The narratives coming out of Israel and Palestine are often very complex and very different. Too often, we only hear one side of this story. This unique service-learning mission trip is designed to provide team members with greater clarity and understanding about what is happening in the Holy Land and to help bring awareness about both sides of the conflict.
Spend 2 weeks in Jerusalem, Bethlehem, Jericho, Nazareth, and more, as our staff guides you through a program designed to help you engage with both Palestinian and Israeli community members on a more personal level, to hear their stories and lived experiences that are often more nuanced from what you hear in the news.
As an organization, we are not directing people to choose one side over the other but rather asking them to come with open hearts to learn. Our desire is to help people hear stories and experience life from both perspectives so they can begin to have a greater understanding of what is happening there, opening up a pathway toward peace, compassion, understanding, and reconciliation.
Come to the Holy Land and see the complexity for yourself. Request to join today!
NOTE: If the unrest is still ongoing or the trip as planned is deemed unsafe by EM before the trip date, all participants will receive a 100% refund or be able to switch to a future trip date at no additional cost.
What is the process to join an IMMERSION Perspective(s) team?
Once you are ready to take the next step and learn more about joining the team, schedule an interest call with a member of our staff team. (You don't have to be 100% committed to do this!) During a call with our full-time staff, we hope you'll feel free to be yourself, ask lots of questions, and figure out if this is the right fit for you. After we chat, it's up to you to say YES, complete your registration form and pay your trip deposit, making this adventure a reality.
How do I know if I fit the requirements for this team?
We're not looking for perfect people, but simply individuals who want to challenge themselves to learn and grow as they serve others. IMMERSION Perspective(s) is for individual adults (or couples) age 45 and older pursuing Jesus with a desire to grow in their faith. We look for people who can embrace a rugged lifestyle, respect cultural differences, build healthy relationships with teammates and locals, thrive away from home, and are in good physical, mental, and emotional health.
How many people will be on my team?
Each team is made up of 8-14 people who will learn, serve, and grow alongside you throughout the experience. You'll share much life together across countless miles. We can't wait for you to meet each other.
What is the cost of this trip?
The cost of the 2-Week Holy Land IMMERSION Perspective(s) trip in 2025 is $3,500 ($6,500 for a married couple) in February and $3,700 ($6,850 for a married couple) in October. This includes all program costs and host arrangements. Please note: this does NOT include the cost of your flights to and from Tel Aviv, Israel.
Is there any training before or during the program? Each IMMERSION Perspective(s) trip is led and facilitated by qualified trip leaders with experience in the communities you travel to. Relevant resources and videos will be made available to team members a few months before the trip, and the trip itself will consist of several discussion and learning times for participants engaging in new and challenging topics.
What is included in the cost of the trip? Are there extra costs?
On our side, we try to keep IMMERSION all-inclusive so you don't have to worry about any hidden fees or big, unexpected costs! Most of your on-the-ground essentials (housing, staffing, training, breakfasts, and dinners) are covered. You are responsible for paying for your immunizations, flights to/from the start and end location airport in Tel-Aviv, lunches each day, meals while traveling, and a new passport if you need one. We also recommend a small stash of spending money in case you need shampoo, snacks, or souvenirs along the way. But this amount is minimal and totally up to you.
Experience Mission also requires all team members to travel with a Personal Emergency Fund—a debit or credit card with $1,000-$1,500 available and $300 of reserve cash in case you were to have a medical issue or reason to travel home unexpectedly. This amount may seem high, but it's purely a precaution. Most team members never spend a penny of their emergency fund while on the trip.
Is the initial deposit refundable?
Once you commit to a trip, we're counting on you. We don't offer refunds, but we'll do our best to be flexible and work with you to transfer the funds to a different trip whenever possible. You can read more in our Refund Policy document.
How can I communicate back home?
We encourage you to pack your phone or other small, wifi-enabled device. Often, just turning off cellular data and connecting to a local hot spot is the best way to stay in touch with friends and family. In some locations, you'll be totally off the grid. While, in other locations, you will be able to get online daily. All information regarding connectivity plans will be communicated to the team prior to the trip!
What if I have a personal emergency and need to talk with someone at home?
In all things, we're there to support you. If you have a personal emergency, your trip leaders will allow you to use an EM phone with international calling or data. In most locations, communication is fast and easy, but in some locations it can be slow or very expensive to make a call back to the U.S. After you Submit an Interest Form or Request to Join the trop, ask our staff more about communication limitations or how we get in touch when there is an emergency.
Do I need a passport or visa?
You will need a passport! If a visa is needed for your trip, the EM staff will guide you through the process of applying for one after you join the team. But if you don't have a passport yet, you'll want to start applying for one now.
When will I get a trip itinerary?
We'll send you an itinerary, including all flight information, approximately one month before the start of your trip. But you'll also receive many details through pre-trip calls, emails, and your online MyMission account on EM's website.
Will EM provide a detailed packing list?
Yes! Through our experience in these communities, we have developed a helpful packing list that covers all the necessities to live and engage well while on the trip.
Should I purchase Travelers Insurance?
Experience Mission requires all team members to travel with a “Personal Emergency Fund”—a debit or credit card with $1,000-$1,500 available and $300 of reserve cash in case you were to have a medical issue or reason to travel home unexpectedly. This amount may seem high, but it's purely a precaution. Most team members never spend a penny of their emergency fund while on the trip. Although Travelers Insurance isn't required, we highly recommend it because it may help you recoup some costs if you did have an issue.
What if there is an emergency that affects the entire team? What will we do?
Your team leader, local community partners, and international staff are equipped to support you if there is an issue (i.e. natural disaster, political unrest, increased crime, etc.) while living abroad. If your team were to need to leave the country, each of you would be responsible for using your “Personal Emergency Fund” to rearrange travel plans, but our staff would be available to guide you. We also take extra precautions by enrolling our teams in STEP (Safe Traveler Enrollment Program) through the U.S. Department of State. This means we will receive any urgent travel updates for U.S. citizens in the region where you are living and serving.
Will I be required to get the Covid-19 vaccine to join IMMERSION?
The Covid-19 vaccine is not currently required by Experience Mission to participate in the IMMERSION Perspective(s) program. We will provide all team members with access to up-to-date CDC guidelines and recommendations for travel vaccines and/or medications, if necessary.
Take our 10-question quiz to find out if you’re ready for an experience like IMMERSION!
Take our 10-question quiz to find out if you’re ready for an experience like IMMERSION!
You must have a group size of at least 6 members to join this trip. Please view the Small Team trips or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.
For most trips, you must have a group size of at least 6 members. Please view the Small Teams tab on each Community page or call our Servicing Department for more options at 888-475-6414.