Photo by Steven Hull

It’s not everyday that you get to ride a boat on the Sea of Galilee, float in the Dead Sea, and explore the caves that David used to hide from Saul.

Calvin Seminary students didn’t do all of these in one day – this is just a sampling of their activities over the course of a thirteen-day Israel/Palestine Study Tour in January. Lead by Professors Amanda Benckhuysen and Sarah Schreiber, the group immersed themselves in the world of Bible, engaging all their senses in the study of the culture, geography, and history of Israel and Palestine. The course was offered for credit and twenty-seven students, from both the distance and residential programs, participated.

Cara DeHaan, a distance M.Div. student, described her gratitude for the community on the study tour: “One thing hard to convey through photos is the way that our group, many of whom met each other for the first time…is growing together as a family. We’ve had many enthusiastic conversations about ministry experiences and hopes…we’re grateful for this time to journey together.”

The group explored archaeological and sacred sites of biblical, historical, and religious significance throughout the region. The first part of the tour led them to places like Masada, En Gedi, the Dead Sea, Qumran, Jericho, the Sea of Galilee, and Capernaum. The group also visited sites in and around Nazareth. Near the end of the tour, the group spent four days in and around Jerusalem and Bethlehem. In Jerusalem, they visited sites like the Western Wall and Temple Mount, the Mount of Olives, Hezekiah’s Tunnel, Gethsemane, and the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.

In addition to visiting important sites to Jewish and Christian tradition, students engaged with the people living in the land. On Friday night, students attended a Shabbat dinner with Israeli families. While in Bethlehem, the group met with Palestinian Christians at Bethlehem Bible College and planted grapevines with the Tent of Nations, a group that seeks to be a bridge of hope and faith in the tension of the land.

“This week has been a beautiful combination of deep reflection and profound illumination,” said Brian Tarpy, a 3rd year M.Div. student. “I’ve seen the face of Christ on the quiet waters in the Sea of Galilee; I’ve pondered the temptation of Christ as I gazed upon the wilderness he wandered. Following in his footsteps has been deep and profound.”

To read more stories and see more photos, please visit the Study Tour blog.