Testimonies

Pastor John’s Biblical Israel Tour was a life changing experience for me and my mom. We reviewed many Holy Land Tours on line before deciding upon the tour hosted by Rev John DeLancey. What a great choice! Pastor John as a love of scripture and enthusiasm for the land of Israel that is tangible, contagious, and a joy to behold. Our tour was extremely organized, with all logistical elements handled superbly, which allowed us to be fully present each day to learn, laugh, and sing.

We started each morning on the bus singing “This is the day that the Lord has made” with our entire travel group and that set the tone for the rest of the day’s adventures. We also had an Israeli tour guide named Shlomo and he was exceptional. Shlomo has extensive knowledge of scripture, Jewish history, and archeology and presented information in a very entertaining and informative manner. The information I learned from Shlomo and Pastor John has sparked a deep desire to learn more about the Bible and the land of Israel. I will definitely make it back to Jerusalem at some point in my life.

My favorite parts of our journey were being baptized in the Jordan River, swimming in the Dead Sea, making friends with the other tour participants, and deepening my love of God.

I would highly encourage anyone to take a Biblical Israel Tour with Pastor John.

Jim (Minnesota)

"It has now been 3 months since our amazing journey through Israel with the Lord, Pastor John and our group. I am still being blessed by all I saw and learned during that special journey. It's almost like while I was there, my brain spent its energy soaking up all I was seeing and learning. Once I came home, the blessings from the Lord continued to overflow as what I saw and learned gradually seeped from my brain to my heart. Witnessing God's glory and majesty in Jerusalem, feeling His humanity and love for His Father and for everyday, ordinary people in Galilee... I hope I never lose those images and lessons from my mind. The itinerary was full of excellent stops and organized in a very logical, efficient fashion. I felt completely safe with the group while we were there, and was very grateful for the experience Pastor John and his colleagues (Tom, Myra, Shlomo, Azam) brought to the trip. Our group sang together and prayed together - especially at the day's beginning and end. Pastor John read corresponding passages of the Bible to us at many of the sites, sometimes adding insights he'd gleaned; other times letting God's Word simply speak for itself. There were special times of worship where we sang to the music of Pastor John's guitar or worshiped along with music from someone's iPod. There haven't been too many days that have gone by since March where I have not thought about my time in Israel. There is a part of me that felt very at home there, as though I belonged - and I cannot wait to go back again someday through Biblical Israel Tours. Sincerely, Julie from PA"

What a truly inspiring trip to Israel and Jordon we had with you in March 2010. We have raved to family and friends about visiting all the biblical sites, singing songs, listening to you reading scriptures, optional morning and evening walks (other tour leaders never do this ),walking down the Snake path at Masada, walking through Hezekiah's Tunnel, reaffirming our baptismal vows in the same Jordon River where Jesus was baptized, visiting the Holy City of Jerusalem, and a communion service at the Garden Tomb.

Petra was amazing too, and I'm thrilled I had the opportunity to hike up to the Monastery. We highly recommend this "Journey of a Lifetime" tour to everyone. Many new friends have been made. Sending each days experiences along with pictures was fantastic for our families to view while we were away. Thank you for an exceptional and rewarding trip.

Marilyn & Jim (New York)

My wife and I enjoyed the Israel- Jordan trip. The trip was well organized. Our group tour guide Shlomo was very knowledgeable and presented the history of Israel very well. We meet many good Christian people. This trip was a wonderful experience that will always be remembered. We thank-you John for putting a trip like this together.

Thank you for a wonderful well planned trip. I went to church Easter Sunday and everyone welcomed us, Ron and Sharon, Marilyn and Audrey, back. I told every one they need to go on this same trip. We saw so much, and the Easter story became very alive when we saw where Jesus walked and died on the cross for my sins and the whole world. This was truly a trip of a life time. When I read my Bible these places we visited just become alive. I will never be the same. I will recommend your tour to everyone.

Audrey & Marilyn (Iowa)

Wow! We got back from our Journey the Wednesday before Easter and hit the ground running. Now that we have a moment, I want to give a shout of praise to our leaders for an awesome trip! Pastor John, Pastor Tom and our Israeli Tour Guide, Shlomo, were an amazing trio.

There was so much packed into our 12 days that I can not imagine what it would have been like without their extraordinary organization and encouraging spirits! I know that we went home filled with joy and so much information that we will be processing through the weeks and months ahead. I would have to say, perhaps my favorite place on the journey was the Garden Tomb. It was a beautiful garden filled with Olive trees and flowers and singing birds. After touring the area they traditionally think was Golgatha and viewing the tomb, we celebrated a communion in the garden, Pastor Tom read from the bible and then Pastor John led us in a few praise songs. I could just picture the Savior sitting in a spot like this, amid His Father's beautiful Creation, filled with a peace, yet knowing He would be there again at the end of His suffering. I know every time I share communion again I will picture this garden and feel the peace that only God can bring.

I want to acknowledge that God brought us together with a marvelous group of believers from all over the country and from many different denominations. We laughed a lot and we were blessed by the shared experience and our mutual love of the Savior. Thank you to Mira, from Creative Travel, who joined us this trip and added to the experience. Thank you to Pastor John who, through his unending energy and enthusiasm, his love and musicality brought a sweetness to God's word and to our praise. Thank you to Pastor Tom, who lived and studied in Israel over 4 years and passed on some of his vast knowledge of the history of God's chosen people and deep love for the Holy Land of God. And finally, thanks to Shlomo knows more about the old and new testament history than almost anyone I have met.( I should also acknowledge our Jordanian Guide, Naj, who was also a great wealth of information when we traveled into Jordan and especially Petra.)

This was a very Personal Journey of a Lifetime that each of us will cherish forever. Praise God!

Linda and Lee (New Jersey)

The purpose of this letter is to express my grateful appreciation to you as the inspirational pastor and leader of our tour group to Israel, Egypt, and Jordan. Although difficult to highlight a trip with so many deeply moving personal religious experiences I feel there are several areas that really need to be mentioned.

You managed to create a schedule that allowed the participants to see in two weeks what would logically take at least a month under any normal tour. Our days not only were filled with Biblical sites to observe and experience, but also optional walks and discussion to expand on what had taken place each day. It was exhausting in many ways yet Mary and I could not get enough in attempting to absorb every opportunity presented.

One of the most outstanding aspects of the tour was the worship element and Biblical reference attached to each of the sites visited. This experience really brought a greater understanding of the significance of the place we were visiting at the time. Having communion in the chapel on the garden tomb site was meaningful beyond words.

We felt in reflecting on this “religious pilgrimage” that we were involved in a two week hands on Bible study. The understanding of all that we have done over the years in learning the Bible became much more vivid as a result of this experience.

Although not knowing what to expect on the tour we could not have asked for more. Not only do we feel closer to God and Jesus Christ, our Lord and Savior; but we expanded our family through those with us who shared our common interest in seeking a greater understanding of Jesus Christ and His life in this world and what that meant to us.

Mary and I will likely make this trip again provided we could go with John as our tour director and pastor. In addition John has become a close friend. John exhibited patience, kindness, understanding, and love, as well as tenacity in helping us to grow as Christians through this experience. We thank God for leading us to John and others who shared this adventure.

Thank you, John, for allowing us into your life as fellow believers. Your leadership as our tour director was extraordinary. Your friendship means more than you can know.

We were so impressed with the wonderful tour of Israel, Egypt and Jordan (for those fortunate enough to go on the extended tour). The trip was beautiful and the extra days gave us time to further develop our friendships with each other. For those who had to return early, I hope...if you get another chance to return for a visit...you get to Egypt and Jordan (Petra is an amazing site to behold). Maybe someday, we can travel as the same group
and make a reunion trip with Pastor John as our guide.

I am so thankful to Pastor John for making every possible effort to see that we were comfortable and providing every opportunity to share his knowledge with us of historical and biblical information and securing guides and drivers who gave us the local color of the culture and conditions that past and present day people lived in. And to God for giving us a blessed and safe trip. He kept us from getting lost, from being too sick or hurt to continue. He enabled Dave and I to return home when my lost passport was found and for others He made sure they had some money left over after the trip.

The life-changing experience was hearing the Word of God and His plan of salvation for the Jews and the Gentiles unfolding in His timeline. Looking back at the big picture, it was presented to us...painted with broad brush strokes...in the panorama of His unfolding History (His Story).

We had great times with you all and will continue to remember the special times of our sharing of faith, love and hope that comes from knowing our Lord and Savior and being sisters and brothers in the Family of God.

My daughter and I had been looking for some time for an Israel tour and had not sensed peace about any until we found your web page including trip detail and bio. This was our first experience visiting Israel and I am pleased to say that from my perspective the trip met and exceeded expectations in all areas. It was obvious from the start that your leadership and "extra mile" effort in this trip came from the heart.........and not out of obligation. You had a genuine interest in each person that went beyond the element of professionalism, and we appreciated that effort.

My thanks to you for putting together a well balanced, interesting, and informative itinerary and schedule. The combination of the guide's presentation and your follow-up (including scripture) was an added touch. This helped us to experience that deeper appreciation for this blessed land and it's people, and most importantly, the scriptures. What a delight it is to note locations and view bit maps in the Bible and be able to say....."Yes, I know this area or this site"!!

I can say with certainty, even now some 30 days post trip, that it remains the "trip of a lifetime" for me, and we hope that God leads in a way that enables us to join you on yet another trip to that special country, Israel.

Thank you for making it all possible, and we pray for God's continued blessing upon your ministry here, and in Israel.

Wayne Hubin (MN)

I so enjoyed meeting all of you and am so privileged to call you all brothers and sisters in Christ. Thank you john, for a trip to always be cherished. the land the people and most of all God's word, is coming alive to me more and more each day as i read and visualize, all the places you took us and the scriptures you read there as well. Thank you for this most precious gift.

Bob and I have returned from a wonderful, awesome and spiritually inspiring trip. Praise God. Having visited the key sites and locations as described in the Holy Bible, we are now able to "see" the sites as we study the Bible, what a difference! Thanks for your leadership and guidance. You have certainly made things much easier for us. God willing, we will definitely revisit Israel.

Thanks.

Having never traveled out of the US, I really appreciated how well organized everything was on this tour. Being in these incredible places with a small group of like-minded folks was just wonderful! For any first timers to the Holy Land this is definitely the way to see it. The Sea of Galilee and the baptismal on the Jordan were awesome. There simply are no words to describe how moving and life-changing this tour was for me! I definitely hope to return!

My trip to Israel was just amazing. My enjoyment was filled to the fullest. Needless to say it was trip arranged by God. Each day my expectation was overtaken by the next. At each site with so to absorb and take in , I’m still trying to find place to put it all. I now read the bible with long pauses in between about the sites we’ve been to, adding a great thought that I been there. When I first started taking the places in the bible seriously, I thought I would like to go there one day. I think much more on that thought until twelve years later when God brought it to pass. Then I thought He really do gives you the desires of your heart. The people who came on the trip you felt like you knew them all your life. There were no strangers on this trip as it should not be strangers in the family of God. I thank God for each of you for being who you are, for my second tour definitely I look forward to seeing you. I enjoyed talking with everybody, I don’t think I missed anyone, I was always in company of great conversation picking up a comment, a little advise, joking or just hanging out with the scholars it was worth getting the ear full.

Spiritually, it has done wonders for me. I felt the presence of God all over that land. Two words came to me was peace and security, this is what I felt. And for the Jewish people I must look at them in another light. Ever since God had given them this land, despite of the millenniums of wars and the Diaspora, they have not forgot God’s inheritance to them. With enemies all around them and even working next to them, yet they’re stilling holding on to what God had given them. This reminds me of King Ahab who wanted Naboth’s field for his vineyard and was willing to pay for it, but Naboth replied “God forbid, if I should give the inheritance of my fathers to thee”. We should hold fast to what God has given us with His peace and His security for no matter how long it takes, God is able to sustain you.

Roy (Missouri)

Pastor John,
I wanted to thank you for the wonderful trip that you put together for us. There are special memories that will last a lifetime. I also wanted to thank you for the DVD that you sent with all the files and pictures on it. Every time I look at the pictures different memories are prompted. It is great to have these. There is something very special about being able to see and walk about the area of the world where Jesus lived while He was here on this earth. Even though this was my second trip, I saw new areas and learned many things. Thank you again for all of your thoughtfulness regarding this precious time in the Holy Land.

Linda (CO)

My husband and I have been dealt some pretty rough blows over the last few years. When we received the latest news, Scott decided he wanted to go to Israel. A place that has always been on his mind. We prayed about which trip to go on and when and God did all the work. Pastor John called us on the phone and shared a little about his upcoming trip and we knew then this is where we were suppose to be. God put all the details together and shut the doors that needed to be to make this trip possible.

What a trip it was! Pastor John and Shlomo our Israeli guide really opened the land and bible to us. It has proven to be a hunger that just cannot be filled. We keep wanting more. The excursions were absolutely fa nominal. The beauty of the country and the vastness of it were spectacular. Even the alternative night hikes proved to be an adventure.

We would highly recommend this trip to anyone wanting to learn more, see exciting places and to enjoy new people and to make wonderful new friends.

If we had not received the news we had back in December we would never had gone. We believe God called us to His special place so that we could begin a new thirst for His word and His people. God Bless Pastor John for his ability to share.

Blessings,

Scott & Judy (California)

On the first Sunday back our Senior Pastor started his sermon with, "I was doing all right spiritually this week until I clicked on the computer and saw Scott and Judy and Don and Penny in Israel. Then I had a real problem with envy!" Our prayer chairman felt led to pray this while we were gone: 'Penny Fregeau, that the trip to Israel will broaden her creative thinking for adaptation to her job here at the church.' God has really been answering that prayer. Don and I have been reading the blue and yellow book you put together in the evenings with great interest. Thank you again for being a great pastor-guide.

Blessings,

Don & Penny (California)

Above and beyond the extremely well organized trip of a lifetime including the history, archeology, biblical studies, pray time, flora and fauna, fellowship and food, the most amazing impact for me was the closeness I felt to the Lord at many locations. It was almost as if he was drawing me to particular sites and moments in time that will live in my heart forever. I have found it very difficult to convey these emotions to people who did not have this experience.

Thank you sooooooooo much for putting a power point presentation together for us. I have spend the better part of this past week trying to do it and with my lack of computer expertise, it was very difficult. I look forward to your mailing.

Thank you so much for your teachings and patience as we tried to digest all there was to see and do in the Holy Land.

Darlene (Maryland)

Pastor John,
We want to thank you for helping us walk were Jesus walked. It was truly and awesome experience to be able to visit the Holy Land and share this wonderful experience with you and the many friends we made during our time together. Thanks again it was truly a trip of a life time.
Please keep in touch. We appreciate the articles you have been sending.
Blessings,

Marge & Barry (Michigan)

Thank you for the wonderful trip in Israel, one trip I will never forget !! I really appreciate the CD playing of The Holy City to guide us into Jerusalem, did you realized every one joined in the singing and we had tears in our eyes? It was a very powerful moment to see the Old City with the song and other believers. Thank you also for daily prayer, singing and bible reading at the appropriate sites not forgetting the nightly walks. When I get back to Vancouver on Thursday ,I will introduce the Israel trip to my friends in church .

Soo (Canada)

Dear Pastor John, Thank you so much for making the trip such a meaningful and special time. You really were our shepherd for the trip - you kept us safe and on the right path. Gary and I really liked the way that you led our group. It was great hearing your personal accounts of your experiences in Isreal. Glad you are going to keep us on your email. We really appreciate the information that you send our way.

My husband, Gary, was the one who wanted to go to Isreal. Isreal was not even on my travel list of places to go. I kept saying that we can talk to the Lord anywhere and that Isreal was nothing special. Well, let me retract that. For me, visiting Israel was a life changing experience. It changed me forever, brought me closer to God. I have a direction, purpose and drive to know Jesus and be his disciple more than I ever did before. I have a sense of intimacy with our Lord that I didn't have before.

Now I can tell you that the tour was great. You are very knowledgeable and Schlomo was a great guide. It was great not to have to worry about anything: room, driving, tickets, etc. God uses you in a mighty way through the tours. There were so many special moments, singing in the church of the Annunciation, going to the Mount of the Beatitudes.

I am convinced that God invites us to come to Israel, we need only accept the invitation.

Thank you again for your part in making it so special.

With warmest regards,

Gary & Kathe (Nevada)

Pastor John, I was always afraid to visit the Holy Lands. I joked with my friends, "The only time I want to go to Jerusalem is when the Lord Jesus returns!" But while searching for a vacation appropriate for our 25th anniversary, my husband found your web site. Reluctantly I went to your site, and first clicked on Safety. I was comforted with the information, and agreed to go.

I have no regrets! Israel for me was love at first sight! Some of the highlights were visiting the Temple Mount, God's most holy site (even though it's currently under Muslim control), and listening to Moshe at the Shorashim Biblical Shop and Learning Center. I finally now understand in a very real way the exhortation in Psalm 122 to "Pray for the peace of Jerusalem." It was a fellow traveler on the tour who shared with me the true meaning of this psalm, and how it relates to the Lord's prayer, "Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done...!"

I've spoken with others who have traveled on different tours to the Holy Land, and they came back with cynical attitudes of the lands and current state of affairs. But cynicism was not the platform of your tour. Rather, you conveyed to us a deep reverence for the sites of biblical events, even if we didn't know we were at the actual sites. Your emphasis on the scriptures and history was a comfort, and helped to make the biblical events truly come alive for us.

Pastor John, you go over and beyond the others in organizing a tour. You've provided us with not only an extraordinary first-hand experience of the center of the world and history, but also with wonderful photos and videos (besides all those we took ourselves), and a wonderful network of friends for life. You continue to keep us posted on news and events of our new love, Israel, and we continue to hear great insights and updates from those who were on the tour with us.

Taking a tour with you is not just a tour. It's a connection with the Holy Land--coming to understand more fully why it is holy--and an ongoing relationship and learning experience with you and all of our new friends who were on the tour. We now feel like we are more "in the know" regarding Israel, current events, and our biblical roots.

Thank you so much for the experience of a lifetime, and for all you do to continue to make it last...for a lifetime!"

Steve & Judy (Florida)

"Dear Pastor John, I cannot begin to express my deep, sincere and heartfelt thanks and gratitude for the work you are doing to give Christians like my daughter and myself the opportunity to experience the Holy Land from an historical and present day perspective. From the moment that my daughter asked me, “ Mom, if I could give you the trip of a lifetime that you have always said was a Holy Land trip, can you go this year?” , my answer was YES, and that began the walk of a lifetime. The moment we committed to the trip with our registration and first payment, we both began to experience Jesus and his life and walk in a different way. We read more articles on where we were going, we viewed DVDs to prepare for the trip, we studied God’s word more in depth, and we prayed more passionately. This trip was a true journey and pilgrimage for us. I cannot hear the word of God the same. It is so much more personal and close to my heart, something I could not imagine would happen so profoundly. The first trip back to church, with listening to the scriptures and 'signing' with my church community was overwhelmingly emotional. Every Christian should make this journey, it should be a personal priority to get into God/Jesus in this way.

We are truly blessed to have gone to God’s chosen land and to have experienced his life up close and personal. Thanks for making this trip so affordable, safe, fun and interesting. My God continue to bless your work in this ministry."

Susan & Christine, mother 45 and daughter 26 (Pennsylvania & Virginia)

"Dear Pastor, Lew and I cannot thank you enough for leading us through the vast deserts of Egypt into the Promised Land a couple of weeks ago! We saw palaces, temples and tombs of kings and gods now dead and buried (thankfully!). We experienced fantastic tastes, smells and sights we could never have imagined before. We walked, stood and sat in the very places our Savior once did the same; where multitudes gathered to hear Him speak; where He carried His own cross, beaten and humiliated for crimes He didn't commit.

We were baptized in the Jordan River, saw the Golden Gates that will open at Christ's 2nd coming and stood atop the Mt. of Beatitudes witnessing the presence of our living Lord today. Although I've barely scratched the surface, we will always remember and enjoy our reflection on the days we spent with you, Dr. Tom and our newly-made touring friends. We felt safe and well cared-for at all times and we whole-heartedly and enthusiastically encourage everyone who wants their own memories of a lifetime to go to the Holy Land with you. They will love it just as we did.

On a more personal note, Lew and I are already getting into the Christmas spirit this year. I wonder if it's because we've so recently walked in the footsteps of our King? Is anyone else having this experience too? I think it's finally beginning to soak in --all the extraordinary places we've seen and experienced! Now I want to go back so I can better soak them in! Really!

Hope you are all well and healthy. Thank you, Pastor John, for all you do. God bless you!"

Lew & Catie Eddleman (South Carolina)

"John, We just wanted to write and thank you for the time and effort in putting the tour together along with the DVD and powerpoint. We look forward to reviewing them. We are just starting to go through our pictures and trying to remember where they were all taken. The church is anxious to hear about our trip, and we are anxious to tell of the wonders that we have seen. Thanks again, for all the work you have done. We pray that the Lord will continue to reveal Himself to you and your family this Christmas season."

Bill & Ruthann Johnson (Wisconsin)

"For me who has never done history, each morning upon awakening I find myself thinking of a special time in Egypt and Israel. Many are asking for a show of pictures. I am very grateful for the experience. AND now as this info comes the trip also continues. What an awsome God we have.
Thanks John, and blessings!"

Ruth (Minnesota)

"Thanks for a great and very meaningful trip. The amount of sites visited and the ground covered was impressive, the quality of the guides was appreciated along with your oversight assistance and pastoral leadership, you certainly were the right person to visit the Holy Land with. I don’t remember if we told you but we had previously scheduled two other trips to Israel but these we canceled due to fighting levels in Israel, so we feel privileged to have gone with your group now. We hope Mary’s hip problem did not slow the group down and this worked ok for you. We appreciate your patience on this. which he is willing to share.

In regards to the hotel accommodations on the trip, they were very nice. The boat trip on the Nile and the days/nights spent on it were also a great experience. We saw various historic sites along the Nile along with some stops into the adjacent towns. Along the way we could see how the Egyptians lived along the Nile and how green it was only along the Nile strip.

Israel was indeed the highlight for me. Although I liked Egypt the sites we visited in Israel had a lot more meaning to me. We had a nice short time floating in the Dead Sea, later spent time on the Sea of Galilee, both boating across and seeing the various sites thought to be the areas Jesus spent time which was a great experience. Bethlehem was where we visited the church thought to stand on the spot which held the Inn which Mary and Joseph requested a place but there was no room.

To visit Jerusalem, see the sites thought to be places were Jesus walked, the Mt of Olives, two thousand year old Olive trees in the garden, the Dome on the Rock, the various sections of the city and how it was laid out, experience the smells and each ethic groups which occupied the sections, and see the areas mentioned in the Bible is a once in a lifetime experience for us. In addition, we walked inside and under the area which now has the Dome on it, this area allowed us to see the various water storage areas under the walls and later actually walk in the water inlet (chiseled out of Granite and a 1700 foot long tunnel) which was once used to conquer the city.

In summation, the leadership of this trip was exceptional. At our age- 64- we have experienced a lot of trips in many parts of the world. This is a great trip not only due to the organization, from the hotels, guides, additional help, but also items like nighttime Bible reviews, comments, explanations. Should you be thinking of taking a trip to this area I would highly recommend taking a trip here with John DeLancey. We only met John once we had joined the group in New York, as we joined the trip via the internet, but we enjoyed the well organized and meaningful trip.

We look forward to the DVD and other pictures from other group members. Hopefully your son had a great trip. One of the trip highlights was to see him get baptized as I know what it means to a father to see his son grow in Christ. Blessings!"

Wayne & Mary (Nevada)

"The Nov. 08 Egypt--Israel tour was truly a tour of a lifetime. To walk where Jesus walked and hear as Pastor DeLancey read Scripture that was fitting for each place truly strengthened our faith. We enjoyed the daily devotions and hymn sing in the evening. Every aspect of the trip was very well planned with full days of sightseeing. Our whole group was like one big family and the guides were very informative. It was a trip with real Christian meaning. As Pastor John told us, "In Egypt we will follow the footsteps of men who thought they had become gods and in Israel we will follow the footsteps of God who became man." And so it was."

Arnie & Ileen (Iowa)

"Dear Pastor John, Believe it or not , this is the first opportunity I've had to read any email since we returned from the trip - still shuffling through snail mail too. Still processing the whole trip experience. I think one of the things I appreciated most was the de-emphasis of the place, "the actual spot" where Christ was crucified, where He was born, where He walked, and rather the sacredness of the whole of Israel because of the promises of God and the great gift of salvation through the sacrificial death of Christ. It was a more of a journey of the heart, rather than a physical pilgrimage, even though my legs might disagree.

The highlights of the trip, for me, were the spiritual ones - the communion service at the garden tomb, the hymns on the Sea of Galilee, the quiet moments at En Gedi and even the physically challenging hike up and down "Mt Sinai" were times to be alone in my heart, with God.

Traveling with like-hearted people was wonderful, for there are so many tours of the Holy Land, and just like life everyday, finding kindred spirits, Christ-centered hearts, to share such an important experience, is rare.

Thank you so much for making my first trip to the Holy Land more than I hoped it would be!

Bob & Joyce (Michigan)

"Shalom 'DeLancey-ites!' Don't you just love the word Shalom, I do. I had a wonderful time. It was great meeting and fellowshipping with you all. We've recovered from what has been the most rigorous vacation I've ever taken. It was very educational for me. So many scriptures ran through my mind as we traveled and so many were given new light. All prayer request have been forwarded to God on your behalf. John and Tom thanks for hosting. Sheri thanks for sharing so freely you were a true blessing to me.

The trip was an awesome experience and so very educational. Being in Israel and actually seeing the sites and the various items describe in the bible changed many of the mental images I had of things, the western (wailing) wall, the millstone, the eye of the needle, the various gates, the wall around the city, Bethlehem, the synagogues, Armageddon, honey, the palm trees, the olive trees, stones, and so much more. I see so many scriptures in a new light now. I've seen and learned so much.

With all the security clearances I had to get as a federal government employee to go into the country and all the restrictions I was given, I was surprised at how safe and non incidental the entire trip was. I didn't expect the security we were given but found it to be comforting but seemly unnecessary. Although I'm sure it has it purpose I never felt the need for it. I felt safe and at peace the whole time.

I've recommend this trip to everyone. I have a couple of people saving up to go with us when we go back in the near future. This time when we go I'll have to carry a notepad with me. Peace & many blessings,

Adrienne (OH)

"Greetings to you my fellow Brothers and Sisters in Christ. My wife and I would like to first thank God for the awesome opportunity to tour with true worshipers of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. You embraced us with the love of God and I am sure He is well pleased. This was not a vacation it was so much more. This was a once in a life time true adventure and pilgrimage. We came expecting God to do one thing and He did many. I am sure you were equally as blessed as we were by His many acts and His presence. And again I say thank you for allowing God to work through you all. My wife and I are still processing the wealth of knowledge and experience we beheld. Just being in the land where the world was changed had an awesome presence within itself even with the many changes of modernization the past still rang clear. Not even ten thousand years of erosion could cover this up. And as I have spoken to many concerning our pilgrimage to the Holy Land I encourage many at the opportunity to go that they should go. As I now look forward to the year when we will return, I pray the blessings of the Lord, His peace and understanding and above all His word and His Spirit reign in your life."

Minister Michael (OH)

"Sirkka (Irmeli) and I want to thank each and everyone of you for making our journey through Egypt, the Sinai Desert, and Israel, really amazing. We are still processing (in our hearts and minds) the 1200+ photos I took and have looked at them several times and have enjoyed looking at our awesome new friends. You all will remain in our thoughts and prayers for a very long time. Pastor John and Pastor Tom did a wonderful job of keeping us motivated and moving along our journey. We were never bored! Thank you 2 guys for giving of yourselves so that we were informed and blessed.

We hope you all have a great Thanksgiving Day and wish you all a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year 2009 (-; as we now enter into the "Holiday Season" as the world calls it! )-; Blessings to you all in His Holy Name."

Greg & Irmeli (Maryland)

"'Overwhelmed'! Flooded with images, impressions, tastes, smells, responses, ideas. My mind feels like a hurricane swept over it, leaving detritus which I'm slowly picking through. Each photo brings back an instant of recognition, that urge to capture what is fleeting. The enormity of the Judean wilderness, nothing like hiking and skiing the wilderness of the Pacific Northwest! The diversity of peoples, animals, flowers, birds, building ornamentation, icons, religions. The silent harmony of a rocky hilltop, where stones record vanished peoples. The scurry of tourists through yet another cathedral, slurping up guidebook points, ignoring the nascent antipathy to thy neighbor. The clean tiny stream where Mary must have filled her pot of water, between the rocks which are always present, under, over, around. And yet God's source of life still flows from above, the creative gravity working under, over, around, the hardest rock, the hardest heart.

Thank you for reminding us of the Rock, the Life, the Way."

Syrene (Washington)

"Dear Pastor John, We thank you so much for your willingness to use your tour organizational talents for God’s glory. What a privilege it was to join your tour to the Holy Land! You had the tour organized magnificently so that our days were filled with visits to places that Jesus and Moses and Israel’s prophets and kings like Elijah, David, and Hezekiah lived and walked. We continue to enjoy our tour experiences and to reflect on the spiritual and historical impact of the places we were privileged to visit. Because of the security precautions that exist throughout Israel, we felt safer than we sometimes feel at home. We had no transportation hassles, no reservation hassles, and no entrance fee or tipping hassles because you had handled all those details for us in advance. We wonder if your Holy Land tours ever conflict with your ministerial duties at home. But we do know that your tours are a very fruitful ministry to the participants in bringing us to a greater faith and a greater confidence in the accuracy of the Scriptures. We pray your home church values your tour ministry and that God will continue to richly bless that ministry. Thank you, John, for all you do."

Jim Jim & Cyndde (Ohio)

"Pastor John, Well it is about five weeks since we have returned Home, from the Trip to Israel, and it that period we have had a lot of time to reminisce and reflect on fifteen of the most memorable days in our life. We fully realize, it took more than one individual to do all that was required to put a trip like this together. A trip of this magnitude requires a "Team Effort", of the Travel Agency, and other Sources that you utilize, but it took someone to put the package together and present it to the people, and that individual is you! This is an extension of your Ministry, as a "Sheppard", guiding a Flock to the Lord! Both Jane and I just want to extend our "Thanks" for giving us the opportunity to participate in this most meaningful journey. Your ability to orchestrate detail, communicate with participants, and vibrant personality, makes you the success that you are in the Church you lead, the trips that you conduct, and the people that you meet.

We were pleasantly surprised with all the photos that you sent us on the CD's. What fantastic pictures have been added to what we taken, and had received from Darla and Todd. In fact we were so excited with the trip, the CD's, we went out and purchased a 52" TV, just to view them. Our only regret with the entire trip is, that we did not do it earlier in our life, so that it would have been physically easier to handle, but considering everything, we did pretty good in keeping up. You can be assured if any of our peers, even utter a word about a trip to the "Holy Land" both Jane and I will be there to tell them, the only way to go, is with Pastor John!"

"This was a trip of a Life time for me. It was a buffet of the Bible. I was able to taste so many places in Scripture that it was coming alive to me. I will be digesting this buffet for a long time. Although we had over 50 people in our tour, it seemed that we were all kept together and protected by His Grace through the very busy streets of Jerusalem and other sites. I felt very safe as a group, and would go back in a heartbeat. I am grateful that Pastor John had options for the group depending on your physical abilities. Our Tour Guide in Israel was so delightful and so missed by everyone when his tour was over."

"Shalom, Pastor John! I know you're on your way back and I've prayed for a safe trip. God is good! I can't wait to tell you how much Jamie and I appreciated the unparalleled opportunity to be with you and our new friends on this memorable tour of the Holy Land. We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for your hard work and support. Your passion for the Lord and pastoral leadership are truly inspirational and we continue to pray for God's hand to be upon you, your family and ministries. We are grateful for your humble leadership and love, Pastor John. Jamie and I will continue to think of you and keep you in our prayers.

To summarize: Awesome leaders, guides and friends, awesome sights, and awesome weather! What else could we ask for? Israel is small in size, but big in heritage. As we traveled through the Holy Land, the Bible's sights and events came to life in a vivid way. As we retraced the steps of Yeshua, we felt a little closer to Him... we felt the grace of His touch, the wonders of His ministry, the pain of His death, and the beauty of His resurrection. Jerusalem is set like a precious jewel in an arid and unfriendly land, as we are set like lamps in a dark and evil world. Intimacy with Christ starts with a passion for God, and a passion for God leads to compassion for others.

Our visit of the Holy Land developed in us greater sensitivity to the One who laid down His life for us and those He loves. Shalom, shalom! We slowly, however, started missing y'all, as we reminisced about all the fun times, moving moments, jokes, learnings, etc. We missed the camaraderie, the sights, the kind words, the hugs, the spirit of acceptance, etc. We did not hear one complaint during the whole trip, which is in itself a testimony to God's grace and power. The respect and sincerity we experienced with you was an answer to prayers... where God brings together strangers, His followers from various Christian denominations, and blows His Spirit of unity and love. Yeshua shows us that He has risen and is alive indeed!"

Dominique & Jamie (Toronto)

"Hi Pastor John! I just want to thank you for your guidance of a very memorable, uplifting journey to The Holyland. We were indeed blessed with having good weather and a lovely group of people on the trip. Also, having Rev. Tom at the end of a crowded area watching out for everyone of our group so that no one gets lost was so comforting. Your daily postings and pictures definitely help me a lot in sorting out my own pictures after coming home. I hope to go again with you in the very near future." Best Regards."

"The trip to the Holy Land was an incredible experience. It was also a physical marathon! But to be where Jesus

lived, walked & preached was truly a lifetime experience that will take a long time for my brain to digest. There

was so much history and awesome discovery to absorb in such a short time. The tour was well organized and our leaders and tour guide did a phenomenal job in leading 52 people on a journey back in time. All my fellow travelers were a source of genuine Christian fellowship and inspiration. And if 86 year old Ruby could climb the hills and walk the cobbled paths and narrow stairs, it would have been total embarrassment not to be able to follow.

Although we were aware of the turmoil that engulfs the region, we felt completely safe and assured that Pastor John and Dr. Tom would not jeopardize our safety. Many of our fellow travelers were there on a second trip and many others plan to return. Even more meaningful is the fact that this experience from sailing on the Sea of Galilee & baptism in the River Jordan to following Christ’s final journey on the Stations of the Cross & Communion in the area of His tomb came just before this celebration of his Resurrection.

"Dear Pastor John, Thank you for an awesome trip. It is hard to believe that we were walk where Jesus walk. The places we went to use to be in black & white, now it is in full color. When I read about the places in the Bible I can see it in my mind (I have been there). And I know a little bit about what the Israelites had to go through. The Garden Tomb was one of my favorite places. The peace and the Communion service you could feel the presents of the Lord, and also the sign "He is not here." All through Israel I could feel God, we were standing on Holy Ground. One of Mike's favorite places was Masada. We look forward to going on another trip with you."

Michael & Veronica (Michigan)

"I would also like to give my thoughts on our trip to the Holy Land. It was truly inspiring. Everything we had hoped for. The sacrifices Rozelle and I had to make were worthwhile. Our great tour guide Ron asked why so many people from all over the World felt drawn to this tiny nation and its capital Jerusalem. The answer I think lies in Romans 10:12 and Galatians 3:29. The heritage of Abraham, Isaac, Jacob and David also becomes our heritage through our faith in Jesus Christ. It explains and then strengthens our relationships with our Jewish friends and our Jewish heritage. From beautiful Mt. Carmel to a sunrise service on the sea of Galilee to Holy Communion at the garden tomb it was an experience Rozelle and I will always hold dear to our hearts. Pastor John and Dr. Tom ability to both share their knowledge of and passion for the land and its people certainly enhanced our experience. The singing was great and made even better by our two singing Angels Deanna and Rachel. The Hotels and food were first class and our safety was never an issue. The Holy Land is truly for all of God's people. Thank you for a wonderful time."

Bud & Rozelle (Florida)

"We sure had the trip of a lifetime going to Israel being led by Pastor John DeLancey . One of the highlights of our trip was getting up at 1:30 a.m. and making the climb up Mt. Sinai, the Mountain of Moses. The multitude of stars in the sky which were observed while riding part way on the camel were magnificent along with the beautiful sunrise at the top. It was a
difficult climb but well worth the effort. The boat ride on the Sea of Galilee was so peaceful with worship time and singing along with John's guitar. Many other highlights were Masada where King Herod had built many castles rising 950 feet above the valley (We are in awe how it was built).

The Garden Tomb in Jerusalem where we had a communion service was special as was our special baptism by immersion in the Jordan River by Pastor John and our pastor John Peterson. These are just a few of our experiences "in the land of the bible".

We did not have any safety concerns as there was a great deal of security present. The border of Israel and Syria was guarded well. We had three excellent guides and two leaders, John DeLancey and John Peterson who added spiritual leadership with scripture readings. This was a spiritual, awesome adventure.

Don & Brenda (Virginia)

:"We want to again thank you, Pastor John, for a wonderful trip - beyond my expectations! I have been going over the materials you sent when we first signed up for the trip and they are so helpful now that we have been to these places.
Thanks for putting all that together and giving it to us. I have nothing but good to say about the tour.

A tour of Israel has been a life long desire. Sometimes when you anticipate something for so long, the reality is a let down. Not this time! Our tour exceeded expectations. Pastor John, you did an excellent job of communicating with us as we prepared for the trip, giving us information on what we would see as well as what we should bring with us. Your knowledge of the land, the history, the people was very helpful to us. We loved how you packed so much into each day and made the most of our time in Israel.

Highlights of the tour would be sunrise meeting on the shore of Sea of Galilee, visiting the Old City of Jerusalem, Masada, the middle of the night hike up Mt. Sinai, and walking through Petra. We were awed by these incredible experiences and never felt any sense of danger. We appreciated beginning each day with the reading Scripture, prayer and then in group singing. Our hotels were very comfortable and the food was excellent!