So many wonderful memories of a beautiful country with an amazing history. So special

Summarizing the NAUMS 2011 Father’s House Israel Trip, despite the fact that it was the most informative and enlightening trip I have ever been on, has been a surprisingly difficult task.  As one might imagine,

I have been asked by numerous friends and family members, and members of our congregation, to share what the most influential or to isolate what my favorite part, of the trip was, but I have to admit that there wasn’t a most influential or favorite part of the trip for me.  Each and every day there were multiple parts that I was very fond of and that were quite influential,  The entire trip, from beginning to end, was packed full of information and spiritual depth. I honestly wish the trip hadn’t ended, and I have been suffering from feelings of … homesickness???  Kind of strange, but it is true.  I want to return with the The Father’s House each and every time they go to Israel.  Perhaps the Lord will open a door for that to happen. I have come down to one simple statement that sums up my feelings about the trip, or maybe a better way to say this is to say that this statement sums up my feelings toward God since experiencing the NAUMS 2011 Father’s House Trip to Israel, and that is this … I have a lot more “Want To” where it comes to serving the Lord.  Having experienced Him on such a real and personal level, I don’t want to do anything that would displease him.  The experience has deepened my relationship with The Lord and has made me a better minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

Going to Israel was special to me. Some of my favorite places were the birthplace of Jesus, the City of David, and the Sea of Galilee. Three days before I left for Israel, I accepted Jesus as my Savior. I was baptized by my dad in the Sea of Galilee near Capernaum. You need to go to Israel because it is life-changing and an experience you do not want to miss.

John, for me this trip made the Bible come to life. It has made me crave and yearn for Jesus even more. It is amazing what God has revealed to me during this journey…. He has started his own uncontrollable wildfire in my heart and has used you and Moshe’s passion for teaching to fan the flames.

My 10 days in Israel. it was awesome! Our tour guide was a general in the Israeli army during the six day war in 1967. He was intense, but he got us into some pretty amazing places.

This trip is one of my FAVORITE memories! So beautiful and amazing! To be where Christ did most of his miracles made me feel so close to our Savior.

Thank you so much for your contribution to the Hannah House Ministry.  We appreciate your generosity and support. May God bless you, Taylor a Hannah House girl

This trip far expanded my understanding of the Bible. Moshe and John carefully wove the Bible, Hebrew language, and history and culture into one package. To walk with the Holy Spirit in the same places as Adam and Eve, Abraham, Rachel, David, Jesus, Paul and many others is beyond explanation to anyone who has never been there. At times, my heart, my head and emotions were in conflict with one another but in the end God won. Now, when I read the Bible, the Word is richer and comes to life in a new way.

Our trip to Israel with the Father’s House was truly heart changing. I had heard from people who have been to Israel before and how God seemed to speak to them in the Holy Land. I wondered deep down, would he speak to me, what would it be like, what if he didn’t? With all those thoughts swirling around my head, my prayer was God speak to my heart. As a man, pastor, husband, and dad, I struggle with pride. I did not want to come back and be a know it all about Israel, I wanted to come back with a changed heart. And that’s exactly what happened. Sure, I learned, experienced, and gained tons of knowledge and I will never read the bible the same or preach the same again, but God’s greatest gift to me was a more loving heart. I tell people that Israel made me a better LOVER. I love my wife, my kids, others, and my God more and it’s easier to show it. The second to the last day of the trip John gave us the opportunity to be baptized in the Sea of Galilee. Inside I thought, I’m a pastor, I’ve already been baptized, I baptize others, I don’t need to be baptized. But then at the same time I felt our Father say, Do this for me, humble yourself, who cares what others think or say, do this for me, humble yourself for me. The wrestling match continued until the spirit won out and I got dunked. It was awesome. Humbling but awesome. It just felt right. Thank you for that opportunity. It was one of my highlights.