From May 23–June 3, Dr. Paul Nyquist, president of Moody Bible Institute, hosted 175 guests and 20 Moody representatives on a spectacular journey through ancient and modern Israel. The group explored historical and biblical sites and visited the places where Jesus and his disciples ministered. This was the third tour of Israel hosted by Moody.
“Experiencing first-hand the sights and sounds of the Bible lands is an incredible, life-changing experience,” said Dr. Nyquist. “We were especially blessed to be joined by a number of Moody professors, including Walt McCord, Mike Vanlaningham and David Finkbeiner, who opened the Bible for us within the context of our tour locations and current events. Being able to attach God’s Word with concrete memories always deepens my understanding of our faith and is a joy to experience with members of the Moody family.”
The tour began by focusing on the wilderness traversed by David as a young shepherd, including the Dead Sea, Masada and En Gedi. The group then traveled through the Jordan Valley north to Galilee. As they approached the Sea of Galilee, they attended worship services in boats on the water and on the Mount of Beatitudes.
“For me, it was amazing to contemplate the realness of Christianity as we followed the routes of Jesus, David and Paul,” said Alysia Green, Moody event logistics coordinator. “To walk on the same stones they walked and look at the waters they travelled, helped me realize in a more tangible way that our religion is not just a set of beliefs, but a way of life that has been lived by men and women for thousands of years.”
The second half of the tour took participants through the Jezreel Valley to Mount Carmel and Jerusalem, where they stayed until the conclusion of the trip. Among the many stirring sites of Jerusalem, the group visited Yad Vashem, Israel’s unforgettable memorial to Holocaust victims; the Western (Wailing) Wall and site of the original City of David, and the traditional Upper Room where Jesus met with His disciples. Appropriately, the tour concluded with a memorable communion service at the Garden Tomb.
For more information about Moody Tours, please visit www.israel.moodyministries.net/.