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Pilgrimage attracts many young,1st time visitors; 49 people leave Minnesota Tue. for Israel

James Fasuekoi

As the U.S. seemingly wobbles in recession, many people, especially young folks may be holding back on a number of plans including international travels. But for some young Christians, eager to learn and have an encounter with the Messiah Jesus Christ, that might not be the case; they are spending fortunes to make the pilgrimage to Israel as you will read. Check and see who’s making the trip!

By James Kokulo Fasuekoi|Editor-Publisher

After months of preparation Spiritual Life Church in Brooklyn Center, Minnesota, will be taking at least 49 pilgrims-one of the highest in decades-to Israel, Tuesday, for a ten-day tour of the Holy Land. 

Those expected to make the pilgrimage include renowned preachers, evangelists, praise-worshippers, or singers, Gospel-teachers as well as parishioners-some from other local churches. This journey will be the first since the COVID struck America and the rest of the world in 2019, 20.

SLC Pastor Dr. Judy Fornara, Sunday, prays and anoints members of Israel traveling team.

Remarkably, Tuesday’s journey will stand out for several reasons: 49 people, compared to only 15 in 2015, and 33 in 2017.  It will also include many and “first time” young visitors originally from Africa, Caribbean and Hmongs from Asia-all eager to receive from the LORD. 

“Overall, I just want to have a spiritual encounter in a different way that will remain with me and change my life,” said SLC’s Ellena George and wife of Mr. Jackson George, head of the Liberian Consulate in Minnesota. 

Sister Ellena George speaks with Global Ekklesia editor.

Mrs. George, like most other pilgrims, wants to walk through some “footpaths” where the Messiah Christ Walked. 

She said she also expects to get baptized in the Jordan River, swim in the Dead Sea, visit the ‘Wailing Wall,’ the Garden of Gethsemane, plus the Tomb of Jesus Christ.  

Sister Joyce Morris, a first-time visitor to Israel.

For Sister Joyce Morris of Spiritual Life Church: “It’s going to be a fascinating experience just being in the place where Christ journeyed. Reading the Bible and going there will be a life-changing experience spiritually for me.”

“I am blessed to be with this team,” said Sister Marie Ezike of SLC, who said she never dreamed of this, growing up.

Sister Marie Ezike serves as a lead usher at SLC. This is her first trip to Israel.

She said she knows Christ but would even love to know Him more; spend a lot of time with Him and develop a strong relationship with Jesus.  

The thrice-all from Spiritual Life Church and originally from the West African nation of Liberia have been best friends for many years and would be making the trip together.

As for Pastor Nancy Sky, a lecturer and Dean of Spiritual Life Bible College/Seminary, this trip, she maintained, “is all about breakthroughs for everyone.”    

SLC College/Seminary lecturer and Dean, Pastor Nancy Sky.

“I also feel that this trip is going to be a real trip of consecration where everybody could go to the LORD,” she continued.

During Sunday worship service, cheers and shouts of joy rang out across the huge auditorium as SLC senior Pastor, Dr. Judy Fornara announced how excited and prepared they were for the journey.

She called out all of the pilgrims set to travel to step out to the pulpit so she could have all anointed for the long trip.

Senior Pastor Gordon Peterson who earlier offered a prayer over Dr. Judy and Dr. Joseph Fornara (the two, leading the group to and fro), gave a word of wisdom he had received from God.   

Dr. Joe (far left) and Dr. Judy anoint some pilgrims Sunday near the end of service.

According to him, the LORD said He would do something special in the life of everyone of the pilgrim “because they have stepped out in faith to go to Israel.” 

Pastor Peterson’s prophecy was preceded by a revelation from another traveling-team member who informed Dr. Judy the LORD had “promised” through her dream that He would have “encounter” with every person making this journey to Israel.

Drs. Judy and Joseph Fornara are both credited with having made at least 41 trips to Israel, leading church members through pilgrimage, including sightseeing of sacred places, boat-riding on the Sea of Galilee, and baptizing believers in the Jordan, and the current visit would be their 42nd.

In the past, Gospel ministers from Liberia and other places joined the SLC team in Israel for the pilgrimage but it’s not confirmed whether a group from elsewhere would be meeting or joining SLC’s delegation on its arrival. 

Banner photograph from left to right: Sisters Ellena, Joyce and Marie. The fourth sister in picture isn’t travelling with the group this year.

Editor’s Note: We at Global Ekklesia pray for a traveled mercy upon all of those who are making the journey Tuesday.