Evergreen Church Israel Retreat

Encounter Jesus in Israel

February 21 - March 5, 2026

⬇️ Scroll to the bottom for the full itinerary!

Evergreen Church is going on a retreat in Israel from February 21 - March 5, 2026. Of course, the whole church can’t go! But our church can see Israel through those who can. When you return, your pilgrimage will refresh people at Evergreen Church and the region we serve.

Why an Israel retreat? Because you were made for a purpose. Israel is the place where Jesus first revealed that purpose. Standing where Jesus stood, with an open Bible, will give you a fresh vision of his plan for your influence at home. 

You will touch and feel sites around Galilee where Jesus walked. Plus follow Jesus' cross through the streets of Jerusalem.

Best of all, our Israel travel company, Philip's House, based in Seattle, will introduce us to Israeli believers, Jews, and Arabs. Our licensed tour guide believes in Jesus and will give us time for personal reflection at Bible sites. 

Israel's leading tour company, Sar-El Tours, partners with Philip’s House to provide the safest and best in travel, accommodation, professional tour guides, and opportunities to help. Sar-El has kept 1.25 million international travelers safe over 31 years.

Let’s meet Jesus in the Promised Land and let's come home to greater influence for the Lord.

Pastor Caleb Dick

Philip’s House tours are about ENCOUNTER. Get sand in your shoes that the disciples shook from their sandals.

ACTIVE: Explore the paths Jesus walked. Scan the mountains on the horizon that his eyes saw.

REFLECTIVE: You are encouraged to take a paper Bible along. You will have time to reflect on a passage written about the spot where you stand. 

RELATIONAL: Meet Jews and Israeli-Arabs. Some are secular, some are religious, and a few are believers in Jesus. Israelis you meet will cause Bible personalities of history to spring to life in your imagination.

PHILIP’S HOUSE hosts ACTIVE tours of ISRAEL for INFLUENCERS from all nations to make Israeli FRIENDS and return home to a life of huge INFLUENCE.

Depart from your USA departure airport to connect with an international flight to Israel. (Airlines, flights, times, hotels, and sites are subject to change without notice.)

Note that all international travelers from visa-exempt countries to Israel must have a valid ETA-IL (Electronic Travel Authorization) before departing for Israel. A small fee may apply. Visit the State of Israel visa website here https://israel-entry.piba.gov.il/

Arrive at Ben Gurion Airport, located between Tel Aviv and Jerusalem.

You will pass through Israel’s immigration, gather your luggage, and be greeted by a Philip’s House representative. Look for the smiling face holding the Philip’s House sign!

Step back in time to Joppa, where Peter received his life-changing vision, and walk in the footsteps of the apostles in this port city that played a pivotal role in the spread of the Gospel.

You will spend the night at David's Harp Hotel in Netanya on the Mediterranean Sea. This is near the spot where Jonah set out on his ill-fated adventure, where Peter saw a vision that changed history (Acts 15), and later met the Roman General Cornelius.

Today, you will drive north to Galilee. Jesus was raised in Nazareth, but after being rejected, he made Capernaum his hometown of choice. After you see the beauty of the lake, you will understand why Jesus chose this as his home.

Explore Caesarea Maritima, the home of Cornelius, the house of Philip, and the prison of Paul.

Ascend Mount Carmel, where Elijah called down fire from heaven, with breathtaking views of the Mediterranean and Armageddon.

Tour the old city of Nazareth with Pastor Saleem Shalosh. See the home of Mary's mother, the carpenter shop and ritual bath of Joseph, and the synagogue described in Luke 4. Step into Elbabour Spice shop to enjoy fresh hummus, pita, and unforgettable aromas.

Experience Nazareth Village, an open-air museum that reconstructs and reenacts village life in the Galilee in the time of Jesus.

Climb of Mount Arbel where Jesus often climbed and prayed. For those less adventurous, take the bus and welcome the group at the top.

Return to David's Harp Hotel for dinner and your rest on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Discover the newly unearthed archaeological site of Bethsaida, home of Peter, Andrew, Philip, and Nathaniel.

Walk through Capernaum, the hometown of Jesus. See the synagogue where he worshipped and the ruins of the house of Peter's mother-in-law where the disabled man was lowered through the roof.

Step into the cool walls of Tabgha, and meditate on Jesus’ miracle of multiplying the loaves and fishes to feed the 5,000.

Enjoy St Peter’s Fish Restaurant in Migdal. (Lunch is at your own cost.)

Explore the Sea of Galilee with a boat cruise on the water where Jesus walked.

Visit a boat from the days of Jesus at the Ginasaur Boat Museum.

In 2009, during a hotel construction, workers discovered the remains of a first-century synagogue and the ancient city of Magdala, home of Mary Magdelene. The retreat site features a church with a massive picture window overlooking the lake and an unforgettable painting of the woman touching the fringe (tzitzit) of Jesus' prayer shawl (tallit).

Experience a Jordan baptism at Yardenit.

Return to David's Harp Hotel for dinner and your rest on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Get up at dawn for an optional hike along a natural trail on the waterfront of the Sea of Galilee, between Capernaum and the site where Jesus called Peter to follow him.

The Mount of Beatitudes, where Jesus drew from the local scenery to illustrate the Sermon on the Mount.

Journey an hour north to Caesarea Philippi and touch the red bedrock where Peter stood, see the literal Gates of Hell, and the spiritual significance of announcing on this spot the church--the "called out ones."

Take in the 4,000-year-old Gates of Dan, where Abraham took his 318 servants to defeat physical and spiritual forces and how his story connects with Jesus' story.

Hike the rapids of Banias Falls, that inspired King David to write Psalm 42 and later Jesus would walk on his way up to Mount Hermon, the place of the Transfiguration.

Explore the remains of Sussita, a Greco-Roman city with stunning views of the Sea of Galilee.

Return to David's Harp Hotel for dinner and your rest on the shore of the Sea of Galilee.

Visit Sychar, a Samaritan town mentioned in John 4:5-42 where Jesus met the woman at the well.

Stand on Mount Gerizim, the "Mount of Blessing" described by Moses, used by the early Israelites, and the final resting place of Joseph.

See Tel Shiloh or Ancient Shiloh, Israel’s religious heart before Jerusalem. The Tabernacle stood here for 369 years. With engaging technology, you can almost see Samuel and David walking by and smell the incense burning on the altar.

Experience luxury and relaxation at David Resort & Spa, a premier Dead Sea retreat offering world-class amenities, stunning sea views, therapeutic mineral-rich pools, and rejuvenating spa treatments.

Enjoy floating in the buoyant waters of the Dead Sea. It's fun!

Scale Masada in a gondola and explore King Herod's desert fortress. Built as an opulent palace to defend against Cleopatra’s armies, it was used by Jewish fighters in their last stand against the Romans in AD 73 or 74.

En Gedi, a beautiful desert oasis near the Dead Sea, is where King David hid from Saul, the ibex deer helped him to write Psalm 42, while he hid in the cave under the waterfall.

See the desert monastery of Qumran, located near the Dead Sea. Here, the Dead Sea Scrolls were prepared and later discovered. John the Baptist was familiar with this place.

Journey to Ashdod, on the Mediterranean Sea. This the beach where Philip the Evangelist landed in Acts 8 and where Samson pulled down the pagan Temple. We will join the Beit Hallel congregation for their Shabbat service.

Visit Sderot, a resilient town that has long faced challenges, and gain a unique perspective overlooking Gaza and meet Pastor Michael Beener and the congregation at City of Life. Feel the healing work of believers in Messiah in the land.

Visit the Nova Festival site and, to pay our respects to those affected by the October 7, 2023 attack.

See the Burnt Car Memorial, where hundreds of cars were left unclaimed by those murdered in the terror attack.

Step into the ruins of Be’er Sheva, including the well dug by Isaac and the ancient biblical city of the patriarchs.

Stop at the Valley of Elah where David won a victory over Goliath and pray for the people of Israel.

Spend the night in your Ashdod hotel.

Today you Ascend up to Jerusalem!

Walk the Temple Mount, a massive platform constructed by King Herod, where once the Temples of Solomon and Zerubbabel stood. On the Foundation Stone, Abraham offered Isaac, David stopped the plague with his intercession, Solomon prayed at the dedication and fire fell, the Babylonians and Romans demolished, and Jesus taught. One day, he will return through the Eastern Gate.

Pray at the Western Wall and touch the stones that made the disciples marvel.

Go underground, beneath the feet of worshippers at the Western Wall, to explore the hidden walls of the Temple Mount, including the biggest building stone in the world. Then remember that Jesus is the cornerstone.

Experience the history of Jerusalem at the Davidson Center and sit on the Southern Steps where Jesus taught.

Walk through the Jewish Quarter and see the Golden Menorah prepared for the Third Temple. The Golden Menorah in Jerusalem, crafted from 45 kilograms (nearly 100 pounds) of pure gold, stands as a magnificent 7-branched candelabrum symbolizing the ancient Temple, meticulously designed by the Temple Institute.

See the Cardo Romano, a marketplace Jesus would have used.

Peer over the railing to look at the Broad Wall built by the leadership of Nehemiah and his team of volunteers.

Tonight you are checking into the Dan Jerusalem Hotel.

See the evidence for the burial and resurrection of Jesus at Notre Dame. Take in the stunning view of Jerusalem.

Step into the just-opened Pentecost Room, painted by Chilean artist Daniel Cariola. The walls and ceiling of this spacious room are covered with the images of 119 first-century characters experiencing the power of the Holy Spirit. Daniel meditated on the book of Acts and drew from his knowledge of first-century life to create this gripping scene.

Enter into the Jerusalem that Abraham and David knew in the excavations of The City of David. Take in the sweeping outlook of Jerusalem and a movie that reviews the story of the destruction and rebuilding of Jerusalem over many centuries. Next, walk through the ruins of David’s palace, past walls Abraham saw, the city Solomon and the prophets knew.

For the adventurous, choose Hezekiah’s Tunnel. Bring a flashlight, and shoes and clothes that can get wet. The water will come up to your knees. This is the watercourse chiseled out during the days of Senacharib’s threat to Jerusalem. 

For those who want to keep dry, take the dry Canaanite-era tunnel.

See the Pool of Siloam where Jesus sent the blind man to wash his eyes to be cleansed.

Enjoy dinner and rest at the Dan Jerusalem Hotel.

Visit the Garden Tomb and its realistic depiction of a first-century grave and experience communion as never before.

Take in Jerusalem at the Mount of Olives Rehavam Overlook, then follow the triumphal route of Jesus down the Mount of Olives to the Garden of Gethsemane.

Step into Dominus Flevit, the church commemorating where Jesus wept over Jerusalem.

Walk the Palm Sunday route down to the Garden of Gethsemane, among ancient olive trees (Matthew 26:36-56).

Step into the olive groves of the Garden of Gethsemane, where Jesus prayed before his arrest and surrendered to the Father's will.

Enter Jerusalem through the Lion's Gate. Visit the Crusader-era St. Anne's Church, known for its extraordinary acoustics, near the Pool of Bethesda.

Walk the Via Dolorosa, the path Jesus took on the way to His crucifixion, with stops at significant stations along the way.

Step into the Church of the Holy Sepulcher built around the Golgotha Hill where Jesus was crucified, buried, and resurrected. Today, seven church denominations oversee the building, showing its significance to believers.

Step into the Upper Room where Jesus hosted the first communion and visit the Tomb of David on the lower floor. Under the Upper Room is the “Lower Room” where tradition holds that King David is buried.

Pray in the garden where Peter denied Jesus and the pit where Jesus suffered in the church of St. Peter in Gallicantu.

Enjoy dinner and rest at the Dan Jerusalem Hotel.

Ponder God’s plan for Israel at the Yad Vashem Holocaust Memorial.

See the Dead Sea scrolls at the Shrine of the Book and watch your imagination come alive with the Model of Jesus’ Jerusalem at the Israel Museum.

Insert yourself into the story of modern Israel at the Friends of Zion Museum. Some report that this is one of the most powerful places they have visited in the land.

Enjoy dinner and rest at the Dan Jerusalem Hotel.

Prepare for an early morning wake up. Today you go home.

You are now on your way to Ben Gurion Airport and home. You need to arrive at the airport 3 hours before your departure time for immigration processing. So your travel from Jerusalem will take about an hour to the airport.

You now have social media friends in Israel. A part of yourself is left in the Holy Land. 

You want to pray for the peace of Jerusalem and go back one day soon.

Leave Friends in Israel and Go home to greater influence. 

Thanks to the time zone, you will arrive home on the same day!