April 6, 2009 Dear Byron, John, and Father’s House, Thank you so much for sending me to Israel.  I have tried to wait to write a thank you until I had time to process more of what we saw, heard, and experienced.  The truth is, I am still in something of a state of awe at the wonder of God manifest by the whole trip. It has been a long-standing desire of mine to go to Israel and see the places where biblical events took place.  I could never have imagined the impact that being there would have on my understanding and perspective on the Word of God.  There is a deep, spiritual stirring in my soul that is like a revival meeting but much deeper and longer-lasting in its influence.  There is new fire in my preaching and new depth in my teaching.  People here at First Baptist have commented about the difference they hear and see in me. The things I have learned and believed for years have been re-formatted by the trip.  I know them in a way I could not have known them before.  It is in a small way like what our transition from hope to sight will be when Jesus comes: We hold to the reality, but we have not experienced it in its completeness.  I know that I have yet to experience the fullness of Who God is and what redemption is, but there is a greater appreciation for the revelation of God in His Word and in His Son that makes the present reality so much sweeter! Thank you, thank you, thank you for answering God’s call to send pastors to Israel.  John, thank you for being with us and making the trip more wonderful with your songs and your servant heart.  Byron, thank you for your heart to help move us toward revival through the experience of biblical places in Israel.  You have blessed my life and enriched my ministry more than I can express. I am encouraging every believer to go to Israel and experience the wonder of the land of Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus and the disciples.  We are praying and working on details to try to take a group back in 2010 because the excitement of the group that went has taken hold of the church!

Words cannot express the gratitude I feel towards you for what you have done in my life. A number of years ago when I was doing some work to help in the aftermath of Katrina I met a new Christian who was telling me about his story. He said that God had totally “messed up” his life! He went on to explain that God had so changed his life that he would never be the same in a good way God had changed his whole perspective of life. Well this Israel trip and what I saw and heard has totally “messed up” my life! In a good and most incredible way! It is as if blinders have been removed from my spiritual eyes! Every passage, every reference to God’s people,  a place so captures my attention that I get hung up in a verse or two and feast upon His Truths. The perspective of what God did where it took place layer upon layer literally blows my mind! I can’t take it all in. And I feel like I am just getting started. Needless to say, it has transformed my life, my preaching and my ministry. How God allowed my life to be connected with you, with Bono, Moshe, the Fathers House… Well, that still amazes me! But I do know this, what you have sown into me has spread to our church! Like a wild fire, the desire to go to Israel is spreading we will, Lord willing, go with the Fathers House next year. This is the plan we believe God is leading us in and I can’t wait for it to come about! Your gift came at such a good time for us. Leslie and I needed a break together. We are so blessed to have such a gracious and loving church family, but our time away was refreshing and invigorating. In fact, Leslie and I have resolved one day to find a spot on the Sea of Galilee to just spend a week or two! Who knows what will happen but we take great delight in even thinking about it. Well, more could be said. Yet “words” seem so inadequate in expressing the overflow of my heart. Thank you. Thank you for your gift for your investment in me for looking beyond the things of this world that you might sow for the next. That is a rare thing in our day yet I believe you have brought the Father and all His House great joy and glory in what you have done. May the fullness of His Spirit rest upon each of you this day, and like Joseph of old may He cause to prosper all that you set your hands to! To God be the Glory!

It truly was an amazing experience and I found it extremely special to have this journey with some amazing men of God. We were all bounded together because our love for Jesus Christ and we continued to grow throughout the journey. I have a greater understanding of the biblical text as well as modern day Israel and their daily struggle as a result of this trip. Of course, it makes scripture come alive and will greatly impact your preaching and teaching of God’s word as well as strengthening your overall faith. I would also encourage pastors to consider various ways they can help others in their church family make a similar journey to Israel to help strengthen your local body as well as provide much needed support and encouragement for the people of Israel. I think having church leaders experience this type of trip only results in a greater blessing for those that are part of the churches they lead. Great experience, Great Journey, and Life Changing!!!

Greetings. Me and wife Nelrose was talking about our experience in Israel. We were looking at the pictures and videos we got. Tears of joy and praises to the Father for such a wonderful privilege He has given us through you and Tammy. Our hearts are rejoicing. It has really help us grow in the Lord, and whenever we share God’s word to the congregation it has deeper insights because of what we have seen and learned from the trip. The Bible really came alive and the more intense is our prayer for the peace of Jerusalem. What a blessing and a great impact the trip to us and the ministry. Thank you brother for the ministry of fhef and your generosity. Thank you for yoyr prayers and praying that you can help us financially in the ministry here at rolfc. Love. Tito and Nelrose