A visit to Israel tops the “bucket list” of most Christians. Visiting the New Testament sites of Jesus’ life and ministry bring the Bible to life. Rocky Rocholl, president of the Fellowship of Evangelical Churches, remembers his first trip to Israel in 2015 as life-changing. He notes, “The Bible is alive after visiting Israel. If every pastor could visit Israel, he would preach differently.” Although Jesus’ life and ministry remains the primary reason most Christians visit Israel, the modern story of Israel and the excavation of The City of David tell a powerful story of God’s promise to preserve this small nation.

In January this year, Rocholl revisited Israel and received a different view, both secular and sacred. As a board member of the National Association of Evangelicals (NAE), he and 12 other denominational heads came at the invitation of the Israeli government, hosted by the Department of Tourism. During this 10-day trip, the group visited familiar sites, like Caesarea, and disputed areas, like the West Bank and the Golan Heights. As they traveled, their guide talked about the 26 different empires that have controlled Israel over the centuries.

During the last five days of their trip, the group toured Jerusalem, primarily, and explored the archeological site called the City of David. The site of excavation descends three stories below the modern Jerusalem streets to King David’s original Jerusalem and King Herod’s palace. These ancient sites have revealed treasures like a small gold bell that hung from the high priest’s hem.

The City of David excavation and a visit to the Yad Vashem Holocaust Museum highlighted Rocholl’s return to Israel. The Holocaust Museum has added a children’s memorial to remember the 1.5 million children who perished in the Holocaust. He reflects on the sobering experience  of seeing the children’s memorial saying, “Many would use this evidence to question whether there is a loving God.” For him, the experience reminds him that “God will go to any lengths to turn us back to Him.”