GET YOUR PASSPORT READY!
Fox Valley Church IS PLANNING A STUDY TOUR TO ISRAEL NEXT Summer.
Projected dates: June 14th-26th (Israel), 2016
June 26th-28th (Jordan, optional) 2016
During the twelve days on the ground, we will visit major sites
like: Caesarea, Mount Carmel, Nazareth, Capernaum, the Mount of Beatitudes,
Dan, Caesarea Philippi, Beth-Shean, the Valley of Elah, the Mount of Olives,
Gethsemane, the Old City of Jerusalem, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Caiaphas’ house, the
Garden Tomb and more. We will have opportunities for a boat ride on the
Sea of Galilee, spend some time floating in the Dead Sea and do baptisms in the
Jordan River. The study tour will include some sites of historical
interest for the Jewish people, including Qumran, Masada and the Holocaust
Museum. In the middle of the trip, we will enjoy a one- or two-day break
at one of Israel’s fine resorts.
Teaching will be done onsite by Dr. Tim Sigler of Moody Bible Institute, along with Dr. Tom Atchison and perhaps others. Studying the Bible in the land of Israel provides invaluable insights into the Scriptures. You will never read the Bible the same way again!
We will tour by deluxe air-conditioned motor coach and stay in tourist-grade hotels. The cost is expected to be between $4,000 and $4,500 per person, all inclusive, based on double occupancy. Single rooms are available for an additional fee.
More details will be forthcoming. A $300 per person deposit will secure your spot on this Holy Land Tour. There already appears to be a good deal of interest in this trip, so we suggest submitting your deposit as soon as possible. You can drop it by the church office, put it in the offering in an envelop marked "Israel Trip" or click the link at the bottom of the page to submit it electronically. It is fully refundable until November 1, 2015 (the balance will be due April 30th, 2016).
If you have any questions, contact Delphine: hayes.d@foxvalleychurch.org, or call the church office at (847) 844-1010 x11.
Teaching will be done onsite by Dr. Tim Sigler of Moody Bible Institute, along with Dr. Tom Atchison and perhaps others. Studying the Bible in the land of Israel provides invaluable insights into the Scriptures. You will never read the Bible the same way again!
We will tour by deluxe air-conditioned motor coach and stay in tourist-grade hotels. The cost is expected to be between $4,000 and $4,500 per person, all inclusive, based on double occupancy. Single rooms are available for an additional fee.
More details will be forthcoming. A $300 per person deposit will secure your spot on this Holy Land Tour. There already appears to be a good deal of interest in this trip, so we suggest submitting your deposit as soon as possible. You can drop it by the church office, put it in the offering in an envelop marked "Israel Trip" or click the link at the bottom of the page to submit it electronically. It is fully refundable until November 1, 2015 (the balance will be due April 30th, 2016).
If you have any questions, contact Delphine: hayes.d@foxvalleychurch.org, or call the church office at (847) 844-1010 x11.
What is this trip?
This trip is an opportunity to take the Bible from “black and white” to “color!”
Imagine walking around the Sea of Galilee where Jesus called the Disciples to become “Fishers of Men.” Then standing on the Mount of Olives where Jesus’ ascended into heaven. These and more are precisely the type of experiences you’ll have if you join this trip.
You will visit some of the most well known biblical sites like Nazareth, Jerusalem, and Megiddo (Armageddon). We will learn together from the Scriptures at each site. We will spend time praying and worshipping together. We will fellowship with other believers and visit archaeological digs.
Please don’t pass up this opportunity to sing on the Sea of Galilee, pray at the Western Wall, and celebrate the resurrection at the Garden Tomb. Pastor Tom would love to have you join him and Cathy with our tour leader Dr. Tim Sigler for this journey to God’s Promise Land.
With whom will we travel?
Tim Sigler (Ph.D., Trinity) is a Professor of Hebrew and Biblical Studies at Moody Bible Institute and spends 3-4 months out of the year in Israel and the Middle East. He has taught for the Masters College IBEX Program, Israel College of the Bible, Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary and as a Scholar-in-Residence for CJF Ministries.
Dr. Sigler has served in pastoral ministry for over a decade and is an elder at the Olive Tree Congregation. In collaboration with other Moody faculty, he developed Moody’s SHALOM and SALAAM programs to provide study abroad options for Moody students.
He regularly teaches the following courses at MBI: Life in Bible Times, Hermeneutics, Old Testament Wisdom Literature, Old Testament Historical Literature I, Hebrew Grammar I & II, Hebrew Exegesis I & II, Biblical Theology of
Jerusalem, and Biblical Archaeology.
Dr. Sigler is extremely familiar with the biblical sites, and a convenient bonus is that he speaks modern Hebrew!
Will I be safe?
Short answer: ABSOLUTELY.
In 2012, close to four million tourists came to Israel, an all-time record, and all of them went back home again safe and sound.
How much does this trip cost?
Projected cost is between $4,000-$4,500 (based on projection of the number of participants, airfare, and taxes). This includes: Travel round-trip flight, breakfast and dinners at 4-Star hotels, entrance to all sites, and luxury tour bus.
*Price is based on projected airfare and taxes*
Are there limitations on who can participate in this tour?
This trip is not designed to accommodate the means of children under the age of 12 or those with limited mobility.
Passports and Vaccinations?
You will need a valid passport that will not expire within 6 months following the trip.
Vaccinations are NOT required to visit Israel.
Can people who do not attend Fox Valley Church join us?
Of course! Please invite friends and/or family members who would like to participate in this wonderful experience.
This trip is an opportunity to take the Bible from “black and white” to “color!”
Imagine walking around the Sea of Galilee where Jesus called the Disciples to become “Fishers of Men.” Then standing on the Mount of Olives where Jesus’ ascended into heaven. These and more are precisely the type of experiences you’ll have if you join this trip.
You will visit some of the most well known biblical sites like Nazareth, Jerusalem, and Megiddo (Armageddon). We will learn together from the Scriptures at each site. We will spend time praying and worshipping together. We will fellowship with other believers and visit archaeological digs.
Please don’t pass up this opportunity to sing on the Sea of Galilee, pray at the Western Wall, and celebrate the resurrection at the Garden Tomb. Pastor Tom would love to have you join him and Cathy with our tour leader Dr. Tim Sigler for this journey to God’s Promise Land.
With whom will we travel?
Tim Sigler (Ph.D., Trinity) is a Professor of Hebrew and Biblical Studies at Moody Bible Institute and spends 3-4 months out of the year in Israel and the Middle East. He has taught for the Masters College IBEX Program, Israel College of the Bible, Jordan Evangelical Theological Seminary and as a Scholar-in-Residence for CJF Ministries.
Dr. Sigler has served in pastoral ministry for over a decade and is an elder at the Olive Tree Congregation. In collaboration with other Moody faculty, he developed Moody’s SHALOM and SALAAM programs to provide study abroad options for Moody students.
He regularly teaches the following courses at MBI: Life in Bible Times, Hermeneutics, Old Testament Wisdom Literature, Old Testament Historical Literature I, Hebrew Grammar I & II, Hebrew Exegesis I & II, Biblical Theology of
Jerusalem, and Biblical Archaeology.
Dr. Sigler is extremely familiar with the biblical sites, and a convenient bonus is that he speaks modern Hebrew!
Will I be safe?
Short answer: ABSOLUTELY.
In 2012, close to four million tourists came to Israel, an all-time record, and all of them went back home again safe and sound.
How much does this trip cost?
Projected cost is between $4,000-$4,500 (based on projection of the number of participants, airfare, and taxes). This includes: Travel round-trip flight, breakfast and dinners at 4-Star hotels, entrance to all sites, and luxury tour bus.
*Price is based on projected airfare and taxes*
Are there limitations on who can participate in this tour?
This trip is not designed to accommodate the means of children under the age of 12 or those with limited mobility.
Passports and Vaccinations?
You will need a valid passport that will not expire within 6 months following the trip.
Vaccinations are NOT required to visit Israel.
Can people who do not attend Fox Valley Church join us?
Of course! Please invite friends and/or family members who would like to participate in this wonderful experience.
Not Included:
Passports
In order to participate in the FVC Israel Tour, you will need a US passport for entry into Israel. It must be valid for at least six months after the date of arrival in Israel. If your passport is in need of renewal please immediately go to:http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english.html.
If you do not currently possess a passport, please get one immediately. You can apply for one online by going to the link above or by going to the post office. If you wait too long to apply, you might have to pay extra for expedited processing.
We will ask you for your passport number on your registration form. If you do not have a passport or need to update yours, you may still register. However, you must be able to provide us with a current passport number no later than April 1st 2016.
- Lunches, souvenirs, extra drinks like bottled water or coffees and sodas at meals. Lunches can be expensive by U.S. So plan ahead for these meals. Most places will accept US dollars. The Capital One Visa card is among several that do not charge an international service charge for transactions. Be sure to contact your bank ahead of time so they are aware of your international travels.
- Tips of personal nature
- Excess baggage and forwarding of baggage
Passports
In order to participate in the FVC Israel Tour, you will need a US passport for entry into Israel. It must be valid for at least six months after the date of arrival in Israel. If your passport is in need of renewal please immediately go to:http://travel.state.gov/content/passports/english.html.
If you do not currently possess a passport, please get one immediately. You can apply for one online by going to the link above or by going to the post office. If you wait too long to apply, you might have to pay extra for expedited processing.
We will ask you for your passport number on your registration form. If you do not have a passport or need to update yours, you may still register. However, you must be able to provide us with a current passport number no later than April 1st 2016.
A Letter from Tim Sigler:
My wife Bernice and I were students in 1989-90 in Israel, and we've been traveling in Israel and the region ever since. Our family (which includes our three children) lives in Israel every summer for three months, and we were there during last summer's "Operation Protective Edge." We take the security and safety of our guests in the Land very seriously and are constantly monitoring the political situation in Israel and the region.
With that bit of background, let me suggest that many people who are not familiar with the geography and political history of the region are commonly alarmed by news reports, and that's how news sells. Terrifying events have been occuring near some of Israel's borders—but headlines are at times manipulated to imply that these dangerous events are happening in Israel proper.
For those of us at Moody's downtown Chicago campus, we live with Chicago's shooting violence everyday. We also realize that, while tragic, most of of this violence is over seven miles away or so and has little impact on the daily lives of most Chicagoans. We are aware of certain neighborhoods that are unsafe, and we don't go there or send students near there unaccompanied or after dark.
Similarly, in Israel we receive the security alerts from the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem about neighborhoods known to have had violent political protests, and we avoid these. We also monitor the local daily news (something like a Chicago crime blotter), and we have learned that wisdom and safety is gained by predictability and specific geographical awareness. Our tour company also monitors the moment-by-moment news alerts, and they are able to be in immediate contact with us in the event of a national emergency. That being said, there have not been national emergencies since last August at the end of “Operation Protective Edge.” And, thankfully, the personal crime rates in Israel are very low.
While the news sells all kinds of sensational stories threatening the doom and destruction of the Jewish State, we who have been happy guests there for decades hear "Blah, blah, blah! Terrorist threats, blah, blah, blah!" We are vigilant, but we are also not going to let an occasionally successful terrorist attack deter us from enjoying the amazing opportunity to study the Bible on location. With that, even if there were a random terrorist attack in Jerusalem, and it has happened from time to time (though less often than shootings in Chicago), we would not evacuate the country as if it were a militarized zone. We have an established set of protocols that provide us with the most accurate news information, the most informed local counsel, and the collective wisdom of multiple organizations with students and tourists in Israel. This careful approach allows us to weigh the seriousness of news reports and make informed decisions about the safety of our tourists.
Some encouraging points to remember:
Blessings!
Tim M. Sigler, Ph.D.
Professor of Hebrew and Biblical Studies
Moody Bible Institute
My wife Bernice and I were students in 1989-90 in Israel, and we've been traveling in Israel and the region ever since. Our family (which includes our three children) lives in Israel every summer for three months, and we were there during last summer's "Operation Protective Edge." We take the security and safety of our guests in the Land very seriously and are constantly monitoring the political situation in Israel and the region.
With that bit of background, let me suggest that many people who are not familiar with the geography and political history of the region are commonly alarmed by news reports, and that's how news sells. Terrifying events have been occuring near some of Israel's borders—but headlines are at times manipulated to imply that these dangerous events are happening in Israel proper.
For those of us at Moody's downtown Chicago campus, we live with Chicago's shooting violence everyday. We also realize that, while tragic, most of of this violence is over seven miles away or so and has little impact on the daily lives of most Chicagoans. We are aware of certain neighborhoods that are unsafe, and we don't go there or send students near there unaccompanied or after dark.
Similarly, in Israel we receive the security alerts from the U.S. Consulate in Jerusalem about neighborhoods known to have had violent political protests, and we avoid these. We also monitor the local daily news (something like a Chicago crime blotter), and we have learned that wisdom and safety is gained by predictability and specific geographical awareness. Our tour company also monitors the moment-by-moment news alerts, and they are able to be in immediate contact with us in the event of a national emergency. That being said, there have not been national emergencies since last August at the end of “Operation Protective Edge.” And, thankfully, the personal crime rates in Israel are very low.
While the news sells all kinds of sensational stories threatening the doom and destruction of the Jewish State, we who have been happy guests there for decades hear "Blah, blah, blah! Terrorist threats, blah, blah, blah!" We are vigilant, but we are also not going to let an occasionally successful terrorist attack deter us from enjoying the amazing opportunity to study the Bible on location. With that, even if there were a random terrorist attack in Jerusalem, and it has happened from time to time (though less often than shootings in Chicago), we would not evacuate the country as if it were a militarized zone. We have an established set of protocols that provide us with the most accurate news information, the most informed local counsel, and the collective wisdom of multiple organizations with students and tourists in Israel. This careful approach allows us to weigh the seriousness of news reports and make informed decisions about the safety of our tourists.
Some encouraging points to remember:
- The airlines are quite strict. We will pass through extra security measures before boarding our planes, both on departure and on return.
- The Israeli Defense Forces are everywhere. They are well-trained and alert. With tourism being one of the top sources of revenue, the government of Israel has a vested interest in ensuring that tourists are safe.
- Attacks by terrorists are extremely rare. The fact that such events are highly publicized gives the impression that they are more frequent than they really are.
- The nation of Israel is safer by far than most cities in the U.S., including Chicago. Statistically, you have a greater chance of getting hurt on your way to O’Hare Airport than you do of getting hurt in Israel. And, as we know, the United States is not immune to terror threats.
- As followers of the Mighty One of Israel, we do not believe in chance. Rather, we trust in His sovereign, gracious will to be accomplished in, through, or if needed, in spite of us.
- More than three million tourists annually have safely visited Israel in the past few years, setting an all-time record.
Blessings!
Tim M. Sigler, Ph.D.
Professor of Hebrew and Biblical Studies
Moody Bible Institute
