“Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God.”— Philippians 4:6
Congratulations — you’ve made one of the most rewarding decisions a pastor or ministry leader can make: organizing a Christian group tour to the Holy Land. Just like the Western Wall in Jerusalem, built brick by brick for strength, this step-by-step guide gives you a solid foundation to ensure your journey is spiritual, successful, and life-changing for every member of your group.
Planning & Timing
Start strong — the right foundation makes everything else easier.
When to Begin
Start planning 6–12 months in advance. This gives your congregation time to save, arrange schedules, and get genuinely excited about the journey. Groups that start earlier almost always fill more seats and have smoother departures.
- 12 months out: Select your tour, confirm dates, set deposit deadline
- 9 months out: Launch promotion, distribute sign-up forms
- 6 months out: Collect deposits, confirm travelers
- 3 months out: Final payments, pre-trip devotional series
- 1 month out: Packing lists, final documents, prayer preparation
Best Times to Travel
The Holy Land can be visited year-round, but some seasons are more comfortable than others for large groups:
- March – May: Spring wildflowers, comfortable temperatures, post-Passover availability
- September – November: Ideal weather, fewer crowds, harvest season beauty
- October: One of the most popular months — warm days, cool evenings, excellent visibility
- June – August: Hot and busy, but great for summer church youth groups
- December: Christmas season in Bethlehem — spiritually special, book very early
Choosing an Itinerary
Work with us to customize a spiritual and cultural journey or select a signature itinerary highlighting our most beloved Holy Land tour destinations. We offer six fully escorted tours covering Israel, Jordan, Egypt, Rome, Athens, and Istanbul.
Browse all Holy Land toursGroups of 10 or more travelers qualify for dedicated group pricing. Our Pastors Tour Complimentary program provides a complimentary tour for the group leader at no additional cost — one of the most appreciated benefits we offer church groups. See full group benefits →
Promote the Journey
Build excitement across your congregation with a consistent, multi-channel effort.
Form a small trip promotion team from your ministry — two or three enthusiastic members who can help spread the word, answer questions, and keep the excitement alive throughout the planning period.
In Your Church
- Announcements from the pulpit
- Sunday bulletin inserts
- Info table after services
- Posters and flyers in lobbies
- Small group meeting presentations
- Testimony from past travelers
Social Media & Email
- Dedicated Facebook group or event
- Instagram photos from the Holy Land
- Email updates to congregation list
- WhatsApp group for trip members
- YouTube video of past tour highlights
- Weekly countdown posts
Leader Toolkit
- Promotional flyer template
- Sample bulletin announcement
- Presentation slides for church
- Sign-up sheet template
- Pre-trip devotional series
- Packing list for Holy Land travel
When talking to potential travelers, lead with the spiritual transformation, not the logistics. People travel to the Holy Land to walk where Jesus walked, to pray at the Garden Tomb, to be baptized in the Jordan River. That’s your message — the details follow.
Turn Interest into Sign-Ups
Keep potential travelers warm and moving toward commitment.
Track Your Interest List
Keep a running list of everyone who has expressed interest — name, email, and phone. This becomes your communication list throughout the planning process. People who feel kept in the loop are far more likely to commit.
- Set up a simple sign-up sheet at your info table
- Add an online interest form to your church website
- Follow up within 48 hours of every inquiry
- Send a monthly update to your interest list
- Host a trip information meeting with Q&A
Common Questions to Answer Early
Get ahead of the questions your congregation will have before they commit:
- Is Israel safe to visit? Yes — millions of Christian pilgrims visit safely every year. We operate tours to sites well away from restricted areas.
- How much does it cost? Our 10-day tour starts from $2,319 per person, land package. Payment plans are available.
- Do I need a visa? U.S. and Canadian citizens do not need a visa for Israel.
- How much walking is involved? Moderate — comfortable walking shoes are essential.
- Can I be baptized in the Jordan River? Yes — this is one of the most requested experiences on the tour.
Secure Commitment & Deposits
Move your group from interest to confirmed reservation.
Deposit & Payment Structure
A non-refundable deposit of $200 per person confirms each traveler’s reservation, subject to availability. We offer flexible payment plans to make it easier for congregation members to commit without financial stress.
Set a firm deadline — “All deposits due by [date]” creates urgency. People who miss the deadline are far less likely to join. Announce the deadline from the pulpit two weeks and one week before it closes.
No added fees for credit card payment — we absorb the processing fee so your travelers aren’t surprised by surcharges at checkout.
Keep Registered Travelers Engaged
Once travelers have paid their deposit, keep them spiritually and logistically prepared throughout the lead-up to departure:
- Monthly email updates with trip highlights and site previews
- Share a pre-trip devotional series on key biblical sites
- Host a pre-trip meeting to walk through the itinerary
- Distribute packing lists and travel tips 6 weeks before departure
- Share a WhatsApp group for real-time trip communication
- Send passport reminders (must be valid 6+ months beyond departure)
We strongly recommend that all travelers purchase travel insurance to protect their investment against illness, unexpected cancellation, and travel disruptions. Ask us about the best travel insurance options available for Holy Land tours.
Experience the Holy Land
You’re here — make every day spiritually meaningful.
Know Your Itinerary
Each day’s schedule is crafted to flow spiritually — from the Sea of Galilee where Jesus called his disciples, to Jerusalem where he was crucified and rose again. Read the corresponding Scripture passage each morning before you arrive at each site.
Lead Devotional Moments
As the group leader, you have access to exclusive worship spaces at many sacred sites — the Garden Tomb, the Sea of Galilee shoreline, the Upper Room. Plan a short devotional or communion service at at least one site each day. These are the moments your group will remember for a lifetime.
Document the Journey
Encourage your group to photograph, journal, and video throughout the trip. Designate one person as your social media coordinator to post daily updates to your church group — those at home will follow along eagerly, and it builds momentum for future trips.
Trust Your Expert Guide
Our guides are certified by the Israeli Ministry of Tourism and speak English fluently. They know the history, the Scripture, the archaeology, and how to bring each site alive. Ask questions freely — their depth of knowledge is one of the most valuable parts of the tour.
The Jordan River Baptism
One of the most moving experiences on any Holy Land tour is immersion in the Jordan River at Yardenit, where the Holy Spirit descended like a dove when Jesus was baptized by John the Baptist (Matthew 3:13–17). Many travelers describe it as a transformative moment of renewal. White baptismal gowns are available at the site.
Bring Your Bible to Life
Standing at the Mount of Beatitudes where Jesus preached, sailing the Sea of Galilee, praying at the Garden of Gethsemane — each site makes Scripture three-dimensional in a way no sermon, book, or documentary can replicate. Encourage your group to read the corresponding passage at each location.
Share the Experience & Inspire the Next Journey
One trip well shared becomes the seed for many more.
Share with Your Congregation
- Dedicate a Sunday service to trip testimonies within 2 weeks of return
- Compile a photo slideshow or video highlight reel for the congregation
- Feature the journey in your church newsletter and social media
- Ask travelers to share one sentence on how the trip changed them
- Send a personal thank-you to every traveler who joined
Set the Stage for the Next Trip
- Announce “next trip” dates at the testimony service while energy is highest
- Ask returning travelers to each bring one new person next time
- Consider a combination tour next — Jordan, Egypt, Rome, Athens, or Istanbul
- Leave a sign-up sheet at the testimony service for early interest
- Contact us to lock in dates before they fill for the following year
“Walking where Jesus walked makes the Bible come alive in ways I had never experienced before. This was a trip of a lifetime.”
Louise B.C. — Church Group Traveler“This tour was very well run. We felt very safe and taken care of. I will be leading a second group next year.”
Mike M. — Group LeaderAccess the Full Pastor’s Planning Guide
Our detailed Pastor’s Guide covers everything from budgeting and payment plans to pre-trip devotional resources, packing lists, and sample itineraries — all designed specifically for church group leaders organizing a Holy Land pilgrimage.
Download the Pastor’s GuideTour Options for Church Groups
We operate six fully escorted Christian group tours. All depart on fixed dates, can be booked as private departures, and include the Pastors Tour Complimentary benefit for qualifying groups.
Israel Holy Land Tour
Tel Aviv • Galilee • Dead Sea • Jerusalem • Bethlehem
From $2,319 per personIsrael & Jordan Tour
Israel • Petra • Amman • Mt. Nebo • Madaba
From $3,123 per personIsrael & Rome Tour
Israel • Vatican City • Colosseum • Sistine Chapel
From $3,607 per personIsrael & Istanbul Tour
Israel • Hagia Sophia • Topkapi Palace • Bosphorus
From $3,445 per personIsrael & Athens Tour
Israel • Acropolis • Mars Hill • Delphi
From $3,475 per personEgypt, Jordan & Israel Tour
Cairo • Pyramids • Mt. Sinai • Petra • Israel
From $3,979 per personReady to Start Your Group’s Holy Land Journey?
“I rejoiced with those who said to me, ‘Let us go to the house of the Lord.’” — Psalm 122:1
Prefer to talk to someone? 1-800-933-4421 • Mon–Fri 9:00 AM–5:30 PM PST