Well, we are back from Israel. What a trip it was. There is no way possible to fully explain everything we experienced and felt. To walk in the footsteps of Jesus and see the sights that have shaped the world was more than amazing.

Perhaps the best day of all was our last day when we went to the Mount of Olives and the Upper Room. The place still holds the Spirit of Christ and several of us were filled with the presence and power of God as we prayed. All I can say is when you get to go later take plenty of tissue.

I got the chance to serve communion at the Garden Tomb where Jesus rose from the dead. It was an experience I will never forget. They have kept the place in the condition as it would have been during Jesus time. Even though it is located now in a mostly Arab area the place holds a special power and significance.

On Friday we went to the Mountain fortress of Masada in the desert. We learned so much about the history of the Jewish people that I feel I have a Ph.D in Biblical Studies. Our guide was Jewish and he did an excellent job helping us to understand the roots of our faith that is based in Judaism. He made the Bible come to life everyday. We vistied the Holocast and Jewish Museums and saw the caves where the Dead Sea Scrolls were found. Amazing!!!

We also got a chance to float in the Dead Sea in the wilderness. The Dead Sea is the lowest place on earth and the salt content is over 10 times that of the ocean. Therefore your body is lighter than the water and you can float without sinking or moving you arms and legs. Some of those who got in the water did not know how to swim and enjoyed the water and floated for the first time in their life! The mud in the Dead Sea is rich with all types of nutrients for the skin. So we rubbed ourselves down with mud. (You will see the pictures later when I upload them)

I will be uploading pictures later this week and writing little commentaries on them so you can get a better idea of what we encountered. So stay tuned. It should be done by Saturday.

Some of you are asking about our next trip to Israel. Well, I will be planning it this month and will annouce the details later. The best times and cheapest times to go is November 2010 during the week of Thanksgiving. Or Next January 2011 about the same time we went this year. If you are interested let me know.

I am not as jet lagged as I thought but I will sleep good tonight. Don't forget to come to Revial this week on Wed, Thurs, and Fri at 7:30.

Live Blessed,
Pastor Barnette

Hi all,
I was not able to get to a computer yesterday so I could not write. But we are in Jerusalem!!! What a city. I have been to the tomb, site of the cross, the wailing wall, and so much more. I can't explain the overwhelming feeling you get by being here. I walked the path Jesus did to the cross and it was amazing! All you could do was weep. We visited the Holocost Museum and was able to see how our African American History relates to the Jewish struggle. God will use us both to bring about His purpose.
Tomorrow we will go to the Dead Sea and float and then climb a mountain in the wilderness. We have a lot of other things we will do as well. Then Saturday go back into Jerusalem to do more.
I will not be able to upload pictures until we return because the technology will not allow me.
Be blessed and stand strong.
Shaloam,
Pastor Barnette

Oh My GOd! OMG We are having the time of our lives. We got up this morning and ate a traditional Israel breakfast (no bacon/ham/etc...) We left on our bus at 7:30am for the Mt of the Beatitudes where Jesus preached the sermon on the Mount. It is a awesome place. The valley is like a large theater where your voice bounces off the Sea of Galliee and of the surrounding hills. We meditated on Matthew 5,6, and 7 and you could really since the move of God as the words spoke to your heart.

We then visited a place where a 2000 year old fishermans boat was found in the sea of Galliee. It was amazing. While there the man who actually found and unearthed the boat in 1986 stopped by and we had a chance to take pictures with him and he signed our postcards, etc...

I bought a prayer shawl like Jesus used when the woman with the issue of blood touched his garment. (Get ready for a fresh sermon illustration)

We visted the site where Jesus fed the 5000. Then ate Saint Peter fish after we took a boat ride across the Sea of Galliee and I got to preach a sermon while on the boat.

We finally went to the river Jordon and Pastor Caldwell and I baptized everyone in the 38 degree water of the chilly Jordon. What an experience. People from all over the world rejoiced at our rebaptism.

Well on my way to supper and some rest. Keep praying for us.
Love Pastor B

We landed safe after a rough flight because of the weather in the US. I just slept through the storms. When there is nothing you can do all you can do is rest in the Lord. (AMEN) We lost a whole day traveling. We landed at 7pm Israel time which is 7 hours ahead of you. We drove 2 hours to Tiberis where the Sea of Galliee is and our rooms are right on the water. We had a wonderful meal that I loved. For the first time since my gallbladder surgery a meal has not caused me troubles. Our rooms are nice and we slept all night. However I got up at 2am and could not go back to sleep.

Today we will baptize in the Jordon, go to Mt. Carmel where Elijah prayed down fire from heaven, go across the Sea of Galliee like Jesus did on a boat, eat St. Peter fish, and many other things today. It is a wonderful place. The people are great, warm, and welcoming. We have already had some great conversations about Christ and how the Jewish people relate to him and Christianity.

Keep us in your prayers and I will attempt to upload pictures later tonight if I can. (I am proud of myself just doing this. I am not so technical)

Live Blessed,
Pastor Tyrone Barnette

Israel Bound

I am getting ready to go the airport. I am excited about what we will experience. Pray for us and I will try to give updates each day.

Pastor's Back!

Substitution