Lone desert tree and scattered rocks overlooking barren, eroded mountains under a hazy blue sky

Following Jesus from
Bartimaeus to Pentecost

An Ecumenical Young Adult Pilgrimage to Palestine
June 8–18, 2027

Two women walk along a narrow stone-paved street between limestone buildings overlooking a town under a cloudy sky.

As Palestinians endure ever-increasing violence under Israeli occupation, the global ecumenical community is charged with standing in solidarity with our Palestinian siblings. During the season of Pentecost, we call all those committed to the struggle for liberation to pilgrimage to Palestine — to have your eyes opened to a vision of liberatory solidarity, and to leave with your hearts on fire.

Dimly lit theatrical scene featuring a hooded figure with a hammer beside a crumbling wall, graffiti, hanging plants, and a glowing red lampshade.
Outdoor rooftop seating area beneath an olive tree with a handwritten “Free Palestine” sign and cityscape view

“When the day of Pentecost had come, they were all together in one place.  And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting.  Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.  All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” (Acts 2:1–4)

  • We travel to Palestine as an act of solidarity, invited by Christian Palestinians to walk alongside them as they resist occupation. A letter from the leaders of Sabeel echoes the call in Kairos Palestine II to bear witness and allow that witness to inform action in solidarity:

    We deeply appreciate the prayers offered from afar, but now, more than ever, we need our sisters and brothers to join us here, to pray with us, to walk with us, and to stand with us in our struggle for justice and peace. Your presence would be a powerful testament to the unity and compassion revealed in scriptures.

    We extend this heartfelt invitation to you, asking you to come to the Holy Land and witness firsthand the reality our communities face. Stand in solidarity with us, be a voice for the voiceless, and help us amplify the call for peace and justice.

  • The cost to register, which covers costs associated with the pilgrimage program (housing, on-ground transportation, food, activities) in Palestine, is $1,000 USD. This does not include visa costs, transportation incidental costs, or personal spending. More information about additional costs will be covered after registration during an orientation meeting.

  • Thank you for your support! We deeply appreciate efforts to share information about the pilgrimage with communities who might be interested in joining. You may also donate to the pilgrimage, which contributes to funding travel for our steering committee of young adults from around the world. Please also include Palestinians and the pilgrims of Eyes Opened, Hearts on Fire in your prayers.

What to Expect

Pilgrimage

Walk the land of Jesus and encounter Palestinian Christians resisting empire today. With Eyes Opened, Hearts on Fire, you will meaningfully engage with the Palestinian Christian community, learning from intergenerational experiences of faith and resistance. All are invited to continue the journey beyond Palestine as you embody solidarity in your own context.

Theological Education

Join a coordinated, global, and ecumenical community of young Christians organizing for long-term solidarity. We invite you to lend your fire to building this movement across national contexts committed to justice, liberation, solidarity, and long-term engagement with Palestine.

Movement Building

Learn from grassroots activists, theologians, and Palestinian Christian leaders. Rooted in Palestinian Liberation Theology, each day will lead participants through a theme weaving together faith, the experience of occupation, and embodied solidarity.

2027 Pilgrimage
to Palestine

Who is this for?

Members of student Christian movements, ecumenical youth bodies, national or international denominations, campus groups, secular or faith-based youth organizations, and individuals seeking connection to solidarity movements.

We extend this welcome further to people of different faiths wishing to be in solidarity with their Christian siblings.

What are the expenses?

Program fees: $1,000 USD + $195 USD visas and border crossing + flight 

Partial and full scholarships available

Indicate your interest in registration through the button below and organizers will reach out to you with the application.

Declare Your
Interest!

Interest Form
Panoramic view of densely packed stone houses on a rocky hillside beneath a clear blue sky

We are the WSCF-US, the USA-based movement within the World Student Christian Federation, a global association of Christian student movements founded in 1895.  For 130 years, member movements have been powered by their faith to transform their churches and societies into ones that reflect the teachings and example of Jesus Christ.  Students have challenged discrimination, oppression, and unjust rulers from across the political spectrum, as these evils have manifested in their own countries and in solidarity with other national movements. The WSCF-US is radically inclusive, globally engaged, and grounded in prophetic Biblical and theological traditions. 

Sabeel is an ecumenical grassroots liberation theology movement among Palestinian Christians. Inspired by the life and teaching of Jesus Christ, this liberation theology seeks to deepen the faith of Palestinian Christians, to promote unity among them and lead them to act for justice and peace.

The WSCF-US
and Sabeel

Five people pose in front of an ancient stone fortress wall with an arched doorway and flag.

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