Abiding in the Land: Israel

May 24–June 2, 2027

Walk the land. Encounter the Scriptures. Abide with Jesus.

Register

What Is Abiding in the Land?

Abiding in the Land is more than a sightseeing tour. It is an invitation to slow down, abide with Jesus, and encounter Scripture in the places where so much of the biblical story unfolded.

We will stay at a retreat center and travel throughout Israel, visiting significant biblical sites while making space for prayer, reflection, worship, and unhurried time with God. Our desire is not simply to see the land, but to allow the land to help us see Scripture—and Jesus—with fresh eyes.

Come ready to walk the land of the Bible, listen to the Scriptures, and above all, abide with Jesus in the places where He walked.

What Makes This Retreat Different?

ABIDE — Unhurried space with Jesus through prayer, Scripture, silence, worship, and reflection.

ENCOUNTER — Experience the geography and places of the biblical story firsthand.

LEARN — Allow the land, history, and culture to deepen understanding of Scripture.

COMMUNITY — Share meals, worship, conversation, prayer, and the journey with others.

What Will We Experience?

Our journey will take us throughout Israel, from the shores of the Sea of Galilee to the streets of Jerusalem. We’ll visit places central to the biblical story and the life of Jesus, including Jaffa, the Mount of Beatitudes, Capernaum, Magdala, Nazareth, Caesarea Philippi, Mount Carmel, Caesarea Maritima, Jericho, and the Sea of Galilee, where we’ll travel by boat. We’ll conclude our journey in Jerusalem, walking the Mount of Olives and Palm Sunday Road, praying in Gethsemane, exploring the Old City, and visiting places connected to Jesus’ final days, crucifixion, and resurrection. Along the way, we’ll make space to slow down, reflect on Scripture, process what we are experiencing, and abide with Jesus in the land where He walked.

Our itinerary is intentionally designed with margin. We are not trying to see everything; we want to be present to God in the places we do experience.

Our Posture in the Land

We recognize that this land carries a complex history and is home to people with deeply rooted stories, faith, and experiences. We enter with humility and a posture of prayer, seeking neither to promote a political agenda nor reduce the land and its people to one narrative. We will pray for the peace, dignity, and flourishing of all who call this land home, both Israelis and Palestinians.

Where We Will Stay

Overlooking the Sea of Galilee, the Fellowship House of Virginia in Migdal, Israel, provides a peaceful setting for the heart of our Abiding in the Land experience. Rather than simply moving from hotel to hotel, this will be our home base—a place to slow down, pray, reflect on Scripture, and process together what we are experiencing each day. Its setting invites us to encounter the land not simply as tourists, but as disciples making space to abide with Jesus.

Trip Details

What the Cost Includes

Includes:

  • Airfare from Newark, NJ to Israel

  • Airport Taxes/Fees

  • Lodging at Retreat Center, 6 nights

  • Lodging in Jerusalem, 1 night

  • All Meals

  • Transportation to and from Airport in Israel

  • Bus Driver Tips and Fees

  • Guide Tips and Fees

  • Sightseeing & Entrance Fees

Excludes:

  • Travel to Newark, NJ

  • Electronic Travel Authorization (minimal cost; details on this later)

  • Extra Activities or Purchases You Make

  • Travel Insurance

  • Baggage Fees

FAQs

  • You will need a current passport that doesn’t expire before the end of 2027.

  • We understand that circumstances can change, and we want to be as clear as possible about the financial commitments associated with the trip. Airfare is refundable up to 90 days prior to departure. Within 90 days of departure, airline tickets are no longer refundable but may be exchanged for travel on another date, subject to the airline’s terms, conditions, and any applicable fees or fare differences. Other trip costs are refundable up to 30 days prior to departure. Within 30 days of the trip, those costs become nonrefundable due to commitments made to our retreat center, transportation providers, guides, and other partners. Because circumstances beyond our control may affect international travel, Chapel Springs Church reserves the right to modify or cancel the trip if necessary. Any refunds or travel credits in that situation will be based on the amounts recoverable from the airline and our other travel partners.

  • Accommodations at the retreat center are simple and modest, in keeping with the retreat nature of our time together. Each participant will share a room with a roommate; you may request someone you would like to room with, or we will be happy to assign a roommate for you. While rooms are shared, the retreat center offers plenty of space throughout the property to find quiet, be alone, pray, and enjoy personal time with the Lord.

  • Meals at the retreat center are simple and modest, but there will be plenty to keep us well-fed throughout our stay. Several meals will also be enjoyed away from the retreat center, giving us opportunities to experience Israeli food and local flavors as we travel throughout the region. We will have opportunities to purchase snacks and other items to bring back to the retreat center as well. If you have food allergies, dietary restrictions, or other dietary needs, please let us know when registering so we can determine what accommodations may be available.

  • This trip involves a moderate amount of walking, often over uneven terrain, stone pathways, steps, and inclines at historic and archaeological sites. Participants should be comfortable walking and standing for periods of time and getting on and off the tour bus throughout the day. Some sites offer accessible options, but not every location on our itinerary is fully accessible. If you have mobility concerns, please contact us before registering so we can help you understand the demands of the trip and determine what accommodations may be available.

    • Comfortable walking shoes/sandals and slip-ons for the retreat center.

    • Light cool clothing.

    • Bible & Notebook

    • Hat/sunglasses

    • Sunscreen

    • Water bottle 

    • A wrap or light shirt to cover shoulders and knees at religious sites

    • Adapters: Bring an adapter for Israel for your electronics. You can find them on Amazon. (Please Note: the retreat center has a few hairdryers we can share; American high-powered devices like a hairdryer can often overheat the electrical system and cause issues)

    • Clothes/Swimsuit for baptism

    • Toiletries

    • Minor first-aid items, like bandages or pain relief medications

    • Small bag/backpack 

    • Passport and other travel documents

  • We are staying at a retreat center, not a hotel. We will not have housekeeping. The center will give us a fresh towel and washcloth every three days. 

Safety & Travel Conditions

There is currently unrest in the Middle East. We will watch the situation closely and reschedule, if needed. However, traveling in the Middle East is always a risk. If you are risk averse, this may not be the trip for you at this time.

Join us for a unique spiritual retreat to Israel, the land of the Bible!

REGISTER HERE