“Come to him, a living stone, though rejected by mortals yet chosen and precious in God’s sight,
and like living stones, let yourselves be built into a spiritual house” (1 Peter 2:4–5a)
Dear friends in Christ,
Join me for an opportunity of a lifetime as we journey through the land we call Holy. I invite you to travel with me and Elias Tours—a pilgrimage that goes beyond the typical Holy Land bus tour. This is not a trip where we rush from site to site, trying to “run where Jesus walked.” Instead, we will slow down and experience the land with its people, encountering the Holy Land as a living place where faith is still prayed, practiced, and carried forward by communities today.
In January 2027, this journey will give you the chance to meet the “living stones”—the local Christian communities whose lives and witness are woven into the same landscape as the stories of Scripture. Together, we will visit biblical sites, learn about the work of the Lutheran World Federation and ELCJHL, hear from Palestinian Christians, dwell in God’s Word, and most importantly: worship.
During our time together, we will experience the seasons of the Church in a deeply meaningful way—celebrating the Epiphany of Our Lord and the Baptism of Our Lord in the very places where these events echo through history and faith.
So join us, dear ones, as we journey together.
+Bishop Kevin L. Strickland
PRICING:
- $4,290 per person based on double occupancy - space is limited
- Single room supplement: $790
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Optional post-tour extension to Egypt: 1/31 - 2/4 - $890.00
- Deposit: $300 per person with registration to secure space
- Balance due on or before September 24, 2026
- Register by mail? please enclose a copy of the passport and a deposit of $300.00 per person made payable to Elias Tours and mail to: Elias Tours 4941 Chalden Ln NE, Marietta, GA 30066
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Download the Registration Form
FLIGHT SCHEDULE:
* Flight times, flight numbers, equipment, gates, and seats are subject to change. For the most current information check the airline website.
What is included in the tour
- Airfare from Atlanta, GA - Other cities available
- 8 nights in 4-star hotels (double occupancy)
- Breakfast, lunch, and dinner daily
- Entrance fee to all sites
- All ground transportation in a private tour bus
What is NOT included in the tour
- Gratuities for guide and driver
- Personal expenses
- TRAVEL INSURANCE: Travel Insurance is not included in the purchase price. For your convenience, we offer travel insurance through *Travelex Insurance Services. For questions, quotes, or to purchase travel insurance, visit Travelex Insurance or call (800) 228-9792 and use the code 26-0057 for Elias Tours.
Bishop Kevin Strickland of the Southeastern Synod will be leading the 2024 traveling group as it visits holy sites and gets acquainted with the people in the Lutheran churches, the ministries of the Lutheran World Federation, and many others who will share their stories.
Day 1 – Friday, January 22, 2027 | Departure from Atlanta, Georgia
Your journey begins as you depart Atlanta on an overnight flight to Israel. Settle in, enjoy meals served onboard, and rest as you travel toward the landscapes of Scripture and living history.
Day 2 – Saturday, January 23, 2027 | Arrive in Tel Aviv – Transfer to Tiberias
Arrive in Tel Aviv, meet your guide, and begin the drive north through the coastal plains toward the Sea of Galilee region. This evening, check in at your hotel in Tiberias, enjoy dinner together, and settle in for your first night in the Galilee.
Day 3 – Sunday, January 24, 2027 | Sea of Galilee: Ministry of Jesus
Today is filled with the heart of the Gospel story around the Sea of Galilee. Visit Tabgha, the traditional site of the multiplication of the loaves and fish, then continue to the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached the Sermon on the Mount. Enjoy a boat ride on the Sea of Galilee, followed by meaningful stops at Capernaum, St. Peter’s Primacy, and Magdala—places that bring the New Testament to life. Dinner and overnight in Tiberias.
Day 4 – Monday, January 25, 2027 | Cana – Mount Carmel – Nazareth
Travel to Cana of Galilee, where Jesus’ first miracle is remembered, then continue to Mount Carmel for sweeping views and biblical connections. In Nazareth, visit the Basilica of the Annunciation and St. Joseph’s Church, and stop at Mary’s Well—quiet places that invite reflection on the beginning of the Gospel story. Return to Tiberias for dinner and overnight.
Day 5 – Tuesday, January 26, 2027 | Jordan Valley – Jericho – Jordan River – Dead Sea – St. George Monastery
Descend into the Jordan Valley with views toward the Mount of Temptation near Jericho. Continue to the Jordan River for a meaningful time of remembrance and renewal of baptismal promises. Later, enjoy the unforgettable experience of floating in the Dead Sea, then visit the stunning St. George Monastery clinging to the desert cliffs of Wadi Qelt. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 6 – Wednesday, January 27, 2027 | Bethlehem: The Living Stones
Today focuses on the people and communities who are the living heart of the Holy Land. Visit Dar Al Kalima College and the Culture Center, then meet with Rev. Mitri Raheb to learn about Palestinian Christian life and witness. Continue with a visit to the Lutheran School in Beit Sahour, then step into the sacred story at the Church of the Nativity and the Shepherd’s Field. End the day with a visit to the Walled Off Hotel and Museum. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 7 – Thursday, January 28, 2027 | Tent of Nations – Bethlehem Encounters
This morning, visit the Tent of Nations, a powerful story of faith, resilience, and peacemaking on a family farm outside Bethlehem. Enjoy lunch and take part in a hands-on experience with the chance to plant trees as a sign of hope and rootedness in the land. Later, return to Bethlehem with time to visit the Walled Off Hotel. This evening, share dinner with local Christian families—an unforgettable opportunity for conversation, hospitality, and connection. Overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 8 – Friday, January 29, 2027 | Mount of Olives – Augusta Victoria Hospital (LWF) – Gethsemane
Begin on the Mount of Olives with a panoramic view over Jerusalem, then visit Augusta Victoria Hospital to witness the work of the Lutheran World Federation in health and education. Continue to the Ascension site and walk the Palm Sunday Path, stopping at Pater Noster, Dominus Flevit, and the Garden of Gethsemane with the Church of All Nations. Later, visit St. Peter in Gallicantu. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 9 – Saturday, January 30, 2027 | Jerusalem Old City
Step into the Old City for a day of powerful history and devotion. Begin at St. Anne’s Church and the Pools of Bethesda, then walk the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre. Visit the Redeemer Lutheran Church and meet with Bishop Imad (ELCJHL). Later, continue to the Western Wall and the Temple Mount area for views toward the Dome of the Rock. Dinner and overnight in Bethlehem.
Day 10 – Sunday, January 31, 2027 | Departure: Tel Aviv to the USA
Transfer to the airport for your return flight home, carrying with you the sights, stories, and spiritual moments of the Holy Land.
