Many Monroe County residents recently visited some of the most significant sites in the Christian faith.

Led by Senior Pastor Matt Heck of LifechurchX  and Lead Pastor Darrell Jones of Hope Christian Church, 24 people traveled to Israel to see many of the famous places mentioned in the Bible. 

“It’s a life-changing experience,” Heck said of the trip. “I really feel like every Christian, at some point in their life, should make an effort to try to go. I believe it adds a deeper understanding of the Bible and the Holy Scriptures in a way that nothing else has done for me.”

This trip, which took place March 5-14, is the second time Heck has visited the Holy Land. 

In 2017, he and members of his congregation joined a larger group of people who were touring the region through Noseworthy Travel Services, a Christian group tour operator.

That first experience  convinced Heck he needed to lead his own tour through the agency to give Monroe County residents an opportunity to go. 

“The experience going the first time as a pastor was so impactful for me,” he said. “It added a level of illumination to the Bible. It caused the Bible and the Scriptures to come alive in an even more powerful way than they ever have before.”

On the most recent trip, about two-thirds of the people came from LifechurchX in Waterloo or Life Church in St. Louis. The rest of the travelers were members of Hope Christian Church in Columbia. 

Jones said he and his church had a relationship with Heck, so they were glad to visit Israel with them. 

“It’s been on my bucket list for years and on many people in the congregation’s bucket list, as well,” Jones noted. 

On the first half of the venture, the churchgoers traveled in the city of Tiberias in the Galilee region, which is where the Bible says Jesus performed the majority of his miracles. 

For the second half of the tour, the group went through Jericho to Jerusalem, visiting areas related to the Passion of the Christ and events described in the Old Testament. 

The group was guided by a certified tour guide. 

“I think it went great,” Jones said of the trip. “I’d love to go back for about a summer, I think, and do it slowly. It was awesome. The fellowship together was a blast.”

Heck agreed the fellowship was a highlight. 

“I think it just deepened our connection and relationship between us and our churches, which is great,” he said. “We love to see that expression of unity in our community.”

Jones and Heck said the trip had the added benefit of letting attendees see the area they read about and hear about so much in their faith. 

“It gives them an opportunity to go into a deeper dive in the Scriptures,” Heck said. “I think whenever they read and study their Bibles after they come back, it begins to add a whole other layer of understanding.”

This will not be the last time these churches journey to Israel. 

Heck is planning to lead another tour for locals in November 2020 or March 2021, depending on the level of interest. 

The cost of the trip varies based on the itinerary, but it generally costs $4,000-$4,5000. That includes every expense from airfare, to meals, to tour guide fees. 

Those interested in the trip are required to pay a $300 refundable deposit.

The trip is open to anyone – not just members of LifechurchX or Hope Christian Church. 

“That is really what our heart would be: that other pastors, other churches and other people in the community who are interested in taking a trip like this would be willing to come along with us,” Heck said. 

Heck and Jones agreed that those who decide to attend will see the benefits of it. 

“This is an investment for their schooling on who Christ is,” Jones explained.  “I think that it will open up the pages of the Scriptures for them, and they’ll fall in love with the Scriptures. And, probably, because they’re looking through the eyes of Christ and walking where Jesus did, it’ll strengthen their walk with Christ.”

For more information on the upcoming trip, visit lifechurchx.com/israel.