What We Do
Early in the 4th Century, C.E., the Empress Helena, mother of Constantine, traveled from Western Europe to the Holy Land. A strong and resilient woman, she was undaunted by the demands that to such a long journey made in those times. Legend has it that she was in search of the concrete realities that underpinned this new Christian faith. If Christ was indeed crucified, and raised from the dead, then this must have happened not in books and stories, but in a certain place.
Helena went to find the place, to see and pray where it all happened. Her journey changed her life, that of her son, and the entire world. Since that time millions of Christians have followed where Helena led. You are invited to join us on pilgrimages to that same place. Not only will you see the places where it all began, but you will see the “facts on the ground”—what it means to be a Christian in Israel and Palestine today. So do come join us. Bring your head and your heart, but put your feet on the ground of the Holy Land.
Lightline pilgrimages focus on the Living Stones, the people of the Holy Land, and sharing in a small part of their daily lives, culture, faith and challenges. So it is our mission to build enduring relationships with the local Christian communities through the intentional act of connecting our pilgrims with the lives and faith of these courageous people.
Our Expertise and Experience
A sister company to Lightline Pilgrimages UK, Lightline North America blends thirty years’ accumulated understanding of the special needs of Christian travelers together with the intimate knowledge of the countries in which we operate, and the fervent wish to make your pilgrimage a truly meaningful journey. We have organized many groups to the areas we travel and we want you to enjoy the same excitement that we have.
Lightline has adopted a pioneering approach in the Holy Land by making our commitment to Christian partners in the travel and pilgrimage industry a top priority. It is our aim, whenever possible, to ensure that every dollar spent on behalf of our clients in the Holy Land goes to support Christian concerns – hotels, tour companies, guides, coach companies, restaurants, etc. Many church leaders have chosen Lightline as their preferred pilgrimage operator because of the strength of our commitment to the Christian presence in Palestine and Israel.
Lightline is particularly proud to partner with the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem, which is the official body through which the Episcopal Church supports the institutions and parishes of the Diocese of Jerusalem and the work of the Archbishop. Lightline makes a donation to AFEDJ for every pilgrim it carries to the Holy Land, and we strongly commend the work of AFEDJ.
We believe a pilgrimage is both a spiritual journey as well as a physical voyage and we offer good, comfortable hotels, designed especially for Christian pilgrims, We also provide the latest coaches, excellent guides and costs that are inclusive, with absolutely NO hidden extra costs.
Lightline North America Manager
Lightline’s operatio
ns in the USA are managed by Bishop Greg Rickel, who served as the Eighth Bishop of Olympia, and now is Assisting Bishop in the Diocese of Southeast Florida. Bishop Rickel has led many pilgrimages to the Holy Land, and served as Chair of the trustees of the American Friends of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. He delights in helping his fellow clergy design and lead life-changing pilgrimages.