We don’t even know where to begin to start thanking you for the amazing gift that you gave Steve and I.  It was truly life changing in every way.  We have fallen in love with the homeland of Israel and will never, ever be the same again. 

Our days were so full but oh so, so good.  Our cups were so full that we were drinking out of our saucers.  Every single day, we thought wow, surely tomorrow cannot top today, but it did.  We cannot wait to sit down with both of you to share our experience.  Thank you so much Byron and Tammy for having the heart for Israel and for sending Pastors there to learn and to experience the life of Jesus. John Turner, Rick Hamm are great men of God that we respect so much. They love the Lord and it radiates through them.  It was a blessing to experience this trip of a lifetime with them and the other wonderful people that we met. We look forward to returning again soon.

My first journey to the Promised Land in 2007 altered my course. When Byron said, “Let’s go to Israel,” I was dumbfounded. All kinds of thoughts were swimming in my head. “Why should I go to Israel? Is it safe? Is it necessary? WOW! That’s where Jesus walked…” Obviously, the end result was a 15-hour plane ride and an amazing trek in a blue van with Byron, Moshe, Justin, and myself. Any doubts of traveling to Israel disappeared instantly as we stood looking over the Holy City, Jerusalem. I could not help but think about Matthew 23:37 where Jesus said, “Jerusalem, Jerusalem,… how often I have longed to gather your children together, as a hen gathers her chicks under her wings, and you were not willing.” I was hooked. The Bible sprang to life in a way that commentaries, videos, and imaginations were not able to produce. My journey to Israel caused God’s Love Letter to me, the Word of God, to take on new meaning. My personal readings of the Scriptures were and have never since been the same. My preaching had new direction and passion. My life was changed. Since that first time in Israel, I have been blessed to go back to the Promised Land on many other occasions. Each and every time, whether going to previously visited sites or not, I have left with fresh fire from and renewed purpose in the things of God. As you may know, the Lord has recently brought me to a new place in ministry. I no longer Pastor a church but have the privilege daily to challenge churches across the world to stand with Israel and strive to understand more of the Hebraic roots that so enrich our Christian Faith. Because of that first trip, a journey I believe EVERY pastor MUST make, I know that believers today play a vital role in the physical and spiritual restoration of Israel. Thousands of years ago, God called Abram to leave his home to travel to a new home that would be called Israel. On that tiny sliver of land in the Middle East, God began to reveal Himself to the world. Still today, that tiny sliver of land is the stage upon which God is showing the world that His plan of redemption and grace is free to all who will trust upon His only begotten Son, our Messiah. Talk about a change in direction! Baruch HaShem…Bless the Name !

The trip Father’s House arranged was way far and above anything I expected. I came home with an enthusiasm to learn to read Hebrew for a deeper understanding of the Bible I have been reading for most of my life and accepting at face value. The Father’s House team took us places off the beaten path where archeological current findings authenticate and place the written Word in perspective with the people’s lives that were writing it down. This helped me link a lot of teachings to my daily life. I came home knowing this time in Israel had been time that will open up new opportunities for me.

I want you all to know that I had a great trip and would certainly go again and recommend it to anyone. There is not a day goes by that I do not think about the trip and apply something to my life or study, although my head’s still spinning from all the information! Thanks to everyone of you who had a part in it.

I would like to take this opportunity to express my most heart-felt thanks to both of you for the opportunity you made possible for me, and my peers here in Susanville, to go to the land of the Bible. It was an extraordinary trip for me personally.  Everything in my Christian walk has been affected by this trip.  Already the Word of God has become more alive as I read and replay the places I walked and the things I saw and heard during my time in Israel.  I know I will never be the same and I am looking forward with anticipation to the next trip I can make but this time with my wife. John and Roxie are the best.  They were a joy to be with and love their heart for the people of Israel and their passion for Pastor’s, and others, to experience our other home. Thank you again and my God’s most abundant blessings be yours. With Gratitude; Allen J. Barger, Pastor

The biggest impact for me was the role women have is so much more impactful than I ever realized. Thank you so much to both you and Roxie. You made it memorable!

A trip of a lifetime! No words can described being where Bible history was lived, walk and recorded for us now. Soooo Blessed!

How amazing! I can’t wait to go back. Thank you for the privilege to be in the Holy Land last year and dreaming for another trip in His time.