Dates
June 12-26, 2018
eXperience Israel
Ages: 18-35
Experience Israel
More than just a study and sightseeing tour, eXperience Israel seeks to bless the people of Israel while partnering with several vibrant Israeli ministries and humanitarian aid organizations. In addition to seeing the Scriptures come to life on location through insightful teaching through “Jewish eyes,” you will have numerous opportunities to be the hands and feet of Yeshua (Jesus) in the land where it all began.
We are very confident that this two-week experience in the homeland of Yeshua will help solidify the foundations of your faith and provide life-changing encounters with God, His land, and His people that will benefit you for years to come.
After this trip you will walk away with a…
- Stronger connection to the Jewish heritage and biblical foundation of your faith.
- Stronger connection with Jewish and Arab believers who serve in the land of Israel.
- Better understanding of the history of Christian antisemitism and the Holocaust.
- Better understanding of the establishment of the modern State of Israel, the background to the Arab-Israeli conflict, and the challenges and opportunities for peace.
- Clearer vision for how to live out God’s mission of redemption and restoration in the Middle East and the world.
For more information please contact Justin Kron at jkron@chosenpeople.com.
Cost
$3950 (if registered before February 1, 2018); $4100 (if registered after February 1, 2018)
Contact
For more information, please contact us or call 1-888-2-YESHUA.
Gain a stronger connection to the Jewish heritage and biblical foundation of your faith.
Read what past participants said about eXperience Israel:
“The eXperience Israel tour was the most monumental, life-changing experience ever. I’ve been purged, humbled, moved and deeply challenged.”
Vivian
“The trip helped me to feel in my spirit what I already knew in my head – that the Jewish people are very dear to the Lord. The country is completely spiritually charged, and it was amazing to stand back and listen to the Lord there.”
Adrienne
“I am so grateful for my experience in Israel and how it has deepened my walk. I regularly utilize what I learned in my sharing, in my family, and in my walk.”
Jill
“It was amazing to actually be in a place where Jesus walked, talked, cried, prayed, etc. I will never read the Bible the same way again. It really opened my eyes to the culture of the people during the time of Jesus. I now understand so much better.”
Kayla
“God really changed me a lot through this trip and I don’t want to go back into my ‘old life’ where He was just someone I worshipped on Sundays and where Jesus was just some guy I read about for five minutes before I went to bed. God really spoke to me during those two weeks and the Holy Spirit has never been so real to me.”
Amanda
“This is not just a tour or a mission experience that people go on (I’ve done my fair share of both); because I have never felt as attached to an experience as I have to my trip to Israel. I can’t really put words to it except to say that what you offer people here is so much more than just a trip—it’s a two week experience that will stay with them forever.”
Michele
“I really enjoyed the outreach opportunities. They helped me understand how simple sharing my faith with Jewish and Arab people can be. It doesn’t take a lot of head knowledge…just love, and the gifts that God has given me.”
Jim
“This trip made me start to seriously think about missions. I have always had it in the back of my mind, but now it has pushed its way in front of everything.”
Heather
“The eXperience Israel Tour has had a very positive influence on my life. I look at Scripture in a whole new way. With every portion read, it takes on a new meaning. Now when there is a sermon on Jericho, Gethsemane, or Mount Carmel – to just name a few – I can say I was there and experienced this story.”
Jayleen
“Although I have always known that my Savior, Jesus, was the Messiah and that He was Jewish, I do not believe I ever fully comprehended that my faith is rooted in Jewish soil. I have now seen through the tour and teaching sessions that I worship the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob, and of Israel’s importance in history, the present, and the future.”
Penny
“It is difficult to articulate how my life has been impacted by my 2 weeks in Israel. To say that my ‘life has been changed’ or my ‘eyes have opened’ seem to be inadequate descriptions of all that God has taught me. He has catapulted me out of my comfort zone and taken me to a level that I had yet to experience. As I read Scripture now that I’m back at home, I have a tangible memory to refer to. Words that had become routine are now alive and vibrant.”
Colleen
“Being in Israel was awe-inspiring! Not only is the existence of the State of Israel a miracle, but that God has raised up a Remnant there is also a sign of His faithfulness. Yes, this is where Jesus walked…but that’s not the whole story. He still walks there today and is actively involved in bringing His promises to Israel to fruition.”
Serene
“I now read my Bible and I think to myself, ‘I was there in Galilee. I know what it was like to smell what Jesus smelled and see what he saw!’ I want to tell others around me about this experience, but words cannot even express what I want to tell them. The only thing I have to say is…‘You have to go there for yourself and see what it’s like.’”
Nicole
“I anticipated that eXperience Israel would be life-changing…and it was. I read my Bible and pray in different ways. When I go to church and sing about the Lord’s death and sacrifice for me, I’m amazed by it again because I can picture exactly where those things happened! This trip will stay with me the rest of my life.”
Aimee
“Since I went on eXperience Israel almost 4 years ago, I cannot get Israel out of my mind or thoughts. It’s always there. I’m teaching our teen Sunday school class at church and I can always find something to relate to them about being in the country that opened my eyes to what we’re studying. Thank you for the ministry you and the others have provided!”
Kayla
“Just about every Sunday that I am worshipping in church, I think about Israel and the time I had there. I think it will forever live in my heart and I feel blessed to have had the opportunity to go and see where my Yeshua walked. What an amazing ministry you have in introducing others to such a wonderful place. Know that your work is NOT in vain.”
Michele
“In the midst of my experience serving others in Israel I truly learned and appreciated the value of simply serving others and showing God’s love no matter where I am.”
Andrew
“The most incredible thing I’ve ever done. I was able to reconnect and re-center some areas of my life with God. This trip has made me realize how much more there is that I need to study in God’s Word. I have had a growing heart for the Middle East and this trip added fuel to the fire God has put there.”
Madi
Frequently Asked Questions
What makes eXperience Israel unique from other trips?
First and foremost…this trip is not just a tour, it’s an opportunity to extend a helping hand to some of the “living stones” who are faithfully ministering to the people of Israel today. If you want to experience Israel, then it’s only natural that you experience the people of Israel. You will have numerous opportunities to do this as we partner with several exciting ministries based in Israel who will guide us as we minister in the footsteps of the Messiah.
eXperience Israel will also help you see Israel and your faith through Jewish eyes. As a result, we hope that you will become more appreciative of the roots and heritage of your faith…more passionate about digesting God’s Word into the stomach of your soul…and more sensitive to the redemptive promises and desires that God has for your life and for the people of Israel.
Last, but certainly not least, it is very important to the leadership of eXperience Israel that you come away from this experience more passionately in love with God and the plans and purposes He has for your life.
Will I have to stand on a street corner and hand out tracts?
No. The purpose of our trip is not to hand out as many gospel tracts as possible. The goal is to experience Israel, which includes meeting some of the people who live there and hopefully having some meaningful conversations with them about life and faith. If talking to complete strangers freaks you out, we promise not to throw you into a situation where you will have to do that by yourself. Be assured that the people of Israel are very open to practicing their English and finding out why you’ve decided to make a spiritual pilgrimage to their country.
Why is the trip only for 18- to 35-year-olds?
The format of eXperience Israel is designed to give young adults and emerging leaders a unique opportunity to encounter the people and places of Israel in an atmosphere that is sensitive to their age-specific needs and abilities. eXperience Israel participants engage in activities that are more physically challenging than what you would find on a typical tour-like hiking into a ravine in the Golan Heights or climbing Masada before dawn. Our teaching, worship, and ministry times are also designed to resonate with the issues and interests of this age group, just like the college or young adult ministry that may exist at your congregation.
What if I’m outside of the age parameter?
If you’re 17 and you’re graduating from high school the spring before our trip, you are more than welcome to come as long as your parent or legal guardian signs a waiver form. If you’re slightly over 35, but you are actively involved in ministering to young adults in your church or ministry, then we will seriously consider making an exception.
What does the cost include?
This Trip Includes:
- Round trip airfare to Tel Aviv from the U.S. (request itinerary for the departure city)
- Quality accommodations in 2-3 star hotels (double or triple occupancy)
- Breakfast/dinner (subject to flight schedules)
- Entrance fees to sites listed in itinerary
- International health insurance
- Airport transfers/portage
- A/C coach bus and driver
- Licensed tour guide
- Tips to hotel staff
- Support-raising assistance
Price does not include:
- Tips for driver and guide ($100-125)
- Lunches and beverages (approx. $10/day)
- Double occupancy upon request ($100pp)
Why does the eXperience Israel cost more than the Outreach Israel if it’s 2 weeks shorter?
The majority of the cost in both programs is the flight, but what increases the land cost of the eXperience Israel program is that participants stay in moderate-level hotels during high-season and eat buffet-style meals prepared by the hotel dining staff, whereas the OI program provides dorm-style housing in our Jerusalem Messianic Center and serves family-style meals prepared by the program staff and participants. The XI program also travels in a motor-coach bus with a licensed driver and tour guide, and the OI program utilizes private and public transportation. The XI program also incorporates tips to the hotel staff and the expenses for the special guest worship leader.
What do I need to do to apply? When is the application deadline?
Applications will be available in the fall. After your application has been approved you will then need to send in a $150 non-refundable deposit to secure your spot on the trip. Keep in mind that the trip is limited to 25 participants, so the sooner you get your application in, the better.
As long as space is available, the final deadline for applications is 60 days prior to our trip. However, if it’s less than 60 days prior to our departure and there is still space available, we will work with you and do what we can to get you on our trip.
Can I travel to Israel separate from the group?
Yes – especially if you don’t live in the U.S. or Canada.
Do I have to return with the group or can I stay in Israel longer than two weeks?
If you want to extend your stay on either the front or back end of the trip you will have to purchase your own airfare and pay the land only package cost.
Are there any scholarships?
At present, there are $200 scholarships available to full-time ministry leaders. To qualify as a full-time ministry leader your sole income must come from a certified non-profit (501(c)3) organization, and you must be leading at least thirty people within that organization on a consistent basis (e.g. pastor, youth-pastor, church/para-church staff, campus ministry staff, staff director).
I’m not a ministry leader. What do you recommend that I do to help fund my trip?
We strongly encourage you to prayerfully consider raising support. Several participants in the past have done it, and if it’s His will for you to go at this time we’re confident that He can provide the needed funds for you. Believe us…it’s not as difficult as you may think. Most people will be thrilled to support your desire to walk in the footsteps of the Messiah and to minister to the people of His homeland.
As soon as your application has been received and approved, we will supply you with some tips and guidelines on how to successfully raise support.
What if I don’t raise enough support?
If you attempt to raise support and you fall short of your needed goal, we will attempt to work out a post-trip payment plan depending upon the size of your shortage. There is also the possibility that grant money for non-ministry leaders may be available to help cover your shortfall, but don’t bank on it.
What if I raise support, but then decide not to go?
All monies received will be held by Chosen People Ministries and can be used for next year’s eXperience Israel trip or another CPM program. After next year’s trip, the monies will be used at the discretion of CPM.
Is it safe to travel in Israel?
Traveling in Israel is safer than driving your car in the United States. Statistically, you are more likely to be killed in a car accident in the U.S. than you are to be killed by a terrorist in Israel. Really! Even so, there is no way to guarantee 100% safety when you travel (or when you stay at home). The only guarantee is that we are in God’s hands and that we will do everything within our ability to stay in them. Be assured, the leadership of eXperience Israel, and the Israeli guide and bus driver that will be with us, take every precaution to stay clear of high-risk areas (West Bank, Gaza, city buses, and bazaars). Since eXperience Israel began in 1999, we have had only one brush with danger (2006 Israel-Lebanon War).
Bottom line—we hope you will share the sentiments of the Apostle Paul, “And now, compelled by the Spirit, I am going to Jerusalem, not knowing what will happen to me there. I only know that in every city the Holy Spirit warns me that prison and hardships are facing me. However, I consider my life worth nothing to me, if only I may finish the race and complete the task of testifying to the gospel of God’s grace (Acts 20:22-24).
What will we be doing? Where will we be going? Where will we be staying?
If you would like an itinerary of our trip, please request one by emailing Justin Kron.