No, we are not discussing World Cup rivalries! This podcast episode is in a different format - a spirited but fun REFORMATION FACE OFF. GTI's Signature Tours of Germany/Switzerland and England/Scotland are each incredible, but how to choose? Listen as trip leaders Dan van Voorhis and Adam Richardson debate the sites, characters, heritage, hidden gems, cuisine, and more from each trip. Regardless of which tour you join, you will experience quality teaching, comfortable accommodations, delicious f...
Jul 24, 2025•43 min•Ep. 106
The Doctor is in the house for this podcast - Dr. Rich Liverance, of course! His work with the government of Israel brings insight to Rich Ferreira's update. This episode (recorded on July 4) will help you get an overview of the sequence of events in Israel and the surrounding countries since the initial attacks by Hamas on October 7, 2023. Israel is the Center of God's Redemptive Story; the name itself means "to wrestle with God." Not only this, but also its ideal location makes it the most des...
Jul 10, 2025•41 min•Ep. 105
Rich Liverance and Rich Ferreira are fresh off the airplane and back in the studio to share about their amazing time in Saudi Arabia and Jordan! Our March 2025 Signature Tour group was an adventuresome bunch and the first ever to cross into Saudi Arabia! Their itinerary included not only many historical sites in Jordan but also the likely biblical sites of the Split Rock (Exodus 17), the grove of palm trees (Exodus 15), an altar-high place with bull/cow carvings at the foot of the Arabian Mount ...
Apr 24, 2025•34 min•Ep. 104
If you live in the SO CAL area, you are in for a treat. GTI's friend and partner, Randy Alsonso, joins today's episode to share about the Bridges for Peace REVEAL conference, coming up on May 16-17, 2025. It will be a time of revealing Israel in scripture, the truth about the conflict and the role of the Church. The conference will be held at Calvary Bellflower Church, 14722 Clark Ave., Bellflower, CA 90706. Our beloved Israeli guide Ronen is coming to California to speak! Registration and detai...
Apr 10, 2025•29 min•Ep. 103
This fun episode comes to you LIVE from EGYPT while Rich, Jerrell and the Signature Tour group cruise the Nile River. Listen in as they describe the highlights of the trip thus far: the Pyramids and Sphinx, sacred temples, imposing statues, and the treasures of the long-awaited Grand Egyptian Museum. Egyptian guide Osama joins the conversation to discuss the 10 plagues of Exodus and the Egyptian deities they disparaged. Understanding where the Israelites were coming from is crucial to understand...
Mar 20, 2025•41 min•Ep. 102
Exciting news: GTI is headed back to Europe! Not only do we run tours to Germany and Switzerland, but now also England and Scotland! The British Isles are steeped in 1800 years of Christian history from Bible times to our times. Pastor Adam Richardson brings his passion for church history, thorough education, and experience living and studying in England to bear in leading this incredible tour. We will follow the ancient path of our faith from 2nd-century believers under Roman occupation in Brit...
Mar 06, 2025•33 min•Ep. 101
What started as a project to stay connected during the pandemic turned into 5 seasons and 100 episodes! To celebrate this special milestone, Rich pulls from the archives and shares some of our favorite staff stories. Enjoy the following anecdotes: "Missing the Boat" "The Turkish Rock Star" "The Egyptian Limo" "Kickin' Chicken" "Shooting Pool" (AKA "Too Much Moses") "Where in the World is Trabzon?" "Charter Flight to Kansas" "The Most Expensive Lunch Date Ever" We at GTI want to thank our podcast...
Feb 10, 2025•37 min•Ep. 100
Rich Ferreira hosts previous guest Todd Morehead for this episode. Todd is the founder of Grafted Ministries and the creator of two films including Hope in the Holy Land: Delving Beneath the Surface of the Israeli-Palestinian Conflict . Today, Todd and Rich return to discussing the age-old conflict. Although it is a heavy topic, it is imperative that we not only NEVER FORGET but seek truth in the tension. Todd's work tries to give an unbiased lens with which to view the Israeli and Palestinian p...
Jan 23, 2025•49 min•Ep. 99
GTI is going to Rome! In this exciting episode, Rich and Jerrell share about their time recently exploring and planning for our groups. At the end of the first century, all roads led to Rome; it was the epicenter of the ancient world. Even today, over 35 million people a year visit the Eternal City and enjoy a LOT of pizza and pasta! Our 2025 Greece/Rome Signature Tour itinerary includes Philippi, Thessaloniki, Athens, Corinth, Rome, and more. We will visit the Colosseum, Forum, Catacombs, even ...
Jan 09, 2025•35 min•Ep. 98
This short but sweet episode features Rich and Ronen, recorded LIVE from ISRAEL! Rich traveled to visit each of our Israeli partners, guides and drivers and enjoyed some sweet fellowship (and delicious food) in their homes. 2024 has been a very difficult year, but as the days get shorter and darker, a flame of hope is flickering brightly like a candles during Hanukkah. Peace is returning to Israel, and the people and their land are beginning to heal. One day soon, groups can return again to Isra...
Dec 19, 2024•21 min•Ep. 97
On this special episode, Rich Ferreira interviews employee and friend Amy Holstege as she prepares to retire after 20 years with GTI Tours. When Amy began with GTI in 2004, little did she know how many friendships she would make and how special those relationships would become! From coworkers in our Michigan office, to staff at Turkish Airlines, to guides and drivers across the world, those relationships became the key to a long and fulfilling career. The Lord taught Amy important lessons along ...
Dec 05, 2024•34 min•Ep. 96
Wally Harrison and his Harbor Church group just returned on October 18 from their study tour of Turkey! He describes how Turkey exceeded people's expectations in terms of sheer beauty, historical sites, wonderful guide Gokhan, and enjoying delicious cuisine together in unique settings. Little did Wally and his group know at the beginning of the tour that they would have the opportunity to bring scripture to life in an unusual way. Just before boarding their overseas flight from Chicago (ORD), Tu...
Nov 21, 2024•41 min•Ep. 95
Today's special podcast comes to you from Bethlehem. Did you know that a large part of Bethlehem's economy is tied to tourism, particularly the artisans who work with olive wood? It has been over a year since tourists have walked the streets of the birthplace of our Lord and Savior. Rich speaks with the Canavati family, who have been friends of GTI for many years, about the challenging situation facing the Christian community there. With the Christmas season approaching, one great way to support...
Nov 13, 2024•13 min•Ep. 94
Dan van Voorhis joins Rich Ferreira today for the first time as our guest! Dan is an author, historian, professor, and speaker at 1517. He is very familiar with podcasts since he hosts the daily podcast, "The Christian History Almanac." Dan and Rich recently returned from the Reformation Tour of Germany (Sept. 11-19, 2024) and are here to share their favorite sites, stories, and faith lessons from the trip! One highlight was seeing Castle Church (All Saints' Church) in Wittenberg, where legend s...
Nov 07, 2024•38 min•Ep. 93
Beginning in Turkey (Asia Minor), they studied John and the Seven Churches of Revelation, then followed the footsteps of the Apostle Paul through Athens and ancient Corinth. As with each of our tours, there was a delightful mix of memorable moments, both lighthearted and poignant. One lesson learned from Paul's life was how he took disciples with him as he ministered, mentoring them and modeling as he went. Who are we discipling and "taking with us" along our faith journey? In April of 2025, we ...
Oct 24, 2024•44 min•Ep. 92
We mourn with Israel and the Jewish people all over the world as we remain devastated by the terrible acts that took place one year ago. On October 7, 2023, Israel was attacked by Hamas. Terrorists killed over 1,000 people and kidnapped over 250. We still await the return of nearly 100 remaining hostages a year later. We recognize and lament that these vile acts have catapulted unrest in the Middle East, as well as unprecedented anti-Semitism around the world. We grieve with Israel and the Jewis...
Oct 07, 2024•32 min•Ep. 91
As Israel prepares to celebrate Rosh Hashanah (Jewish New Year) and to commemorate one year since the October 7 attacks, Dan Mossek joins Rich Ferreira for an update. In this episode, Dan helps explain the recent events between Israel and Hezbollah in Lebanon. The IDF (Israeli Defence Forces) and Mossad (like the CIA) have made huge strides in the past two weeks that will hopefully be the turning point in this war. The Israeli people are very resilient, and a glimmer of hope on the horizon is en...
Sep 30, 2024•37 min•Ep. 90
Jerrell Jobe and Rich Ferreira share about their time in Israel, right from the shore of the Sea of Galilee! What a special time they have had visiting not only familiar sites but, most importantly, familiar people - our treasured Israeli guides, drivers, and partners. This network of friends who feel like family is called "misphocha" [ mish- pookh -uh] - our GTI Tribe. As Rich and Jerrell moved throughout the country, they discovered that things were "normal-ish": quiet and peaceful, yet not ex...
Jul 20, 2024•37 min•Ep. 89
2025 plans are blooming this spring with classic itineraries plus NEW discoveries on our SEVEN Signature Tours! Listen to this fun episode as Rich, Jerrell and Richard describe the lineup one by one: Egypt/Jordan (Footsteps of Moses) - March 5-17, 2025 Jordan/Saudi Arabia - March 16-24, 2025 Turkey/Greece - April 24 - May 5, 2025 Stand with Israel - Aug. 24 - Sept. 4, 2025 Jordan/Israel - Sept. 6-18, 2025 Germany/Switzerland (Reformation Tour) - Oct. 6-17, 2025 Greece/Rome - Oct. 16-27, 2025 Reg...
May 06, 2024•37 min•Ep. 88
In the wake of the April 14 attack on Israel by Iran, Rich speaks with Israeli guide and friend Dan Mossek for an update from his perspective. We are thankful to report that our Israeli team and partners are safe and there was little (if any) damage. Dan describes that life in Israel April 15 was essentially "business as usual": Jerusalem is quiet, the Gaza situation is contained, and several airlines are returning service to Israel. God willing, Rich will be flying into Tel Aviv in early May an...
Apr 16, 2024•23 min•Ep. 87
Rich Ferreira interviews our veteran tour guide Ronen Khayat for an update on Israel. As of this recording (March 29, 2024), things are quiet in and around Jerusalem. The northern and southern borders are feeling the tension, but only two of our typical sites on an Israel tour are closed. Daily life in most of the country has adapted to the "new normal." One of the many things we love about our Israeli team is that the guides and drivers are friends and enjoy spending time together. They like to...
Apr 02, 2024•31 min•Ep. 86
Our newest Signature Tour journeys to the heart of the Reformation - Germany! This September, we will trace the life, ministry, and theology of Martin Luther and other Reformers whom God used to reignite the evangelical movement. Listen to this episode as Rich Ferreira and trip leader Rich Liverance describe the uniqueness of this itinerary: being in Europe vs. the Middle East, walking instead of hiking, singing hymns along the way, discussing WWII and figures like Dietrich Bonhoeffer, visiting ...
Feb 23, 2024•34 min•Ep. 85
Rich's better half Becky joins him for this podcast recounting GTI's recent Staff & Family Trip to Turkey! During the week of Thanksgiving, our group of 75 traveled to Turkey to study the Seven Churches of Revelation. Our eclectic crew of staff, spouses, kids and grandkids came from all over the US: Michigan, California, Florida, Texas, Tennessee and South Carolina. Contrary to popular belief, Turkey is not part of the Middle East and is a safe destination. Its people are Muslims but not Ara...
Jan 25, 2024•30 min•Ep. 84
GTI's resident archaeologist Rich Liverance joins this podcast. The relatively new science of archaeology is a common topic on our biblical study tours. Rich shares from his personal experience at the active digs of Abel Beth Maccah in northern Israel, as well as Tel a Hammam in Jordan (the possible site of Sodom). From roping off a site into 5m squares to finding an iron blade, Rich knows what a day on a dig is like! He also reminds us that the Bible interprets the Bible. Archaeology CONFIRMS t...
Jan 11, 2024•56 min•Ep. 83
Israeli guide Dan Mossek is our podcast guest on this episode. Dan has been partnering with GTI for 10 years and brings expertise on theology, geography, history and archaeology. Speaking as a former soldier and current recruit trainer, he shares an update on Israel and the war with Hamas. Dan and Rich also discuss Hanukkah, the Festival of Lights which is celebrated this time of year. Since the history of Hanukkah dates to 164 BC, it's not biblical; however, the Maccabees' victory over the Syri...
Dec 21, 2023•35 min•Ep. 82
Pastor, author and trip leader Brian Haynes joins our podcast today. He and Rich describe the different types of deserts found in Israel and how they are biblical metaphors for life. Brian shares a personal story of when his family walked through a "YESHIMON" desert. In times like this, only the presence of God and a miracle of God will sustain life. These experiences led Brian to author War in the Wilderness: Fight for Your Family When Life Isn't as It Should Be , a resource for families to poi...
Dec 07, 2023•47 min•Ep. 81
Author and scholar Chad Bird joins our podcast again, this time to discuss one of his newer books, Limping with God: Jacob & the Old Testament Guide to Messy Discipleship . This book guides us through the stories of the Patriarch Jacob, a rare biblical account which documents a life from in utero until death. His multi-faceted and sometimes frustrating personality gives us a mirror in which we can see ourselves: lying and fighting to get ahead, taking advantage instead of showing mercy, look...
Nov 23, 2023•1 hr 2 min•Ep. 80
So many of our friends and followers have recently asked, "How can we help Israel?" and, "How can we help GTI?" This podcast episode will help answer those questions! Rich Ferreira hosts this episode with Israeli friend and guide Nadav as well as staff members Rich and Jerrell. Nadav gives us some personal examples of how adaptive and resourceful Israelis can be in finding ways to keep busy and help others during this period of war. Promises of Glory website provides a platform to support Holy L...
Nov 10, 2023•38 min•Ep. 79
On today's podcast, Rich Ferreira speaks with our Israeli guide Ronen Ben Moshe about the current state of Israel since the October 7 attacks by Hamas. Thankfully, our guides, drivers and partners are safe. For Ronen and many other Israelis, however, that day was the worst in Israel since the Holocaust. Ronen describes what daily life in Israel right now is like and how adaptive people have become to help those in need. Israelis stand united, bonded together in solidarity, resilience and hope as...
Oct 26, 2023•39 min•Ep. 78
This somber episode is hosted by our GTI managers. Rich Ferreira, Rich Liverance, and Jerrell Jobe comment on the October 7 unprovoked attack on Israel by Hamas. As we all grieve for the country and its people, let our response be one of prayer. Rich Liverance spells out specific ways we can support Israel in this way. Jerrell gives comfort as he shares some thoughts from Psalm 122 and 125. May this Jewish saying be true not only for Israelis but also for us: hazak, hazak, ve-nithazek BE STRONG,...
Oct 12, 2023•22 min•Ep. 77
