Millions of Christians have travelled to the land of the Bible over the last four decades and had their faith and biblical knowledge enhanced in transformative ways. There are so many different reasons why Christians are blessed and inspired by travel to Israel that it is an absolute must for any pastor or ministry leader to go there. Below is just a sampling of what awaits you.

1. Your Preaching Will Never be the Same
Before going to Israel, I read my Bible every day both devotionally and, as a Bible major in university, doctrinally. But in Israel, I also began to study the Bible as a history book—an extremely accurate one backed by archaeological finds—tracing stories on maps and visiting the archeological remains of cities. The Bible became so real that it literally stood up and took on a third dimension as an accurate, historical account from which we can learn many spiritual lessons. This is why many pastors have testified that they preach at a whole new level after experiencing their Bibles come alive in Israel.

2. Encounter God in a New Way
God is not limited to any one location and, therefore, we can pray from anywhere in the world and experience His presence in our lives. But, there is something to be said for taking a spiritual pilgrimage to get away from everyday life and seek the Lord with new fervor, especially for those of us caught up in the demands of full-time ministry. A trip to Israel is the perfect getaway to seek the Lord. Walking where Jesus walked, hearing His words anew and seeing the illustrations that He used from everyday life will help you grasp His teachings on a whole new level. It is a journey that will not only impact your life, but also the lives of those you serve and minister to for years to come.

3. Meet the True Jesus
As much as we like to think that we read the Bible as it is intended, most of us are highly influenced by our surroundings and understand the Bible in our own cultural context. That is why for centuries European art depicted Jesus with a fair complexion, blond hair, and blue eyes. Studying the life and words of Jesus in Israel puts Him in the correct cultural and religious context. He was the Jewish Messiah who said of Himself that He was sent to the lost sheep of Israel. His parables, teachings, and lifestyle cannot be fully understood without the Hebraic context in which He ministered. As pastors and teachers we need the chance to recalibrate our own perspective first, if we are to help our congregations get to know Jesus more intimately for themselves.

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4. Experience Prophecy Fulfilled
While traveling in Israel we are surrounded by prophecy fulfilled and the faithfulness of God to His Word. We see that the Jewish people have been gathered from the North, the South, the East and the West; from every nation to which they had been dispersed; first by ship and then by planes, assisted by the Gentiles, just as the Bible foretold. God is fulfilling His promises made to the Jewish people, which means that as Christians we also can trust Him. He is a faithful God and His Word is true! Deepening your understanding of that truth will not only transform your ministry but your church!

5. See a Modern Miracle
Every week our churches are filled with people wanting to connect what they read in the Bible with what is going on in the world around them. They are asking whether God is still at work in the world. Opening your eyes to modern Israel will help you answer that question. The birth and existence of Israel is nothing short of a miracle. Out of the ashes of the Holocaust and the dust of the desert, in just over 65 years, they have created a thriving and prosperous country that is leading the world in innovation, technology, science, medicine, security, agriculture, and water conservation and production. And it all points to the faithfulness and dependability of God.

6. Touch the Apple of His Eye
Many pastors understand from their Bibles that the Jewish people are God's Chosen People, but may have little appreciation for what that has meant for them. The Jewish people have carried a calling that no other people group on the face of the earth carries; it is to be the vehicle of God's redemptive plan. This calling put them directly in the line of fire and they have suffered much throughout history as a result. To meet Israelis face to face and speak blessing and encouragement to them is often the highlight of any trip to Israel.

7. Learn How to Pray
Isaiah 62: 6-7 instructs us to be watchmen on the walls of Jerusalem and to pray day and night until God's promises to the Jewish people, which will bless the entire world, are fulfilled. After visiting Israel, understanding the security situation, sensing the spiritual tension, and getting to know the people and God's promises to them, one will be able to intercede for the peace of Jerusalem with greater effectiveness, and experience the privilege of partnering with God in prayer for the people of Israel, the region, and in fact, the world.

Susan Michael is the US Director of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem www.icejusa.org. For info on ICEJ tours to Israel for pastors and ministry leaders go to www.icejusa.org/tours.

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