GTI Tours Podcast

For our first episode of Season 4, Rich Liverance and Jerrell Jobe join Rich Ferreira to discuss a very special country: Egypt! Did you know that Egypt is mentioned more than any other place in scripture besides Israel? It's mentioned over 700 times in the OT alone!

GTI will be returning to Egypt Feb. 2024 for the Egypt/Jordan Signature Tour following the Footsteps of Moses. This amazing tour will be led by Jerrell Jobe and Rich Liverance! It not only includes the Pyramids of Giza but also the Grand Egyptian Museum* (opening TBD), Valley of the Kings, a Nile River cruise, numerous temples in Luxor (ancient Thebes), as well as additional sites in Jordan such as Petra, Wadi Rum, and Mount Nebo! (*Museum opening TBD).

Step into the narrative of the Exodus, and better understand the history, significance and people of the Text! Trip dates are Feb. 28-March 11, 2024. Registration is now open with limited space so don't delay! https://gtitours.org/trip/signature-egypt-2024

Boat at Sunset

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/50rchnaowbmsrlvu6uen5/Boat-at-Sunset.MP4?rlkey=5lbdy9kbp9l1zk2ursb2khwz0&dl=0

When in Edfu

https://www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/ocm526g59hhbttjdb05bh/When-in-Edfu.MOV?rlkey=ppzk3vjrvg5sqemavdq02hcmu&dl=0

Rich Ferreira introduces Season 4 of our GTI Tours Podcast which begins September 21. These 6 episodes will feature some familiar voices like Richard Liverance, Jerrell Jobe, and Chad Bird, as well as a few surprises. Stay tuned to hear us Bring the Land and Lessons of the Bible to Life!

Rich Ferreira and Rich Liverance recently visited Saudi Arabia. Although Mount Sinai has been identified with a mountain in the Sinai Peninsula of Egypt since the 4th century A.D., several biblical passages seem to indicate that Mount Sinai is in Arabia. Could the wilderness wanderings of the Israelites have taken place in Arabia rather than Egypt?

Rich and Rich explored not only the possible Mount Horeb from Exodus 19-20, but also several other sites that align with the text. These sites include the Split Rock (Exodus 17), the grove of 70 palm trees at Elim (Exodus 15), and an altar with bull/cow carvings on boulders at the foot of Mount Horeb (Exodus 32). It is possible that these locations are where Moses struck the rock for water, where the Israelites crossed and where they worshipped the golden calf!

Regardless of the answers to these questions, exploring the backroads of this austere landscape was both exhilarating and challenging. A 4X4 vehicle is a must in the Arabian Desert. No tour buses allowed! Visit https://gtitours.org/podcast for photos, links, and more from this episode. 

https://gtitours.org/saudi-trip

Bible teacher and author Marty Solomon returns to the podcast today. He and Rich discuss his new book, Asking Better Questions of the Bible.

The Bible was written to a particular people in a particular place in a particular time; we must ask the right questions to understand the authors and their audiences. This book helps us ask better questions and gives us new tools to understand the Word of God.

In addition, a level of humility is required to admit that we don't have all the answers. Deconstructing is a necessary part of the process to learn and grow as believers. Ultimately, Jesus and His Word will stand forever; we must study it faithfully and let it do its transformative work in our lives.

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

To learn more about Marty Solomon, his teachings, podcast, book, go to martysolomon.com

GTI has a new staff member! It's someone you may be familiar with since he has been our podcast guest several times... Rich Liverance! Rich shares with Rich Ferreira about God's leading and perfect timing in his career journey.

We as a staff are so excited for what Rich Liverance brings to the table! His experience and expertise as a pastor, teacher, student and archaeologist will bless and benefit so many.

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

Rich came to faith in Christ at the age of 15 and immediately developed a love for the Bible and a love for Israel. While still a teenager, he determined to pursue theological and biblical studies. After graduating from Georgia Tech in Atlanta, Georgia, Rich attended Dallas Theological Seminary in Dallas, Texas, earning a Master of Theology in Bible Exposition in 1992. He then pastored churches in Wyoming, New York, Texas, and Michigan. During his pastorate, he also earned a Doctor of Ministry in Expository Preaching from the Master’s Seminary in Sun Valley, CA. In 2016, Rich was invited to serve the Economic Mission of the State of Israel through the Israel Ministry of Tourism at the Israeli Consulate in Los Angeles, CA. During his time there, he connected pastors and churches as well as the travel industry in North America to Israel and Israeli travel suppliers. In 2021, Rich left the Ministry of Tourism to study at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem. In 2023, Rich was awarded a master’s degree in Archaeology and Near Eastern Studies. After completing his studies in Jerusalem, Rich joined GTI Tours to assist pastors and their churches to know and experience the biblical lands as a means of furthering Christian ministry and discipleship.

Sean Glore of the 222 Foundation was on the January 2023 Pastors' Familiarization Israel trip along with several seminary students. Based on 2 Timothy 2:2, the 222 Foundation seeks to bridge the gap between seminary education and successful long-term ministry to help leaders, who will make more leaders, thrive. What better way to invest in a ministry leader than to bring them to Israel? To learn more, go to https://222foundation.org/

Bear Mills (not to be confused with Bear Grylls) was also on the trip and shares his experience. He is an author, speaker and podcaster (the Bear Mills podcast). His motto is "Nourishing HOPE in a world where hope is on the endangered species list" with a theme verse of Romans 15:13.

https://www.authorbearmills.com/

https://bearmillsauthor.libsyn.com/

If you are a pastor or Christian educator and would like to join the 2024 Familiarization Tour, follow this link for more information:

https://gtitours.org/trip/pastors-and-educators-israel-2024

Study tours are a great option for your sabbatical, continuing education, or for helping you rediscover your passion for Scripture. On a GTI Study Tour you’re not a tourist—you’re a ministry investment.

Craig Hill is an affiliate Assistant Professor of New Testament at Fuller Theological Seminary. He is also a member of the adjunct faculty at Biola University in New Testament. Hill has taught in university and seminary settings for 20 years and has served for over two decades in youth and pastoral ministries. He also works with Standing Stone Ministry, a ministry that provides pastoral care for pastors. Hill serves on the Board of Directors of Hume Lake Christian Camps, one of the largest youth camps in the nation. He has been to Israel on a number of occasions and enjoys teaching the Bible in the context of where it was written. He lives in Irvine, California with his wife Kelly and four kids.

Turkey Signature Tour led by Dr. Craig Hill September 11-22, 2023

https://gtitours.org/trip/signature-turkey-2023

https://www.bibleplaces.com/sardis/

Resources mentioned in the Podcast:

Christianity in the Greco - Roman World: A Narrative Introduction by Moyer v. Hubbard

Jesus Through Middle Eastern Eyes: Cultural Studies in the Gospels by Kenneth E. Bailey

Paul Through Mediterranean Eyes: Cultural Studies in1 Corinthians by Kenneth E Bailey

Video links from the podcast:

- Turkey / Greece Signature video

https://vimeo.com/348185066

-Teaching at Pisidian Antioch

https://vimeo.com/336927026

-Old Loom

https://vimeo.com/336927023

-Hot Air Balloon

https://vimeo.com/336927011

Rich and Heather discuss what they learned in Israel as well as the ways they honored Dave's memory: by bringing along a 19 year-old pastor to invest in his ministry, and by planting an olive tree in the land. The Flaigs believe in the pillars of hospitality, family, community, history and legacy, and so does GTI. There is no better place to place to learn about and celebrate these than in Israel!

Heather inspires us to learn from the past, be present in the present, and invest in the future. None of us is guaranteed tomorrow, so love people today, and go to Israel now!

Visit https://gtitours.org/podcastfor photos, links, and more from this episode. If you'd like to see what Heather's trip to Israel was like, follow this link to read the trip blog with photos: https://gtitours.org/tour-journal/sungrove22

Heather Flaig is a Colorado Girl who married a California Boy named Dave. She graduated from Colorado Christian University with degrees in Liberal Arts and Youth Ministries. Dave and Heather together raised three sons, Zachary, Matthew & Joshua. Following ministry assignments in Colorado and Southern California, their family has served at Sun Grove Church since spring of 2009. Dave and Heather homeschooled their boys and had the joy of experiencing “The Ultimate Field Trip” to Israel together as a family in 2018. It was their dream to take hundreds of people to Israel to walk the Holy Land. Dave went to heaven in September of 2021, but his vision continues! We look forward to sharing the journey to Israel together.

Her next trip with Sun Grove is scheduled for December of 2024. Email [email protected] for inquiries.

The Bible, especially the Old Testament, was written in pictures! Whether or not people can get to Israel, they should still be able to visualize the land and the places mentioned in scripture. Through God's leading and provision, GTI is now partnering with former pastor Andy Cook. Andy has created a ministry called Experience Israel Now as well as the amazing visual resource of ibiblestock.org. He and Rich discuss how it all came about to offer hundreds of high quality photos and videos of the Holy Land to pastors and lay people alike. 

Andy also talks about Ein Gedi, the oasis in the Negev desert where David hid from King Saul. This is one of many examples of "mayim chaim" (living water) and the tangible example of the Living Water of Christ. Visit https://gtitours.org/podcast for photos, links, and more from this episode.

https://www.experienceisraelnow.com

https://www.ibiblestock.org

https://www.bibleplaces.com/engedi/

Chad Bird is a Scholar in Residence at 1517. He has served as a pastor, professor, and guest lecturer in Old Testament and Hebrew. He holds master’s degrees from Concordia Theological Seminary and Hebrew Union College. He has contributed articles to Christianity Today, The Gospel Coalition, Modern Reformation, The Federalist, Lutheran Forum, and other journals and websites. He is also the author of several books, including Night Driving: Notes from a Prodigal Soul, Your God Is Too Glorious: Finding God in the Most Unexpected Places, Upside-Down Spirituality: The 9 Essential Failures of a Faithful Life, and Unveiling Mercy: 365 Daily Devotions Based on Insights from Old Testament Hebrew. He cohosts two popular podcasts: “40 Minutes in the OT” and “Hidden Streams.” Chad and his wife Stacy have four children and three grandchildren. They enjoy life together in the Texas Hill Country.

https://www.1517.org/

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

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

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