B = Breakfast included L = Lunch included D = Dinner included
Overview
Itinerary
Purpose
Arrangements
Price
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Journey Overview
Join us as a fellow traveler on The Jesus Journey with Christ Embassy. On this pilgrimage we will experience the power of places where Jesus performed miracles, where he taught, preached, was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead for us.
The Jesus Journey is more than just a tour—this is a spiritual pilgrimage that will deepen your faith and prepare you to do even greater things for the mission of the church. Walk in the footsteps of Jesus, experience baptism in the Jordan River, explore the sacred sites of Jerusalem, sail the waters of the Sea of Galilee, and stand in awe at the ancient ruins of Capernaum and Masada. You will return home inspired as a witness to all that Christ has done for us. Just as you will blessed by this pilgrimage you will return home prepared to bless others through your witness to others as you respond to God’s call to embody the compassion and service of Jesus.
Your Host for Our Journey
Our host for The Jesus Journey will be Apostle Johnathan Stidham. Apostle Johnathan warmly encourages you to join him as a fellow traveler as he leads you into experiences of the power of places where Jesus performed miracles, where he taught, preached, was crucified, buried, and rose from the dead for us. Apostle Johnathan desires that you join him on this pilgrimage to share the power of place in Israel with you.
Dr. Johnathan L. Stidham is a husband, father, author, and called by God to build up regions to experience the presence and manifested glory of God. The Jesus Journey will lead you to experience the life-changing reality of the gospel as you come to more fully know Jesus on this pilgrimage.
Apostle Johnathan accepted the call to ministry at the age of 16 and was immediately filled with a burning desire for the body of Christ to encounter miracles, signs, and wonders as the early church experienced. He is known for his prophetic accuracy in the body of Christ as well as the government. He has planted numerous churches and is the founder and overseer of a global ministry, Johnathan Stidham Ministries. Johnathan travels locally, nationally and internationally training and equipping leaders while maintaining a thriving congregation at his home church at Christ Embassy in Nicholasville, Kentucky.
He is a decorated veteran serving 2 tours in Iraq and Afghanistan and has a heart for the lost and those suffering with ailments and infirmities believing for restoration and a new life in Christ Jesus.
Johnathan and his wife Tonya are respected members of their community in Nicholasville, Kentucky where they reside with their four beautiful children. Apostle Johnathan hopes you will join him as a fellow traveler on this life changing pilgrimage.
Those who join Apostle Johnathan on The Jesus Journey are sure to be blessed!
Day 1 – Wheels up!
Wednesday, September 23, 2026
We depart on our group flight from the US to Ben Gurion Airport, Tel Aviv, Israel.
Day 2 – Welcome to Galilee
Thursday, September 24
After our arrival in Israel, we will travel north to the ancient Roman city of Caesarea where we will visit the ruins, including the Roman theater and impressive archaeological park. We will then proceed to nearby Mount Carmel where Elijah the Prophet won a competition with the prophets of Baal and enjoy a beautiful, rooftop panoramic view. If time allows, we will visit Tel Megiddo, site of the ancient city of Megiddo and the Valley of Armageddon, before making our way to our stunningly beautiful hotel—Hotel Magdala—in the Galilee region. D
Day 3 – From Nazareth to Cana
Friday, September 25, 2026
After a wonderful breakfast, we will visit Magdala´s first century synagogue before continuing to Nazareth where we will visit the Basilica of the Annunciation. We will experience Nazareth Village, built on ancient agricultural land, where life in Galilee in the time of Jesus is reenacted featuring houses, terraced fields, wine, and olive presses. Our day will conclude in Cana where Jesus performed his first miracle; turning water into wine at a wedding. B, D
Day 4 – Fishes, Loaves, and Sea Life
Saturday, September 26, 2026
After breakfast, we will drive along the shores of the Sea of Galilee to the Yigal Allon museum, where we will see the ancient fishing boat from the 1st century AD (also known as the “Jesus Boat”). After sailing across the Sea of Galilee on a modern wooden boat, we continue to Capernaum, where Jesus lived and started his ministry. In Capernaum, we will see the remnants of Peter’s mother-in-law’s house and the old synagogue where Jesus preached. We will enjoy a special St. Peter fish lunch before continuing to Tabgha, where the miracle of Multiplication of the Fish and Loaves took place. We will visit the Church of Primacy of St. Peter before proceeding to the Mount of Beatitudes (location of the Sermon on the Mount), and time permitting, visit Kursi National Park (Gadara), an archaeological site where according to tradition, Jesus performed the “Miracle of the Swine.” Our day ends at Yardenit, a popular baptismal location in the Jordan River. B,D
Day 5 – Perspectives Ancient and Modern
Sunday, September 27, 2026
Our daily excursion begins with a visit of Korazim where we will see the ruins of a first century town condemned by Jesus. We will also visit the impressive fourth century synagogue before traveling north to the beautiful Tel Dan nature reserve that includes an archaeological site from biblical times. We continue to the nearby Banias (Caesarea Philippi). Here we will see the capital of Galilee in Jesus’ time, the remains of pagan temples, and one of the sources of the Jordan river where Jesus met the apostles. We will then venture to the Golan Heights to see the strategic borders overlooking the Valley of the Tears and learn about Israel’s unique security situation. B, D
Day 6 - From the Jordan Valley to Jerusalem
Monday, September 28, 2026
Today, we transition to Jerusalem. After breakfast, we travel south to visit Gideon’s Spring before continuing to Beit Shean, the largest excavated Roman city in the Middle East with fabulous ruins dating to the Roman empire. As we wander among the extensive ruins, including a well-preserved grand amphitheater, our imaginations will be transported to the time of Jesus among the Romans. We continue south to Jericho where we will travel by cable car to enjoy magnificent views on our way to visit the monastery at Mount of Temptations. We continue to Jerusalem where will be welcomed at the beautiful Dan Panorama Hotel in Jerusalem. B, D
Day 7 - Historical Perspective and a Miraculous Birth
Tuesday, September 29, 2026
Today, we will venture beyond the city walls of Jerusalem. We begin with a tour of the Jewish Quarter where we will walk through the picturesque streets including the Cardo, built during the Byzantine era. We will make our way to the last remaining vestige of the once monumental Second Temple—the Western Wall—where we will soak in the inspirational atmosphere steeped in rich Jewish history. We will navigate the fascinating subterranean Western Wall Tunnels, as a continuation of the open-air Western Wall that reaches segments which are hidden from view. The underground passages present exquisite archeological findings. We can touch the original and special stones that tell the story of the Jewish nation. In the afternoon, we visit the birthplace of Jesus—Bethlehem. We will have the opportunity to visit the fields where the angels announced the birth of the Christ Child to the shepherds. We will visit the Church of the Nativity which stands upon the site where Jesus was born, Mary’s Grotto and St. Jerome’s Cave before we return to central Jerusalem. B, D
Day 8 – The Garden and Upper Room
Wednesday, September 30, 2026
After breakfast, we will visit the Mt. of Olives where we can enjoy the magnificent view of the Old City of Jerusalem from the same vantage point as Jesus. We will have the opportunity to learn of Jerusalem’s rich history including many important structures in the city. We will then visit the Garden of Gethsemane, at the foot of the Mt. of Olives, before we continue to Mt. Zion, where you will visit King David’s Tomb, the Upper Room (site of the Last Supper), and church of Saint Peter in Gallicantu. We will enter the Old City through the Lions Gate where we can visit St. Anne’s Church and Pool of Bethesda. We will retrace the steps of Jesus through the Via Dolorosa to the Church of the Holy Sepulcher. Our walk through the colorful and authentic Arab Markets scattered around the Old City will present an opportunity to practice our negotiating skills by bargaining with the local peddlers. B, D
Day 9 – The Dead Sea
Thursday, October 1, 2026
We depart Jerusalem after breakfast to journey south through the remarkable scenery of the Dead Sea. We pass by Qumran, where the Dead Sea Scrolls were discovered. On our way to Massada we will pass by En Gedi, where David hid from Saul. We will visit the Masada fortress, a UNESCO heritage site and a symbol of the ancient kingdom of Israel, which is situated on an isolated cliff in the Judean Desert, a site of a unique heroic story of Jewish Zealots who chose death over surrendering to the Romans. We will ascend by cable car to visit the excavations of King Herod’s palace, the synagogue, bathhouse and much more. We will enjoy the breathtaking views of the Roman camps and the Dead Sea before we descend to make our way to one of the beaches of the Dead Sea to “float” in its heavy, mineral-rich water and cover in the Dead Sea mud to absorb its therapeutic qualities. B, D
Day 10 – Our Humanity and Hope
Friday, October 2, 2026
Our excursion today begins with an emotional visit to the holocaust memorial– Yad VaShem Museum—located on the slopes of Har HaZikaron (Mount of Remembrance). We will have the opportunity to contemplate what it means for us to live as Christians today as we encounter the story of the holocaust as experienced by Jewish victims and survivors as told through original artifacts, testimonies, and personal possessions. We will explore the Israel Museum that has an amazing collection of objects and artifacts including a detailed model of Jerusalem from the time of the Second Temple and the Shrine of the Book which holds the ancient Jewish manuscripts, the Dead Sea Scrolls. We return to the Old City of Jerusalem where we will visit the City of David which is the main site where archaeological finds from the First Temple period are found. We continue to a wet or dry (depending on your preference) walk through Hezekiah’s Tunnel which is the ancient water system of Jerusalem believed to be from the 8th century BC. We continue to the Davidson Center, an archaeological park where you can see significant findings from the First and Second Temple periods, such as an ancient city street, the steps leading to the Temple, and the First century city walls. We end the day with an emotional visit to the Garden Tomb, walk in the beautiful garden and see the ancient empty tomb. B, D
Day 11 – The Formal End to our Purposeful Journey
Saturday, October 3, 2026
The memories will indeed last a lifetime. We hope your journey will continue with your new friends. Our journey concludes with the departure of our flight home.
Purpose
The purpose of The Jesus Journey is to experience the life changing reality of the gospel as fellow travelers come to more fully know Jesus through this experience.
The Jesus Journey was created to provide multiple encounters with places sure to deepen your faith and enrich your life as we continue our walk in faith seeking to make disciples as expressed in Matthew 28:19-20 and love our God as expressed in Deuteronomy 6:5.
Your beautiful, fascinating journey through Israel will lead you to places you have likely heard about, read about, and discussed with others as part of experiences in Sunday school or Bible study groups. While pictures, videos, and other media may give us a sense of significance of the many places you will see on your journey, being in the presence of sights central to the life, ministry, miracles, death, and resurrection of Jesus offers a unique potential to deepen your life in faith. Whether this is your first visit to Israel or a return pilgrimage, this journey will ignite your spirit and inspire you to more fully love God, love people, and love your community.
This purposeful journey will balance deeply spiritual encounters with spectacular accommodations, excellent food as a window to middle eastern culture past and present, shopping experiences, culture, and history.
Our Philosophy
We hope you will measure the quality of your journey not by the quantity of sights you see, but by the invaluable experiences you absorb.
Balance of stimulating experience, serious reflection…and just plain fun.
One word describes our intention for your journey: balance. We believe each place we visit should relate to whole story, the arc of a narrative. We believe in creating journeys formed and shaped as narratives; journeys that are serious, purposeful, and fulfilling with time to reflect with fellow travelers or alone while providing opportunity for experiences that are just plain fun.
Expert interaction and rich personal encounters
Rather than a trip led by a tour guide trained to disseminate information from a script, we endeavor to seek experts to lead you on a journey who are available as a resource for as much depth as you desire or to leave you to your own reflection.
Beautiful base locations
Too often, group travel can leave you feeling like you are part of a herd of a large group of strangers hustled from sight to sight, packing and unpacking every day of your trip. With us you will stay in two beautiful base locations that serve as bases for our excursions. Changing hotels as few times as possible during a journey allows greater opportunity to experience people and culture.
Meticulously planned; yet flexible journey
How does a trip become a journey? Carefully selected excursions that form a narrative, staying in beautiful base locations, with time and flexibility for reflection, and activities that are just plain fun.
Cuisine as a delectable complement to culture and conversation
Cuisine, and the wonderful dining experiences we share in an eclectic array of venues, provide a delectable complement to your rich encounters with the culture and the delightful conversation you enjoy with fellow travelers.
Arrangements
Flight Information
Purposeful Journeys will arrange a group flight departing from a major airport, most likely Cincinnati and Northern Kentucky International Airport. While the specific price of the group flight cannot be determined until the flights are booked, based on current market conditions, flights will likely cost around $1400.
Hotel Accommodations
We will change hotels only once after arriving in Tel Aviv. Arrangements have been made for 30 rooms, enough to accommodate up to 60 fellow travelers, at the beautiful and fascinating Hotel Magdala in the Galilee region. We have another 10 rooms, enough to accommodate an additional 20 fellow travelers, on a reservation wait list. While it is likely these rooms will become available, arrangements will be made at a comparable property near the Sea of Galilee. In Jerusalem, our cohort of fellow travelers will be staying at the wonderful Dan Panorama Hotel.
Meals
Most meals you are likely to desire are included in this purposeful journey. We believe that dining experiences offer a window into the local culture. Breakfast and Dinner is included each day with only a couple of noted exceptions in the itinerary. Meals provide time for us to relax, take in the culture, and discuss all that we have seen and experienced as fellow travelers that day. See the current, tentative itinerary for details.
Ground Transportation
Transfers to and from the arrival flight into and departing flight from Israel will be provided. Other ground transportation will be provided throughout the journey.
Sightseeing and Events
This purposeful journey includes several premium sight seeing opportunities and tours. As details emerge, specific information will be shared with fellow travelers.
Humanity and Hope Land Only Cost—$4,750
(Save up to $700 if you apply early)
Current Incentives:
- Save $300 with a special journey host discount code
- Save $150 if you apply early
- Save $150 if you choose to settle your balance prior to the due date of your first payment
- Save 3% if you choose to settle your balance by check instead of credit card
Your journey includes:
- Deluxe coach transportation throughout your itinerary
- Double occupancy hotel room ($1,500 single supplement)
- Meals as specified in the final itinerary
- Admission fees as specified in the final itinerary
- Only goods, services, or activities as explicitly included in the General Terms and Conditions.
- An offer for Cancel-for-Any-Reason (CFAR) travel insurance at the same cost of a Basic Travel Insurance policy
Your journey does not include:
- Round trip airfare
- Gratuities for service staff, coach driver(s) and guides
- Alcoholic beverages, bottled water, after dinner drinks
- Any goods, services, or activities expressly excluded in the General Terms and Conditions.
- Cancel-for-Any-Reason (CFAR) travel insurance
Remittance Schedule:
- A decision on travel insurance is required for approval of your application
- Once your application is approved, you will receive an invoice/statement that reflects your choice for settling your balance. Your first payment will be due approximately 30 days after your application has been approved.
- If you choose to avail yourself of the Pay-in-Full discount, you must settle your balance in full before your first payment is due as reflected on your invoice/statement.
- If you choose to make payments, your payments will be divided into monthly payments with a final payment due as specified on your invoice/statement.
- Payments will become due as specified in your remittance schedule. Please note that failure to make timely payments can result in the cancellation of your reservation.
- Final payment must be received no later than the date specified on your invoice/statement and remittance schedule.
When approved as a fellow traveler…
…you will receive an invoice and a remittance schedule from Malone Clan Expeditions, LLC doing business as Purposeful Journeys along with a link to a password protected page on our website that will offer details and updates about your journey.
General Terms and Conditions
Malone Clan Expeditions, LLC doing business as Purposeful Journeys will administer your journey. You must accept the General Terms and Conditions at the time you submit your application. Please refer to the General Terms and Conditions for any applicable additional fees that may apply in certain situations and circumstances such as any deviation from the group flight itinerary or your requirement of a single room.
We cordially invite you to apply to join us as a fellow traveler
Our journey application process has changed. We now offer Cancel-For-Any-Reason (CFAR) travel insurance for the same cost of Basic travel insurance. We no longer collect a deposit at the time you submit your application.
Your application now requires a decision on travel insurance. Your application will not be deemed complete until you have either declined to purchase NTA Travel Connect travel insurance or paid your travel insurance invoice. Once you complete your application form, you will receive a quote from Purposeful Journeys for CFAR travel insurance. Your quote will be about the cost of Basic Travel insurance, a large discount. You will also receive a more detailed explanation about NTA Travel Protect travel insurance. By using this process Purposeful Journeys can guarantee that fellow travelers purchase their CFAR travel insurance policy within the 14-day window allotted for purchasing CFAR travel insurance. You may also decline your purchase of travel insurance.
We are delighted you are taking the step of submitting your application to become a member of a journey with us. We look forward to notifying you of your acceptance as a fellow traveler.
