My Journey To Jerusalem The Gospel According To Terrence
Terrence Clark- standing where the faithful were once tempted
...whom the world was not worthy---Hebrews 11:38
by Terrence G. Clark Chapter One
Before the Trip
Faith Activates With the First Step
The journey was never to go to Israel to find Jesus. Please, no offense to those (past, present and future) who undertake the pilgrimage to refresh their relationship with the Lord. If one desired to do so, I am convinced that presence of God was there to manifest.
I had purposed to take Him home. I had been convinced that He was in me since I was 13 years old. From then, sometimes stronger than other times, I have known and felt His presence from His Word on my lap, to His Spirit residing in me.
The pilgrimage wasn't intended to be the solidifier of faith either. I remembered Jesus statement to Thomas—more blessed are those who have not seen. And there wasn’t going to be any knock on a door (in Nazareth or Jerusalem) to see if Jesus was home. Yeshua had left some time ago. His presence was distributed everywhere. If anything, He was somewhere knocking, waiting for people to let Him into their abode.
Soaking rain always waters me. I enjoy the downpours of the Spirit of God and I love to dance in His drenching, but it’s the filling of wells, days later that resurface at the pump that make me identify with the Samaritan woman. Jesus said to her, true worship to the Father is in the Spirit and in truth. The great confirmation of the Holy Spirit taking that which has come from the outside and converting it into living water---springing up.
It was over three years earlier, maybe more, that I had set my faith to make the journey. I had prayed it in most every personal prayer. Father, I thank you for my trip to Israel and Jerusalem before the rapture---the great catching away of the church. I specified, before the rapture, noting that in eternity to come that privilege would be for all who are eternally with the Lord. I prayed this sometimes, after my prayer for Israel and Jerusalem.
“Lord I love Israel and the Jewish people. Although they may be in opposition whereas grace is concerned, they are my brethren whereas the election is concerned. I realize you have appointed a day when all Israel will be saved.
Lord, I pray for the Jewish people, for out them came the Law, the Prophets, the Psalms and Yeshua, the Messiah, who is Jesus the Christ, the Savior of the whole world. Father, I pray that many of my Jewish brothers will become a part of the Church, made up of both Jew and Gentile alike. I love the Jewish people and you have promised that you will prosper those who love your people and pray for the peace of Jerusalem.”
Originally, I wanted to go with several other ministries, but in February of 2015, at a men fellowship, not hosted by Chestnut Assembly of God, in Vineland NJ, but held at their church, I saw a flyer on their table and took it. I looked at it everyday on my desk. It wasn't until three weeks before the departure date that I called the number listed. Diane, the church secretary, answer the phone. I was looking at the Israel trip flyer. “Curiously is there still opportunity to go,” I asked. I waited and was ready to accept whatever she said. I knew I was going. The question, was this the time or the group?
“Oh Yes,” replied Diane. She then began to tell me her story, highlighted with confirmations about the timing of the Lord. She also shared how God delivered her from cancer, and the oil that dropped from the overhead lamps, in the Church of the Nativity---on her alone.
She had my attention. She didn’t know at the moment I had been delivered of cancer as well. The oil, in the supposed place of Jesus birth, surfaced the revelation of the power of the Holy Ghost that came upon Mary, declaring the favor of God, on she that was chosen.
Diane agreed to give me her testimony at some point. I was convinced that at the least, this was the purpose of my call. She said Pastor Jason, the trip director, would call me back. In less than five minutes, Jason was on the phone. He was more than excited about the upcoming trip, in a two weeks or so. He confirmed. The timing was still good. I was still waiting to hear God’s confirmation, but we started the process anyway.
Time kept passing and I waited another week before calling Jason back with confirmation. It was at my prayer park, on the bench, after a time of prayer that I heard the Spirit speak saying, “Take no thought for tomorrow, sufficient for today is the evil thereof.” (Matthew 6:34). [The translation for some, "Don't put off for tomorrow, what you can do today---Kind of sort of, the wise heart always rest upon God's go ahead.]
The word resolved. This was the time, the people. The other ministry, I was going to go with, did not have their schedule set. So next year’s trip, possibly in June, was not final. I was to go now and if so later, go again. I believed, this would not be my only adventure in Israel.
I finally met Jason, at the agreed location of Peter’s Diner, to get my itinerary. I had put on my C.O.P.S (Christians Obediently Preaching Salvation) t-shirt that morning. We pulled into the diner at the same time. We had never met. My wife and I and he got out of our cars at the simultaneously. Jason was smiling from ear to ear, but at the same time a look of purpose in his eyes. He greeted, “Shalom” and pointed at my shirt. Still smiling, he revealed, he was a police chaplain—a cop. The prophetic word was manifesting and confirming even then.
I called Jason. I sent in my passport number to the travel agency. In less than two weeks to go. I got a call back from Jason. It was the wrong passport. Jason consulted, “it’s okay, and this is what you have to do.” So off to the U.S. Customs Office in Philadelphia I went, to get my official international travel passport.
Everything was falling into place. No one knew except my wife. I told my daughters next. My seniors pastors didn’t know until days before. Others didn’t know until the day before. The reason was because I didn’t know until days before. Sunday and Monday I spent time with my wife away in the mountains for her birthday. She agreed beforehand to let me go. Provisions were made for her to go, but she wasn’t ready for this journey, at this time.
Tuesday morning, 6 AM, my wife drove me to Vineland to meet my new family. Most were there at the church ready to board the church van that would take us to Newark airport. I knew in the days to come, we would bond and grow together.
The EL AL plane took off at 1:30 pm. We were in the air. Another prophetic word and answer to prayer had manifested. Israel here I come. Lord, what will you do?