Upcoming Trips

Experience the Holy Land and being with the people living there first hand

Visiting the churches and the people of Palestine and Israel is a primary component of the ELCA’s campaign, Peace Not Walls - Stand for Justice in the Holy Land.

Stand-Alone Lutheran or InterfaithTrips

The following are stand-alone trips that are not sponsored through a travel agency.

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Group Travel Directors

These tours arranged by Group Travel Directors of Minneapolis and have space available. For details: www.gtd.org, click Find a Tour, enter year, then Middle East. Almost always, other departure cities are available. For direct inquiries: Janet Tollund, 952-885-2133 or 800-747-2255 ext. 133, jtollund@gtd.org to talk about scheduling your own trip.

May 15-28, 2012  "Immersion in the Land that Three Faiths Call Holy," sponsored by Wesley Theological Seminary Washington, DC and led by Dr. Denise Dombkowski Hopkins and Rev. Melinda Thompson. $4090 from Dulles; other cities available. Through encounters with the historical stones and the “living stones” of a land that three faiths call Holy, we will explore the connections among the history of the region, religious traditions and the present realities of life in Israel and the West Bank. Daily devotions and reflection time will offer space for a deeper understanding of one’s own cultural context as a Christian in the global context. Online brochure http://gtd.org/post/pdfbrochure/120512.pdf Online registration https://www.gtd.org/gtd_registration_step_I.asp?TID=1600 Contact Dr. Hopkins at 202-885-8676 ddhopkins@wesleyseminary.edu or Kate Peer at GTD 800-747-2255 ext 134 kpeer@gtd.org

June 6-20, 2012, "Holy Land Study Tour," sponsored by Concordia University Seward, NE, and led by Professor Mark Meehl. Professor Meehl is a seasoned Holy Land study tour leader who spent 2 ½ years living in Jerusalem serving as Program Director for the Albright Institute of Archaeological Research. $4250 from Lincoln, NE; other cities available. Online brochure http://gtd.org/post/pdfbrochure/120605.pdf Contact: Mark Meehl at mark.meehl@cune.edu, 402-643-7301, or Janet Tollund at Group Travel Directors 800-747-2255 ext 133; jtollund@gtd.org. Sold out/waitlisted

June 7-18, 2012, "In the Footsteps of Jesus: A Holy Land Pilgrimage" Holy Spirit Lutheran Church, Las Vegas and Missional Leadership Academy-Grand Canyon Synod ELCA, and led by Rev. Rick Rouse, Beth Lewis and Rev Ryan Rouse. $3999 from New York; other cities available. Online brochure http://gtd.org/post/pdfbrochure/120601.pdf Online registration https://www.gtd.org/gtd_registration_step_I.asp?TID=1476. Contact: Rev. Rick rwrouse@comcast.net, 612-710-7959, or Rev. Ryan at prryan@holyspiritlc.org, 702-645-1777, or Annette Nelson at Group Travel Directors 800-747-2255 ext 119; anelson@gtd.org .

October 15-25, 2012 "In the Footsteps of Jesus: A Holy Land Pilgrimage" sponsored by Normandale Hylands United Methodist Church, Bloomington, MN and hosted by Pr. Don and Helen Eslinger. Visit the Land where the Word became flesh and dwelt among us. Here Jesus walked and taught and healed. As we journey throughout the Holy Land, we will not be tourists as much as pilgrims touching base with our spiritual roots, and returning with a deeper understanding of Scripture, the Christian faith, and the lives of God’s people in this beautiful and sacred land $3879 from MSP; other cities available. http://gtd.org/post/pdfbrochure/121002.pdf Online registration https://www.gtd.org/gtd_registration_step_I.asp?TID=1574 Contact Janet Tollund at GTD 800-747-2255 ext 133 jtollund@gtd.org

October 16-27, 2012 "The Passionate Treasure of The Holy Land…Right Under Your Feet" hosted by The Rev. David Maghakian. Experience Israel and Palestine; the biblical history and current challenges then and now as we pray for peace and the grace which bonds us to our history. $3890 from MSP/St. Paul; other cities available. Online brochure http://gtd.org/post/pdfbrochure/121005.pdf Online registration https://www.gtd.org/gtd_registration_step_I.asp?TID=1607 Contact: 651-488-5581 ext 15 DavidM@northcomochurch.org or Kate Peer at GTD 800-747-2255 ext 134 kpeer@gtd.org

November 1 – 12, 2012, “The Holy Land including Jordan” with an optional Egypt extension. Sponsored by Zoar Evangelical Lutheran Church and hosted by Pr. Nick Doversberger. Travel as a pilgrim to the lands of the Bible. Visit the ancient stones as you walk with a Christian guide among the sites connected with Old Testaments stories. You will also encounter “living stones” as you meet with Christians who live out their faith in the land of the bible. $4030 from Portland, OR; other cities available. Online brochure http://gtd.org/post/pdfbrochure/121101.pdf    Online registration https://www.gtd.org/gtd_registration_step_I.asp?TID=1542 Contact Pr. Nick 503-266-4061 ndovers@juno.com or Kate Peer at Group Travel Directors 800-747-2255 ext 134, kpeer@gtdorg

November 05-14, 2012 "The Holy Land " with an optional Rome extension: St. John’s Lutheran Church, Rock Island, IL, and hosted by Pastor Stacie Fidlar and John Califf. See the stories of the Bible unfold as you walk as a pilgrim along the paths of Christ and the early Church. Visit the sites you have always read about in the Bible and become educated about the Arab/Israeli issues. You may also wish to join us for an optional extension to the eternal city of Rome. $3499 from Chicago; other cities available. Online brochure http://gtd.org/post/pdfbrochure/121102.pdf Online registration https://www.gtd.org/gtd_registration_step_I.asp?TID=1575 Contact: John Califf 309-736-7315 1 jnscaliff@mchsi.com , Pastor Stacie 309-786-6333 pastorstacie@sbcglobal.net or Kate Peer at GTD 800-747-2255 ext 134 kpeer@gtd.org

January 4-20, 2013, "The Holy Land," sponsored by Grace Lutheran Church and led by the Rev. Bruce Modahl.  By invitation only.  Contact Janet Tollund at Group Travel Directors at 800-747-2255, ext. 133 or email jtollund@gtd.org.  Sold out/waitlisted.

January 18-27, 2013, “Holy Land Pilgrimage” sponsored by First Presbyterian Church of Annapolis Maryland and hosted by Rev. Heather Shortlidge and Ed Gilhooly. First and foremost, we are intentional about calling this a pilgrimage rather than a trip or tour. Tourists simply experience something new; pilgrims hopefully become someone new. Tourists are spectators often escaping from life while pilgrims are participants who embrace life more deeply, learning new ways of being in community, and gaining new hopes for the world. $3415 from Baltimore; other cities available. Contact Rev. Heather 410-267-8705 heather@annapolis-presbyterian.com or Kate Peer at GTD 800-747-2255 ext 134 kpeer@gtd.org Online brochure http://gtd.org/post/pdfbrochure/130103.pdf Online registration https://www.gtd.org/gtd_registration_step_I.asp?TID=1611

Crossing Borders

These custom-created travel experiences to Israel and Palestine feature visits to Biblical and historical sites along with meetings and dialogue with various local community leaders and members, especially among Christian Palestinians. For further details, contact either the tour leader or CrossingBorders, 800-990-6811, 952-995-9585, info@crossingborders.com. Check the web site www.crossingborders.com as travel programs are added regularly.

• November 2 - 13, 2012 Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

  Join Marcia & Mike Bussey, 8 year residents of Jerusalem while Mike served as Director at the Jerusalem International YMCA, together with Rev. Lindy Purdy, Wayzata Community Church, Wayzata, Minnesota as they journey to biblical sites and visit with local community leaders. Jerusalem overnights at the hotel located in the International YMCA. Contact Rev. Purdy, lpurdy@wayzatacommunitychurch.org, 952-473-8877, or Marcia Bussey, bussey202@msn.com, 630-728-1292.



• November 7 - 19, 2012 Journey to the Holy Land & Petra

  Rev. Ivan Gunderman, ELCA pastor, experienced traveler and tour host, offers a journey to the Holy Land and the Nabataean city of Petra in Jordan. Visit with local Christian community leaders. Departure from New York. Contact Rev. Gunderman, igunderman@verizon.net, 718-323-0752.



• January 11 - 24, 2013 Journey to the Holy Land & Petra

  Rev. Kathy Michael and Rev. Tim Hart-Andersen of Westminster Presbyterian Church, Minneapolis, Minnesota co-lead another pilgrimage to Israel, Palestine & Petra. Stay three nights in Bethlehem connecting with the community of Christmas Lutheran Church, a global partnership congregation with Westminster. Contact Rev. Michael, 612-332-3421, kmichael@wpc-mpls.org.



• January 28 - February 9, 2013 A Pre-Lenten Journey to the Holy Land & Petra

  Rev. Wayne & Mary Ellen Deloach, Peace Lutheran Church, Dresser, Wisconsin, host a journey to the Holy Land including the ancient Nabataean city of Petra. Includes meetings with local Christian communities. Contact Rev. Deloach, wayne@deloach.org, 715-755-2515.



• February 6 - 19, 2013 Journey to the Holy Land & Petra

  Concordia University-St. Paul President Emeritus, Dr. Robert Holst and his wife Lynne, return to the Holy Land featuring two nights in Jordan visiting the ancient Nabataean city of Petra. Visit with local Christian community leaders. Contact Sally Cordes, Alumni Relations, 651-641-8266, cordes@csp.edu.



• February 19 – March 2, 2013 A Study Tour & Pilgrimage to the Holy Land

  Colonial Church of Edina returns to the Holy Land under the leadership of Pastor Daniel & Dawn Harrell and Dave & Anne Williamson. In addition to visiting biblical sites, spend one night along the shore of the Dead Sea. Opportunities to meet with local Christian community leaders. Contact Dave Williamson, 952-941-2592, 952-944-3609, dwilliamson@laitylodge.com.

The HCEF Living Stones Pilgrimage Program

This program brings Christians to the Holy Land to live out an extraordinary experience. These journeys are full of spiritual enrichment, grace, and excitement - they are experiences that truly change the way people see the world. The pilgrims get to know the Holy Land Christians (the Living Stones) by sharing their daily lives, culture, obstacles, and faith. Meeting and connecting with the Living Stones of the Holy Land can educate pastors and the faithful about their Mother Church in a personal way. All pilgrimages are coordinated with the local churches. As pilgrims, American Christians form a new relationship with the Holy Land Christian community and also follow the steps of our Lord - a spiritual experience that brings the Bible alive. Living Stones Pilgrimages are opportunities to see and experience the places of Jesus' birth, ministry, death and resurrection.

Contact: Gail Freeman, Pilgrimage Coordinator, 1-866-871-4234, gfreeman@hcef.org

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