Pastor Sowers Group
Thank you all for your wonderful Bios and Photos
Two Great Groups:
We really have two groups on our tour. Our first group is Pastor Sowers from Ohio who has 12 in his group for Israel and 10 for Egypt. Some church groups are closed to additional passenger but Pastor Sowers has welcomed those from other parts of the country to join the group. He's very anxious for us all to get to know one another. The following Bio's are the best first attempt to accomplish that.
Our second group we welcome is the Additional Passengers on our trip. There are a total of 7 who have all waited the same 2+ years to go. They are: 2 from Dallas, 2 from Kansas, and 2 from Atlanta. And finally myself, Harry Welton from the Chicago area. We'll be meeting everyone at different times at Ben Gurion Airport or even some on different days in the trip like myself on June 10th and our two from Atlanta on June 13th. Those two have already visited Israel and are really joining us in Jerusalem to travel with us to Egypt.
Tour Guide, Driver, and Tour Leader:
Pastor Sowers is the designated Tour Leader for our bus with Ron Elberg as our Tour Guide. Ron and Pastor Sowers will sit across from each other at the front of the bus so they can work together. Ron will bring his extensive knowledge of the Bible and the Holy Land to share with us as you would expect. Pastor Sowers with his group has prayed and studied for this trip for 3 years and will play an equally important role of leading us in devotions and prayer.
Our Driver will be someone who will dazzle us with his maneuvering of our bus and getting places on time. He'll be providing bottles of water accessible at the front of the bus for historically $1 each. Please get as much water as you need getting on or off the bus. But never leave your seat while the bus is moving or the driver may have a heart attack and drive us all off the road. 😀
Sticking Together:
The last point to share is how we all need to stick together as a group. The dining room managers in each of the hotels will be asking you what group you are with when you arrive for breakfast and dinner.
The answer should be the Pastor Sowers Group. Sometimes they want Journeys Unlimited but there will be another Journeys group in the same hotel so hopefully we'll be looking for Pastor Sowers.
Usually the dining room will have the same area saved for our group. In that case, you'll look like you know where you're going the next time you visit the dining room so the manager won't try to assist you. Be aware that sometimes they change where our group sit. .
The most important aspect of sticking together is when we're touring at the sites. Many places will have street vendors or shop owners trying to get your attention for that thing that looks perfect for what you need. Please pass them up. You'll have time for shopping. Also at sites you might be distracted to staying behind the group for a closer view or picture. Try not to do this.
There's been groups where consistently everyone is waiting for the same two or three people. This isn't fair to everyone else standing and waiting for everyone. But in case you should get separated and we can't find you, know the name of the hotel to give a taxi for us to meet you at the end of the day.
Finally, it's never too late to review this website's page found under the "Passenger"menu selection called "Early Preparation...." or simply by going to the connection below.
Pastor Ken Sowers, Tour Leader
Ken Sowers has been the Prince of Peace Church pastor for over 30 years, but this is his first trip to the Holy Land. He is looking forward to having several family members join him at the holy sites and to baptize his grandson there. Ken spent 25 years in the classroom of Middle School and over 20 years coaching. Hopefully this will be the first of many journeys to the Holy Land.
Ron Elberg, Tour Guide
Ron Elberg is our Tour Guide and he's the best. He's pictured here with his lovely wife Rotem and cute son with the tongue out, Negev, like the desert. I have to fight to get Ron as our guide as he is in the most demand. I'm so happy he'll be guiding us in Israel. He's also a great friend and will become one for you. Wait until you hear his accurate Holy Land descriptions and personal stories.
Harry Welton, Journeys Representative
I'm the Journeys Unlimited Representative who is most grateful to be a part of your group. I've had the distinct privilege of working with Pastor Sowers for over 3 years waiting for this trip to occur as have all the passengers joining us. I can't be on every tour but knowing Pastor Sowers and his group and certainly, Ron Elberg, I didn't want to miss this one. I'm also the author of this website.
Christy Alvord - Ohio
I am a mom of two boys and two dogs. I am a teacher as well. I love to travel and am looking forward to the some with my family and friends while exploring where Jesus walked!
Tanner Alvord, Ohio
I am 13 years old and love to explore. I like animals, cooking and being with friends. This is my first time flying over an ocean and am looking forward to this trip.
Schyler Chappel - Ohio
Hello! I am Schyler Chappell and I can't wait to meet you and journey together with everyone on our trip. I grew up in Pastor Ken's non-denominational church, Prince of Peace. In my late teens and twenties, I began a lonely and painful journey, wandering in the wilderness without God. Though God was always chasing me down it wasn't until about 40 months ago that I started paying attention to Him. Learning about the salvation that Jesus offers after living in the wilderness for so long has saved and transformed my life. Before I was living, surviving; now I have life. God has shown me favor in offering me the chance to explore His holy and sacred land where He miraculously birthed our Savior and I can't wait to share the experience with you all!
Carol Harrold - Ohio
I'm a retired teacher who loves God, family, cooking, gardening, long walks, crochet, travel, and my Irish Wolfhound.
Karen Mason - Ohio
My name is Karen Mason and I live in Northeast Ohio. I've been a registered nurse for almost 37 years. I've been attending Prince of Peace church since it opened it's doors 30 years ago, with Ken Sowers as my pastor. This will be my first trip to the Holy Lands, and I am very excited to go after two years of waiting because of Covid. I have two adult children and three grandchildren. I also have two wiener dogs named Shiloh and Simon. I will be extending my trip into Egypt after Israel, and am excited to ride a camel up Mt. Sinai.
Ken and Adrienne Sowers - Ohio
My wife and I are excited to be celebrating our 10 year wedding anniversary during our trip this year. Ken is an 8th grade Special Education teacher at an online school in Ohio. He has a passion for woodworking, books, and learning. Adrienne is a Manager at Progressive Insurance Company. She loves to make glitter tumblers and other crafts in her spare time. We do not have any kids but have a couple pups and a hedgehog. Ken is one of the Pastor’s at Prince of Peace Church. We are very excited to see the many sights in Israel and Egypt.
Carl Mixon - South Carolina
Carl Mixon - South Carolina
Sam Shands - Augusta, Georgia
Carl writes: We are the best of friends and brothers in Christ. We're both excited about this trip and look forward to meeting everyone. Both of us are Southerners, so you may find us a bit different from people in Chicago and New York (plus Ohio), but that’s ok. We right now are a bit intimidated about getting everything correct for the flight over, but I think we can manage. I have traveled abroad before, but Sam has not. We were work mates at our employer for many years and became like brothers. We love Christ and want to see the Holy Land. I advise Sam on money and He advises me on faith.
Paul and Rachel Harvey - Kansas City
Paul is a part time preacher at 2 churches as well as being an assembler and cattle farmer.
Rachel is a junior high special education teacher. We are looking forward to meeting everyone!
(The Samuels are meeting us in Jerusalem our last night there to join us in Egypt so pictured last.)
Adrienne and Edna Samuel, Dallas
Hi, my name is Adriana Samuel and standing behind me is my mother, Edna Samuel. We’re from Dallas, TX. We both love the LORD and traveling. My mother attends Greater Cornerstone Baptist Church and I attend North Dallas Community Bible Fellowship. While she loves the outdoors and trying her hand at gardening, I prefer the cool of indoor reading. We did the Israel tour with my pastor, Dr Terren Dames, in 2016. Wow, walking where Jesus walked, really brought the bible alive! Looking forward to where Moses was led with Pastor Sowers group.
Hotels with Links Below
