Join us for the Spiritual Adventure of a Lifetime

The Footsteps of Jesus Experience is a unique two-week journey to the places where Jesus lived and ministered. The trip begins by exploring Jesus’ World in and around Jerusalem, Judea, and the Dead Sea. Then we follow the course of Jesus’ life from the city of Bethlehem, to the Sea of Galilee, to the north of Israel, and back to Jerusalem for the climactic conclusion of our journey (see the Itinerary page for a day by day description). This is not a tour, we are not tour guides, and we do not use a tour company. This is a Christian pilgrimage in the historical places where Paul and his disciples actually carried out their mission. We are a non-profit ministry and travel as an extended family of friends on a spiritual journey .

Each day will begin with time for prayer and Scripture reading based on our itinerary that day. We will visit the sites with the greatest historical significance that illuminate the biblical account of Jesus’ life. At each site we will offer an overview of the history and archaeology and then conclude with a time of biblical reflection and prayer. Most days we will pause at a meaningful place for worship, teaching, and sharing. The evenings will alternate between opportunities for worship, processing in small group Huddles, and free time (Read this Blog to get a feel for the rhythm).

The group will be limited to 22 people so we can get to know each other and to facilitate more flexible movement. We will stay in Christian guesthouses within the ancient walled city of Jerusalem and on the peaceful shore of the Sea of Galilee. We visit many sites by foot so participants need to be physically fit and able to walk an average of 6 miles a day up and down hills and steps in hot weather (Check the FAQ page for more information).

Before departure you will have the chance to participate in an 12-session online video teaching course, introducing the biblical history and archaeology of the sites we will be visiting. You will receive an extensive Trip Guide with hundreds of maps, plans, charts, and site reconstructions, which will become your reference guide for the trip (For more information see the Prep Course page).

Our trip leader is Bob Rognlien, a pastor, teacher, and guide with over 30 years of experience. Bob lived in Jerusalem where he conducted post-graduate studies on the archaeology and sociology of Jesus’ life. The cost of the trip is $3250 per person, double occupancy, not including airfare to Tel Aviv. This includes all your meals and expenses during the trip. If you don’t have a roommate, we will try to provide one for you, but single rooms cannot be guaranteed. For feedback from those who have taken this journey read the personal reflections on the Testimony page.

As we said, this is not a tour, it is a spiritual pilgrimage. Many people who have taken this pilgrimage with us over the last 30 years have called it the trip of a lifetime. It is certainly an unforgettable experience that will profoundly shape your reading of the Gospels. Space is limited, so if you are feeling led to join us on this spiritual adventure, a $950 deposit will secure your spot (See the Register page for details). If you have any questions, feel free to Contact us anytime!

Bob and Pam Rognlien

2012 Trip Video: Here's a video one of our Footsteps participants made which gives you a feel for the journey: vimeo.com/67752177/17de68abef