2013 Tour
June 2-12
Day 1 & 2
Depart USA/Arrive Israel
We come together at our hotel in Tel Aviv. Relax and prepare for our inspirational time. (D)
Day 3
Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Nazareth, Cana
We set out along the coastal road to Caesarea where Paul was imprisoned awaiting his appearance before Felix. We visit the Roman Theater and harbor. From the coast we move inland to Mt. Carmel where Elijah confronted the prophets of Baal. We then continue to Nazareth, the hometown of Jesus, then to Cana where Jesus turned water into wine. We arrive at our hotel on the Sea of Galilee. (B,D)
Day 4
Sea of Galilee, Capernaum & Mount of Beatitudes
After our morning devotional, we sail across the Sea of Galilee for a time worship, remembering the One who stilled the wind and waves. Arriving at Capernaum we visit the ruins of an ancient synagogue where Jesus taught. Nearby we visit the church of The Loaves and Fish. We pause for reflection at the Church of the Beatitudes then take a tour of the Jesus boat that was discovered at the bottom of the Sea of Galilee. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight. (B,D)
Day 5
Jordan River, Megiddo, Beth Shean
Our day begins with an opportunity to renew our baptisms in the Jordan River. This is such an inspirational time. Following our worship service, we make our way to Megiddo for a panoramic view of the valley of many armed conflicts. We then travel to Beth Shean, a magnificent Roman city made infamous by the Philistines who displayed the corpse of King Saul as an act of humiliation. Leaving the Galilee region, the day ends as we arrive in the Holy City of Jerusalem. (B,D)
Day 6
Jerusalem, Gethsemane, Via Dolorosa, Holy Sepulchre
Jerusalem! Our day begins with a visit to the Garden of Gethsemane and the Church of the Agony as we remember the passion of our Lord. From the Garden we enter the Lion’s Gate and walk the Via Dolorosa. We visit the Churches of the Flagellation and Condemnation, St. Anne’s Monastery, the Pool of Bethesda, and the Ecce Homo Church as well as the Stations of the Cross. After lunch, we visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre where Jesus was crucified and buried. This will be a day long remembered. (B,D)
Day 7
Mount of Olives, Masada, Ein Gedi, Dead Sea
We start the day with a view of Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives. The next stop is Masada where a cable car takes us to the fortress of King Herod and the place of refuge for the Jews during the Roman persecution. Following Masada, we stop at the oasis of Ein Gedi before traveling to Qumran, tracing the discovery of the Dead Sea Scrolls. The day ends with a visit to the Dead Sea before returning to Jerusalem. (B, D)
Day 8
Free Day in Jerusalem
Spend your free day strolling through the streets of the Old City, reflecting on the sights and sounds of our journey. (B, D)
Day 9
Holocaust Memorial, Jerusalem, Bethlehem
Visiting the Holocaust Memorial is a moving event. After our tour of the museum we view a detailed scaled model of ancient Jerusalem as well as the Shrine of the Book. Here we will see the Dead Sea Scrolls, many containing the oldest known surviving copies of the Biblical books. We then travel to the town of Bethlehem for a visit to the Church of the Nativity and the grotto where Jesus was born. Return to Jerusalem. (B, D)
Day 10
Jerusalem Archaeological Park, Western Wall, Garden Tomb
Entering the Old City we tour the Temple Excavations of the Jerusalem Archaeological Park and stand on the stairs where Jesus stood in the first century. Afterwards we make our way to the Western/Wailing Wall and view the place of prayer as we offer our own prayers for the peace of Jerusalem. If permitted, we make our way to the Dome of the Rock on the Temple Mount. In the afternoon we visit the Garden Tomb and celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord. (B, D)
Day 11
Departure
Filled with wonderful memories, depart from Tel Aviv.
Itinerary
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Wheaton College Alumni & Friends Tour
ISRAEL 11 DAYS
Following in the Footsteps of Jesus Christ
$4,145 from Chicago or New York
June 2-12, 2013
Dear Friend,
The Alumni Relations office is hosting another trip to Israel and we invite you to join us.
Imagine sailing across the Sea of Galilee, praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, renewing your baptismal vows in the Jordan River, and celebrating communion in the Garden Tomb. As we travel, we will explore many of the places mentioned in both the Old Testament and the Gospels and we’ll come to appreciate the modern nation of Israel, its rich cultural heritage and its unique blend of Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cuisine.
Joining us on this tour is faculty host Dr. Leland Ryken, Wheaton College emeritus professor of English, and his wife, Mrs. Mary Ryken. Sharing his lifelong passion of teaching the Bible as literature, Dr. Ryken will share daily devotions, bringing God’s word to life in the land where it was written, forever changing the way you read the Bible.
This tour will be managed by our longtime travel partner, Footstep Ministries. Rev. Dr. David (Wheaton College class of ’75) and Elizabeth Illiadou Sparks, having conducted more than 75 tours to Israel, Italy, Greece, and Turkey, will lead our journey with expertise, good humor and an attention to detail for which they’re renowned. We have designed this trip to be both educational and inspirational. I hope you will consider joining us for this life-changing experience.
Warmly,
Cindra Stackhouse Taetzsch ’82
Director of Alumni Relations
Executive Director, Wheaton College
Alumni Association
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Contact Us for more information on this exciting tour
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