January 2006
We are starting a new year full of joy, having celebrated our 5th anniversary as a ministry on January 1, 2006. It has been a challenge to start a ministry in the difficult economy of the past few years, so we are especially thankful for God's provisions through this time. A good prayer for this occasion is the Shehekianu, which says:
Blessed art Thou, oh Lord our God, King of the Universe,
who has kept us alive, and has preserved us, and enabled
us to reach this season.
Baruch ata Adonai Elohenu, Melekh ha’olam, shehekianu,
v’kimanu, v’higianu lazman hazeh.
This month we just want to update you on a few things:
• Celebrating En-Gedi's 5th Anniversary in ministry
• Deadlines nearing to sign up for the Israel Study Trip,
May 20 – June 2, 2006
• Listening to the Language of the Bible - Study groups at churches in
Holland, MI
Recent Open House to Celebrate En-Gedi's Fifth Anniversary
On Sunday, January 1st, 2006, En-Gedi celebrated its fifth anniversary by having an open house at our offices in Zeeland, inviting our friends in the area to come join us. We enjoyed showing people our little "home” – our offices and our recording, duplicating and shipping set-up, as well as our inventory of books and teaching materials. We also shared with them our stone anchors from the Sea of Galilee, our elaborate High Priest costume and other interesting teaching tools that we’ve acquired over time.
We also showed people our mustard tree, a gift from a friend who raised it from a mustard seed from one in Israel. The seeds are tiny – about the size of a grain of salt – and the tree right now is about 7 feet tall, but it’s been trimmed. We celebrated the beginning of another five years by planting some mustard seed from the tree on January 1. We prayed that we may see Jesus’ parable in action, that the Lord would allow both the seeds and our ministry to thrive and grow in the next five years.
Study Trip to Israel - May 20 – June 2, 2006
An Outstanding Opportunity to Study the Jewish Context of Jesus!
Deadlines are approaching soon! We hope that you are seriously considering joining En-Gedi’s study trip to Israel, The Life and Land of Jesus: A Study in New Testament Backgrounds, May 20 – June 2. (Information available here.) The tour will focus on the life of Jesus in its Jewish context, and look mainly at New Testament texts in their settings in the Galilee area and Jerusalem. This will be a unique and wonderful this experience will be to people who really want to study the first-century Jewishness of Jesus in depth.
We brought its our first group of about 35 on this tour in July 2004, including folks from Australia, South Africa, Hong Kong and Uganda. The response was overwhelmingly enthusiastic, with letters such as the following:
Rarely a day passes when I don't think of something we did while on that wonderful trip…One of your opening remarks I remember was that while we would be introduced to much while in Israel during the two weeks of the tour, we would probably spend a lifetime unpacking the experience in our Christian walk. I think of that often and I want to let you know that your words are proving to be so true... I am praying for your ministry and thank God for your work, may He continually richly bless you. (M.T., Australia)
An Amazing, Unique Experience
One reason for their enthusiasm is because we went with Dr. Steven Notley, one of the most knowledgeable scholars on Jesus' Jewish context in the world. Having received his Ph.D. at Hebrew University studying under Dr. David Flusser, he lived in Israel for 16 years and taught at Jerusalem University College, where he was chair of the New Testament department and directed student land-study programs. He now lives in New York and recently published a highly-acclaimed historical atlas of Israel, The Sacred Bridge.
From living and teaching in the land for many years, Dr. Notley showed us many important, "non-touristy" archaeological sites that most people never see. We were able to visit digs in progress and discuss new finds with archeologists who are well-known in the field. We saw sites like the Pool of Siloam that had just been discovered and were in the news at home. Also, our hotel was close to the Old City of Jerusalem so that we could spend our free time wandering the ancient streets and shops of the Old City on our own. We got to meet a Jewish shop owner, Moishe Kempinski, who enjoys discussing differences between Judaism and Christianity with Christian visitors to Israel. (Here an excellent talk that he gave to our group that was recorded by Peter Wong, who joined us from Hong Kong.)
One of the highlights of the trip was walking on the path of the genuine Emmaus Road, where Jesus explained his mission to two disciples after his resurrection. Only a small body of scholars know about it, so almost no visitors get to see it – instead, they see a site that was mistakenly identified hundreds of years ago. The land nearby the real Emmaus Road is rapidly being developed, so the site may be unavailable in only a few years. We hope you can come see it with us this year!
If You Would Like to Join Us ... The complete online brochure about this trip is available at this link, at the website of Emmaus Educational Services. Information is available there about flights, fees, itinerary, academic credit, how to pack, etc, as well as the application to download. Or, give us a call at (616) 355-2200 and we will send you a packet.
The costs of the 14 day trip are as follows:
$2,900 from Grand Rapids, Michigan
$2,800 from Chicago
$3,075 from Dallas
$3,100 from Los Angeles / San Francisco
$2,750 from New York
$1,600 for only the land portion of the trip + air fair for international participants.
This is an outstanding value, with an expert guide who will show you things you’ll see with no one else. The trip is co-led by Dr. Wink Thompson, an Old Testament expert who taught in Israel at Jerusalem University College.
Travel arrangements will be made by Emmaus Educational Services, who is partnering with En-Gedi to sponsor this trip. Please send in a completed application and initial deposit of $300 by January 15 to secure your spot. (If your plans change, deposits are refundable until February 19, 2006.) All fees for the trip are due on February 15, 2006.
Listening to the Language of the Bible - Studies at Area Churches
If you live in the Western Michigan area and would like to study with the directors of En-Gedi, we invite you to take part in one of the following series this winter that will focus on En-Gedi’s book Listening to the Language of the Bible: Hearing It Through Jesus’ Ears. The book is a guide for discovering the richness of the Scriptures in their Hebraic setting. From seemingly odd phrases, it shares important insights from Hebrew and Jewish culture that clarify reading and deepen Bible study.
January 8 – 29: First Reformed Church, 630 State St, Holland, MI
At First Reformed in Holland, MI we will be leading a 4-week class on Sunday mornings, called Listening to God’s Word through Jesus’ Ears.The adult education class meets between 11 and noon. The classes will be held on January 8, 15, 22 & 29. Community members are very welcome to attend.
Our topics are:
• Jan. 8: Hebrew Insights that Deepen Our Reading
• Jan 15: Discovering the Bible's Powerful Imagery
• Jan 22: Insights that Enrich our Prayer Lives
• Jan 29: Hearing Jesus' Words In Light of His CultureFeb 1 – Mar 22: Christ Memorial Church595 Graafschap Rd, Holland, MI
In February and March, Lois Tverberg will be leading a Bible study based on the book Listening to the Language of the Bible. She will be teaching the Women of the Word study group on Wednesday mornings: Feb. 1 – Mar. 22, 9:15 – 11 AM. The women will be studying the book Listening to the Language of the Bible using the Companion Bible Study, one section per week for eight weeks.
Women of the Word is a large women’s Bible study group that welcomes women from around the community to attend. Child care is provided. The morning typically includes opening songs, small group discussion of the lesson, a talk by Lois and concluding prayers.
All women are invited to join us! Sign up by calling Ellen DeLong at the church at 616 396-2305.
We will be discussing the first section at our first meeting February 1, so please read and do the first section of questions beforehand. Books are available from our bookstore, or at Baker Book House, 716 Chicago Drive in Holland.
Thank you for all your prayers and encouragement through the past five years. We pray that you will have a wonderful 2006.
Blessings –
Lois Tverberg & Bruce Okkema
Directors, En-Gedi Resource Center
©2006 En-Gedi Resource Center, a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization solely dependent on your tax-deductible contributions. We very much appreciate your support. www.egrc.net