Trips to Israel
Marion Bible Fellowship Israel Tour 2012
Prepare to Grow Your Faith!
The dates and price for the 2012 Tour of Israel are set. God willing, we will be traveling on Israeli El Al airlines leaving from JFK International Airport, New York, NY on Sunday, June 10, 2012 and returning on Sunday, June 25, 2012. The full price for the tour this year will be $4199.00 (double occupancy-single room supplement is $859 extra). A $499.00 non-refundable deposit per participant is due to the Marion Bible Fellowship office, along with a completed application, on or before March 31, 2011. Cancellation less than two weeks before departure will result in loss of full tour payment. After airline tickets purchased, they are non-refundable. We recommend you obtain travel insurance to cover necessary cancellations. If MBF should elect to cancel prior to departure, a full refund will be issued. We had great trips in 2008, 2010 and 2011, and we are praying that the Heavenly Father will favor us with another great experience this year, with YOU in attendance. Plans have been made to visit plenty of biblical sites, travel and hike the Land, learn the geography and archeology, and live out the Bible's stories personally. We will walk where Jesus, our Messiah and Savior, walked! 
Leadership
This summer, your trip leader will be Dr. Steven Lancaster, a professional Christian educator in biblical geography, 10 year resident of Israel, seasoned tour guide and expert in both ancient languages and in the Hebrew and Apostolic Scriptures. Dr. Lancaster will take you back to the time of the patriarchs and walk you forward through the time of Jesus, the Messiah, in a comprehensive tour of the Holy Land. Dr. Lancaster brings with him a host of experiences to make each turn of your trip engaging and deepening to your faith. The Land and the Bible will truly come alive!
What You Can Expect
Feel the Bible. Come experience the sights, sounds and fragrances of the Bible. Feel the heat of the Negev desert and know why the Israelites grumbled in the Exodus. Experience the bustle of Jerusalem and know what it must have looked like as Jesus carried the cross through her streets. See ruins of the walled cities of King David and Solomon and sit beside the gentle shores of the Sea of Galilee on the Sabbath just as Jesus and his disciples would have done. Float on the salty waters of the Dead Sea and swim in the crystal waters of the Mediterranean Sea as Jonah did. Cruise the Sea of Galilee while remembering how Jesus walked upon that very water. Come back home revived and energized in your faith after the trip of a lifetime.
More than Just an Experience
Despite the transforming nature of a trip to the Land of Israel, we don't simply invite you to an "experience." Our 2012 trip to Israel is intended to help believers understand the message of the Bible better. Because of our priority on teaching, we may forego stopping at certain popular tourist sites; we may instead focus on the archaeology or history and geography of the Land to illustrate where biblical events actually occurred. This approach differs from most other available tours. Most of our time spent in the Land is spent learning, experiencing and recreating biblical events. (See the itinerary which contains many more biblical destinations compared with other available trips.) Optional evening lectures will be provided each day to orient you to the next day's activities.
Walk as Jesus Walked
As we visit the Land of Israel, we will attempt to walk the Land as the earliest followers of Jesus did. Despite the fact we hosts a mix of denominational backgrounds on our trips, the group will walk for two weeks as closely as possible to the way the Master and His followers walked. Sabbath will be Saturday, all meals will be biblically kosher (see Mark 7), and modest clothing will be expected (sleeveless shirts and shorts higher than just above the knees are not appropriate for men or women. Women might consider longer skirts or conservative pants as a possibility. It is best to avoid t-shirts with slogans to permit us to visit several sites without hindrance.) Travelers will be expected to remain with the group at all times. Free time will be available in Jerusalem, in the Galilee and each night after the bus returns from the day's excursion.
Meet the People of Israel and Israeli and Palestinian Missionaries
While in the Land, we will meet with Jewish-Christian missionaries who live in Tel Aviv and Palestinian missionaries based in Jerusalem as they report their experiences witnessing Messiah to the various peoples of the Land. We will visit merchants in the streets of Jerusalem, visit desert-dwelling Bedouins and encounter both orthodox Jews and modern Israelis. You will take home an appreciation of the colorful cross-section of people currently living in the Land of Israel.
How to Prepare
Pre-trip personal study is highly recommended. Once registered, we will provide you with maps and materials to familiarize you with the Land of Israel prior to your departure. At the participant's request, we will provide individual orientation and teaching to prepare travelers for the trip, the extra cost of this personal orientation can be arranged based on individual need for on-site orientation or internet-based, low cost conferences and discussions.
The Fine Print...
What is Provided?
Important note: A minimum number of participants is required for Marion Bible Fellowship to host this tour. If the minimum number is not reached, we reserve the right to cancel and refund your money. Marion Bible Fellowship makes no profit by hosting this trip. We pass along all savings to you to encourage your attendance.
Lodging for the 12 nights in Israel will be in four star, first class hotels and kibbutz hotels that are based on sharing twin-bed or queen-bed rooms with private baths.Single rooms (limited number) are available at an additional cost (please ask for specific pricing). 
Every effort will be made to match single travelers with a suitable roommate, but if none is available, a triple-occupancy may be formed or the single supplement must be paid. Air transportation includes round—trip group fare on regularly scheduled commercial flights from New York to Tel Aviv on El Al Israeli Airlines. After tickets are issued, they are non-refundable.With regard to luggage, one suitcase will be handled for you upon arrival in Israel, transferred between hotels, and back to the airport. One carry-on which fits under the plane seat or in the overhead bin is permitted as well as a purse or other personal small bag. Israeli buffet breakfast and dinner are served daily. A small, on-site lunch snack is provided daily. Tips, fees and transfer taxes are covered for you.
What is not provided?
- Travel insurance is recommended but not included. One option: www.travelguard.com.
- Transportation to New York JFK Airport.
- Beverages at meals.
- Excess baggage.
- Passport costs.
Detail, Details... Your Tour Itinerary
Sunday (6/10)
Fly El Al Airlines from New York to Tel Aviv. Arrive next day.
Monday (6/11) – Arrive Tel Aviv at noon.
- Visit Joppa, Tel Aviv and the Mediterranean Sea.
- Meet with our Jewish-Christian missionaries in Tel Aviv.
- Overnight at Dan Panorama, Tel Aviv
Tuesday (6/12) – Experience the Land of the Patriarchs and Israel in the Wilderness
- Travel along the edge of Philistine Coastal Plain to the Negev
- Visit Tel Sheva and an Abrahamic Tamarisk tree and well
- Visit Tel Arad
- Visit a Bedouin camp near Arad
- Overnight at Prima Oasis.
Wednesday (6/13) – Visit the Dead Sea
- Early morning float in the Dead Sea
- Visit Herod’s desert fortress of Masada
- Visit En Gedi where David fled from Saul
- Visit Qumran where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found
- Overnight at Prima Kings, Jerusalem
Thursday (6/14) – Experience the books of Joshua, Judges, Samuel, and Kings
- Visit Nebi Samwil for an overview of Gibeon (Josh 10) and Central Benjamin
- Journey along the Beth-horon Ridge Route
- Visit Tel Shemesh with an overview of Samson’s home area
- Visit Valley of Elah where David fought Goliath
- Drive past Micah the Prophet’s hometown in the Gurvin Valley
- Visit Lachish, a Judean city that was second only to Jerusalem in importance
- Overnight at Prima Kings, Jerusalem
Friday (6/15) – Old Testament Jerusalem and the Jewish Quarter
- Enter through the Jaffa Gate
- Visit City of David, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Pool of Siloam
- Visit David’s Citadel
- Walk the Walls of Jerusalem
- Walk through the Jewish Quarter
- Free time for shopping
- Overnight at Prima Kings, Jerusalem
Saturday (6/16) – Sabbath rest in Jerusalem.
- Walk in the Old City.
- Worship at The Narkis Street Congregation, 10:30am.
- Visit Zak, our Palestinian Christian missionary in Jerusalem.
- Overnight at Prima Kings, Jerusalem
Sunday (6/17) Jesus’ Jerusalem and the Christian Quarter
- Visit Temple Mount, Visit Mount Scopus overlook of Jerusalem
- Visit the Mount of Olives, the Garden of Gethsemane
- Walk down the Kidron Valley to Stephen’s Gate
- Visit St. Ann’s Church and the pools of Bethesda
- Visit The Southern Steps
- Visit the Church of the Holy Sepulchre: place of Jesus’ burial and resurrection
- Visit the Roman Cardo
- Visit the traditional Upper Room
- Walk the Rabbinic Tunnel
- Overnight at Prima Kings, Jerusalem
Monday (6/18) – Travel to The Sea of Galilee
- View Bethany and the pilgrim route to Jerusalem from Galilee
- Experience the Judean Wilderness (Wadi Kelt) where Jesus was tested
- Visit Jericho, travel along the Jordan River Valley with breathtaking views of Transjordan
- Overlook the Sea of Galilee along Swiss Forest Scenic Route
- View Cana where water was turned to wine
- Overnight at En Gev, Sea of Galilee
Tuesday (6/19) – Explore Sites of Jesus’ Ministry
- Overview Galilee sites from Mount Arbel
- Visit Mount of Beatitudes
- Visit Korazin and Capernaum
- Visit Ancient Boat Museum. Boat ride on the Sea of Galilee “the other side of the lake”
- Visit Kursi where Jesus may have cast the demons into swine
- Overnight at En Gev, Sea of Galilee
Wednesday (6/20) – Explore Sites of Jesus’ Ministry
- Visit Jordan River Park to see Bethsaida and houses from the time of Jesus
- Visit Ancient Katzrin to see an ancient Jewish village from the time of Jesus
- Visit Caesarea Phillipi where Peter said “You are the Christ”
- Visit Dan Nature Reserve and archaeological site
- Overnight at En Gev, Sea of Galilee
Thursday (6/21) – Explore Western Galilee
- Visit Beth-shan to understand a Roman Decapolis city from the time of Jesus
- Visit Tel Jezreel, Mount Gilboa and the Hill of Moreh where Saul fought the Philistines and Gideon chose his army of 300 to defeat the Midianites
- Visit Nazareth Overview, Tabor Plain and Nain where Jesus raised the widow’s son
- Overnight at En Gev, Sea of Galilee
Friday (6/22) –
- Visit Tel Megiddo
- Visit Caesarea-maritima and Mount Carmel
- Overnight at En Gev, Sea of Galilee
Saturday (6/23) – Sabbath Rest on the Sea of Galilee
- Group worship on the shores of Galilee
- Swim in Lake Galilee or Gan HaShelosha National Park with optional afternoon hike.
- Overnight at En Gev, Sea of Galilee
Sunday (6/24)
Travel home from Tel Aviv through New York.
What Else is Required?
We require all travelers to have health insurance confirmed as active in Israel during their trip. All travelers must have a valid passport valid 6 months beyond re-entry date to USA. Apply for your passport now; MBF must have your passport number and name EXACTLY as it appears on your passport by February 29, 2012. More specific details of what to pack and other helpful hints will be provided to registered travelers once a deposit is received.
OUR DISCLAIMER
Our Disclaimer Neither Marion Bible Fellowship, Steven Lancaster nor Jerusalem Cornerstone Foundation or their agents shall be liable for any injury, damage, loss, accident, delay or irregularity which may be occasioned, whether by reasons of defect in any vehicle or through acts of default of any company or persons engaged in conveying the passenger or in connection therewith or of any hotel proprietor or servant. Such conveying, etc. is subject to the laws of the country where the conveyance, etc. is provided. The aforesaid entities can accept no responsibility for losses or additional expenses due to delay or changes in transportation company service, sickness, weather, strikes, war, quarantines or other causes. All such losses or expense will have to be borne by the passenger. The tour host reserves the right to decline to accept or retain any person as a member of the tour whose mental or physical condition or general deportment impedes the operation of the tour or affects the rights, welfare, or enjoyment of other tour passengers. The right is also reserved to cancel or alter the tour if circumstances require it. All arrangements for air transportation are made by the airlines concerned, which are not to be held responsible for any act, omission, or event during the time passengers are not on board their planes or conveyances. The passenger contract in use by the airlines concerned, when issued, shall constitute the sole contract between the airlines and the purchasers of this tour and/or passengers. No responsibility of any kind attaches to the tour hosts, Marion Bible Fellowship, their representatives, or Jerusalem Cornerstone Foundation or to any of the persons or companies mentioned above, or any agent, associate, or employee thereof.
How Do I Register and Pay?
FILL OUT THE FOLLOWING AND RESERVE NOW by either calling 740.387.4080 or by completing the form below, enclosing proper payment and sending to: Marion Bible Fellowship, 930 Harding Memorial Parkway, Marion, OH 43302 Attn: Israel 2012
930 Harding Memorial Parkway