When Pastors Walk the Land, Their Voices Change
By Dr. Tyson Lambertson, ICEJ USA Outreach Director
Since the current war in Israel began, many churches have struggled with how to respond. Some pastors have spoken clearly. Others have remained largely silent. But among pastors who recently traveled to Israel through ICEJ USA initiatives, something different has happened. These pastors returned home with renewed clarity. They are leading their congregations in prayer, speaking openly about the spiritual realities behind the headlines, and helping believers understand the biblical significance of Israel in ways many had never considered before.
There is something powerful about walking the land of the Bible. Scripture is no longer distant history. The places, the promises, and the people of the Bible suddenly come into focus.
Pastor Josh Smith shared that Israel had rarely been part of his thinking before the trip. “Before Israel, I was ignorant and disconnected from God’s desire and purpose for the Jews. After Israel, I discovered an entry point to pursue a relationship with the Jewish community in Israel and in my local community.”
Seeing the places where biblical events unfolded strengthened his confidence in God’s Word. “Walking the land we read in the Bible deepened my trust in the Word of God. The stories became real. Therefore, the God I worship became even more personal and accessible.”
For Pastor Kennedy Siyame, the experience created a spiritual connection he had never felt before. “I was reading the Bible theoretically, but by walking around the Holy Land, I became spiritually connected.” One moment stood out for Kennedy in particular. “I decided to take off my shoes and step on the soil with bare feet so that I could truly connect with the land.”
Pastor David Berry said the experience forever changed how he reads Scripture. “I can’t treat them [the Jewish people] as a footnote any longer.” While visiting Kibbutz Be’eri, where the October 7 attacks took place, Berry encountered the reality of evil firsthand. Reflecting on that moment, he wrote: “The devil hates God. The devil despises Jesus. The devil will do whatever it takes to erase the Jews from this world.” Yet he also reminded believers that the story does not end with darkness. “The story of the Messiah can never be erased from the story of humanity. He is real. He is coming again.”
These pastors are now doing what faithful shepherds are called to do. They are helping their churches pray for Israel, understand the biblical story more clearly, and recognize the spiritual battle surrounding God’s covenant promises. Their voices stand in contrast to the silence that too often fills pulpits during moments of global crisis.
This is precisely why the Pastoral Education Fund exists. When pastors experience Israel firsthand, they return home equipped to lead their congregations with greater biblical understanding and spiritual clarity. They preach with renewed confidence, guide their churches in prayer, and help believers see God’s redemptive story with fresh eyes.
Help equip more pastors to experience Israel and return home ready to lead their congregations with biblical understanding.
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