Exploring God’s promises in the Promised Land
Upcoming Israel Trips with BSF
May 17 – 30, 2019
Dr. Carl Laney
May 31 – June 12, 2019
Dr. John Hannah
October 1 – 13, 2019
Dr. Mark Strauss
BY BENNETT ROLAN | BSF BLOG EDITOR
S usie Rowan slipped her prayer request between the giant stones of Israel’s Western Wall. Taking a step back, God’s presence was almost overwhelming as she reflected on the history of that holy place. It represented the fullness of God’s plan: His faithfulness to Israel, His sacrifice on the cross and the final restoration still to come.
And there, Susie’s request rested safely, tucked in the wall.
“To know that Jesus would have also been right there,” Susie said, “I experienced His peace and presence, knowing that He heard, and He would answer those prayers. Not just for my good, but for the good of the whole, the good of many, which would also be for my good as well.”
As the executive director of Bible Study Fellowship, Susie has witnessed God’s amazing work in and through His people worldwide. But in 2011, Susie experienced the truth of God’s Word in a new way during her first visit to Israel on a BSF Trip.
“It’s something I wish every Christian could experience,” she said. “Maybe the most memorable site was Gethsemane. One of the olive trees was even thought to have been there at the time of Jesus. You live through His prayer and begin to feel the agony of anticipating the cross. It’s a very quiet time of reflection. Then you walk into the church, called the Church of Nations, on the Mount of Olives. People are just worshipping together, in so many different tongues and languages. It was an extraordinary experience.”
Leaving the church, the group stood and surveyed the Kidron Valley where Jesus walked and where David wrote in Psalm 125:2, “As the mountains surround Jerusalem, so the Lord surrounds His people both now and forevermore.”
“Your heart really does just soar,” Susie said. “You remember the promise that God has given us, that on the day that’s coming, the feet of Jesus are going to stand on the Mount of Olives and you’re standing there. It’s pretty powerful, pretty emotional.”
Throughout the trip, while worshipping on the Sea of Galilee, walking on ramparts surrounding the old city or praying at the possible site of Jesus’ crucifixion, familiar Scripture took on a deeper sense of reality.
“I really love cities,” Susie said. “I love their energy and their tension. I’m a city person, so walking through Jerusalem, feeling the Jewish, Muslim tension at the Dome of the Rock was pretty powerful. Thinking through what the future would look like, where a temple could be built to prepare the way for the return of Christ, was extraordinary.”
Entering the trip, Susie expected to learn from the experts leading the group. But she left with more than just knowledge. For Susie, God’s Living Word came to life in a new way. Since that time, Susie and Roger have already made a second trip to Israel with the BSF Travel Connection tour and are eager for the next opportunity God provides to return to His land.
If you’re interested in a trip to Israel, several BSF trips are available throughout the year. To learn more about a trip of a lifetime, check it out here.
Susie Rowan at The Western Wall
Roger Rowan on The Sea of Galilee
BSF Israel Tour Group
Upcoming Israel Trips with BSF
May 17 – 30, 2019
Dr. Carl Laney
May 31 – June 12, 2019
Dr. John Hannah
October 1 – 13, 2019
Dr. Mark Strauss
Reading these comments has stirred my heart its my wish and prayer to go the holy land
Thanks for sharing this with me
I hope to travel there someday
Susie,thank you for sharing this with me,its so inspiring,going for this trip is my aim .
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Susie, thank you for sharing this with me,it’s so inspiring. I wish to go and know more about this ancient truth. how much should I need to plan for, for this trip?
Dear Levi,
The tours vary in cost. They usually are anywhere from $5500 to $6200 depending on the time of year and the length of the tour.
Dear Levi,
The cost for BSF Israel tours vary due to length of tour and the time of year. Currently they range from $5500 to $6300 plus optional trip insurance.
Good afternoon Shirley, My friend and I are interested in the May or June Israel trip that will be held next year in 2020. How soon can we sign up? Thanks, Ellen
Susie, thank you so much for sharing your experience. It is my hope and prayer to go one day. I will seriously think about the trip that is taking place in October.
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Google, and found that it is really informative. I’m going to watch out for brussels.
I will appreciate if you continue this in future. A lot of people will be benefited from your writing.
Cheers!
Indeed it is a wonderful experience and planned for more than 3 decades and it became true.
But I couldn’t climb the mount zinai fully. for that purpose I intend to go thru BSF if god permits
may I know how much we would require to plan thru BSF
Dear Patricia,
The costs vary. They usually cost anywhere from $5500 to $6200 depending on the time of year and length of tour. In addition it is recommended you buy trip insurance in case you have to cancel for any reason.
Great inspiration to plan to have an experience in the promised land.
Thanks Susie for sharing this information wit us and may God bless you
Thank You dear Sister SUSIE,I went to visit Holy LAND last Year end of April,beginning of MAY 2018 and also climbed up the Hill Mount NEBO where MOSES saw the Promised Land but didn’t enter and died there,in JORDANIE.The contrast between this Land and the Holy Land of ISRAËL was so strong! May The LORD bless all the People who love ISRAËL ! We pray for PEACE and WISDOM given to the Autorities,a Shield of protection from El SHADDAÏ ! The 18 to 21 years old,Young Soldiers giving 3 years of their life to serve their land Israel need our Daily prayers.So many in Israël NOW are discovering their Messiah!in YESHOUA ! Alléluia !
My husband and I have the privilege of going to Israel in 2011. It was a trip of a lifetime. To walk where Jesus walked and to read scripture everywhere we stopped was amazing. Many comments made. On the blog mirror mine. The one huge difference I notice,, and can’t stress enough, is that scripture just comes off the pages of the Bible. It makes it come alive.
Kathleen S
Praise the Lord and thank you for this wonderful report.
It encourages me to know Jesus came to save us. This is love
My wife and I toured Israel for 12 days with a group from our Church. Yes Susie we did feel God’s Spirit several times at
the Wailing Wall, the Garden of Gethsemane, the streets of Jerusalem, the Jordan River, the Dead Sea and many other places.
Seeing and touching the Tree the guide said was there when Jesus was there was a physical and spiritual experience.
Seeing Israel brings the Old Testament to Life.