Conversations With 175 Church Groups Reveal Strong Demand for Future Israel Travel

Over the past three years, I have had hundreds of conversations with pastors, ministry leaders, and church travel organizers across the United States. Many of these conversations began the same way. A church had planned a journey to Israel. Deposits had been collected. Excitement was building. Travelers were looking forward to walking where Jesus walked, sailing on the Sea of Galilee, praying in Jerusalem, and experiencing the Bible in a way that simply cannot be replicated at home.

Then the regional conflict changed everything. Trips were postponed. Plans were put on hold. Churches began looking at alternative destinations such as Greece, Turkey, Italy, Jordan, and Egypt while waiting for the situation in Israel to improve. Yet one thing has stood out in nearly every conversation we have had since 2023. Very few church leaders have lost interest in Israel. In fact, after speaking with more than 175 church groups whose Israel journeys were postponed, the overwhelming message has been remarkably consistent: most are not asking whether they will return to Israel. They are asking when they can return.

Israel Remains Unlike Any Other Destination

There are many wonderful biblical destinations throughout the world. A traveler can stand in Ancient Corinth where the Apostle Paul preached, visit Philippi and Ephesus, explore Patmos, or walk through the streets of Rome. Each destination offers a unique connection to biblical history. But Israel occupies a special place in the hearts of many Christians. For believers, Israel is where Jesus taught, performed miracles, was crucified, and rose from the dead. It is where the prophets walked, where the kings of Israel ruled, and where many of the most important events of the Bible took place.

For many pastors, leading a congregation to Israel is not simply a vacation. It is often viewed as a life-changing spiritual experience. That reality helps explain why interest in Israel travel remains strong even during challenging periods. If you are considering a future journey, you can explore our Israel Tours and learn more about the destinations and biblical sites included on our itineraries.

The Question We Hear Most Often

Over the past several years, our team has spoken with churches of every size. Some groups consisted of 20 travelers. Others involved hundreds of participants. Some were planning their first journey to Israel, while others had been returning to the Holy Land for decades. Regardless of size or background, one question surfaced repeatedly:

“When do you think it will be possible to return?”

That question alone says a great deal. If demand had disappeared, church leaders would not be discussing future departures. They would be moving on permanently to other destinations. Instead, many continue to monitor developments closely while keeping Israel on their long-term ministry calendars. Many of these pastors continue to share the story of Israel with their congregations through Bible studies, sermons, and educational programs while waiting for the right opportunity to return.

What Church Leaders Are Telling Us

While every church is different, several themes appear again and again in our conversations:

• “Israel is still our first choice.”
• “We are waiting for the right time.”
• “Our congregation continues to ask about future Israel travel.”
• “We fully intend to return when conditions improve.”
• “The interest among our members has not disappeared.”

These comments come from churches across the United States and reflect a consistent desire to visit the places where the events of the Bible unfolded.

A Growing Interest in Biblical Archaeology

Another trend we have noticed is growing excitement surrounding biblical archaeology. Many pastors and Bible teachers closely follow new discoveries emerging from Israel. For those who love Scripture, archaeology provides valuable historical context that helps bring familiar biblical accounts to life. Recent discoveries and excavations attracting attention include Jerusalem’s ancient Pilgrimage Road, ongoing excavations in the City of David, discoveries near the Western Wall, and continued work at Bethsaida, traditionally associated with Peter, Andrew, and Philip.

We recently explored some of these discoveries in our article about the Biblical Bethsaida excavations, where archaeologists continue to uncover evidence connected to one of the New Testament’s most significant locations. Every year, archaeologists uncover new details that deepen our understanding of the world of the Bible. The Bible itself is unchanged, but our understanding of the historical setting in which these events occurred continues to grow. For many church leaders, these discoveries provide yet another reason they hope to return to Israel in the future.

Christian Tourism Has Long Played an Important Role in Israel

Before the current conflict, Christian tourism represented one of Israel’s most important visitor segments. Millions of Christians have traveled to Israel over the years to experience biblical sites such as Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Nazareth, Capernaum, the Mount of Olives, the Sea of Galilee, and the Garden Tomb. In 2019, Israel welcomed a record 4.5 million visitors, with Christians accounting for approximately 54% of all arrivals. Those numbers highlight the deep connection that exists between Christians around the world and the land of the Bible. While current travel patterns have changed, many industry observers believe there is significant pent-up demand among faith-based travelers who hope to visit once conditions improve.

Looking Beyond the Headlines

One of the most interesting things we have observed is that many pastors separate temporary events from long-term spiritual goals. Church leaders naturally place the safety of their congregations first. That responsibility has led many groups to postpone travel plans over the past several years. At the same time, many have made it clear that their desire to visit Israel has not diminished. The Holy Land remains an important destination for Bible study, discipleship, church education, and spiritual growth. Many of the pastors we speak with continue to tell their congregations about the Jordan River Baptism Site, the Sea of Galilee, the Mount of Olives, Bethlehem, and Jerusalem while planning for future opportunities to visit.

For countless believers, standing in the places where biblical events occurred remains a dream they hope to fulfill one day.

The Future of Israel Travel

No one can predict exactly when regional conditions will allow large numbers of church groups to return. What we can say is that the interest remains remarkably strong. After speaking with more than 175 church groups since 2023, I remain convinced that interest in Israel has not disappeared. For most groups, the journey has simply been postponed. For many Christians, a journey to Israel is not simply another trip abroad. It is an opportunity to connect with the people, places, and history that have shaped their faith for generations. And based on the conversations we continue to have every week, that desire remains very much alive. If you would like to learn more about future departures, biblical destinations, and upcoming opportunities to visit the Holy Land, browse our Israel Travel Blog and explore our available Holy Land Tours