World Report

February 25, 2016

From the Superintendent's DESK

Our final day in and around Jerusalem began at the Garden Tomb, one of two sites that commemorate Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection. This site is consistent with what we read in the Bible of those events. It is located just outside the Old City, near a gate (Damascus Gate), in a place of public execution, and on a main thoroughfare. Also, there is a garden nearby (John 19:41), which holds a traditional tomb. In addition, the...

February 24, 2016

From the Superintendent's DESK

Wednesday was an amazing day in Jerusalem with so much to take in. Most of our time was spent in and around the Temple Mount plaza. We saw it from every direction before entering it and concluding our day at the Western Wall.

We began the day by going to the Mount of Olives, which faces the Old City of Jerusalem from the east. Its name is the result of so many olive groves covering its slopes during...

February 23, 2016

From the Superintendent's DESK

We were very conscious during this morning's prayer meeting and devotional that we were convening for the last time in Nazareth. It is amazing to consider that we have spent three days where Jesus grew up, and perhaps have traveled some of the same paths. We have learned a lot and appreciate the privilege of experiencing this tour through parts of the Holy Land.

Our first visit today was to Nazareth Village, which strives to bring to life...

February 22, 2016

From the Superintendent's DESK

Today we were up at four in the morning, and left at seven for an exploration of the region around the Sea of Galilee, which is actually a lake. Before the day was over, we had covered the entire west side of the Sea of Galilee, from where the Jordan River flows into the sea in the north to where it flows out toward the Dead Sea in the south.

On the way to our northernmost stop...

February 21, 2016

From the Superintendent's DESK

Sunday, our activities began in the hotel conference room with prayer followed by a traditional Apostolic Faith Sunday morning service.

Once the ministers ascended to the platform, the choir sang three selections and then there was a time of congregational singing. All of the singing was acapella. The message focused on Jesus of Nazareth and how He was not accepted in His own country. Though He was God incarnate, few recognized that the Lord was in their...

February 20, 2016

From the Superintendent's DESK

Friday, we boarded the tour bus and drove an hour and a half to the Judean Wilderness, a harsh landscape that John the Baptist made his destination. En-route, we observed several different shepherds herding their flocks through the rugged desert terrain. We floated in the Dead Sea, which is the lowest point on earth, and visited the Qumran community, the discovery place of the Dead Sea scrolls.

After lunch we drove to Jericho and rode a gondola...

February 18, 2016

From the Superintendent's DESK

Our group began this day with prayer at 6 a.m. and breakfast 7 a.m. Then we set out to retrace the path of the Nativity Story as given in the Book of Luke.

Our first stop was the village of Ein Karem, traditionally held to be the hometown of Zacharias and Elisabeth, the parents of John the Baptist. Located just six miles southwest of the Temple Mount in Jerusalem, it would have been less than a day's commute...

February 17, 2016

From the Superintendent's DESK

After three flights and one long layover, my son, Randy, and I arrived in Israel Tuesday evening. We were met at the airport by our tour guide from Nazareth, along with Bayo and Josephine Adeniran and James and Martell Olaleye of Nigeria. We were each presented with a bouquet of roses as well as African outfits to help us blend in with the forty-five Nigerian “pilgrims to the promised land” who would join us later.

I had brought...