Seminary Students Share Community in Holy Land

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 this in one day. This is just a sampling of their activities over the course of a 13-day Israel/Palestine study tour in January.

Led by professors Amanda Benckhuysen and Sarah Schreiber, group members immersed themselves in the world of the Bible, engaging their senses in the study of the culture, geography, and history of Israel and Palestine.

The course was offered for credit and 27 students, from both the distance-learning and residential programs participated.

Cara DeHaan, a M.Div student  in the distance-learning program, said she was grateful for the close community that was formed during the study tour.

“One thing hard to convey through photos is the way our group, many of whom met each other for the first time … is growing together as a family,” she said.

“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 around Nazareth.

Near the end of the tour, they spent four days 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 the Jewish and Christian traditions, students met and spoke with people living in the areas.

One 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 amid the tension in the land.

“This week has been a beautiful combination of deep reflection  and profound illumination,” said Brian Tarpy, a third-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.”

For more on the trip, visit the study tour blog.