Dr. Myles Munroe led a group of over 90 leaders from many nations on a Feast of Pentecost Summit trip to Israel June 5th-13 th, 2008. They were officially welcomed to Israel by top Israeli leader, the Honorable Jacob Katz, Mayor of a city well known for its being a regular target for scud missile attacks in the northern-most city of Israel, Metula. Dr. Munroe has visited Israel as a guest of the Government and Middle East leaders many times in the past.

 

In a country “reportedly” plagued by terrorism, daily bombings and constant events of unrest, these global leaders walked peacefully throughout the streets of Israel untouched by any acts of violence or hostility. Dr. Munroe’s Leadership Team comprised of Bahamians, Jamaicans, Americans, Europeans, Canadians, and other nationalities experienced the virtue of Israel that is not often expressed by the international media.

 

Even near the time when many Jews and residents of Israel were headed into Tisha B’av in July and August, described as a time of “mourning” because of the destruction of the temple of Jerusalem, Jacob Katz, mayor of Metula, was able to share with Dr. Munroe and the team his hope of his nation being rebuilt. Mayor Katz stated, “I hope to have in my future, peace between Israel and Lebanon, peace for the next generation of my children, the children of Metula, and the generation of the children of Lebanon.”

 

In their meeting with Mayor Katz, Dr. Munroe was able to express his sentiments about that region and the Israeli crisis being discussed globally. “For the past 23 years we have been bringing groups to Israel. We brought up to 850 in one group at a time, but we haven’t been here for about 5 years. That is when some of the difficulties happened here in Israel, and many people were afraid to travel,” Munroe said to the local leader. Dr. Munroe further stated, “This place (Metula) is an important place for us because it is the northern most part, and it is the most sensitive region. Standing in a spot where we can see both sides of Lebanon, and Israel in the middle, is the greatest testimony because in the midst of what you call enemies, there is safety.”

 

Mayor Katz confirmed to Dr. Munroe that positive community growth in Israel would continue because he believed his government could not continue spending money on tanks and airplanes instead of the well-being of the people.

 

The mayor stated, “I am deeply moved and pleased that you Dr. Munroe and Dr. Roni Wexler and your international team have defied the image painted by the media throughout the West and came to this land that belongs to all people of faith to encourage us as a people. My government is grateful and will always have open arms to you.”

 

From Tel Aviv to Nazareth and from Jerusalem to Metula, the group visited famous sites such as the “Wailing” Wall, the Garden of Gethsemane, the assumed place of the empty tomb of Jesus Christ, a baptism service in the Jordan River, Masada, the Dead Sea, the Sea of Galilee, and Capernaum that is the home town of Apostle Peter, James and John.

 

Among Dr. Munroe’s group of diverse nationalities, were 33 Bahamians including pastors and church leaders from Nassau. Apostle Leon Wallace, Senior Pastor of the Voice of Deliverance Disciple Center Temple, who was a first-time visitor to Israel, described his time on the Sea of Galilee as “a dream, come true.” He said it was almost unbelievable. “My entire trip with Dr. Myles Munroe was most enlightening. I certainly enjoyed myself to the utmost. Every Pastor in the Bahamas should make it a necessity to visit this land as it makes your message come alive,” said Apostle Wallace.

Pastor Arlington Rahming of Christian Discipleship Ministries called the trip “life-transforming” and was thankful to Dr. Munroe for making it possible. He said he would never be the same and is looking forward to returning next year.” During the visit, individuals were able to see former bunkers and hideouts of the Hezbollah. In the midst of the peace and joy described by many team members, a noted “solemn” time was a visit to the memorial for the soldiers killed by explosive enemy attacks. Team members were able to touch the shrapnel left by the explosion and see the photos of the soldiers’ who died from the unexpected assault.

Also joining Dr. Munroe on the trip was a well-known Bahamian minister/musician, Charles Wallace and his wife, Anna. Mr. Wallace said his most moving experience was our visit to the Holocaust Museum, where the horror of the death of six million Jews during the Hitler Years of World War II was brought to life.”

 

The trip culminated with a celebration of Shavuot, the Feast of Pentecost. Team members visited the fields of Judea to pick wheat and bring back to the Temple Mount. They shared in a time of singing and remembrance in a wellknown tradition of the historic faith. Dr. Roni Wexler, trip coordinator and president/CEO of the Ten Commandments Commission, confirmed the international significance of the Feast of Pentecost trip as a sign of unity and reconciliation of ethnic differences just as it is a way to declare that God is one.