The war between Russia and Ukraine that has captured the world’s attention seems to have suppressed the good news from Israel; that their borders are finally open to tourists with no restrictions! The only thing required to enter the country is that you must take a PCR test before leaving your home, and another one upon arrival.
After two years of being closed to foreigners, Israel, a country heavily reliant on international tourists, is once again ready to receive visitors. This is not only good news for the millions of Christians who have been longing to come to the Holy Land for the last two years, but also good news for Israel’s ‘Ministry of Tourism’ and the many tour guides and tour agencies who have seen their livelihoods and businesses disrupted for so long.
I’ve already heard of several individuals who immediately hopped on a flight to Israel as soon as the borders opened. Their only goal was to get to Israel, rent a car, and explore the country. Regardless of whether you’re coming with an official tour, or simply on your own, or with family or friends, the time has arrived—come to Israel!
As an organization dedicated to bringing Christian volunteers to Israel’s Biblical heartland to serve farmers all throughout Judea and Samaria, we are overjoyed to have the opportunity to introduce you to this incredible land. You can check out all of the new trips that we have planned for this year here, including one that starts May 2nd. The Heartland Experience is designed to introduce you to the land and people of Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria. Two parts tour and one part volunteer program, you’ll go to places most tour buses don’t, and have opportunities to get your hands dirty in the prophetic soil of this place.
I like to call Judea and Samaria Israel’s best-kept secret. Fifteen years ago, no one came to this beautiful place. Now, Christians and tour agencies are beginning to discover Israel’s mountain region and are insisting on visiting Israel’s heartland. However, Israel needs more people to visit the Biblical heartland. If millions of people begin to visit a place that is falsely known as the “West Bank,” Israel and the international community will realize that this could never be a Palestinian-terrorist state. It must remain an integral part of the Jewish nation of Israel.
Jerusalem, Judea, and Samaria are home to more than 700,000 Israeli Jews. More than 80% of the Bible was either written or occurred in these places. Most of the Biblical covenants to Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob happened in these mountains. Prophecies spoken more than 2,000 years ago are coming to life right before our very eyes (see Ezekiel 36, Jeremiah 31, Amos 9, Joel 2, and Isaiah 61).
Here’s just a taste of the incredible places that you can visit in Judea and Samaria:
Hebron:
Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Sarah, Rebekah, and Leah are all buried here in what is known as “The Tomb of the Patriarchs.” An ancient road dating back 4,000 years can be found here. A vibrant and growing Jewish community lives here. And to boot, former US Vice-President Mike Pence just visited Hebron in a show of support for Israel’s Biblical heartland!
Bethel:
This is where Jacob had his dream of the angels ascending and descending on a ladder to heaven. God spoke to Jacob here, reaffirming His covenant to Abraham and Isaac, and promising that He would one day return Jacob to this land.
Shiloh:
This is where Joshua led the children of Israel and sent them forth to conquer the land of Israel. The Tabernacle was set up and stood here for 369 years. God’s glory resided here until the Tabernacle was moved to Jerusalem and eventually the Temple was built.
Elon Moreh:
This is where Abraham stood in Genesis 12 when God promised the land of Israel to him and his descendants forever. Here you can walk in Abraham’s footsteps and watch the sunrise over the Tirzah Valley, where the children of Israel entered the land under Joshua’s leadership.
Mt. Gerizim (Mt. of Blessing) & Mt. Ebal (Mt. of Cursing):
This is where six tribes stood on one mountain and six stood on the other mountain. Here the children of Israel accepted the covenant that God proclaimed to them. The sages say that this is where the children of Israel were “married” to the land. The altar that Joshua built still stands on Mt. Ebal, and you can go visit!
Yeshua (Jesus) also ministered to the Samaritan woman at the well on Mt. Gerizim (today the Mt. of Blessing).
Vineyards & Wineries:
Judea and Samaria are fast becoming internationally famous for their wine production. In the early 1990s, farmers heeded the prophecy of Jeremiah when he said that one day vineyards would again be planted on the mountains of Samaria (Jeremiah 31:5). The agricultural experts of the day tested the soil and said that it would never work. Bold Jewish farmers planted vineyards anyway, and thirty years later, millions of bottles of wine are being produced in Israel’s biblical heartland. Wines from this region are winning gold medals in international competitions. The beautiful vineyards, olive groves, almond trees, and much more are fulfilling Ezekiel’s prophecy that Israel’s mountains would once again shoot forth her branches (Ezekiel 36).
Not convinced yet? Check out our volunteer programs and The Heartland Experience at www.ServeIsrael.com
We’d love to have you join us on Israel’s mountains this year for a trip like none you’ve ever experienced in Israel. You will not only get your hands dirty in Israel’s soil, but you’ll experience off-the-beaten-path places, meet Israel’s most amazing pioneers, and fulfill biblical prophecy, happening right now, before our very eyes.
Israel’s gates are open. Are you coming?
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