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-Aerial-Jerusalem-Temple_Mount-Al-Aqsa_and_Dome_of_the_Rock_(SE_exposure)-small.jpg "Temple Mount - Israel FAM Trip")
Israel FAM Trip
January 1-9, 2027
Journey through the land where Scripture comes alive. From Galilee’s tranquil waters to Jerusalem’s ancient stones, this study experience traces the story of redemption across Israel’s most significant biblical sites—Caesarea, Nazareth, Galilee, Masada, Bethlehem, and the Holy City itself. Guided by Dr. Mark Fairchild, respected scholar of Bible and Archaeology, participants will walk where prophets preached, kings ruled, and the Word became flesh. Each day integrates biblical teaching, historical insight, and personal reflection, offering a deeper grasp of God’s unfolding plan through Israel’s sacred geography.
Tour Host
Dr. Fairchild received his Ph.D. in New Testament Studies from Drew University. He also completed Ph.D. coursework at Union Theological Seminary (NY) and Princeton Theological Seminary. Dr. Fairchild has twice received research grants from the National Endowment for the Humanities. In 1992, he collaborated with 11 other scholars at Yeshiva University exploring the Greek encounter with Judaism during the Hellenistic Period. In 2002, he joined 20 other scholars at the University of Chicago to investigate societal transformations and the legitimization of power in the early Islamic states.
Fairchild’s recent discovery of two previously unknown ancient synagogues in Turkey (including the world’s oldest known synagogue) was published in the Biblical Archaeology Review in 2012. Research at this ancient synagogue was also published in the Journal of Ancient Judaism in 2014. The Biblical Archaeology Review also published Fairchild’s research on St. Paul’s first mission from Perga to Antioch (2013) and another article on the biblical city of Laodicea (2017). Fairchild’s book on Christian Origins in Ephesus and Asia Minor (originally published in 2015) has been expanded and a second edition is currently available with Hendrickson Publishers (2017).
Dr. Fairchild is currently the Program Director for the Ephesus Meeting, an academic conference at the ancient site of Ephesus in Turkey. He annually travels to Turkey, Greece, Israel, Egypt and Jordan for research and to conduct study tours.
