Pastor Stephen's Israel Blog
Entry 1: February 11th 1 p.m. (Paris Time)
We just touched down in Charles Degaulle Airport
in Paris, France. After
an eight hour lay over we will be on our way to Tel Aviv. We are
extremely
excited about the opportunity that we have to walk where Jesus walked,
smell
what Jesus smelled and to experience the Jewish culture. As I travel to
the
Holy Land I am praying that I will see the invisible things of God as I
experience the culture in which his Son was born.
Praying! Believing! Becoming!
Pastor Stephen
Pastor Jeff Griffith (Community Fellowship Church of
the Nazarene), Pastor Stephen, Pastor Kerry Willis
(Harrisonburg 1st Church of the Nazarene) -
Airport layover in Paris
Entry 2: Tuesday, February 12th 6:30 pm (Israeli time) 11:30 am (EST)
Today has been a tremendous day. I literary have watched the Word of
God
come to life right before my eyes. I will never read God's Word the
same
again.
* This morning we left the hotel early. We assembled at the Jerusalem
First Church of the Nazarene for introductions and information. I have
the
opportunity to share this experience with 50 others.
* We left the church and went to the Mount of Olives and then to the
Garden
of Gethsemane. The Garden was awesome as my older brother Kerry shared
from
God's Word. It's obvious from the geographics that Jesus would have had
no
problem escaping those who sought him.
* After leaving Gethsemane we went to the church that is now erected
over
the sight of Caiaphas home. It is truly an beautiful church that stands
as
a testimony of Jesus' willingness to become the lamb of God.
* From the church we traveled into the Old City visiting the church of
the
Holy Sepulchre which sits on the site of Golgotha. It was one of the
most
amazing experiences of my life as I sensed the true burden of the price
that
was paid for your sin and my sin on that holy site. I can only imagine
and
will never understand the thoughts of our Savior on that Good Friday
(good
for you and me...not Him).
* After leaving the Holy Sepulchre we had the chance to have lunch with
our
Nazarene Missionary and friend Philip Rodebush in his Jewish home in
middle
of the Old City.
* After lunch we visited the three different sites that are thought to
be
the site of Jesus' burial. IMPORTANT INFORMATION: ALL THREE WERE
EMPTY. I
especially liked the last site which is known as the Garden Tomb.
Personally, I believe this to be the one. :) Regardless, He has risen!
He
has risen indeed!
More updates to come. Keep praying for us.... I'm praying for you.
Looking at the visible for the invisible.
Pastor Stephen
Entry 3:
February 13, 2008: I awoke extremely early this morning. A
combination of time change, excitement and a prompting of God’s Spirit
drove me out of bed. It really is my desire to have each of you with me
here in this Holy city. However, you can follow my tracks through God’s
Holy Word. I have taken the time to provide scriptural background and a
significant thought to help you better understand the significance of
the places in which I have visited.
Morning
of Day One:
-
Matthew 21:1-10 (Mount of Olives)
-
This
area is full of the white washed tombs that Jesus compared the
religious leaders too.
-
Matthew 26:36-56 (Garden of Gethsemane)
-
Scripture is clear that Jesus visited this Garden on a regular
basis to pray. It had become one of his quiet places to seek
the Father.
-
Matthew 26:56-75 (Caiaphas’ home- judgment and denial)
-
As we exited the church that now sits over
the site of Caiaphas home we heard a rooster crow several
times. I have a feeling it wasn’t the same rooster Peter heard.
Afternoon
of Day One:
-
Matthew 27:33-56 (The Old City and Golgotha)
-
I
was overwhelmed with emotion as I dwelt on the tremendous
sacrifice that was paid for my sin. The greatest act of love
and sacrifice that will ever be recorded in the history of the
entire world.
-
Matthew 27:57; 28-10 (The Garden Tomb)
-
“The most amazing thing about the empty
tomb is the fact that I would fly around the world to see
absolutely nothing!” For Christ
has risen.
Entry 4: February 14th 2008: Today was
yet another spectacular day. The
weather has been a little messy but it has done little to slow us down.
The
rain is a welcomed sight in a country that has very little. You come to
realize in a knew way that rain is a blessing from God and that it
"falls on
the just and the unjust."  Today we were blessed to do the
following:
.
Morning of Day 2:
. We began the day by visiting St. Anne's Church that was built at the
ancient site of the pool of Bethesda. We are reminded that Jesus would
choose to heal a paralytic at this well who had struggled for 38 years.
Take time to read the passage in John 5:1-15
. After leaving the pool of Bethesda we walked down the Via Delorosa.
This road is known as the "way of suffering" in that Jesus would drag
his
cross up this road on his way to Golgotha after being sentenced by
Pilate
(John 18:28-40).
. After exiting off of the Via Dolorosa we visited the Western Wall
aka the "Wailing Wall." This wall is the outside wall of the historic
temple. Many Jews regularly stand at this wall praying, reciting the
Torah,
and singing traditional Jewish songs etc.
. Leaving the Western wall we marched on toward the Southern Steps
that are thought to be the location of Peter's sermon in Acts 2:14-41.
In
recent years archaeological digs have recovered the original steps that
date
back to the time of Jesus Christ. "Standing where Jesus stood is an
overwhelming thing." During the archaeological digs hundreds of pools
also
where discovered near these steps. These pools were needed after Peter's
sermon once you realize what happened after he preached. Go read for
yourself verses 40-41.
. In the afternoon we had the opportunity to travel to Bethlehem. I
have a lot to say about this amazing trip. I'll save this information
for
an upcoming entry.
Seeing the invisible!
Stephen
(I have had difficulty sending pictures from my present hotel but will
do so
later once we switch hotels).
Entry #5: February 15th 2008
Today has been a blessed day: Here's the details.
* We visited the Church of the Annunciation which marks the place of
Gabriel's visit to Mary.
* After this wonderful visit we had a great lunch with our Arab
Nazarene
Pastor in Nazareth. It was unbelievable!
* After lunch we headed to Haifa to visit our Nazarene Pastor and
family.
Haifa sits in between the Mediterranean Sea and Mt Carmel. Read about
Mt.
Carmel in 1 Kings 18.
* We returned to Nazareth this evening, ate lunch and had a great
worship
service.
Tomorrow we leave for Jordan and the Sea of Galilee. Keep praying.
Seeing the Invisible.
Pastor Stephen
Entry #6: February 16th, 2008 10:10pm
(Jordanian time)
Today may have been the best day yet:
We had a chance today to do the following.
1. We drove through Cana of Galilee on the way to the Sea of Galilee.
-- This is the place in which Jesus performed his first miracle by
turning water into wine.
2. We walked the very ridge in which Jesus preached the Beatitudes and
called his first disciples.
-- The Sea of Galilee is beautiful and I couldn't help but get
extremely excited to actually see the sights that my Savior saw.
3. We then took a ferry across the Sea of Galilee.
-- It was on the very Sea that Jesus walked, and performed many
other
miracles. It was an awesome opportunity.
4. We had the opportunity to baptize 16 people today in the Jordan
River.
-- The very river in which John baptized Jesus.
5. We crossed the border into Jordan this evening and didn't have
dinner
until 9:45 pm.
I am having a great time and learning more than I could have imagined.
I miss my wife, boys and church family but I am enjoying the journey.
I am praying specifically for our worship services on Sunday.
Your Pastor Loves you.
Pastor Stephen
Entry #7: February 18th, 2008
It's Sunday morning in Jordan (1:30 am EST). Everyone is asleep in
Lynchburg but I am already praying for my people. When I am away from
my church family on Sunday it is extremely hard. I will continue to
cover you in pray on this holy day.
Today we worship with our Jordanian brothers and sisters in the city of
Amman. By all reports it is an extremely exciting church with nearly
400 people who attend. I'm am extremely excited.
The Nativity Spot
After worship service we will share a meal
with our brothers and sisters and then travel
several hours for Petra.
Future updates will follow. Hopefully pictures as well.
Seeing the Invisible.
Pastor Stephen
The Walls of Jerusalem
Dan Erbe and Pastor Stephen standing over the city
of Jerusalem
The Tomb is empty!!! He has risen
indeed!
Pastor Stephen and his brother Pastor Kerry
on the Southern steps of the temple. Jesus
walked into the temple at this very spot.
Entry #8: February 18th (6:30 pm Jordanian
time) 11:30 am EST
It's Sunday evening at 6:30 pm. We just arrived at the hotel in Petra.
We
traveled across the Jordanian desert for nearly four hours to arrive.
It's
been a great day. We had a tremendous worship service today with people
from eight different nations. It was a little piece of heaven.
As we traveled (for nearly 4 hours) we saw flocks of sheep with their
shepherds, camels, tremendous mountain ranges and a beautiful sunset.
As I type this email I am praying for my people (you currently are
worshipping together). I want you each to know that I love you very
much
and I count it joy to be your pastor.
Seeing the invisible in the visible!
Pastor Stephen
Entry #9:
February 18th, 2008
Another
tremendous day in the Middle East. Today we visited the #2 Wonder of
the World…. Petra. Today I saw why it is one of the greatest wonders of
the world. It is an ancient city that sits carved into a tremendous
mountain range. The mountains, caves, and architecture were
unbelievable. Petra is known as the burial site of Aaron in the Old
Testament and is extremely rich in biblical history.
This has
been the greatest spiritual trip of my life. My heart is full and my
mind is overwhelmed with all that I have learned. Tomorrow
morning we leave to return across the desert to Amman.
The Mediterranean Sea which is positioned on the
banks of Haifa
Pastor Stephen and the gang standing in the Ein
Gedi mountain range in which David escaped from Saul. Take time to read 1 Samuel 24.
Pastor Stephen with one of our arab Nazarenes in Amman Jordan.
Petra in Southern Jordan
A boat in the Sea of Galilee
Entry #9: February 19th, 2008 10:45
pm(Middle Eastern Time).
Today has been yet another tremendous day. We awoke this morning in the
southern desert of Petra. Believe it or not it was snowing (just
flurries). We traveled north to visit our church in Kerak (biblical
Moab).
It is a wonderful church in the midst of tremendous opposition. They
are
making a difference in there Arab community. From Kerak we traveled the
Kings Highway which winds through the largest mountain range that I have
ever seen (if you are scared of heights don't consider it). It is
thought
that this highway.... which has been used for centuries (it's paved now)
was
the route that the Magi took on the way to Bethlehem. In this region
the
Israelites wandered for forty years. The views were simply astounding
in
this desert region.
After arriving back to the northern city of Madaba we had a good dinner
and
then visited our Madaba Nazarene Church. A wonderful church that was
completely built by Nazarene work and witness teams (the same can be
said of
Kerak). It was a great service and we had a wonderful fellowship time
after
the service.
Tomorrow morning we travel to Mt. Nebo. It was at this place that God
would
show Moses the promise land (he never entered) and the place of Moses
death
and burial.
After a time of prayer and encouragement for our Middle Eastern pastors
tomorrow afternoon we will be leaving for the airport. We fly out at
9:30
pm (middle eastern time).... 2:30 pm EST.
God has been so good on this trip. My cup is full and overrunning!!!
However, I am so anxious to return home to see my beautiful wife, my
awesome
boys, and my terrific church family.
I've been seeing the invisible.
Pastor Stephen
Pastor Stephen with Simon from Kerak, Jordan.
Simon will be leaving in the coming weeks to train in Fiji and then
become a missionary to Egypt.
Look real close at the mountain in Petra.
Does it look like anything you have seen before?
Entry 10: Today has been a glorious
day. We spent the morning on Mt. Nebo which was truly amazing. This
afternoon we met with 9 of our Middle Eastern Pastors and had a time of
prayer and sharing. It was unbelievable. We have arrived at the
Airport in Amman Jordan and are awaiting our flight to Paris. I
can't wait to see you on Sunday. Don't miss it out ... it will be a
great day.
Seeing the invisible.
Pastor Stephen
Entry #11: February 21, 2008: We have
arrived in Paris. One more leg before being back home. As I sit and
reflect on my trip I came up with a great thought. I went to the Middle
East to see the place and sights where Jesus lived out his earthly
ministry. This I did and it was amazing. However, what I also came to
realize was the fact that God is still moving through the power of the
Holy Spirit through the committed saints that we have living in the
area. God is still on the throne and he deserves all
praise, honor and glory.
Seeing the Invisible.
Pastor Stephen
Pastor Stephen standing at Mt. Nebo. It was at
this place that
God would show Moses the promise land and the place of
Moses
eventual death.
These are our leaders at the Kerak Church
(biblical Moab). Despite facing a tremendous opposition they are
committed to the cause of Christ.
Dan Erbe taking a short
break from his walk in Petra.
Pastor Stephen and Pastor Kerry with our pastors
from Lebanon and West Amman Jordan.
Pastor Stephen with our Iraqi refugee pastor and
our Middle East Missions Coordinator.
A picture of the facility in which houses our
church in Madaba, Jordan.
