Jon Henderson of Compassion City Church in Albertville, Alabama, has been leading tours since 2019.
"We have been called to bless the Jewish people," he tells AFN. "We're very passionate about that, but we feel called to stand with the people of Israel, especially in their hard times."
He says he goes to work, to encourage people, and to check on the ministries his church financially supports there.
"God's called us to purpose, and that's what we want to be – in the purpose that He's called us for," the pastor notes.
While he knows that God has "not always called us to safety," Henderson says he has "never felt unsafe" in Israel.
"Be careful what you absorb in the Western news outlets, because … a lot of that's inflated; a lot of that's exaggerated," he tells AFN. "I was in Jerusalem when some alarms went off, but … the people … don't even worry about that. Israel's probably one of the safest places on planet earth you could be during any conflict because of the way they're prepared for it."
Remembering that Amos 9:13-15 says, "Once they came back in for the last time, they would never be run out again," Henderson believes that means Israel will be victorious.
"I trust the Word of God at the end of the day," he summarizes. "He has not called me to play it safe. He has called me to be obedient to Him, and the safest I can be is where God has me."
An Israeli tourism official says there are new ways to explore the land of the Bible.
Sharon Pelleg, who is the tour guide for Chris Woodward (pictured right) and the American Family Radio contingent currently visiting the greater Tel Aviv area, advises planning a trip for seven to 14 days.
"Israel is the variety of views, the variety of peoples," she says. "The difference between the zones is so enormous … not necessarily geographically, but theoretically. You want to see archaeological sites, you want to enjoy the modern cities, you want to see some nature views, [and] you want to meet the people."
She tells anyone who has taken the trip years or decades ago that now is a good time to return.
"There are many wonderful, amazing archaeological finds that were discovered only lately," she mentions. "Some old things that we knew about have been developed and [are] becoming more friendly for families and children."
Some sites, for example, use holograms to help visitors of all ages better understand the past.
So, it is not only about new cities and urban centers; even archaeology is being approached in a new way.
