the Great in A.D. 327 and located over the cave that marks the birthplace of Jesus. We also see the fields where shepherds were keeping watch of their sheep when angels appeared to announce the Savior’s birth. In the early afternoon we stop at the brook in the Elah Valley where David selected the stone used to kill Goliath. JUNE 18 | Day 10Hezekiah’s Tunnel | Pool of Siloam | Israel Museum | Yad VashemWe begin the 10th day of our journey together in worship. We then travel to see Hezekiah’s Tunnel, which dates back to the late eighth/early seventh century B.C., and Pool of Siloam on the southern slope of the City of David. Our trip then takes us to modern-day Jerusalem, with stops at the Israel Museum, the country’s national museum, and Yad Vashem, a moving memorial to the victims of the Holocaust.

JUNE 19 | Day 11Wailing Wall | Ophel Digs | Jewish Quarter | Hezekiah’s Wall | Jaffa GateOur destination this morning is the Old City of Jerusalem, where first we pause at the Wailing Wall for a quiet moment of prayer. We continue to the Ophel Digs, where we see astounding Temple remains. We then visit the Jewish Quarter of the city and its extensive excavations, including the Burnt House and the Herodian quarter, with views inside of homes dating back to Jesus’ time. We then walk through the ancient Cardo, Hezekiah’s Wall, the Arab Market and bazaar, and ulti-mately the Jaffa Gate, where we leave the Old City. A free afternoon offers time to shop, tour places of personal interest, or begin packing for the trip home. JUNE 20 | Day 12Temple Mount | Dome of the Rock | Bethesda | Way of the Cross | Garden Tomb | CalvaryOur final day in Israel retraces Jesus’ last steps in Jerusalem. We visit the Upper Room where Jesus ate His last meal with the disci-ples, enter St. Stephen’s Gate, and stop at the Pool of Bethesda. We enjoy a time of singing at St. Anne’s and then view the remains of Antonia Fortress, the site of Jesus’ trial. We then follow the Way of the Cross out the Damascus Gate to the Garden Tomb where Jesus was buried. The culmination of the day and our trip takes place at Calvary, where we celebrate communion together in praise and thanksgiving. JUNE 21 | Day 13Depart for HomeWe depart from Tel Aviv on an early morning flight with hearts full of the rich history of the Holy Land, and a renewed awe of the incomprehensible heritage that is ours in Christ Jesus.

REGISTRATION INFORMATIONTo register for the 2017 Israel trip, please contact Lisa Antenucci at Journeys Unlimited. Lisa can be reached at lisaA@journeys-unltd.com or 800.876.9502.

TRIP PRICING: $5,200 per person based on double occupancy from Minneapolis-St. Paul. Price is subject to change until ticketed.

PRICE INCLUDES: Round-trip airfare from Minneapolis-St. Paul; round-trip transfers between airport and hotels; hotel accommodations; 10-day tour of Israel with guide; daily breakfast and dinner; two lunches; all entrance fees, hotel taxes, and gratuities; current airport taxes (subject to change until ticketed); medical insurance while in Israel (for travelers below age 86); document case with luggage tags; personalized name badge with lanyard.

HOTELS: Trip includes one night at the Crowne Plaza, Tel Aviv Beach; three nights at the Leonardo Plaza, Tiberias; two nights at the Crowne Plaza, Dead Sea; and five nights at the Leonardo Plaza, Jerusalem.

DEPOSIT AND PAYMENT: An initial deposit of $500 per person is due immediately with completed registration to confirm your seat. Space is limited. Second payment of $1,000 per person is due Friday, November 18, 2016. Final payment is due on or before Friday, February 3, 2017.

TERMS & CONDITIONSTRAVEL ACTIVITY: This trip involves moderate activity, including stairs, occasional climbing, and walking on uneven terrain in potentially hot conditions. Participants should be in good health and able to walk up to several miles over the course of a day.

DOCUMENTATION: U.S. citizens require a valid passport for travel to Israel. Passports must be valid for six months following the last day of travel.

CANCELLATION INSURANCE: Cancellation insurance is highly recommended, as there are cancellation penalties that will apply. Please note that insurance must be taken out within twenty-one (21) days of deposit to waive the pre-existing condition clause. A Travelex insurance application will be emailed to you once the deposit is received. You can register online at www.travelexinsurance.com (Travel Select program, use Locations #38-0114), by phone at 800.504.7883, or by mail directly to Travelex. Participants may also purchase insurance from iNext Travel Insurance through CIEE (contact MaryKay Bursaw at m-bursaw@bethel.edu or 651.635.8050), or another agency of choice.

JOURNEYS UNLIMITEDLisa Antenucci | lisaA@journeys-unltd.com | 800.876.9502, ext. 100

800 Bustleton Pike | Richboro, PA 18954

bethel.edu/Israel2017