‘Israel cannot be described, it must be experienced!’

By Matthias Immendörfer, Jemina Künzli and Melina Strecker

As the ICEJ Arise young adults summer tour group was assembling for our flight to Tel Aviv, those of us in the check-in line in the Frankfurt airport were in for a pleasant surprise.

“What hotel are you staying at?” an Israeli man curiously asked our tour group leader.

“Somewhere in Tel Aviv”, he replied

“Where exactly?” he persisted.

When we gave the name, the Israeli gentleman immediately answered: “That’s my hotel, I’m the owner!”

He pulled out his phone, and two minutes later said with a warm smile: “I have arranged a room upgrade, snacks and refreshments for you.”

Just as the Israeli hotel owner wanted to bless us, the Maker of Israel, our Heavenly Father, wanted to richly bless the 28 participants in the Arise summer tour as we gathered from Germany, Switzerland, Norway, Singapore and the US. Throughout our ten-day visit beginning in late July, we were accompanied by a spirit of joy, unity, worship and revival that we had never experienced before.

The itinerary took us from Tel Aviv to Caesarea, Mt. Carmel, Nazareth, the Sea of Galilee, Golan Heights, Jordan River, Dead Sea, Judea and Samaria, and all the way to the pinnacle of Jerusalem.

“Even a blind person would know that we are in Jerusalem, the atmosphere is so special here,” commented Jonathan from Switzerland.

Indeed, Neil Armstrong, the first man to step foot on the moon, later visited Israel and exclaimed: “I am more excited stepping on the stones of Jerusalem than I was stepping on the moon.”

Our tour group unanimously agreed! A trip to Jerusalem and the Land of Israel is not just for history buffs who enjoy examining archaeological digs in the Middle East. The ancient, lifeless stones can breathe new life into our faith because they tell the story of the living God and His people! Above all, they encourage us to “come to the living stone” of Jesus (1 Peter 2:4). He also is the “precious cornerstone for a sure foundation” that God laid in Zion (Isaiah 28:16).

In bringing Christian young adults on these tours to Israel, we aim not only to educate them on biblical Israel, but also to enable them to experience modern Israel and to encounter God here in a way that deepens their personal faith and love for Jesus. The feedback we receive from participants makes it all worthwhile.

“The journey was eye-opening, encouraging and grounding for my faith”, said Landon from the US.

The participants were able to see, hear, smell, taste and touch the modern miracle of Israel’s restoration, which was foretold long ago by the biblical prophets.

At the same time, we did not want to brush over the complex reality of the Middle East today. During visits to the borders with Lebanon, Syria and Gaza, we interceded for the Arab neighbours and for peace in the region. Polarising or over-simplified narratives lost their sway because we did not just consider the headlines and opinions, but we met the local people, whether Jews, Christians, Muslims and others with very different stories and backgrounds. Seeing Israel with our own eyes, listening closely, and asking questions re-shaped our perspective on the country and the situation in the Middle East.

Many participants felt deep grief and shock as we visited Yad Vashem and then toured the Nova memorial site, where the largest massacre of Jews since the Holocaust occurred on October 7,2023.

“We have never experienced a people who understand so well what it means to mourn and to dance”, responded one couple on the trip.

The fitting conclusion of our journey through the Land was meeting with Dr. Jürgen Bühler, President of the International Christian Embassy Jerusalem. We were inspired as he spoke compellingly about the ICEJ’s mandate to “comfort” the Jewish people from Isaiah 40:1-2. Historically, many Christians were the “number one archenemy” of the Jews, he recounted. However, the ICEJ now exists to reveal the true face of Jesus to the Jewish people through comfort, love and support.

Dr. Bühler also explained God’s covenant faithfulness and redemptive plans with Israel, especially in relation to the global Church. In addition, he urged the Arise group to grasp the immense prophetic significance of the Feast of Tabernacles in our day.

Ingeborg from Norway summed up her time on the Arise Tour thusly: “Israel cannot be described, it must be experienced!”

So, what are you waiting for? Join us on the next ICEJ Arise tour to Israel.