Biblical Israel Ministries & Tours

09/07/2026

Today's topic is "Warren's Shaft" and Hezekiah's Tunnel. Located with today's City of David (covered in last week's episode) is the ancient water system of biblical Jerusalem. In this episode, Dr. John first walks us through Warren's Shaft." Named after Charles Warren in the 1880s, this series of tu...

09/04/2026

Biblical, non-touristy, "off-the-beaten-path" study trips to Israel, Greece, Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey are planned out now through 2028! Take a look at our "Upcoming Tours" page and hop on board! The next Israel trip that is open for registration is our 14-Day January 2027 trip (sorry my Oct and Nov 2026 trips are now closed for registration). All trips in 2027, however, are OPEN!

Join us for any of our upcoming Biblical Israel Tours or Greece Tours. Tours also to Jordan, Egypt, and Turkey. Led by Dr. John DeLancey.

09/04/2026

Welcome to Episode #5 of our series, “Picture This” from Turkey! This fifth episode takes us to Antioch Selucia. The first church outside Jerusalem was established here. There was a huge Christian community developing here, and Paul stayed and taught here for about a year. The ancient city of Antioch was a large city in close proximity to the Port of Selucia (last week’s episode) where Paul began his First Missionary Journey, sailing to Cyprus from this harbor.

Antioch Selucia (to be distinguished from Antioch Pisidia) was a major town of south-central Turkey. It is located near the mouth of the Orontes River. Today is is only about 12 miles northwest of the Syrian border. Antioch was founded in 300 BCE by Seleucus I, a former general of Alexander the Great. Antioch’s strategic command of north-south and east-west roads across northwestern Syria greatly contributed to its growth and prosperity. In 64 BC, Antioch was annexed by Rome and was made the capital of the Roman province of Syria. It became the third largest city of the Roman Empire in size and importance (after Rome and Alexandria in Egypt) and possessed temples, theaters, aqueducts, and baths (none of these can be seen today due to the growth of the modern city called Antakya today).

This episodes features visiting the rock-carved Church of St. Peter. Traditionally, this is considered the place where Peter met Paul following Paul’s return from his first journey and his trip to Jerusalem (see Acts 15). The natural cave church was expanded over the centuries, featuring a stone facade added by the Crusaders in the 11th century. However portions of the 4th or 5th century AD floor mosaics and frescoes were preserved. Today, the church operates as a museum and remains a special pilgrimage destination for Christians.

Check out www.biblicalisraeltours.com to find out more about Biblical Israel Ministries & Tours.

Check out https://biblicalisraeltours.com/upcom... for all of our Israel, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, and Jordan trips. Trips now scheduled into through 2027 into 2028

Check out https://biblicalisraeltours.com/suppo... if you would like to support our non-profit ministry. What we do is teach the Bible in the context of archaeology, history, geography, customs and culture, and the Hebraic background of Jesus.

Selucia Testament

https://youtu.be/dVePGo6VPSc?si=lQOQUFg1eup1-ozU

Welcome to Episode #5 of our series, “Picture This” from Turkey! Th...

09/03/2026

IS ISRAEL SAFE FOR TRAVEL? The answer is YES!!

I am pleased to share a chat I recently had with Reut. She is a dear friend from the Amiel Travel Agency in Tel Aviv, Israel. She and I chat about topics of safety and Israel Tourism. We celebrate that all is back to normal in Israel. Israel tourism is expected to rise this fall into 2027. The conversation is about 16 minutes long.

Check out www.biblicalisraeltours.com to find out more about Biblical Israel Ministries & Tours. Our next tour with still an open registration is our January 2027 trip! Come join us!

Check out https://biblicalisraeltours.com/upcoming-israel-tours/
for all of our Israel, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, and Jordan trips. Trips now scheduled into through 2027 into 2028
https://youtu.be/2msX2Rnz0lQ

John DeLancey (Director of Biblical Israel Ministries & Tours) and ...

08/30/2026

Podcast Episode #48 - "THE CITY OF DAVID"

This episode's topic is the City of David. While I am sharing this week's episode a day earlier than usual, we step through the biblical history of the city, taking note of the size of the city at various archaeological periods. It was David who first conquered the city of "Jebus" and re-named it "City of David" (don't confuse this with Bethlehem, where David grew up. In the days of Jesus this small parcel of land was incorporated into the larger city of Jerusalem!

For most of its history, the city's size was defined by Jerusalem's topography. To the east was the Kidron Valley; to the south and west the Hinton Valley, and to the west the "Middle" or Tyropean" Valley. To the north of the City of David was where eventually the 1st and 2nd Temples stood (on Mt. Moriah).

Check out www.biblicalisraeltours.com to find out more about Biblical Israel Ministries & Tours.

Check out https://biblicalisraeltours.com/upcoming-israel-tours/
for all of our Israel, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, and Jordan trips. Trips now scheduled into through 2027 into 2028

https://youtu.be/-IYNs_YU0rs?si=mYdOGLf212XwZamc

Today's topic is the City of David. In this episode, We step throug...

08/28/2026

Welcome to Episode #4 of our series, “Picture This” from Turkey! This fourth episode takes us to the port of Selucia in southeast Turkey. While only a part of the harbor is left to see, it is a significant place where the Apostle Paul (along with Barnabas) began his First Missionary Journey. Antioch, the church that sent Paul and Barnabas on this journey, is located close by.

Acts 13 and 14 record this first journey. From this port Paul and Barnabas sailed to the island of Cyprus. Then they continue sailing to Perga on the southern coastline of Turkey. They would visit Antioch Pisidia, Iconium, Lystra, and Derbe before sailing back to Selucia from the Attalia port.

Archaeologically, all there is left of this Selucia port are a few rock structures. Most of it has been washed away by the Mediterranean Sea. However, it was still very special to be here at this ancient harbor where Paul began his missionary endeavors!

Be sure to visit www.biblicalisraeltours.com to check out our ministry, all of our biblical study trips (primarily Israel tours, but with trip also to Jordan, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, and Italy), and valuable resources aimed to help you understand the Bible within the context of the land(s) of the Bible.

Testament

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xxQIs0E4Jq8

Welcome to Episode #4 of our series, “Picture This” from Turkey! Th...

08/27/2026

Today's topic is the City of David. In this episode, Dr. John steps us through the biblical history of the city, taking note of the size of the city at various archaeological periods. It was David who first conquered the city of "Jebus" and re-named it "City of David" (don't confuse this with Bethle...

08/26/2026

NEW 5-MINUTE VIDEO!

After working many months on this, I am happy to now offer our "Life of Paul in Context" Seminar for churches and schools! I also am now sharing a brand new 5-minute video about the seminar! Take a look below!

This "LPC" Seminar is the third teaching seminar developed (the other two are "Bringing the Bible to Life" and "Life of Christ in Context"). The seminar is entirely pictorial, complete with photos, aerial drone video, 360 videos, and illustrations. Here is the web page for more details: https://biblicalisraeltours.com/life-and-ministry-of-paul-in-context/

The teaching sessions as prepared include the following:

SESSION 1: Introduction: Getting to (Re) Know Paul
SESSION 2: Paul’s Beginning
SESSION 3: Paul’s Greek and Roman World
SESSION 4: Paul’s First Journey
SESSION 5: Paul’s Second Journey
SESSION 6: Paul’s Third Journey
SESSION 7: Paul’s Journey to Rome
SESSION 8: "In Paul’s Words"

The seminar is packed with archaeology, historical-geography of the 1st world of Paul, and customs and culture. We see every site where Paul traveled to and served. The entire Book of Acts and Paul's letters will come alive in amazing eye-opening ways!

Contact me if you are interested in this seminar for your church or school. Most churches do the weekend format (Friday night - Saturday, with preaching and/or more teaching on Sunday). Other formats will be considered as well.

To host the seminar is FREE, although we do ask churches to cover travel expenses and to do take up a free-will offering (or a donation) for our non-profit ministry (BIMT). I've LOVE to come to your church and share this seminar with you! Thanks and blessings!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6FfmoLfeEMk

The Life of Paul in Context Seminar is offered by Dr. John DeLancey...

08/25/2026

Greetings friends!

People ask me all the time, "Is it safe to travel to Israel now?" My response is always two-fold. First, if it wasn't safe, as a husband, father, and grandfather (Saba in Hebrew), I won't go myself, nor would I take people there.

Secondly, from our extensive connection with people in Israel vs. the "media perception" that everyone hears, I can say that Israel is (and has been for months) back to normal. Groups are returning, airlines are resuming to fly into Tel Aviv, the kids will be back in school after summer break next week, and Israelis go about the daily lives!

Yesterday I called Shlomo, my Israeli guide for the last 60+ trips or so (?), and I asked him to share a bit of his perspective. He kindly did so from his living room of his house in Har Gilo, a southern suburb of Jerusalem. It's only 8 minutes long. I hope you enjoy the video.

By the way, on Wednesday night (August 26th) at 8 p.m. EST, I will be hosting a Zoom session for anyone who wants to hop on. I'll be talking about the January 2027 trip as well as generally be talking about what an Israel trip includes. Here is the Zoom link: https://us02web.zoom.us/j/82657530879?pwd=fZb6zE1SvA2nwHourO3xpyo4zLYIzb.1
(Meeting ID: 826 5753 0879; Passcode: 735256)

I am scheduled to lead multiple trips throughout 2027 and 2028 (as well as Oct and Nov 2026). I'd love to have you along!

Thanks again, and enjoy the video (below)

John (Director of BIMT)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IZKokoRAk9Q

This is an informal short video featuring "Shlomo," Israeli tour gu...

08/24/2026

Welcome to another "Light in the Land" podcast. Today's topic is the Judean Desert, and specifically the Wadi Qelt. The Judean Desert is located east of the Hill Country of Judah. It is an arid region that is mentioned many times in the Bible. David wrote many of his psalms within the backdrop of the desert (i.e. Psalm 23, 61, 63). Isaiah the Jeremiah each had desert encounters (i.e. Isaiah 40, Jeremiah 13). John the Baptizer spent time here. And lastly, Jesus was tempted here (Matthew 4).

Check out www.biblicalisraeltours.com to fine out more about Biblical Israel Ministries & Tours.

Check out https://biblicalisraeltours.com/upcoming-israel-tours/
for all of our Israel, Egypt, Greece, Turkey, and Jordan trips. Trips now scheduled into through 2027 into 2028

https://youtu.be/_HuWW9nWDwY?si=XIJ8gYKwgxtcoJJr

Welcome to "Light in the Land" Podcast 's47. Today's topic is...