Description

The Holy Land Study Tour is a special two-week program for Christian adults the combines the best aspects of a pilgrimage, global studies program, and short-term missions trip. Like other CFGE programs it is designed to mobilize, train and engage Christians to address critical global problems through education, service and advocacy so they can make a significant difference in the lives of others and advance God's Kingdom. The theme of the program is the role of Christian faith in conflict transformation and reconciliation with a focus on the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict in the Holy Land.

The Holy Land Study Tour will include a series of insightful lectures, site visits, meetings with organizations and ministries, cultural exchange activities, and a community service project. The tour will follow the footsteps of Jesus to visit the popular holy sites in both Israel and selected areas of the West Bank where Jesus lived and taught his disciples and the people. Lectures by local professors and other experts will present an introduction to the three Abrahamic faiths, an overview of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, and explore how the theology of the land and eschatology relate to the current problems in the Holy Land. Other lectures will show how Christians can appropriately respond to religious extremism, and how the indigenous Christian church and Jewish and Muslim faith communities can promote peace and help heal the wounds of centuries of conflict.

The tour will also provide participants with many other rewarding opportunities to learn from the people they meet including: lively discussions with the staff of local organizations and ministries, social evenings and cultural activities, a homestay, and a community service project. These activities will enable participants to enjoy meaningful cultural exchange, make new friends, and share their respective worldviews and different perspectives on the issues.

Highlights

Goals of the program include:

Helping the participants to better understand the historical, political, cultural, and religious dimensions of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict from diverse points of view representing all sides of the issues.

Showing the participants how a theology of reconciliation based on the teachings of Jesus can be used to transform conflicts in an increasingly divisive and polarized world.

Exploring how this theology of reconciliation can be practically and realistically applied to the complexities of the Israeli-Palestinian struggle by observing first-hand what faith-based organizations are currently doing to foster peace in the Holy Land.

Showing participants the next steps that they can take to become advocates for conflict transformation and reconciliation in the Middle East through Christian citizen diplomacy and by supporting indigenous Christians and churches in their peacemaking efforts.

Degree Level

Bachelors Degree (Undergraduate)

Subject Areas

Cost in US$:

USD 2,500

Program Fees Include:

* Fees for lectures and on-site presentations.
* First class hotels and breakfast and dinner daily.
* All in-country transportation, guided tours, and entrance fees to sites and cultural events.
* Community service project.
* Airport reception for designed flights.

Experience Required

no

This Program is open to

American, Asian, Australian, Canadian, European, Kiwi, South African and Worldwide Participants.

Typical Living Arrangements

• Home-stays
• Other

Participants Travel

Independently

Typically Participants Work

in Groups of approx 15

Application Process Involves

• Online Application plus Application Assessment
• Written Application