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Roots of Faith
June 22-July 7, 2008
A Shoresh Study Program in Israel hosted by Alexander College
Hosted by The Reverend John & Catherine Howanstine
Many nations shall come, and say: "Come, let us go up to the mountain of the LORD, to the house of the God of Jacob; that he may teach us his ways and we may walk in his paths." For out of Zion shall go forth instruction, and the word of the LORD from Jerusalem. Micah 4:2
Alexander College is a ministry of Christ Church Ministries Jerusalem (CMJ) / Israel Trust of the Anglican Church (ITAC),the largest and most well-established evangelical Christian ministry in Israel. Alexander College & Shoresh Study Programs is dedicated to the task of helping Christians come into a deeper understanding of the Scriptures so that we may become better disciples of Jesus the Messiah. Offering programs to international Christian leaders and serious disciples, its influence reaches around the world, strengthening those who strengthen the Church. "Roots of Faith" is a group study pilgrimage that follows the history and witness of the people of God from Abraham and the Patriarchs to Jesus.
Our journey will stretch from the Mediterranean Sea to the Jordan River, from Dan to Beersheva, from the Galilee and the Golan to the Dead Sea and Jerusalem. Using the Holy Land as our classroom and the Bible as our textbook, we will dig deep into the soil of Israel and recover our Jewish roots. As we travel together in the steps of Jesus, we will study the Kingdom of God, redemption, reconciliation, and other profound themes of Jesus' ministry. Learning the Jewish context of the New Testament will strengthen understanding of the Scriptures and the life and world of Jesus. We will be encouraged as we meet Israelis and Palestinians and contribute to the ministry of reconciliation. Our encouragement to the "living stones," especially Messianic believers and Arab Christians, who courageously provide daily witness to the Gospel amidst difficulty, will strengthen the Body of Christ in the Land of the Bible.
For further details regarding the Itinerary, please speak with the Rev. John & Cathering Howanstine.
Phone: 410-610-8569 E-mail:howanstine@chesapeake.net
Sunday, June 22 DEPART USA
Gather at Washington-Dulles International Airport for your early morning British Airways flight to Israel. Complimentary meals and beverages are served aloft. Connection in London-Heathrow.
Day 2 Monday, June 23 WELCOME TO ERETZ ISRAEL
Mid-afternoon arrival in Tel Aviv. If time permits, we will drive through the Judean Lowlands and see the site where David fought Goliath. Overnight in the Beersheva area.
Day 3 Tuesday, June 24 INTO THE WILDERNESS
Today we journey south through the Wilderness of Paran until we reach the wilderness of Zin close to the border with Sinai. Here we consider the Biblical attitude towards the desert, the spiritual significance of Mount Sinai and the meaning of Torah in Jewish tradition. Time will be set aside for a gentle walk in the Avdat Canyon. In this area we discuss the incident when Moses struck the rock. If time permits, we will also look at the magnificent Ramon Crater. Overnight in the Beersheva area.
Day 4 Wednesday, June 25 THE DESERT AS A REFUGE
Our study of religious and political refuge begins at the Herodian fortress of Masada. In the area of Ein Gedi, where David hid from Saul, we swim in the Dead Sea. At Qumran, we explore the relationship of the teachings of the Essenes to those of John the Baptist and Jesus. Overnight by the Dead Sea.
Day 5 Thursday, June 26 FIRE & WATER
As we travel, we stop at various sites in the Jordan Valley, such as the Jordan River, Jericho (conditions permitting), and Bethany Beyond the Jordan where we will discuss the life and ministry of John the Baptist, looking at his understanding of Messiah and the role of the Holy Spirit. Overnight in Galilee.
Day 6 Friday, June 27 "IF THE LORD BE GOD, FOLLOW HIM: BUT IF BAAL, THEN FOLLOW HIM"
Our day begins driving up Mount Tabor and recalling Deborah's victory over Sisera. We will celebrate Eucharist at some point in the day. At Ein Harod (Gideon's spring) we consider the wisdom of God as opposed to the wisdom of man. Continuing into the valley we stop at Tel Jezreel, the site of Ahab's winter palace and Naboth's vineyard. We end the day with a stop at Muhraqa, on Mt. Carmel, the traditional site of confrontation between Elijah and the prophets of Baal. Time permitting, we stop at Nain and view Shunem, two villages on opposite sides of Mount Moreh where both Jesus and Elisha miraculously healed two boys. Overnight in Galilee.
Day 7 Saturday, June 28 "THE SPIRIT OF THE LORD IS UPON ME"
We visit Nazareth, the site of the early phase of Jesus' life and ministry, and his own messianic self-understanding. Near Nazareth we visit the town of Arrabe the home of the "hassid" Hanina Ben Dosa and Yohanan Ben Zakai, the great reformer of Judaism after the destruction of the Temple. At Gush Halav we examine the liturgical life of the Jews of Galilee and the role played by the synagogue. In particular we will examine what place the reading and study of the scriptures played in the Second Temple Period. Overnight in Galilee.
Day 8 Sunday, June 29 "THE KINGDOM OF GOD IS AT HAND"
Visits to Chorazin, the Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum and the Tabgha area will help us focus on the different aspects of Jesus' ministry and the Jewish background to his teachings. We will celebrate Eucharist at the site where Jesus cooked breakfast for his disciples on the beach after His resurrection. We'll also enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee. Overnight in Galilee.
Day 9 Monday, June 30 "WHO DO MEN SAY THAT I AM?"
Today we explore the upper regions of Israel to the foot of Israel's tallest mountain. We climb up onto the Golan Heights to visit an ancient village at Katzrin where we see how people lived in the first century. After traveling along the Israeli-Syrian cease-fire lines, we come to Caesarea Philippi. It was here that Peter confessed Jesus as the long-awaited Messiah. Then we continue to the nearby nature reserve of Dan. During a walk through the reserve, we will discuss biblical imagery such as living water, and visit the Old Testament city of Dan. We will stop by to visit the lovely waterfall mentioned in the psalms. If time permits, we will go up on the lower slopes of Mt Hermon to discuss the Transfiguration and stop briefly at a Crusader era castle. Overnight in Galilee.
Day 10 Tuesday, July 1 VIA MARIS
Today, we focus on the religious, social and political turmoil existing prior to and during the first century A.D. Beginning with Megiddo, (Armageddon of the New Testament), we will examine the different strains of Apocalyptic thinking which flourished at that time. Later, at Caesarea, site of the conversion of Cornelius, we consider the spread of the Gospel among the Gentiles. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 11 Wednesday, July 2 RACHEL WEEPING FOR HER CHILDREN
Today we examine the connection between Jesus and the Jewish people. We begin visiting Yad Vashem, the Holocaust memorial museum, including the Children's Memorial. A short discussion of anti-Semitism and its consequences in current times takes place before we enter the Memorial. We then journey to Ein Kerem, the birthplace of John the Baptist, and on to Bethlehem, the birthplace of Jesus (conditions permitting). Here we discuss the prophetic background and meaning of Jesus' birth.Dinner in Bethlehem. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 12 Thursday, July 3 "OUR FEET ARE STANDING WITHIN YOUR GATES, O JERUSALEM"
Today we examine the city of Jerusalem as it existed in the times of Jesus. After a late start, the Temple Mount area will be our focus as we attempt to visually reconstruct how the area would have looked during the time of Solomon and Jesus. Afterwards we will examine the Herodian remains uncovered at the foot of the Temple Mount. Here we will stand on the stairs that allowed access onto the Temple Mount. It was these very stairs that Jesus himself would have used. Time will be given to visit the Western (Wailing) Wall. In the evening we will have a First Century Passover meal. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 13 Friday, July 4 "THIS JESUS GOD RAISED UP AGAIN, TO WHICH WE ARE ALL WITNESSES"
The day begins with a brief teaching on the historical framework for the events of the last week of Jesus' earthly life. After viewing the Old City from the top of the Mount of Olives we walk down to Dominus Flevit, the site that commemorates Jesus' weeping over Jerusalem. Afterwards, we continue onto the Garden of Gethsemane, and then visit the Holy Sepulcher. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 14 Saturday, July 5 FREE DAY
Time for shopping or visiting sites in Jerusalem not covered in the tour. Overnight in Jerusalem.
Day 15 Sunday, July 6 A LIGHT TO THE NATIONS
Morning worship at Christ Church. Afternoon transfer to Tel Aviv. Free time for shopping and touring in the in the heart of old Jaffa. From this ancient seaport Jonah and Simon bar Jonah (Peter) both departed to take God's word to the Gentiles.
If time permits, visit the Diaspora Museum. Dinner overlooking the Mediterranean. Overnight in Tel Aviv.
Day 16 Monday, July 7 RETURN TO USA
Travel to Ben Gurion International Airport for our early morning British Airways flight to Washington-Dulles International Airport. Complimentary meals and beverages are served aloft. Arrive on the same day. Connection in London-Heathrow.