Minister Offering Tour To Holy Land

A Valley pastor is offering people a chance to see the places they hear and read about every Sunday.

The Rev. Ray Ruef is putting together an eight-day trip to Israel and Rome. The group will leave Oct. 14, but Ruef said travelers should register now to avoid passport hassles.

The trip isn’t cheap - it costs $2,619 per person. But that price includes round-trip airfare, lodging and two meals per day.

Ruef, who has been pastor of both the Liberty Lake and Deer Park community churches, retired two months ago after almost 30 years of full-time ministry. However, he wasn’t content to just enjoy his new free time at his Liberty Lake home. He decided to return to the historic lands he has visited three times already.

His group will travel to places where significant biblical events took place.

Ruef’s personal favorite spot is the Sea of Galilee. “In Galilee, it’s almost the same as it was at the time of Christ,” he says. “There’s only one major town on Galilee today.”

That stop will include a visit to Nazareth, the town in which the Bible says Christ spent his youth. Ruef will also take his group to the Dead Sea, and baptize people in the Jordan River.

In addition to taking in biblical sights, Ruef’s group will visit major seaports like Tel Aviv, and learn about contemporary Israeli culture.

Ruef’s touring interest extends to the West, too. A history buff, he and his group will visit historical sites in Rome such as the catacombs where early Christians hid to escape persecution.

“The architecture in Rome is just awesome,” Ruef says.

For more information, call 255-6318.

Vacation Bible school

Opportunity Presbyterian Church, 202 N. Pines Road, is registering children for its annual Bible school. This year’s curriculum is entitled “Along the Road with Jesus.”

Classes run Aug. 7-11 from 9 a.m. to noon each day.

The school is open to all children from preschool age up to the fifth grade. The cost is $7 per child.

According to organizer Donna Dill, each day will have a different theme relating to a New Testament event. Dramas will be performed for the younger students by sixth graders.

For more information, call Dill at 536-7050 or the church at 924-9750.

, DataTimes