Journey Bible Church invites you to walk the ancient paths of the Holyland with Pastor Mike and Elizabeth Bickley, October 17–28, 2026. Guided by Pastor Mike’s heartfelt teaching and hosted by Dwight and Anita Widaman of Heartland to Holyland Tours, you’ll discover a land where every sunrise feels sacred and every stone has an ancient story.

For eleven days, the pages of Scripture won’t just be words—you’ll see, hear, and feel them come alive. Imagine drifting on the Sea of Galilee as morning mist blurs the shoreline, or standing in the Old City where prayers and miracles still echo around you. You’ll watch the sun set over the Mediterranean, much like prophets, kings, and Apostle Paul once did, climb the very steps Jesus used to enter the Temple Mount, and realize the Bible is more vivid and real than you ever dreamed.

• Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport. Lipkin tour staff lead us through the airport to meet our guide, Malkah, who greets us with a warm “Shalom.” Check into our hotel along the Mediterranean. Welcome dinner and orientation.

• In Caesaria, where the waves still crash against Herod’s palace ruins just as they did when Paul stood trial here, we’ll visit Paul’s prison, and explore Herod’s amphitheater and hippodrome, plus famous Roman aqueducts. This is an important New Testament city from which the Gospel spread to both Jews and Gentiles, starting with Cornelius the Centurion whom Peter asked to come see him in Jaffa.

• Overview of the Valley of Armageddon – the ancient battlefield where Scripture says the final battle will unfold. It is for archaeologists perhaps the most important site in Israel dating from Old Testament times.

• A drive through the Galilee Hills. The center of Christ’s ministry.

• Nazareth Village. Here, you’ll step into a first-century world, complete with villagers in period dress working an ancient wine press that dates back to Jesus’ time, and others spinning yarn or tending sheep. It’s an open-air living history experience on the original site of Nazareth reconstructing village life in the time of Jesus. Step into the actual wine press from Jesus’ boyhood!

• Mount of Precipice. The cliff where an angry mob attempted to throw Jesus from after his bold proclamation in the Nazareth synagogue. See an inspiring view of Mt. Tabor, the Jezreel Valley, Cana, Nain and more! This is the view Jesus saw.

• Check into our Galilee hotel for dinner and a stroll along the Sea of Galilee.

• Tabgha Region. This area is where Jesus called his first disciples from their fishing nets. Central to Jesus’ mini- stry, so much happened here, including feeding the multitudes nearby and restoration of Peter after his denials.

• Church of the Primacy of Saint Peter. The morning light dances on the Sea of Galilee just as it did that transformative dawn. At the Church of Primacy, Peter’s declaration of faith echoes across time. See the steps used in Jesus’ day to enter the Galilee boats.

• Mount of Beatitudes invites quiet reflection among gardens overlooking the waters where Jesus taught the multitudes as recorded in Matthew 5-7 and Luke 6.

• Capernaum’s ancient stones tell the story of Jesus’ ministry and home base including his synagogue and Peter’s house which we can still see today.

• Next is Bethsaida - the Galilean fishing village that is the birthplace of Peter, Andrew and Philip. This place echoes the stories of Jesus’ many miracles.

• Tel Dan is our portal to the patriarchal age. An impressive archaeological site with unique remains of the Canaanite and Israelite cities and a Biblical High Place. See the oldest mud-brick gate in the world. Abraham walked through it on his way south from Ur.

• In the foothills of the snow-capped peaks of Mount Hermon is Banias, whose springs feed the Jordan River with crystal-clear waters.

• Caesaria Philippi A city of Greek-Roman culture where, amid the pagan temples, Jesus stood at the entrance to “Hades” and Peter proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah. Through here passes the Road to Damascus, where Paul met the Jewish Messiah.

• Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee and worship to experience the same waters that carried Jesus and his disciples.

• Gadara is on the eastern shores of the Galilee – the site where Jesus cast demons into swine which then ran down into the water. We will see their path from the vantage point of our boat–unique to our tours!

• Beit She’an. A major Roman city located at the crossroads between the Jordan and Jezreel (Yizreel) Vallies. Here you will explore spectacular ruins of the glory that was the Roman Empire including an amphitheater, Roman baths, shops, and the main pillar-lined “cardo”.

• Jerusalem unfolds like a golden scroll as you ascend the Mount of Olives. View the setting sun over Jerusalem and the Temple Mount.

• Garden of Gethsemane. Its ancient olive trees stand as silent witnesses to His prayers of anguish on the night of His betrayal and arrest.

• Church of All Nations. The architecture and the gold stars on the deep blue ceiling reflect the moods and atmosphere on the night of Jesus’ arrest.

• Check into our Jerusalem hotel.

• City of David. Here we will see the King’s palace in this active archaeological dig.

• On Mount Zion, the Last Supper Room and David’s Tomb connect Old and New Testament narratives.

• Enter into the Old City through the Lion’s Gate.

• Jewish Quarter Cardo stroll to view architecture, historical and archaeological points of interest.

• The Western Wall draws you into Judaism’s heart. The Temple Mount wall closest to where stood the Jewish Temple at the time of Jesus. Special Shabbat dinner.

• Lions’ Gate, also known as St. Stephen’s Gate. Located on the northeast walls of the Old City of Jerusalem.

• Via Dolorosa path while we view many historical sites

• Bethesda-Sheep’s Pool. The actual place of the healing of the paralyzed man, who had waited for 38 years for someone to help him into the pool.

• Church of Alexander Nevsky. Beneath this Russian Orthodox church is the ancient city wall and its “Eye of the Needle,” and the “Judgment Gate” through which Jesus carried his cross.

• Church of the Holy Sepulcher where centuries of devotion permeate the stone walls. Built by the mother of Constantine and recognized as the site of Jesus Christ’s crucifixion since the early Byzantine period.

• Christian quarter. Free time to stroll and enjoy lunch, the shops, treats and architecture.

• Dinner at the hotel. Option to join us as we walk a few blocks to the pedestrian area of Ben Yehuda Street to experience Jerusalem coming alive after Shabbat ends. Close to the hotel, it features shops reopening with Israelis and tourists mingling, enjoying live music, shopping, and sipping coffee. Great time for souvenirs and last-minute shopping.

• Masada, King Herod’s ancient fortress occupies a breathtaking, strategic location high on a flat plateau above the Dead Sea. This is where the Jews took their final stand against the Romans in 73 AD.

• Dead Sea stop to learn about biblical prophecy coming to life with new springs of fresh water emerging.

• Qumran Overlook to see the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered n Dinner at hotel

• We end the day at the Qasr Al-Yehud baptismal site on the banks of the Jordan River. Baptism opportunity and time of reflection.

• Today we go deep into the Old Testament starting with a Biblical overlook. See the spectacular view of Shechem, Mt. Gerizim (Mt. of Blessing) and Mt. Ebal (Mt. of Curses). You will be able to identify sites where many biblical stories took place.

• Ancient Shiloh still bears the outline of the Tabernacle’s foundation, where the Ark of the Covenant rested for nearly four centuries.

• Bethel –Beit El. Time permitting, we’ll see where Jacob dreamed of a ladder to heaven and Abraham worshipped.

• Dinner at hotel. Free evening: Have coffee and dessert or a soda on the terrace of the famous King David Hotel down the street or take the elevator at the historical YMCA tower for a stunning view of Jerusalem at dusk.

• Sifting project. Guided by archaeologists, we’ll take part in sifting through archaeological treasures recovered from beneath the First and Second Temples!

• Southern Steps. The original 2,000-year-old steps that Jesus and worshippers climbed to the old Hulda Gates that lead to the Temple Mount. From here, Peter baptized the multitudes.

• Wohl Museum, also known as the Herodian Quarters. The site includes 6 houses overlooking the Temple Mount. The homes are from the wealthiest residents and the priestly class of Jesus’ day. The geometrically patterned mosaic floors, frescoes, and costly glassware and ceramics provide a glimpse into citizen’s life in the days of Herod and Jesus.

• Western Wall (Kotel). Return here at a less busy time for personal reflection, and prayer, and leave a note. The bus can return you to the hotel for a free afternoon or you can stay in the Old City for shopping and exploring.

• Dinner at hotel. After dinner stroll Jerusalem and enjoy the Nachlaot Neighborhood, Machane Yehuda Market, Montefiore Windmill, or the First Station with new friends.

• Garden Tomb, where the reality of resurrection pervades the peaceful grounds. We begin our day here, to share communion here, worship, and here a timely message of new life.

• Israel Museum Second Temple Scale Model. The model recreates Jerusalem of 66 CE on the eve of its destruc- tion by the Romans. Inside the Museum we’ll see a Roman nail used in crucifixions and other priceless artifacts that bring to light the scriptures.

• Dead Sea Scrolls. View some of the actual scrolls and to see how the scriptures have NOT changed.

• If traffic and time permits, stop at Emmaus where after the resurrection, Jesus met the two travelers.

• Farewell restaurant dinner. Leisurely fellowship for our last evening at a nice restaurant (included) to enjoy the friends we have made!

• Drive to Ben Gurion airport. Overnight flight.

Order of days and sites subject to change pending opening times, weather and traffic conditions.