Over the years people have asked the question: “ What if . . .?” What if something happened while a pilgrimage group was in the Holy Land? Well, now we know “What if?
I am Duane Kemerley, retired United Methodist Pastor and a travel host for the Knights Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage.
A program of the Grand Encampment Knights Templar of the United States of America. A branch of Freemasonry.
An annual program where Christian ministers are sponsored on an expenses paid Holy Land Study Pilgrimage for the goal of making an investment in Christian Ministry. This program was initiated in 1972 and to date we have sent nearly 3000 ministers to Israel for learning and on-the-ground experiences.
I was the lead host for Group A, February 9 – 19, 2026.
I extended my days in Israel.
Group B was due to arrive February 23 but they were held up in Newark NJ (EWR) for two days and arrived on February 25. After an abbreviated time in the Galilee, they arrived in Jerusalem and were ready to begin touring Saturday, February 28. After visiting three sites the sirens began to sound in Jerusalem and they returned to the hotel to take shelter.
By that evening, our tour company (Gate 1 Travel) relocated us to the far south of Israel in Eilat for the overnight and they crossed over into Egypt early Sunday morning. After a long bus ride we arrived in Cairo Sunday evening. The tour company had already been able to book a direct flight for the group early Tuesday morning to JFK airport in New York.
Since we had Monday free, the tour company made arrangements for us to take the group to the Giza Plateau to see the Pyramids and the Sphinx. Three of us had the opportunity to spend a couple hours at the new Grand Egyptian Museum.
Group B returned to the USA on Tuesday, March 3 and returned to their home area via their domestic flights.
A word about safety: At no time did I feel unsafe. At no time were we in imminent danger.
The state of Israel has much experience with missile and drone attacks. There are many safeguards in place. There is a well developed warning system with multiple facets. There are safe places/shelters in or near all significant building structures. The Iron Dome defense system intercepts almost all missiles and drones sent into Israeli air space. Their success at protecting people safely is notable.
Our travel company (Gate 1 Travel) is a longstanding company with much background in international travel and especially in Israel. Their quick response to the situation and skill at executing necessary alternative plans became evident to us immediately. We were well cared for and efficiently relocated as needed.
Our tour guide showed exceptional professionalism and skill in coordinating with the travel company in making and executing arrangements and in keeping the group and it’s leaders informed and calm.
I traveled as a pilgrim minister with this program in 1987 and started serving as a travel host in 2000. This recent pilgrimage was my 22nd trip to Israel.
As I consider this most unusual pilgrimage adventure, I see two primary facets: a test and a learning.
It was clearly a test of the plans and procedures assuring safety and security. The Israeli government has many layers of safety protocols in place that kick into gear immediately as needed. Widespread alerts, readily available safe shelters, and timely all-clear messaging gave us a sense of well executed procedures. Our travel company was well prepared and extremely efficient in seeing to our timely exit from Israel and effective in moving us toward the best available options for our safe return to the US.
They even took care to see that our needs and even added value to our experience by their bonus plans for us while in Cairo.
The learning is expressed in a deeper understanding of just how safe and secure travel of this sort can be when the right players are involved and ready to respond to whatever situation arises. While I have always had a sense of wellbeing in traveling with the Knights Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage, this experience has made me even more secure in being confident that the necessary plans and procedures are in place to verify the appropriateness of these travels.
Now there is Insurance: Travel Insurance is built into our program. Participants in the Knights Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage 2026 Group B will be provided with templates to assist them in making claims. Participants will be able to make a claim for their own personal expenses involved in the weather delay at the beginning of the pilgrimage. They will be able to make a claim on behalf of their sponsors to reclaim days lost from the pilgrimage so that the sponsors can be reimbursed for those lost parts of the trip as a result of the blizzard. It is our hope that sponsoring Grand Commanderies will consider sending these participants on future pilgrimages so that they can experience the full itinerary of our pilgrimage experience.
All is in place for our open trip in the fall, where anyone can sign up and pay their own way titled, “In the Footsteps of Jesus.” November 9 – 19, 2026.
Dates for the Pilgrimages for Christian Ministers in 2027 are:
Group A, Monday, February 1 – Thursday, February 11, 2027
Group B, Monday, February 15 – Thursday, February 25, 2027
We move forward with the Pilgrimages having a sense of certainty and confidence.
“In the Footsteps of Jesus” Holy Land Pilgrimage – Nov 3 – 13, 2025
There seems to be some positive movement in Middle East. Our people on the ground are optimistic in thinking that tourism will be picking up in the days to come. There are actually some tourists beginning to be in the area already.
We have all the preliminary details in place for the 2025 “In the Footsteps of Jesus” Holy Land Pilgrimage. I will continue to work with our team to put the next pieces in place as they are needed. It is understood that this might be a smaller pilgrimage group but it will be necessary that we have a minimum of 24 committed participants to make it feasible.
I will be making regular updates as we gather registrations and deposits. Final decisions will be made by the end of March based on the reality of what is happening on the ground and whether we have a sufficient number of paid reservations.
Duane Kemerley
567.376.9741 Mobile & Text
kthlpilgrimage@gmail.com
www.kthlp.com
This year’s Pilgrimage is preparing to gather at EWR Airport and set off for Israel. Our first travel group has 33 participants and the second group has 30. The first group depart Monday, February 5 and the second group Monday, February 20. I will be hosting the group along with Rev. Kenneth Blyth of Sarasota, Florida. This will be my 22nd pilgrimage over the span of 36 years.
As usual, the groups are made up of a wide range of ministers from many different denominations and independent traditions as well as from states across the country.
The KNIGHTS TEMPLAR HOLY LAND PILGRIMAGE is a program related to the Grand Encampment Knights Templar of the United States of America. Our Mission: To sponsor (expenses paid) credentialed Christian Ministers on a Biblical study and historical / cultural immersion experience who would not have the opportunity otherwise. In this program, the various State Grand Commanderies of Knights Templar sponsor Christian Ministers on an expenses paid study pilgrimage in Israel for 11 days. The Masonic Knights Templar have been offering this program for over forty years and have sent over 2000 ministers to ‘walk where Jesus walked.”
Follow the link below for more information:
www.kthlp.com
Follow the link below for a pilgrimage program open to anyone.
https://kthlp.com/in-the-footsteps-of-jesus-holy-land-pilgrimage/
Updated version
While the Covid-19 pandemic has caused many adjustments and some
cancellations, the Knights Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage program moves ahead
with eyes forward.
Knight Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage for Christian Ministers.
Keep in mind this vital date: September 20. It is the date each year that all
Pilgrim Ministers are to be registered with the registrar of the Grand Encampment
Committee on the Holy Land Pilgrimage. It is the same date every year. Grand
recorders and your state committee chairman need to have sent in the:
- Registration Form
- Nomination Form
- And full payment by that date.
The groups of Pilgrim Ministers travel in February. There are many arrangements,
reservations, bookings, and details to be put in place from September through the
end of January.
All other activities can happen year-round. These would include: recruitment of
ministers to be nominated (see Guidelines for Selection), fundraising, and program
promotion. Ministers can be nominated by a local commandery and those nominations forwarded to your state Holy Land Pilgrimage Committee or chairman at any
time. Donations and fundraising can also be an ongoing enterprise.
Always check the web site listed below for the most current information and details.
In addition:
In the Footsteps of Jesus Holy Land Pilgrimage for Sir Knights, their Ladies,
Friends, And Guests is open to anyone. Each person is responsible for his own
fees and expenses related to the pilgrimage. Each person is responsible for being
able to manage his own luggage and follow the itinerary. This pilgrimage is an
eleven-day program that covers as much ground as possible in the touring days.
We average five to seven miles of walking many days, often uphill or up steps and
on uneven surfaces.
Current plans are moving forward for the next In the Footsteps Pilgrimage for
November 7 – 18, 2022. See the website listed below for more information.
Stay up to date at: kthlp.com (Remember the first letters of Knights Templar
Holy Land Pilgrimage.)
Work on the 2022 In the Footsteps of Jesus Holy Land Pilgrimage is moving forward as we plan for the first pilgrimage trip since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic. It was just after my return from the 2020 Knights Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage for Christian Ministers that the world effectively ‘shut down.’
In those years between then and now, I retired, we moved to a condo in Upper Sandusky, adapted to a different pace in life, and became the Executive Secretary (volunteer) for The Valley of The Firelands Ancient and Accepted Scottish Rite of Freemasonry . . . among other things.
So much going on in this overwhelmed world. It probably was a good time to retire. July 1 was the official retirement date. 40 years of appointments with the UMC and 6 years of Youth Ministry and teaching before that. 46 years seemed like enough. Many thanks to all those who honored and acknowledged this milestone.
Kemerley.com 