The information on this page will be updated regularly.  You can also subscribe to the email update list by filling out the form linked below:

KEEP ME UP TO DATE EMAIL

or Email questions to noah@sierra.church .

Many of your questions can be answered here: Frequently Asked Questions


September 16th – 24th (optional extension thru the 26th)

From San Francisco  $4,083.00 (3 day extension $527.00)

Includes flights, hotels, buffet breakfasts, dinners all taxes and tips. 

Fly: Turkish Airlines (4 stars – tripadvisor.com 21,000 reviews)

Complete trip brochures are available from Pastor Noah.

If you can’t make the trip but would like to contribute to the scholarship fund to help send someone who needs it, you can email Pastor Noah: noah@sierra.church .

Register:  https://maranathatours.com/product/israel-holy-land-tour-dr-paul-null-pastor-largent-september-16-24-201

“It is my joy to extend to you an invitation to join me on a once in a life time Bible Study Tour of Israel.  We have two major purposes for this trip.  First of all, there is no better way to understand the Bible than to study it in its geographical and cultural context.  In visiting Israel, all of the sudden, biblical texts that have seemed obscure come alive.   Our second purpose for the trip is our desire that having walked in the steps of the Lord Jesus Christ, you may draw closer to him.  This in not vacation, it is a Bible study like you have never experienced before.” -Dr. Paul Null  (Paul has been to Israel 16 times.  Paul was the Pastor at Sierra Community Church for 4 and half years)

“Visiting Israel should be a bucket list item for every Christian, and I am so grateful that I was able to go there in my 20’s. The Bible came to life for me in so many new and exciting ways. When I read the teachings of Jesus now with the context of the place and culture where he originally taught I am able to better understand what those teachings meant to the original hearers, what they mean for us today, and how Jesus really did and does know how to best love and reach people exactly where they are at. Most of all though, I know for the rest of my life whether I am facing high or low points in my faith, any voice that wants to whisper to me that any of God’s promises are false will be quickly silenced because after actually going to Israel I can say I know God’s words are truth because I have seen so much evidence supporting that with my own eyes.” -Rachelle Fons (she visited Israel in the fall of 2018)

“Traveling through the land of the Bible is life-changing! To walk where Jesus walked, to boat across the lake where He calmed the storm, to walk through the garden where our Savior agonized over the ultimate demonstration of Love for us – what a lasting and profound impact! Read the Psalms of Ascent while ascending the steps of the Temple! Never read God’s Word the same again! It comes alive and draws one near to The Almighty Author!”  -Lori Mason  (Children’s Ministry Director at Sierra Community Church)

First Informational Meeting: February 3rd 12:30 in the little house on the church campus.

Full Trip Preview:  April 7th at 12:30pm at the church with our primary tour guide Dr. Paul Null. Paul has been to Israel 16 times.  Paul was the Pastor at Sierra Community Church for 4 and half years.

This itinerary is likely to change.  Check back for updates.

DAY 1 Monday, September 16, 2019 SAN FRANCISCO / ISTANBUL

Tour members are welcomed to San Francisco where we board our departing flight to Istanbul via wide-body aircraft arriving the next day. Meals served on board.

DAY 2 Tuesday, September 17, 2019 ISTANBUL / TEL AVIV / TIBERIAS

This morning we will arrive in Istanbul and transfer to our flight to Tel Aviv. Upon arrival in Tel Aviv we are met by our guide who will be with us for the time we are in the Holy Land. Continue through Tel Aviv, the largest city in Israel. We proceed up the new toll road in Israel to the famous Sea of Galilee where we check into our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 3 Wednesday, September 18, 2019 TIBERIAS / UPPER GALILEE

“The Head of all those Kingdoms” (Joshua 11:10) The Sources of the Jordan. This morning we leave Tiberias and head north via Magdala into the valley of Gennesareth to Ginossar to view the New Testament boat found below the sea and to visit the kibbutz. Then on to Chorazin, through the Hula Valley to Hazor, ruins of the powerful Canaanite city destroyed by Joshua and rebuilt by King Jabin and then by Solomon as a chariot city to command upper Galilee.

We continue to the northern limits of Jesus’ travel as we cross the River Hatzbani to Dan, where we combine a nature walk beside the Upper Jordan with views of the ancient ruins, topped by the Israelite high place that supported a golden calf (I Kings 12). Then a short drive to Banias (Caesarea Philippi), dedicated to Pan the Greek god of pastures, flocks and shepherds; here Peter made his great profession of faith, recognition of Christ Jesus (Matthew 16). Driving along the foot of Mount Hermon, we ascend onto the Golan Plateau for a magnificent view of upper Israel. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight .

DAY 4 Thursday, September 19, 2019

BEIT SHEAN / SEA OF GALILEE / CAPERNAUM

This morning we follow the Rift Valley running parallel to the Jordan, along the route Jesus most frequently traveled to Jerusalem. We visit Beit Shean at the foot of Mt. Gilboa, where King Saul was slain, see the evidences of Egyptian, Roman and Byzantine occupations, and view the ancient tel, Roman Theater and church mosaics.

In the afternoon we enjoy a relaxing boat ride on the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum, then visit Tabgha and the Mount of Beatitudes. Our last stop today will be at the River Jordan where we will have the opportunity to be baptized, then transfer to the hotel in Tiberias for dinner and overnight.

DAY 5 Friday, September 20, 2019

CANA / NAZARETH / CAESAREA / JERUSALEM

We leave Tiberias for Jerusalem, on the way we pass through Cana, where Jesus performed His first miracle. Continue to Nazareth, boyhood home of Jesus and then proceed across the Plain of Jezreel to Megiddo to visit the excavations of over 20 different civilizations. Visit Muhraka on Mount Carmel.

In the afternoon we visit Caesarea on the Mediterranean, the Roman aqueduct and port, Crusader’s Moat, and the famous Roman Theater. Time permitting we pass through Tel Aviv via Jaffa (Joppa), the city of Jonah, where Peter had his housetop experience at the home of Simon the Tanner (Acts 10). Proceed by way of the Aijalon Valley to Jerusalem for check-in and dinner at our hotel.

DAY 6 Saturday, September 21, 2019 MASADA / QUMRAN / DEAD SEA / JERICHO

Today we drive to Masada and ascend by cable car to the magnificent ruins of the fortress where, from 70 to 73 AD, Jewish defenders made their last stand in the Judean revolt against Rome. We see the remains of storehouses, cisterns and a sixth-century Byzantine church. Continuing alongside the Dead Sea, 1,300 ft. below sea level — the lowest spot on earth — we proceed to Ein Gedi where time permitting we will walk the path to see the waterfall in the desert.

This afternoon we continue to Qumran and the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. We will have a stop for lunch and time for those that want to swim in the Dead Sea. We travel to Jericho, the world’s oldest city. From the excavated tel atop the ruins of ancient Jericho we view the lush green Jordan Valley, Elisha’s spring and Qarantal, the Mount of Temptation. We will head up to Jerusalem and return to the hotel for dinner.

DAY 7 Sunday, September 22, 2019

MT. OF OLIVES / SOUTHERN WALL / BETHLEHEM

“If you, even you, had only known on this day what would bring you peace” (Luke 19:42) We start the day with an orientation view of Jerusalem from the Mt. of Olives with an opportunity of a group photograph overlooking Jerusalem. We then walk the traditional Palm Sunday route to the church known as Dominus Flevit (“Our Lord weeps”). After viewing the Golden Gate, we walk downhill to Gethsemane, where we take time to meditate on the Gospel text. Boarding our bus we drive to the Dung Gate. Just inside we walk to the Southern Wall excavations. We then examine the ruins near the south side of the Temple complex, including steps where we may be certain that Jesus and the disciples walked, then to the slopes of Mt. Zion there we will visit the Upper Room and King David’s Tomb.

This afternoon driving south, we visit Solomon’s Pools, Jerusalem’s main source of water for almost 2000 years. Passing the Herodian the palace set in a conical mountain that was built by Herod to mark his tomb, we will proceed to the Shepherds’ Fields and time permitting sing a few Christmas carols. We conclude the day with a visit in Bethlehem, walking through its alleys and markets to the Church of the Nativity. Return to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 8 Monday, September 23, 2019

OLD CITY / VIA DOLOROSA / GARDEN TOMB

Today enter the Old City through the Dung Gate and make our way to the Temple Mount where we visit the Dome of the Rock. Time permitting we return to the Mount of Olives to visit the Church of Pater Noster and the Chapel of Ascension. Crossing the Kidron Valley, we pass the tombs of Absalom, Zechariah and St. James, then visit the Pool of Siloam and the Church of St. Peter of Gallicantu (Caiaphas’ House).

We enter the Old City this afternoon through the Zion Gate and see the Cardo and the remains of Nehemiah’s Wall on the way to the Western (Wailing) Wall. Next we see the Church of St. Anne, the Pool of Bethesda, Pilate’s Judgment Hall, the Chapel of Flagellation, Lithostrotos, and the Arch of Ecce Homo (“Behold the Man”). We follow the Via Dolorosa (Way of the Cross) to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre and end our day in the Garden Tomb before returning to the hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 9 Tuesday, September 24, 2019 JERUSALEM / TEL AVIV / USA

We transfer to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always. Knowing we have walked in the footsteps of Jesus and the early Christians on such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our Bible reading.

POST EXTENSION TOUR MORE OF ISRAEL

DAY 9 – Tuesday, September 24, 2019 JERUSALEM / WESTERN WALL TUNNEL / TEMPLE INSTITUTE / YAD VASHEM / SHRINE OF THE BOOK

This morning we will board our bus for our exciting tour to the famous Western Wall Tunnel. Here we will enter by the Western wall plaza and go down to the foundation of the Second Temple. We will see a model that will demonstrate where we are in location to the Temple in the time of Christ. Continue along the tunnel as we proceed to the Gateway of the Priests entry to the Holy of Holies. We will continue to the Temple Institute where we will see the making of the instruments for the new temple. We will see how they are following the Bible for exact instructions. We will see a film explaining where the Rabbi believes the Temple and courts could be located.

This afternoon we will head to Yad Vashem and see the Museum of the Holocaust. Continue to Shrine of the Book and the model city of Jerusalem at the time of the Second Temple. Return to our hotel for dinner and overnight.

DAY 10 – Wednesday, September 25, 2019 JERUSALEM / FREE DAY

The entire day is free to explore this famous city, take any private sightseeing excursions desired, shop or just relax. Dinner and overnight at our hotel.

DAY 11 – Thursday, September 26, 2019 JERUSALEM / TEL AVIV / USA

We transfer to the airport for our flight home with unforgettable memories to cherish always. Knowing we have walked in the footsteps of Jesus and the early Christians on such a memorable tour will bring new meaning to our Bible reading.