The Bible Comes to Life: Our First Days in Israel
A reflection from Pastor Bob Fetterhoff
One of my favorite places to begin a journey through Israel is the ancient city of Caesarea by the Sea.
When our Fall 2025 tour first arrived there, it immediately reminded me why this location is such a meaningful starting point.
Standing in Caesarea, you are surrounded by layers of history.
Behind us were the remains of a magnificent Roman theater built by Herod the Great nearly two thousand years ago. Even today, the structure still serves its original purpose. Concerts are held there, and thousands of people gather in the same place where audiences once sat during the days of the Roman Empire.
Just beyond the theater, the blue waters of the Mediterranean Sea stretch out to the west. Along the shoreline are the remnants of Herod’s palace, and nearby the ruins of an enormous hippodrome, where chariot races once took place.
It was a breathtaking way to begin the tour.
Caesarea has a unique way of welcoming people to the land of the Bible. The setting is beautiful. The archaeology is remarkably preserved. And the history is deeply connected to the story of the early church. It was here that the apostle Paul once stood before Roman authorities and defended his faith.
Moments like that remind me why bringing pastors to Israel matters so much.
When you stand in these places, the Bible stops feeling distant.
The geography becomes real.
The story of Scripture begins to unfold in a new way.
Our group had just arrived in Israel for the Fall Holy Land tour, and Caesarea was our first opportunity to begin walking through the land where the events of the Bible actually took place. Over the days that followed we would travel through deserts and ancient cities, along the Sea of Galilee, and eventually to Jerusalem itself.
But even on that first day, I was reminded of something important.
Several of the pastors traveling with us were able to participate in the tour because of the generosity of people who support Walk the Bible.
Through those gifts, a number of pastors received scholarships that made the trip possible. That kind of support is making a real difference. It allows leaders to walk the land of Scripture, deepen their understanding of the Bible, and return home with renewed insight for the churches they serve.
So to those who have supported this ministry, thank you.
Your generosity helped make that moment in Caesarea possible for pastors who otherwise might never have experienced it.
And if you have never had the opportunity to visit Israel yourself, I hope you might consider joining us one day.
There is something extraordinary about standing in these places where the story of Scripture unfolded.
It changes the way you read the Bible.
And for many pastors who make the journey, it marks the beginning of seeing the Scriptures in an entirely new way.
Traveling Through the Land of the Bible
After leaving Caesarea, the days that followed took us through some of the most meaningful locations in all of Scripture.
One of the unique aspects of traveling through Israel is how quickly the landscape changes. Within a short drive you can move from fertile farmland to desert wilderness, from bustling modern cities to ancient ruins that date back thousands of years.
Our journey took us south toward Beersheba and into the Negev Desert, a landscape that helps you understand the wandering years of Israel in an entirely new way. In places like that, the stories of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob feel much closer than they do when you are reading them from thousands of miles away.
From there our group crossed into Jordan, where we visited the remarkable city of Petra. Carved into towering sandstone cliffs, Petra stands as one of the most extraordinary archaeological sites in the world. Walking through its narrow canyon passageways and emerging into the vast open courtyards gives you a sense of the ancient civilizations that once flourished in this region.
Our journey continued to Bethany Beyond the Jordan, traditionally identified as the place where John the Baptist baptized Jesus. Standing along the Jordan River, reflecting on that moment in the Gospels, is something many travelers find deeply moving.
Later in the week we visited the ancient tel of Jericho, one of the oldest cities in the world. The layers of archaeological remains tell a story of conquest, rebuilding, and the long unfolding of biblical history.
One of the most memorable moments for many in our group came during a baptism service at Gan Hashlosha, where several pastors renewed their commitment to Christ in the waters of the region. Moments like that are difficult to describe. They remind us that the Bible is not only a historical record—it is a living message that continues to shape lives today.
As the week continued, we traveled north to the Sea of Galilee, where so much of Jesus’ earthly ministry took place. Watching the sunrise over those waters is something I never grow tired of seeing.
From there we visited Nazareth, including Nazareth Village, where life in a first-century Jewish town is recreated in remarkable detail. Walking through those streets helps you imagine the world in which Jesus grew up.
By the time we eventually made our way south again toward Jerusalem, the group had already experienced a full week of walking through the geography of Scripture.
And yet, in many ways, the most powerful moments of the journey were still ahead.
