Knights Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage 2026
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.
S.K. & Rev. Duane A. Kemerley
KTHLPilgrimage@gmail.com
567.376.9741
Knights Templar Holy Land Pilgrimage Programs 