GTI Tours Podcast

Our newest Signature Tour journeys to the heart of the Reformation - Germany! This September, we will trace the life, ministry, and theology of Martin Luther and other Reformers whom God used to reignite the evangelical movement. Listen to this episode as Rich Ferreira and trip leader Rich Liverance describe the uniqueness of this itinerary: being in Europe vs. the Middle East, walking instead of hiking, singing hymns along the way, discussing WWII and figures like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, visiting historical sites and seeing stunning spectacles like the Neuschwanstein castle in the Bavarian Alps.

From the medieval streets to the pastoral countryside to the modern cities of Berlin and Munich, this tour will encompass the best of German culture and cuisine. In addition, Rich will teach us the history of theology and the defense of the Gospel! Explore Germany and the relevance of the Reformation with us. It just might light a spark in your life as we discover again God's power to save.

Space is limited! Register today at gtitours.org/reformation

GTI Signature Tour of Germany, Sept. 11-19, 2024

Rich's better half Becky joins him for this podcast recounting GTI's recent Staff & Family Trip to Turkey! During the week of Thanksgiving, our group of 75 traveled to Turkey to study the Seven Churches of Revelation. Our eclectic crew of staff, spouses, kids and grandkids came from all over the US: Michigan, California, Florida, Texas, Tennessee and South Carolina.

Contrary to popular belief, Turkey is not part of the Middle East and is a safe destination. Its people are Muslims but not Arabs. Turkey is an incredible and underrated country with rich history, stunning ruins and fabulous food. Turkey is the Asia Minor mentioned in scripture; 75 percent of the New Testament was written either to or from Asia Minor!

Becky shares some specific sites and faith lessons she cherished from the packed week overseas. A big part of her joy was watching their 4 kids experience a different culture while watching the Word come to life! The natural hot springs, hot air balloon ride, time on the bus together and special restaurants were the icing on the cake. The hotel chef even prepared Thanksgiving food for us on Thursday … so yes, we ate TURKEY IN TURKEY (and mashed potatoes too)!

The Seven Churches of Revelation and the sites around them paint a powerful picture of life in the first-century Christian Church. Come see for yourself! Our Signature Tour of Turkey (and Greece!) is Sept. 15-25, 2024. Learn more and register with this link:

https://gtitours.org/trip/signature-turkey-2024

If you'd like to read our trip blog, find it here:

https://gtitours.org/tour-journal/gtifam23

GTI's resident archaeologist Rich Liverance joins this podcast. The relatively new science of archaeology is a common topic on our biblical study tours. Rich shares from his personal experience at the active digs of Abel Beth Maccah in northern Israel, as well as Tel a Hammam in Jordan (the possible site of Sodom). From roping off a site into 5m squares to finding an iron blade, Rich knows what a day on a dig is like! He also reminds us that the Bible interprets the Bible. Archaeology CONFIRMS the Bible, as well as give material culture to the text. For example, the 1993 discovery at Tel Dan of a tablet mentioning the "House of David" confirms King David's existence and impact 150 years after his life; the discovery of a wall or some jewelry would illuminate the lifestyle of the people who lived in David's time.

For further reading, we recommend  the following resources:

• The GTI Tours Facebook page
• Biblical Archaeology by Amihai Mazar
• Under Jerusalem: The Buried History of the World's Most Contested City by Andrew Lawler
• The Source by James A. Michener

If you are interested in a future Reformation Tour of Germany and Switzerland or in exploring Saudi Arabia, please email Rich and let him know at [email protected].

Israeli guide Dan Mossek is our podcast guest on this episode. Dan has been partnering with GTI for 10 years and brings expertise on theology, geography, history and archaeology. Speaking as a former soldier and current recruit trainer, he shares an update on Israel and the war with Hamas.

Dan and Rich also discuss Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights which is celebrated this time of year. Since the history of Hanukkah dates to 164 BC, it's not biblical; however, the Maccabees' victory over the Syrian Greeks represents light over darkness both physically and symbolically. This reminds us of the words of Christ in John 8:12: "Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, 'I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life'." 

Interested in learning from Dan as a guide? He will be leading our 2024 Signature Tour of Israel and Jordan! Want to support GTI? Consider joining one of our 2024 Signature Tours:

Jordan/Israel Signature Tour (Sept. 7-19, 2024)  https://gtitours.org/trip/signature-jordan-israel-2024

Stand with Israel Signature Tour (August 25-Sept. 5, 2024) https://gtitours.org/trip/signature-stand-with-israel-2024

Turkey/Greece Signature Tour (Sept. 15-25, 2024) https://gtitours.org/trip/signature-turkey-2024

Visit https://gtitours.org/podcast for photos, links, and more from this episode.  

Pastor, author and trip leader Brian Haynes joins our podcast today. He and Rich describe the different types of deserts found in Israel and how they are biblical metaphors for life. Brian shares a personal story of when his family walked through a "YESHIMON" desert. In times like this, only the presence of God and a miracle of God will sustain life. These experiences led Brian to author War in the Wilderness: Fight for Your Family When Life Isn't as It Should Be, a resource for families to point them to God and to give them Hope as they walk through trying times.

Brian shares these points for families walking through wilderness experiences:

• The Enemy is the Father of Lies and wants to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10)
• Avoid isolation
• Lean into God instead of away from Him
• Listen and obey God
• Don't go it alone (doctors, counselors, praying friends)
• Take small steps in the right direction
• Stay determined

Remember, God is in the business of bringing SHALOM to CHAOS, restoring things, bringing life and healing to places that are dead and broken. The Psalms use many desert pictures to remind us of WHO GOD IS. 

"Sing to God, sing praises to his name; lift up a song to him who rides through the deserts; his name is the LORD; exult before him!" Psalm 68:4 ESV

Order the book:

https://www.amazon.com/War-Wilderness-Fight-Family-Should/dp/161484139X

Author and scholar Chad Bird joins our podcast again, this time to discuss one of his newer books, Limping with God: Jacob & the Old Testament Guide to Messy Discipleship. This book guides us through the stories of the Patriarch Jacob, a rare biblical account which documents a life from in utero until death. His multi-faceted and sometimes frustrating personality gives us a mirror in which we can see ourselves: lying and fighting to get ahead, taking advantage instead of showing mercy, looking out for ourselves while God looks for us. Be encouraged by the fact that God specializes in saving sinners and calling highly-imperfect people (like Jacob) to be His disciples. Then the man said, “Your name will no longer be Jacob, but Israel, because you have struggled with God and with humans and have overcome” (Gen. 32:28).

https://www.1517.org/

https://www.tiktok.com/discover/chad-bird-1517

https://www.1517.org/podcasts/40-minutes-in-the-old-testament

Books

https://shop.1517.org/collections/books/chad-bird

https://a.co/d/2P25n1g

So many of our friends and followers have recently asked, "How can we help Israel?" and, "How can we help GTI?" This podcast episode will help answer those questions! Rich Ferreira hosts this episode with Israeli friend and guide Nadav as well as staff members Rich and Jerrell.

Nadav gives us some personal examples of how adaptive and resourceful Israelis can be in finding ways to keep busy and help others during this period of war. Promises of Glory website provides a platform to support Holy Land merchants during challenging times. A portion of the proceeds will go toward aid and assistance.

GTI's "Giving Back" page also features Johnny's souvenir shop in Bethlehem. A win-win is checking off your Christmas list with unique gifts while you support one of our partners! Be sure to order soon to allow enough time for shipping.

Another exciting opportunity is purchasing our NEW GTI MERCH Check out our new designs on t-shirts, sweatshirts, and more! These also make great gifts! All proceeds go toward a fund for our Israeli guides.

The best way to support GTI is to join one of our upcoming trips. We have Signature Tours scheduled all throughout 2024, even a new one to GERMANY! Learn more and register at: https://gtitours.org/schedule

https://gtitours.org/giving-back

On today's podcast, Rich Ferreira speaks with our Israeli guide Ronen Ben Moshe about the current state of Israel since the October 7 attacks by Hamas. Thankfully, our guides, drivers and partners are safe. For Ronen and many other Israelis, however, that day was the worst in Israel since the Holocaust.

Ronen describes what daily life in Israel right now is like and how adaptive people have become to help those in need. Israelis stand united, bonded together in solidarity, resilience and hope as they support one another. As the Jewish saying goes, "We overcame Pharaoh. We will overcome this."

Link to download prayer document:

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ylrh8ka2l8k3eubji2889/Praying-for-Israel-Through-the-Conflict.docx?rlkey=8ddc4qhazrhl7l57c3wjx6ym9&dl=0

This somber episode is hosted by our GTI managers. Rich Ferreira, Rich Liverance, and Jerrell Jobe comment on the October 7 unprovoked attack on Israel by Hamas. As we all grieve for the country and its people, let our response be one of prayer. Rich Liverance spells out specific ways we can support Israel in this way. Jerrell gives comfort as he shares some thoughts from Psalm 122 and 125. May this Jewish saying be true not only for Israelis but also for us: hazak, hazak, ve-nithazek

BE STRONG, BE STRONG, AND MAY WE BE STRENGTHENED!

GTI is growing... again! We've added another staff person, one whose voice you should recognize - Jerrell Jobe! Jerrell and his family recently have moved from south Texas to west Michigan. As "Director of Development", Jerrell will oversee our pre-trip and post-trip curriculum and lead Signature Tours, among other things. On this episode, he and Rich discuss how going to the Land is meant to further discipleship and point people back to the Word. Like bookends to your tour, our pre-trip and post-trip curriculums are designed to do just that! Check out our first lesson: https://gtitours.org/study-tour-preparation-course

Jerrell has been involved in full-time ministry for the past 25 years. His primary areas of focus have been spiritual formation and teaching. Jerrell has a BS in American Sign Language Interpreting, a MA in Spiritual Formation and Leadership, and is finishing a MA in Archaeology & Biblical History. Throughout his ministry, he has led over 100 trips, to more than 25 countries. For the past twelve years, Jerrell has been leading study tours to Egypt, Jordan, Israel, Turkey, and Greece. His passion is seeing life-changing spiritual formation transpire as travelers gain a greater understanding of the Story of Scripture in its original context, while engaging the ancient practice of pilgrimage. His on-site teaching is a rich mixture of archaeological discoveries, biblical history, practical application, story-telling and drama. In his free time, he enjoys reading, running, cycling, swimming, as well as helping to coach local high school wrestling teams. Jerrell and his wife Charissa have three children.

Jerell just returned from a study tour of Turkey and Greece. The most influential city in western Turkey (ancient Asia Minor or Annatolia) was Ephesus. A Roman writer once called Ephesus "Lumen Asiae: The Light of Asia". With a population of 300,000, Ephesus was the chief commercial city of the province and the center of Artemis worship. Learn more here: https://www.bibleplaces.com/ephesus/