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Never Read your Bible the Same!
You've read the book...now visit the land in person!

2025IsraelTour.com

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COVID VACCINE NO LONGER REQUIRED!

Free copy to all travelers! (1 per family)

Have you always wanted to see the Holy Land?

Would you like to walk where Jesus walked?

Do you have a thirst to learn more about the Bible?

February 17-March 1, 2025

Click boldface print for links!

To see the optional insurance policy, click Travel Insurance Info

Join Pastor Dave Farley and Pastor Jeff Brinkman

Scheduled events include:

Sea of Galilee boat ride
Behind-the-scenes tour of the Western Wall
Nature hike at Ein Gedi
Exploring Herod the Great's Herodium, Caesarea, and Masada
Making your way through 1750 feet of 2700-year-old Hezekiah’s Tunnel
Swimming (rather, floating) in the Dead Sea
Riding a camel in the desert
Daily devotional messages from Pastor Dave and others at the sites
Chance to go into the basement of the Church of the Holy Sepulcher

Itinerary

(Click on boldfaced words for videos)

DAY 1 – Monday, February 17, 2025: Flight from Spokane, WA

Today we will start our flight from Spokane to Tel Aviv via wide-body aircraft arriving the next day. Meals served on board.

DAY 2 – Tuesday, February 18, 2025: Flight to Tel Aviv / Netanya

We transfer to our flight to Tel Aviv where we will be met by our guide Andre Shama, He will be with us for the time we are in the Holy Land. Board our bus and travel to the city of Netanya on the Mediterranean to our hotel where we check in for overnight.

HOTEL: Leonardo Plaza in Netanya

DAY 3 – Wednesday, February 19, 2025: CAESAREA / MEGIDDO / NAZARETH / BET SHEAN / TIBERIAS

This morning we begin our tour at Caesarea, a port on the Mediterranean Sea that was built by Herod the Great and dedicated to Augustus Caesar, the Roman emperor. Here you will have a chance to sit in the Roman theater and walk along the coast to see the hippodrome and man-made harbor from 2,000 years ago. We can also see where Herod's palace once stood, with ancient floor mosaics still on the shore. This is considered one of Israel’s major archaeological sites; the sea makes it one of the most beautiful places in the country. From here we travel to Megiddo to see the excavations that unearthed 20 different civilizations. It is better known as “Armageddon” according to the book of Revelation. We then take a step back in time when we visit Nazareth Village, which has been constructed to look like a 1st century village just like Jesus would have known. You will have a chance to talk to a shepherd, carpenter, and others who will converse in their first century way. It is quite an experience! Finally, we make our way to the ancient city of Bet She'an, a site where Saul’s body was hung from the city wall after he was killed. This will help us understand what an ancient city looked like, with a theater, baths, and a large “tell” which we can climb up. This site comprises more than a dozen civilizations and is an awesome place to explore! We make our way to our hotel on the Sea of Galilee.

Hotel: Leonardo Club Tiberias 1 of 2

DAY 4 – Thursday, February 20, 2025: BAPTISMS / CAPERNAUM / INCLUDED ST. PETER’S FISH LUNCH / MOUNT OF BEATITUDES / MAGDALA / BOAT RIDE / TIBERIAS

We begin this morning with baptisms in the Jordan River. Those participants who have never been baptized (or who do not remember their infant baptisms) will have a chance to give their testimony and be immersed the same way as Jesus by Pastor Dave. Next we head over to Capernaum where the home of Peter and the town’s synagogue can be seen. From here, we will have lunch at a restaurant to partake of a St. Peter’s fish (or, if you wish, chicken) meal. After lunch, we visit the Mount of Beatitudes—a place where we can read from the Sermon on the Mount. You will have never heard these words like you will today. Let’s stop by Magdala along the Sea of Galilee and visit Mary Magdalene’s hometown. There is a first century synagogue here, a place where Jesus certainly had been. Our final activity is taking a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee! We will have a chance to hear Christian worship music, dance to Jewish songs, and celebrate our time in the Holy Land. We will also see a New Testament boat found two decades ago during a drought dating to the time of the apostles. We will spend the night at the Sea of Galilee for a third night and prepare for our drive south in the morning.

See videos on

See a video on Baptisms at the Jordan River
See a video on the Mount of Beatitudes
See a video on Capernaum
See a video on the Jesus Boat and a Boat Ride on the Sea of Galilee
See a video on Magdala

Hotel: Leonardo Club Tiberias 2 of 2

DAY 5 –Friday, February 21, 2023: QUMRAN / MASADA / CAMEL RIDE / DEAD SEA

We start the day by taking an extended bus ride down to the Dead Sea, the lowest place on the earth (1300 feet below sea level). After a few hours of driving, we arrive at the site where the Dead Sea Scrolls were first discovered in 1947. Ancient Jews called the Essenes who lived in Qumran copied several hundred manuscripts (later known as the Dead Sea Scrolls), including the earliest copies we have of the Old Testament--one dated 125 BC is called the Great Scroll of Isaiah. We can look around the village where these Jews lived 2,000 years ago; from here we can see Cave 4 where more than 500 manuscripts were discovered, all in pieces. We then get back on the bus and head to Masada, a fortress where, from AD 70-73, Jewish defenders made their historic stand in the Judean revolt against Rome. We will either ascend by cable car (or, for the adventurous, to walk up the Snake Path with Eric Johnson) to the magnificent ruins. We will have a chance to explore as we walk through the storehouses, cisterns, and several palaces built by Herod the Great. We climb down Masada on the ramp stairs near the Roman ramp and head over to a Bedouin camp to ride camels in the desert. It's an experience everyone should have. Finally, let's go to the Dead Sea where we have planned a special retreat at a resort hotel. This is a place where you can enter the waters of the Dead Sea for a swim or, if you’d like, utilize the basement spa area of the hotel.

See a video on Masada

Hotel: Leonardo Plaza Dead Sea

DAY 6 – Saturday, February 22, 2025: EIN GEDI / HERODIUM / INCLUDED LUNCH / BETHLEHEM / JERUSALEM

After watching the sun rise on the Dead Sea, we board the bus and head to the nearby Ein Gedi. This is the place where David met Saul in a cave. Today it is a natural preserve, with running waterfalls, caves, and animals. For the adventurous, let's take a moderate hike up to "David's Falls." Next, we make our way north to the Herodium, the palace set in a conical mountain built by Herod the Great where his tomb was uncovered in 2007. Remember, it was Herod who was visited by the Wise Men. He did what he could to prevent the “King of Kings” from being born, including ordering the “Massacre of the Innocents.” After seeing this man’s monument to himself, let’s visit one of the possible sites for the Shepherds’ Fields. Perhaps we could celebrate Christmas a bit early by singing “Silent Night” inside one of the caves and then visit the Church of the Nativity in Bethlehem where Jesus was born, a direct fulfillment of Micah 5:2. We'll take time out for lunch as well as shop at an olive wood store run by Christian believers. Our next stop is the city you have heard so much about, Jerusalem, the center place for so much that took place in the Bible. We will spend the final week of our trip...unpack and relax,!

Hotel: Ambassador Hotel Jerusalem 1 of 7

DAY 7 –Sunday, February 23, 2025: OLD CITY DAY!
RABBI TUNNEL / WESTERN WALL / TEMPLE MOUNT / POOL OF BETHESDA / SOUTHERN STEPS / WOHL ARCHAEOLOGICAL MUSEUM / WALK THROUGH THE OLD CITY

We begin in the heart of Jerusalem in the Jewish Quarter as we visit the Western Wall, the holiest place for Jews today. You'll have a chance to touch the wall and see the activity in this special place. We will have a special tour of the "Rabbi's" tunnel that gets as close to the Holy of Holies as anywhere we're permitted to go. We will take a special tour of the "Rabbi's" tunnel that takes us closest to where the Holy of Holies was situated in the temple. Next we will go up to see Temple Mount, which is where the Dome of the Rock is located. This is the site where the Holy of Holies was located. From here, we will stop by the Pool of Bethesda (John 5). Then we'll make our way to the Southern (Teaching) Steps—Jesus was certainly here, right outside the temple itself. After eating lunch in the Jewish Quarter, we'll visit the Wohl Archaeological Museum where priests' homes were located during the time of Jesus. We'll end the day by being taken by our guide to Hezekiah's Broad Wall and the Cardo, an ancient part of the street from Roman times (Byzantine). And then he will take us on a walking tour through the old city and end up in the Christian Quarter. If we have time, we can do a little shopping before we meet up with our bus and return to the hotel.

See a video on the Western Wall
See a video on the Western Wall
See a video on Temple Mount
See a video on Amazing Grace in St. Anne’s Church

Hotel: Ambassador Hotel 2 of 7

DAY 8 –Monday, February 24, 2025: Mt. of OLIVES OVERVIEW / ISRAEL MUSEUM / AZEKAH / LACHISH

This morning we start at the Mt. of Olives to overview the entire city of Jerusalem. This is how the city is now. From here, we then head to the Israel Museum to see what this very same city looked like 2,000 years ago. We will see a large model of the city that will help you understand what the city used to look like in Jesus's day. At this site is the Shrine of the Book, where the Dead Sea Scrolls are located. We will see pieces from 2,000 years ago, including sections out of the Great Scroll of Isaiah. We will make our way over to the main museum where we can gaze upon the Pontius Pilate inscription, the Tel Dan stone (with proof of David), and the ossuary of Caiaphas. After lunch, we head west to explore Azekah, a place on a hill known during the Old Testament times. When we get to the top of this tell in a short hike, we will have an incredible view of the Valley of Elah, the place where David fought Goliath. We will see where the Philistines stood off against the Israelites and where this famous battle took place. Once we get off the hill, we will drive past the creek where David found the stones...would you like to take one home? From here, we will make our way to Lachish, the last stronghold of the northern kingdom. King Sennacherib built a ramp (still seen today) and destroyed the last holdout Israelite city except Jerusalem. It took God's hand to protect King Hezekiah because wait until you see what the Assyrians conquered at the second most powerful city of the Israelites. We return to our hotel after another incredible day.

See a video on the Israel Museum

Hotel: Ambassador Hotel 3 of 7

Day 9 – Tuesday, February 25, 2025: BETHANY / SHILOH / JERICHO / WADI QELT

This morning we head to Bethany to visit the home of Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. We will have a chance to visit the church built in memorial of this important event from John 11 and climb down into the cave that has good pedigree for being the place where Lazarus was buried. We then head to Shiloh, where the Ark of the Covenant sat for several hundred years. We will see the place where the ark was traditionally kept. Next, we head over to Jericho where we have lunch and tour the ancient city where there is evidence that the walls really did come tumbling down. After lunch, we'll head back to Jerusalem, but we will stop by a place called Wadi Qelt and see St. George's Monastery from a distance in the ravine far below. This is the road used by travelers--including the "Good Samaritan"--to go from Jerusalem to Jericho. It's a picturesque site and it will help you understand your geography between Jerusalem and Jericho.

Hotel: Ambassador Hotel 4 of 7

Day 10: Wednesday, February 26, 2025: A Day of Suffering

YAD VASHEM / MT OF OLIVES / DOMINUS FLEVIT / GARDEN OF GETHSEMANE (Communion Service)

Today is a day to remember suffering. We begin by heading to Yad Vashem in Jerusalem, which is the Jewish Holocaust Memorial. We will see how the Jewish people suffered during the Holocaust. And their suffering isn't over today by any stretch of the imagination. People continue to hate the Jews, including Hamas. The facts we learn will be important to remember, Next, we get on our bus and head to the Mt. of Olives, a place we had visited earlier. With the information we took in at the Israel Museum, we should really be able to look into the horizon and understand how the ancient city was. For those wanting a hike downhill, we will descend the mount, stopping by the Church of Dominus Flevit. It has a great view of Temple Mount from inside the church and also has a real burial site that was uncovered years ago. We then continue down the hill and end at the Garden of Gethsemane. There are olive trees in this garden with root systems going back to the time of Jesus. This is where Jesus prayed before getting betrayed and arrested. It is here where Pastor Dave will speak and lead us in a communion service. As Romans 5:8 puts it, "while we were still sinners, Christ died for us"!

Hotel: Ambassador Hotel 5 of 7

DAY 11: Thursday, February 27, 2025: CITY OF DAVID / HEZEKIAH’S TUNNEL / DAVID’S TOMB / PRAETORIUM / CHURCH OF THE HOLY SEPULCHER

We begin today’s journey at the City of David, as we have a chance to see David's palace. We will then venture down below the ground to see Warren's Shaft, with the chance to hike through Hezekiah's Tunnel that goes back some 2700 years! The water goes up to your knees and is NOT scary...everyone needs to try this as we slosh through 1750 feet from one end to the other. At the end, you will see where the Siloam Inscription stone was once located. Near the exit of the tunnel is the Pool of Siloam, part of which has been excavated in the last couple of decades. Next, Joel will show us a possible site for the actual tomb of King David in a rock-cut tomb just up the street from the Pool of Siloam. We then head over to Jerusalem where we will visit the place where Pilate judged Jesus called the Praetorium, just outside Herod’s palace. Then we will take the less traditional (but more accurate route than the Via Dolorosa) walk to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher—this is the place where Jesus was crucified and buried.

Hotel: Ambassador Hotel 6 of 7

DAY 12 –Friday, February 28, 2025: Choice: Go with Andre or Eric plus SHOPPING / FREE TIME

Today is a free day and you have two choices:

1) You can go on the bus with Andre, who will leave later in the morning (9 a.m.). Andre will take you to several places: Gallicantu (where some believe Jesus was imprisoned while he awaited his trial. Next to this site is a Christian cemetery where Oscar Schindler's grave can be found. Then you will reboard the bus and head to the Garden Tomb to see where some believe the tomb of Jesus is located. You will be given a tour and have a chance to walk into the empty tomb. From here, you will be taken to the Jaffa Gate where you can have lunch and shop. This option is recommended for those who don't want to hike a long distance, as the walking on this day is minimal.

2) You can go with Eric at 8 a.m., who will take you by bus down to the Jaffa Gate. We are returning to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher to enter into the church's basement in the part run by the Armenian church. This is something most tourists never get to do. Here we can see the graffiti of a boat that says (in Latin), "Yes, Lord, we will go." Usually the church is quiet in the morning hours, so for those who want to wait in a short line to go into the Edicule or see the other tomb, this is your chance. When we are finished, some may want to leave the tour and get a cup of coffee, enjoy the culture walking by, and shop. For those who want to continue hiking with Eric, you will accompany him back to the Jaffa Gate where we will walk on the ramparts, the walls built by the Ottomans. (Extra cost, $8) This provides an interesting look inside and outside the Old City's walls. Those who want to continue with Eric can go down to the Kidron Valley and see three ancient tombs, one of which can be climbed inside. We then make our way back to the Jaffa Gate, stopping at Gallicantu and the Christian cemetery where Oscar Schindler's grave can be found. We'll make our way back to the Jaffa Gate where we can have lunch and do some final shopping. This option is for those in good physical condition who can climb up and down stairs and walk about 8 miles total. This will be a wonderful ending to a wonderful trip.

Hotel: Ambassador Hotel 7 of 7

DAY 13 - Saturday, March 1, 2025: Return home to Spokane

We say goodbye to Jerusalem as we board our bus for an hour-long ride to the Ben Gurion airport in Tel Aviv. It has been a wonderful experience

Itinerary subject to change while touring for the best interest of the group.

Cost for Land Only: $4645 (all inclusive, air not incl)

Single room is $1300 additional

FLIGHTS: $1950 per person coach, $3550 Premium Economy

Everyone flying with the group (40+ travelers) gets $100 on first day of trip)

Feb 17: United Spokane to Denver 5:43 a.m. arrive 9 a.m.

Feb 17: Lufthansa Denver to Frankfurt: 5:50 p.m. arrive 11:45 a.m. on Feb 18

Feb 18: Lufthansa Frankfurt to Tel Aviv: 2:30 p.m. arrive 7:35 p.m.

March 1: Lufthansa Tel Aviv to Frankfurt: 7:25 a.m. arrive 11:10 a.m.

March 1: Lufthansa Frankfurt to Denver: 1:10 p.m. arrive 4:05 p.m. (CUSTOMS)

March 1: United Denver to Spokane 7:05 p.m. arrive 8:29 pm.

If you are interested in registering, contact Eric Johnson (eric@mrm.org)--we have limited spots available!

What does the land only trip cost include?

Full-time guide / bus / driver
All 4-star hotels
All admission fees
2 meals each day, breakfast and dinner buffets
A St. Peter’s fish lunch
Travel Diary of the Holy Land, specifically for your trip (designed and produced by Eric Johnson
Email correspondence throughout the months preceding the trip from Eric Johnson, including teaching, tips, video links, etc.
A 50-day Devotional Preparation Guide

And so much more!

Not included: Optional insurance policy, flights, most lunches, snacks/drinks, and souvenirs.

Questions you may have

Who is organizing this trip?

Eric Johnson (bio below) is the organizer. Our professional travel agency working on all the details is Pilgrim Tours, based in Pennsylvania. Pastor Dave Farley (GC North) and Pastor Jeff Brinkman (GCF Valley)are the sponsors.

Is there unlimited room for sign ups?

We are taking one bus and limiting the trip to 45-50 total travelers

Who will be speaking?

Andre Shama is our guide whom I have used regularly since 2017 on 10 different trips. He is a Christian from Nazareth and lives with his wife and 2 children in Haifa. In addition, devotionals throughout the trip will be delivered by the pastors and qualified laypeople.

What if I am coming by myself? Could I get a roommate?

The cost of the trip is based on double occupancy. We have a number of single people considering this trip. You have 2 options:

You can request a single room, which will cost $1300 extra
You can request a roommate. (We will do our best to pair you up with someone of the same gender who is close (as possible) to your age.)

Will there be a lot of walking?

If you go to Disneyland, you know that you will easily put in 5 miles the day you’re there. In Israel, it’s similar. To see the sites, the buses will drop us off and we will need to walk to get to the site(s). On the average day, we will cover between 3 to 6 miles, although not all at once. Generally we will get on and off the bus an average of 5-6 times each day. If you get tired, you are free to stay with the bus, as our driver stays with the bus when we are gone. Our day typically begins at 6 a.m. wake-up call, 6:30 breakfast, and 7:30 drive away from the hotel. We usually try to get back to the hotel by 5:30 p.m. Dinner is usually at 6:30 p.m.

Will there be education in the months before we go?

Eric Johnson is sending regular emails full of a variety of information to educate the passengers, provide video links, give announcements, travel tips, etc. This will be his 18th organized Israel trip since 2009 and he has a lot of experience getting people prepared–physically, mentally, and spiritually—to go on this trip of a lifetime.

Do we need passports and visas?

Passports, YES! Your passport (of your national country, including UK, Australia, etc.) is needed. For US passports, yours should not expire before September 2025 or you will need to renew it. You can apply for a passport at your local post office. Do yourself a favor and obtain this well in advance!

What about the COVID regulations?

No vaccinations are required.

What about safety?

Despite the recent conflict in Gaza, I have to be honest, I feel much more safer in Israel, even in the West Bank, than I do in Los Angeles, Chicago, New York, Seattle, and Washington DC! The entire time we are in Israel, safety will be our highest priority. If anything ever happens in a particular area during our trip, we will avoid that place–the guide will be in constant communication with the authorities. We have purposely changed the trip so we no longer are in Upper Galilee or in the heart of the West Bank, as a precaution. Also understand that governmental security is all around us, especially in sensitive areas such as Temple Mount and the Western Wall. Security is tighter in the Ben Gurion Airport than anywhere in the world. I usually hear people tell me, "I never felt in danger ever during my trip." So, in conclusion, I believe this is a very safe trip, or I would not have brought every member of my family. I have traveled to Israel since 1990. To see a video on the issue of safety, click here.

Videos from the 2022 Israel Tour (click)

Pastor Bryan Hurlbutt

Beryl Odowd

Kirk and Kristen Pagel

Dr. "Chip" Yates

Videos from the 2023 Israel Tours (click)

Andrew and Yim Rappaport, Striving for Eternity

Comments from Eric's latest trips

"The trip I took to Israel with Eric Johnson was an amazing experience! It makes the Bible come alive when you can see where Jesus and his disciples walked. I recommend anybody who is thinking about going on an Israel trip to do so, It is an experience you will never forget."

--Stacey (March 2022)

"This was far and away the best trip I’ve ever taken! We spent almost two weeks not only seeing most of the significant biblical locations in Israel but also being reminded of the biblical stories and history of why the locations are important by our amazing tour guide. It was like a semester of seminary was packed into ten days. To top it all off we stayed in great hotels and ate wonderful food the whole time."

--Pastor Jason Upchurch (February 2023)

Redeemer Bible Church, Deer Park, WA

"My trip with Eric Johnson was fantastic! As a leader on our trip, I was able to enjoy the sites and the activities without having to worry about overseeing the small details. Eric did a thorough and fantastic job of preparing our trip, organizing the details, and making sure everything went flawlessly. I could not be more pleased with his leadership and his attention to detail!“

--Pastor Jim Osman (February 2023)

Kootenai Community Church (Idaho)

"I would highly encourage anyone who is even remotely interested in visiting Israel to go on a trip with Eric . It was obvious from the get-go he goes over and above the basics of a normal trip. He is first rate at what he does, and because of that my experience in Israel was 1000% better than expected. They say you will never read the Bible the same way again, and it's totally true!"

--Niki Maxim (February 2023)

"Eric Johnson put together a state-of-the-art tour that was jam-packed with archeology, old and new testament survey, and current cultural events. Every day of the trip was full enough to make the entire trip worthwhile. If you are considering a trip to the Holy Land, I would highly recommend going with Eric Johnson. He partners with a great Israeli guide as well as bus driver, which has made all the difference."

--Scott Foster, Tucson, AZ (February 2023)

"As a life-long student of the Bible now in my 70's, my recent trip with Eric to Israel was one of the highlights of my life. Eric did a remarkable job of preparing us in every way, organizing an enthralling and freshly informative itinerary, arranging for safe and comfortable accommodations, and ensuring a well-informed, enthusiastic and skilled support staff. Many gaps in my own understanding of the land were filled in; I will never read the Bible the same way again. In short, I highly recommend Eric's tours; you won't be disappointed."

--Ray Warwick (February 2023)

"The trip itself exceeded all expectations. We saw an incredible amount of Biblical sites and Israel in 12 days. The tour went so smoothly, with great group dynamics. It is so true that the Bible comes to life after you have been to the Holy Land in person. I will never read the Bible the same again. Thank you so much for orchestrating this trip of a lifetime."
--Debby Donnelly (February 2023)

"Wow! Our trip to Israel with Eric Johnson was by far the best trip we have ever taken. Our expectations, which were very high, were greatly exceeded. We will never read our Bible the same again. Life changing!"

--Ron Maxwell (March 2023)

"Thank you so much for putting together a wonderful trip of Biblical history. We stood in many places where God came down as far back as Abraham’s time recorded in Genesis. Places I never dreamed of being able to see and experience. What a trip of a lifetime."

--Frank Edwards (March 2023)

"Traveling to Israel allowed me to see, touch and feel the land I had dreamed of my entire life. The Bible came more alive than I could ever imagine. Seeing living history, meeting the peoples, walking the areas, all cemented in my soul the wonders of the Bible. You will never read, hear or see the Bible the same."

--Ruth Knight Pagac (March 2023)

"Only a couple weeks after the trip, I am already reading my Bible like I never have before! I read through Amos this week and actually enjoyed it for the first time ever, since I could visualize what was happening at the time of the Assyrian captivity and now know the history and geography of many of the sites mentioned. I recommend this trip to the utmost--every Christian should experience this at least once. I guarantee that you will never be the same, nor will you ever read the Bible the same! My new saying after this trip is, "If I ever had a reason to doubt the Bible, now I have a million and one reasons to trust it." God's Word is so good, and it is without flaw. Thank you, Eric, for everything that you did to coordinate our trip and for the memories that we now have for the rest of our lives!"

--Rachel Miller (March 2023)

"What an amazing time seeing my Bible come to life with Real People, Real Places and Real Events! Eric planned a full educational tour that kept me wanting more time to soak it in and more details. My mind was stretched but my heart was softened concerning the future of this beautifully historic country. Worth every investment!"

-- Julie (March 2023)

Check out these videos from Ritch Sandford and Loren Pankratz

About trip organizer Eric Johnson

Eric Johnson has taken more than 650 people, including more than two dozen pastors, to Israel and other biblical lands since 2009! This will be his 18th organized trip since 2009. Those who have come with him have had the chance to learn how the Bible speaks about real people and real places while describing historical events. Eric believes that everyone should come to the Holy Land and experience this incredible place for themselves in order to make the Bible come alive. Reading God’s Word will never be the same!

Eric is married to Terri (36 years) and has three daughters. He is supposed to become a first-time Grandpa in August 2023. After teaching Bible classes in Southern California for 17 years (as well as more than a decade teaching English as an adjunct professor at Grossmont Community College), he and his wife moved to Utah in order to become a full-time Evangelical Christian missionary to the Mormon people. He received his Master’s of Divinity degree in 1991 and has written several books, including Answering Mormons Questions (with Bill McKeever, Kregel, 2013), Mormonism 101 (with Bill McKeever, Baker Books, 2015), Mormonism 101 for Teens (MRM, 2016) and Sharing the Good News with Mormons (Harvest House, 2018, co-edited with Sean McDowell). His newest book Introducing Christianity to Mormons was published by Harvest House Publishers in September 2022.

Previous trips to Israel organized by Eric Johnson

1990 (passenger on a tour led by Dr. Ronald Youngblood, my professor at Bethel Seminary San Diego and a translator of the 1978 New International Version)
2009 (CHS): 47 students, teachers, parents, staff from Christian High School in El Cajon, CA in April
2011 38 students, teachers, parents, staff from three different Christian high schools in March
2012 (CHS): 43 students, teachers, parents, staff from CHS in March
2013 (Adult): 45 adult travelers, including several pastors in February
2015 (Adult): 18 adult travelers in February

2017 (Adult): 55 adult travelers in February, including five pastors (Feb-March 2017)
2018 (Adult): 27 adult travelers in February, including members from Clairemont Emmanuel Baptist Church in San Diego
2018 (CHS/CVCS) 57 students and parents from two different Christian schools in March
2019 (Covenant Retirement Communities): 41 adult travelers from the Western U.S. in February and March
2019 (Private group to Turkey, Greece, Italy): 15 adult travelers in March
2020 (Church group): 47 adult travelers from Southern California in February and March
2020 : 22 adult travelers mostly from Southern California and Utah in March
2022: 42 adult travelers mostly from Utah in February/March
2023: 51 adult travelers from the Pacific Northwest in February
2023: 53 adult travelers from all over the U.S in February/March
2023: 44 adult travelers to Jordan in October

Please, I encourage you to talk to anyone who has been on one of my previous trips and they will tell you, “Go!” You will never see more than on my trips. I guarantee it will be something you will never regret.