Testimonials

Holy Land Trips Testimonials

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Larry York -  Pastor Nolan River Road Baptist Church, Cleburne, TX

Such an eye opening experience and it just changes the way you read the Bible because your eyes have been opened. Just walking through the garden of Gethsemane it just changes the way you read about that and through the city of Jerusalem...all the places we went.
I am able to add a lot more insight into [my preaching] ....[the trip] helps you grasp it better, then you share that it just has a whole different meaning than you've ever understood before.

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Paul Pinyan - Pastor First Baptist Church Rio Vista, Rio Vista, TX

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Randy Mac - Cornerstone Christian Fellowship, Glen Rose, TX

The greatest journey I have been on in my life I've not been out of the states, never even been to Mexico and all of a sudden I am invited to go as a part of a group to Israel....It was just a life changing experience for me. Having seen in my own mind, trying to picture where Jesus walked and what it was like to walk there and then to be there was such a phenomenal change in my life...and to walk, not just where Jesus walked, but as we walked thru the ruins of David's house and remembering those stories....I get God bumps right now just talking about it. But I didn't really go having any idea how it was going to impact me and my ministry back home....but so many people in our church have talked about it has changed the dynamics...of my ministry there. I don't know that I sense it that much but they said they just sense such an intensity in the message....Now even when I'm sitting in my easy chair at home reading my Bible and I read a verse and all of a sudden I realize I've been there..I've been there and I see what that really was.

 

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Kevin Bentley - Bono Baptist Chruch, Bono, TX

The recent trip to Israel was a tremendous blessing. I personally have been able to travel to the Promised Land now on three different occasions. While each one was special, I think this last trip was the most meaningful because of who went with me. This is the first opportunity I have had to take members of the Bono congregation as well. Seeing their joy and amazement at being in the land of the Bible was priceless. The trip to Israel , over 3,000 dollars. The gasoline to the airport and home again, 60 dollars. The smiles and tears on faces of those who saw where Jesus walked, lived, taught, and died...PRICELESS! They will never view the Word of God in quite the same light again. Chris Ellison, fellow Bono traveler, perhaps summed it up best. When ask what he thought about the trip, he said "It's not just a story anymore!" The Word has taken on new meaning and a passion for learning more of God has been stirred. I would encourage, challenge, implore...beg if need be...any Pastor to find his way to a Father's House tour of Israel. It is unlike any other tour and is certain to spark renewal in the hearts of all those blessed to go. Not to mention, the Word promises that God will bless those who bless Israel. Be blessed by the Father's House so that they in turn will be blessed in future trips and so that you might bless others with this life-changing experience. Just let the blessings flow!

Watch Video Testimoials from members of Kevin's Church

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Tim Davis - Southfield Christian Fellowship

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Rick Hope -Pastor First Bapist Church, Lillian, TX

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Jared Wellman
Pastor, Carpenter's Cross Baptist Church, Flint, Texas

 

Daniel E. Crosby, Ph.D.
First Baptist Church, Cleburne, Texas

April 6, 2009

Dear Byron, John, and Father's House,

Thank you so much for sending me to Israel. I have tried to wait to write a thank you until I had time to process more of what we saw, heard, and experienced. The truth is, I am still in something of a state of awe at the wonder of God manifest by the whole trip.

It has been a long-standing desire of mine to go to Israel and see the places where biblical events took place. I could never have imagined the impact that being there would have on my understanding and perspective on the Word of God. There is a deep, spiritual stirring in my soul that is like a revival meeting but much deeper and longer-lasting in its influence. There is new fire in my preaching and new depth in my teaching. People here at First Baptist have commented about the difference they hear and see in me.

The things I have learned and believed for years have been re-formatted by the trip. I know them in a way I could not have known them before. It is in a small way like what our transition from hope to sight will be when Jesus comes: We hold to the reality, but we have not experienced it in its completeness. I know that I have yet to experience the fullness of Who God is and what redemption is, but there is a greater appreciation for the revelation of God in His Word and in His Son that makes the present reality so much sweeter!

Thank you, thank you, thank you for answering God's call to send pastors to Israel. John, thank you for being with us and making the trip more wonderful with your songs and your servant heart. Byron, thank you for your heart to help move us toward revival through the experience of biblical places in Israel. You have blessed my life and enriched my ministry more than I can express.

I am encouraging every believer to go to Israel and experience the wonder of the land of Abraham, Moses, David, Jesus and the disciples. We are praying and working on details to try to take a group back in 2010 because the excitement of the group that went has taken hold of the church!

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Scott Whitson

Words cannot express the gratitude I feel towards you for what you have done in my life. A number of years ago when I was doing some work to help in the aftermath of Katrina I met a new Christian who was telling me about his story. He said that God had totally "messed up" his life! He went on to explain that God had so changed his life that he would never be the same in a good way God had changed his whole perspective of life. Well this Israel trip and what I saw and heard has totally "messed up" my life! In a good and most incredible way!

It is as if blinders have been removed from my spiritual eyes! Every passage, every reference to God's people, a place so captures my attention that I get hung up in a verse or two and feast upon His Truths. The perspective of what God did where it took place layer upon layer literally blows my mind! I can't take it all in. And I feel like I am just getting started. Needless to say, it has transformed my life, my preaching and my ministry.

How God allowed my life to be connected with you, with Bono, Moshe, the Fathers House... Well, that still amazes me! But I do know this, what you have sown into me has spread to our church! Like a wild fire, the desire to go to Israelis spreading we will, Lord willing, go with the Fathers House next year. This is the plan we believe God is leading us in and I can't wait for it to come about!

Your gift came at such a good time for us. Leslie and I needed a break together. We are so blessed to have such a gracious and loving church family, but our time away was refreshing and invigorating. In fact, Leslie and I have resolved one day to find a spot on the Sea of Galilee to just spend a week or two! Who knows what will happen but we take great delight in even thinking about it.

Well, more could be said. Yet "words" seem so inadequate in expressing the overflow of my heart.

Thank you. Thank you for your gift for your investment in me for looking beyond the things of this world that you might sow for the next. That is a rare thing in our day yet I believe you have brought the Father and all His House great joy and glory in what you have done.

May the fullness of His Spirit rest upon each of you this day, and like Joseph of old may He cause to prosper all that you set your hands to! To God be the Glory!

Gratefully yours,
Scott Whitson

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Leslie Whitson

You and the Fathers House Foundation have been a mighty instrument in the Lords hand to change my life forever. Scott and I have dreamed for years of going to Israel and often times would say to one another "someday!" you made that "someday" a reality in our lives.

When Scott first told me of the opportunity I was thrilled for him to get to do it. He wanted me to get to go too but I knew without going into debt we couldn't do it and honestly I was fine with that. However, when my mother got wind of it she was not okay with me not going and offered to take care of all my expenses and come stay with the kids while we were gone. Thank you, Jesus!

Now that I have been I have since told Scott, "you can't ever go without me!" Now that I know what an amazing and life changing encounter it is I want to go back again and again. Unlike other vacations ( I realize this was anything but a vacation but it was in the sense that we were away from responsibilities from church and home) this one didn't leave me with a longing to get back to my home in Burleson but it left me with a bit of a realization that I was home. I was grieved when the day came to get on board that plane and head back to Texas. I truly understood why Moshe greeted us upon arrival by saying, "welcome home!" That land is my home, it is where all the roots of my faith are, where all my spiritual fathers and mothers lived and loved and grew to know and love our God and Father, God and Son and God and Spirit.

Our first Sunday back we took some time to share about some things we saw and did and how it impacted us. I told them it was like going to the place where your grandparents were raised after hearing them describe and tell stories of it for years and years. I told them I truly felt as though I was home and that I wanted to go back again and take all of them with me.

Although we don't have a date yet we are looking to do just that sometime next year. I have already started a "Back to Israel Fund."

God is so good and so worthy of our Highest Praise. He has blessed us in so many ways none of which we in any way deserve yet he was pleased to just shower good gifts on us just because we're his kids. Thank you for being a vessel of honor for service in his house to all of us who went. May you be blessed in every way as you continue to seek to fulfill Gods plan in your lives. You are dearly loved and highly esteemed.

Your grateful sister,
Leslie Whitson

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Mildred Grindstaff
Medford, OR

Dear John,

Thank you for your kindness and generosity in preparing us for this trip to Israel, our flights, insurance, and insight to expectations of the trip. You were so kind to meet us at the airport, help us through the terminals and take us to the hotel. We are so grateful to you.

We would also wish to thank Byron and Tammy, Kevin and an extra special thanks to Moshe. He is so kind, considerate and so very intelligent. I will remember his every word as I read my Bible.

The whole group of 27 are such beautiful Christian people, I feel as if I had known them my whole life.

I have read and studied the Bible for years but could never put myself in places where the events took place, now I too can say "I was there". I haven't been able to put my Bible down since I came home. There are not enough words to express the way I feel about this wonderful trip (I call it a journey through the Bible). Thanks to all of you who have made this an unforgettable experience.

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Allen J. Barger
Grace Fellowship Church - Susanville, CA

I would like to take this opportunity to express my most heart-felt thanks to both of you for the opportunity you made possible for me, and my peers here in Susanville, to go to the land of the Bible.

It was an extraordinary trip for me personally. Everything in my Christian walk has been affected by this trip. Already the Word of God has become more alive as I read and replay the places I walked and the things I saw and heard during my time in Israel. I know I will never be the same and I am looking forward with anticipation to the next trip I can make but this time with my wife.

John and Roxie are the best. They were a joy to be with and love their heart for the people of Israel and their passion for Pastor's, and others, to experience our other home.

Thank you again and my God's most abundant blessings be yours.

With Gratitude;

Allen J. Barger, Pastor

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Armand & Lilybelle V
Davao City, Philippines

I am Armando Lagda Valdez, married to Lilybelle Grace Mamaril. God blessed us with four kids (3 boys and 1 girl), plus added precious children under our care. I am a product of "Calvary Bible Institute" - supervised by Sir Ken Sandberg. My wife and I are pastoring a church in Davao City, that is affiliated with - Maranatha Fellowship in Maryland, USA (IPHC). We have established relationship with Sir Ken & Ma'am Cris and partnered with them in equipping the saints through conferences, summer camps and at CBI.

And just recently, after our Sunday morning service (Nov. 8, 2009), we received a phone call with the grandest surprise - A TRIP TO ISRAEL! It blew me away and made me shout for joy! Hallelujah, glory to God! To step in the soil of Israel was only a dream that we hope would come true sometime in the future.

Now, that the door to visit the birthplace of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ is in progress, I can't explain the thrill and excitement going on as the days go by. The trip to Israel is truly a big inspiration to us and this is happening because of the Lord's kindness through my Bible School mentors (Sir ken & ma'am Cris) and through your generosity. Honestly, we don't really know how to express the gratitude and the joy that is within us. Words may fall short to express it, but we sure are grateful to the Lord and to you. May the good Lord multiply your blessings!

Again, i want to let you know that we appreciate the love, the blessings and the big heart. Thank you for sponsoring our trip. Indeed, we don't know how to repay you. Simply, because we don't have the capacity to do it. But the Lord Yeshua HaMashiach will!

God bless you and your family Sir Byron and Ma'am Tammy. God bless you sir/ma'am John Turner. God bless the "Father's House Foundation". God bless "CBI" family. We look forward to see you on December 5 & 6, 2009.

To Sir Ken and Ma'am Cris, thank you for the high level of trust and favor. God bless us all.

In Christ,

Armand & Lilybelle V

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Ann Moore
Texas

I, too, have been giving glowing compliments for the wonderful trip sponsored by Father's House. In fact, my Bible Study Fellowship class has asked me to give a short program soon. How do I choose just three or four exciting sights to talk about?

I believe the well organized planning by Father's House resulted in all aspects to be well executed. Even the small details such as mementos, i.e., the certificate from the Antiquities Salvage Operation and the Scriptural Birth Certificate yet to come are thoughtful special gifts.

I guess the only negative thing would be that Ancient Pathway's itinerary was too ambitious. It could be more realistic and therefore disappointments are kept to a minimum.

We didn't get to tour Herodian or enjoy the Dead Sea but we did get to the top of Masada! Which was one of my highlights.

Thank you very much for the wonderful experience and yes, one day, I would love to go on another tour with you.

Warmest regards,

Ann Moore

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Denny Gorena

I want express my gratitude to you for my experience in Israel. I have been forever changed since I have been in Israel. I have already told my church that I will be returning every two years and invite them to go with me. I would love to return this year and take a group with me.

Again, thank you so much. I will call on Thursday.

Denny Gorena

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Tony
Calafornia

Cindy and I shared pictures and our thoughts about our trip to Israel with our congregation tonight. It made me appreciate all over again the blessing that the trip was and is for us. I just wanted to express my gratitude for the Lord's work through Father's House and to you, Byron, John and Roxy in particular. I hope that God allows our paths to cross again this side of heaven. Grace and peace to you all in our wonderful Lord.

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Betty Robinson
Texas

I am so very thankful and grateful to the FHEF for allowing me to travel with the Paschal-Hope Group. I can't express the pure joy of being in the Holy Land! Everything was perfect from start to finish. What a privilege to have 10 glorious days of nothing but the Lord Jesus Christ on our agenda!!! I absolutely loved our times of reading the Bible, praying, singing and worshiping together. Moshe was so informative, enthusiastic and passionate concerning everything he shared with us about Israel. Sami was an awesome driver and a joy to be with; Moshe and Sami make a great team. Byron was so very caring and watchful and made the trip easy for us! I enjoyed getting to know so many loving, kind and joyful Christian brothers and sisters.
The entire trip increased my love for Israel and the Jewish people. But the most important event of the trip for me was: my love, devotion, excitement and joy in Him was dramatically increased+++ I was in love with Him before the trip, but now I am melted and submerged in Him with joy inexpressible....TO HIM BE ALL THE GLORY PRAISE AND HONOR FOREVER MORE.... AMEN AND AMEN+++

His servant,
Betty Robinson

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Rev. Ken & Cris Sandberg
Davao City, Philippines

Cris and I had the experience of a lifetime on the January 2010 Israel trip. We are so thankful to Father's House for sending us and our friends Pastor Armand and Lilybelle Valdez to the Holy Land, where we joined some US church groups on a wonderful ten-day tour.

Recently I have presented slideshows of our pictures from Israel to students of our Calvary Bible Institute (both Day and Night classes) in Davao City. It has made a huge difference for me to have been to so many of the sites in Israel and to have been guided by such a knowledgeable Jewish guide as Moshe Bronstein. I feel like I can now talk about the Biblical places with a bit of authority and certainly with insight that I didn't have before. The students were fascinated by the pictures and the commentary. Many of them would love to go to Israel now!

I know Cris and I have a heart to go back to Israel and see even more of that wonderful country. God has truly turned our hearts toward "home"-- here on earth, our true original home is in Israel.

God bless Father's House!

Love in Christ,
Rev. Ken & Cris Sandberg
missionaries in the Philippines

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Marilyne Chapman
Church on 99, Canada

We don't even know where to begin to start thanking you for the amazing gift that you gave Steve and I. It was truly life changing in every way. We have fallen in love with the homeland of Israel and will never, ever be the same again. Our days were so full but oh so, so good. Our cups were so full that we were drinking out of our saucers. Every single day, we thought wow, surely tomorrow cannot top today, but it did. We cannot wait to sit down with both of you to share our experience. Thank you so much Byron and Tammy for having the heart for Israel and for sending Pastors there to learn and to experience the life of Jesus.

John Turner, Rick Hamm are great men of God that we respect so much. They love the Lord and it radiates through them. It was a blessing to experience this trip of a lifetime with them and the other wonderful people that we met.

We look forward to returning again soon.

Blessings,

Pastor Marilyne
Church on 99

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Rick Conrad
Susanville, CA

Thank you so much for providing the opportunity for me to visit the land of our Lord. What a blessing, what an adventure! I'll never read another another word of Scripture the same. What a life change this trip has been. In the midst of all that I experienced, what an added joy it was to be with a number of other pastors from my community. You'll never know what you have helped do, by God's divine hand. The eight pastors who went from Susanville are all part of our local ministers group. We have done many community wide events together and seek to bring the churches of our town together by our example. But this trip brought us together in ways that we could never have imagined. The fruit of this adventure together will be born in the many months and years to come. You just didn't affect the lives of a few pastors, you helped promote the Kingdom of God in a whole county in Northeastern California. Thank you, thank you! My prayers and blessings go out to you and Tammy, your work and ministry. May God continue to prosper and favor you and yours.

Blessings/Shalom

Rick Conrad

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Denny Roe
Calvary Temple - Denver, CO

Hannah & Dr. Turner,

Summarizing the NAUMS 2011 Father's House Israel Trip, despite the fact that it was the most informative and enlightening trip I have ever been on, has been a surprisingly difficult task. As one might imagine, I have been asked by numerous friends and family members, and members of our congregation, to share what the most influential or to isolate what my favorite part, of the trip was, but I have to admit that there wasn't a most influential or favorite part of the trip for me. Each and every day there were multiple parts that I was very fond of and that were quite influential, The entire trip, from beginning to end, was packed full of information and spiritual depth.

I honestly wish the trip hadn't ended, and I have been suffering from feelings of ... homesickness??? Kind of strange, but it is true. I want to return with the The Father's House each and every time they go to Israel. Perhaps the Lord will open a door for that to happen.

I have come down to one simple statement that sums up my feelings about the trip, or maybe a better way to say this is to say that this statement sums up my feelings toward God since experiencing the NAUMS 2011 Father's House Trip to Israel, and that is this ... I have a lot more "Want To" where it comes to serving the Lord. Having experienced Him on such a real and personal level, I don't want to do anything that would displease him. The experience has deepened my relationship with The Lord and has made me a better minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

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