Pilgrimage Through Israel

Psalm 48:9-13
We have thought, O God, on Your loving kindness, In the midst of Your temple. According to Your name, O God, So is Your praise to the ends of the earth; Your right hand is full of righteousness. Let Mount Zion rejoice, Let the daughters of Judah be glad, Because of Your judgments. Walk about Zion, And go all around her. Count her towers; Mark well her bulwarks; Consider her palaces; That You may tell it to the generation following . . .

From Florida to Alaska, Massachusetts to California, pastors and leaders from across the U.S. journeyed to the Holy Land for Christians United for Israel’s inaugural Pastors’ Leadership Tour to Israel. The November 8-16, 2010 whirlwind trip, sponsored in part by Israel’s Ministry of Tourism and Christians United For Israel, had an itinerary packed with sites, stops and speakers that sent everyone home with amazing and mountain top experiences.

For most, the tour was their first visit to Israel . . . but, Lord willing, not their last. The group of forty plus CUFI leaders and staff, led by Pastor John and Diana Hagee, have already made plans to lead their own groups to Israel in conjunction with JHM Israel 2012 Tour along with Christians United for Israel’s Solidarity Israel Tour, scheduled for March 12-22, 2012.

Everyone, many of whom are respected pastors and teachers in their own right, found themselves somewhere between riveted and revelation as Pastor Hagee’s Bible teachings brought sites such as the Mount of Olives, Caesarea, Capernaum, Megiddo, the Sea of Galilee and others to life. And few were braced for the spiritual impact of praying for the peace of Jerusalem at the Western Wall, or the convicting emotions drawn out at Yad Vashem – Israel’s Memorial to the Holocaust.

One of the greatest highlights for many was the honor of meeting with Israel’s Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, in his Cabinet room at Israel’s Knesset Building. The fact that the Prime Minister made time to receive Pastor Hagee and the CUFI delegation conveys how important the organization’s work and goals are considered to be to the Jewish State. As Pastor Hagee shared with the Prime Minister about the growth and progress of Christians United For Israel and the hundreds of thousands that have signed CUFI’s Israel Pledge; for a brief and precious moment Isaiah 40:1 was fulfilled, “Comfort, yes, comfort My people!”

The tour exceeded all hopes and expectations and will undoubtedly contribute to the success and impact of CUFI’s March 2012 Solidarity & the JHM Tour to Israel in 2012. If your church or group is planning or would like to plan a trip to Israel, we urge you to prayerfully consider making it part of the March 2012 trip. It’s easier than you might think, and it is assured to be a life-changing, history-shaping experience. We would be delighted to find ourselves by your side as we once again seek to comfort His people.

“What a holy and precious moment of time we live in, seeing God use the work of Christians United for Israel as The Sword of the Lord and The Balm of Gilead on behalf of Israel and His firstborn, the descendants of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.”

This was our first trip to Israel and was a life changing experience. The Word of God has such greater meaning now. To walk and see the very places that my Savior walked and ministered was simply amazing and life changing. To ride on the Sea of Galilee as Pastor Hagee taught us was amazing. Then to meet the young Israeli soldiers on the northern border as we looked at Hezbulah right in front of us brought the reality of radical Islam to light. The Wailing Wall during Shabbot will never leave my mind. To hear the roar of prayer coming forth and to see so many teenagers and children praying with such passion was amazing as well as convicting. To be invited to a Rabbi’s home was humbling and then to be treated to such hospitality by a family who hosted the entire group for an amazing meal was over the top. To end the trip by meeting with Prime Minister Netanyahu was simply beyond words. I can honestly say that this trip has let me see and understand more that we as Christian Zionists are without question living under the blessings and favor of God. My passion for Israel and the Jewish people has greatly increased as a result of this trip. I am grateful to Pastor Hagee and all the CUFI leaders for all the work they do. I am blessed to be a small part of such an amazing ministry.” – Pastor Dan Livingston from Pensacola, FL

“The tour was deeply moving, challenging and informative. Being among the people, hearing the inside stories of what is going on politically, militarily, and spiritually has exponentially increased my love and commitment for Israel. My life has been deeply impacted by the trip. I want to thank Pastor and Diana Hagee and the entire CUFI team for an unforgettable experience. You are all awesome people!” – Pastor Jay Bailey from Midland, GA

“My most memorable and impacting moment in Israel was when I stepped through the window to the roof of the Old Jerusalem house to view the city! It was absolutely breathtaking and overwhelming to see the city for the first time from this vantage point. It was almost too much to take it all in as my senses were overloaded with sights and feelings that were not easy to process. A close second was the time spent at the Western Wall and the tunnel. To be able to pray at the Wall and agree with everything the Word says about Israel and her people was astounding. I feel like I got a glimpse of what Jesus meant when He spoke of the end and the fulfillment of all things. The word Shalom has new meaning to me. It’s not just a word. It is something to be experienced for all mankind. The ultimate blessing of mankind waits to be fulfilled as Israel’s destiny comes to pass.” – Pastor Eddy Paul Morris from Phoenix, AZ.