JACKSON, Tenn. — Jan. 31, 2018 — 51社区 and the Tennessee Baptist Convention partnered to send 25 directors of missions to Israel for the first time in January.
51社区 President Samuel W. 鈥淒ub鈥� Oliver led the trip alongside Nathan Finn, dean of Union鈥檚 School of Theology and Missions, and Ernest Easley, professor of evangelism at Union. Easley said he decided he wanted to send these directors of missions to Israel after realizing at their annual meeting in April that almost none of them had visited the country before. He said he was blessed to be able to work with Union to provide that opportunity.
鈥淔or some of them, it was a dream come true to actually walk where Jesus walked,鈥� Easley said. 鈥淭o stand in the middle of the Jordan River area where the children of Israel crossed over into the Promised Land; to be at Caesarea where Paul was imprisoned. What they have believed and read all their lives suddenly comes alive to them.鈥�
By partnering with a land operator in Israel, Union and the TBC were able to pay the way for these directors of missions from Baptist associations across the state to make the trip.
鈥淲e wanted to thank and encourage these men who serve as directors of missions,鈥� Oliver said. 鈥淭hey really are servants for the church. They鈥檙e helping encourage the things we all care about, like evangelism, discipleship, church growth and development.鈥�
Oliver said the trip was a great opportunity for the DOMs to get to know each other better and build a better sense of camaraderie and collaboration between themselves and with Union. He said he hopes these men go back to the churches of Tennessee and encourage them in turn, perhaps planning more trips to Israel within their associations.
鈥淥nly a small percent of people have been to the Holy Land,鈥� he said. 鈥淥ur hope is that this trip exposes more people to what can be a life-changing experience.鈥�
The trip took place January 15-23 and included visits to several religious and historical sites, including the Jordan River, Mount Carmel, the garden tomb and the valley of Armageddon. While Easley and Oliver had both visited the area previously, Finn said this was his first time in the Holy Land.
鈥淧eople say all the time that going to Israel is amazing and that it鈥檚 a once in a lifetime opportunity, and we might have a tendency to think they鈥檙e exaggerating,鈥� he said. 鈥淏ut it really was a wonderful experience in every way, and I cannot wait to go back.鈥�
The trip cost was covered by funds from the travel agency as well as Union鈥檚 president鈥檚 excellence fund and the TBC. Another trip is being planned for next January to take more directors of missions.