2025 HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE
Travel to the Holy Land
In collaboration with Jerusalem University College, we are planning a discipleship course for Fall 2024 which will culminate in a guided pilgrimage in Israel in February 2025. In the months leading up to the pilgrimage, Dr. Paul Wright will lead eight preparatory sessions at SVBC that will give us an introduction to the historical and geographical settings of the Biblical story. The course culminates in a two-week journey to biblical sites throughout Israel, with an individual option to extend the course with a three-day trip to Jordan. As we conclude our pilgrimage, you will have an enriched understanding of how the divine-human encounter that fills the pages of the Bible happened in the context of real places, real experiences, real blessings and real needs.
Important Dates:
September 6, 2023 – Informational Meeting
September 20, 2023 – Registration and initial deposit begins
March 24, 2024 at 12:15pm – Informational Meeting: Planning Updates
August 15, 2024 – Deadline for Preregistration and deposit payment
September 11 – Registration & payment deadline for taking ONLY the Discipleship Course (includes mapping materials)
September 29 – Eight-week discipleship course begins
November 9, 2024 - Final payment for all program costs are due to SVBC. Last day to provide proof of a valid passport that expires after September 10, 2025
Holy Land Pilgrimage February 17, 2025 - March 2, 2025
FAQs
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Yes. Everyone is welcome to attend the class. We ask that you register using the form on this page to make sure we are able to order enough mapping materials. There will be a $75 fee to cover the cost of your mapping materials. If you need assistance with covering the fee, please contact the SVBC office.
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$250/person deposit
Multiple occupancy hotel = $4315
Single occupancy hotel = $5745
Total = $4,565 (multiple occupancy) OR $5995 (single occupancy)
Jordan trip add-on = $1275
Total with Jordan trip = $5,840 (multiple occupancy) OR $7,270 (single occupancy)
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Costs are inclusive of everything (scheduled meals, tips, ground transportation, admission to sites) except for air transportation to Ben Gurion International Airport, travel between the airport and Jerusalem, and souvenirs.
Each person will be responsible for arranging their own air transportation to Ben Gurion International Airport, transportation fees to and from the airport (estimate $48/person) and souvenirs.
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In a single occupancy hotel, you will have a private room for one. With a multiple occupancy, there may be up to three people assigned to the room. However, you can request a specific roommate if you are traveling as a single.
If you are traveling with your spouse, JUC will make sure that the room is just the two of you as long as you let them know both of you are enrolled and indicate your spouse’s name.
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The difference is the $250 deposit. Once paid, the $250 is deducted from the other amount due. It makes the the trip seem less expensive.
For example, those who choose the multiple occupancy option without the Jordan add-on will see the cost shown as $4065. Meanwhile, those choosing the single occupancy option without the Jordan trip will see a cost of $5495.
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Although you can check with any airline you wish to use, we recommend using Turkish Airlines or United Airlines. Depending on the time of year, prices can range from just over $600 to $1500. No matter which airline you choose, the price should be less than $1500 total.
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Ben Gurion International Airport
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Arrival day is Monday, February 17, 2025. Since Jerusalem is eight hours ahead, you will need to book your flight for Sunday, February 16, 2025 in order to arrive on Monday.
Your return flight will depend on whether or not you have opted in for the Jordan trip. If you are going to Jordan, book your return flight for Tuesday, March 4, 2025. If you are NOT going to Jordan, book your return flight for Saturday, March 1 or Sunday, March 2, 2025.
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All payments aside from airfare should be sent to Skokie Valley Baptist Church. You can pay online through the Give page, by mail or write a check/pay with cash and drop it in the giving box. Write a note in the memo or on your envelope that the funds are for the Holy Land Pilgrimage. Without the designation, the payment will be counted towards the general fund. SVBC will send all the payments to JUC.
You may pay for your trip in increments that work for you, however, the entire trip must be paid in full by November 9, 2024.
Please remember that you are responsible for keeping track of the total you have paid.
Discipleship Course Registration
To register for the 2024 Discipleship Course & 2025 Pilgrimage:
Visit www.juc.edu/apply
Click the Short-Term Program tab and complete the abbreviated application for the program
Use the JUC Portal link in the acceptance email confirmation from JUC to get to the Group Registrants tab
Type in our Group code: skokievalley2C25
Now you have access to pre-arrival information and the form that will allow you to register for the program as part of the SVBC pilgrimage. Make sure you complete this final form.
Please note: When you register, JUC will show that the final payment is due November 19, 2024. However, our deadline is November 9, 2024 as we will send one bulk payment on behalf of all those attending the pilgrimage to JUC, so make sure to send your payments to SVBC. The November 9 deadline ensures that the payment will arrive in time to meet JUC’s deadline.
To register ONLY for the 2024 Discipleship Course:
Complete the form below if you plan to take just the course. The registration below is for those NOT going on the pilgrimage.
Please note: To guarantee all mapping materials are received prior to the course start date, the deadline for payment and registration for taking only the course is September 11, 2024.
