Christ at the Checkpoint Student Delegation March 2nd-12th, 2012

Who? Christian youth from around the world ages 18 to 25 and full time students.
When? March 2nd-12th, 2012.
Why? To empower and encourage the Palestinian church (more conference goals).
How Much? $775 (what this covers).

Spaces are limited. Acceptance will be on a first come, first serve basis. So apply today!

About the Conference: The aim of Christ at the Checkpoint is to provide an opportunity for Christians who take the Bible seriously to prayerfully seek a proper awareness of issues of peace, justice, and reconciliation.

About the Student Delegation: In order to encourage more youth participation in the conference we have created an affordable option for students which includes everything (other than airfare) in one package: room, board, conference participation fees, etc. This is, by far, the cheapest option available for students who want to join us in Bethlehem in March. The student delegation will also give youth participants a voice—select delegate(s) from the group will have the opportunity to report on their findings and experiences to the entire conference.

Highlights:
• The discounted price of $775 fully covers your room and board, the $400 conference fee and additional sight-seeing opportunities.
• Access to amazing conference speakers: Sami Awad, Shane Claiborne, Gary Burge, Bob Roberts, Stephen Sizer and more!
• A one night home stay with a Palestinian Christian family in Bethlehem.
• Tours of Jerusalem and the Galilee.
• Worship with local Palestinian Christians.

Deadlines

The last day to register for the student delegation is February 10th, 2012.
The final payment deadline is February 17th, 2012.

Register for the Student Delegation

Return to the Christ at the Checkpoint Conference Website

Christ at the Checkpoint Student Delegation — About

Coming to Christ at the Checkpoint 2012 with the Middle East Fellowship

In 2010, the first Christ at the Checkpoint Conference gathered together Christians from around the world, determined to bring a new faith-inspired message of seeking justice for the people of the Holy Land back to their churches and communities.
In 2012, the message of Christ at the Checkpoint will be heard once again, and with an even stronger voice. That voice will be joined with the power of young adult Christian leaders who will take part in the conference through the Middle East Fellowship’s Student Delegation, made up of students, seminarians, youth and young adult leaders.

Why join MEF for the conference?

A voice for the next generation.
The MEF Student delegation will be more than attendees at the conference. They will be participating in a meaningful way in keynote lectures, panels, breakout sessions and discussion forums. In addition, participants will preparing and presenting a message on behalf of all young adults in attendance at the conference that will be shared during the closing remarks on March 9th. Participants will be able to meet and speak with many of the conference speakers and participants, join in conversation with their peers of the local Palestinian Christian community, and more.

The chance of a lifetime to learn.
As engaged Christian leaders, the young adults of the conference will return home with more than the knowledge gained from the speakers and programs. They will have had a full program of experiencing the different people and places of the Holy Land, learning through immersion in cities such as Bethlehem, Hebron, Jerusalem, Nazareth and others. Students will visit Christian holy places alongside villages and refugee camps, checkpoints and walls, but also have a chance to enjoy the beauty of Palestine through its culture and people.

Following a spiritual path.
Participants will be joining peers who faith is at the center of their lives. By choosing to join the Checkpoint Students group, they are making a commitment to embracing the challenges of the modern world with those of living a Christian life. Program participants will have time to reflect on their experiences, join in prayer and worship, and share their journey with other participants. The MEF and its partner organization, Holy Land Trust will be working with Christ at the Checkpoint speakers and panelists to join participants for further discussion and reflection.

Continuing the journey.
When the conference has been completed and the participants head home, the journey will not end there. Students will be asked to take the message of the conference home to their schools and churches, remaining in fellowship with others who joined them, and accepting the challenge of finding “hope in the midst of conflict.”
Join us in 2012, and live the message of Christ at the Checkpoint.

Coming to Christ at the Checkpoint through MEF? Ask Sami Awad.
Holy Land Trust Executive Director and Christ at the Checkpoint Conference speaker Sami Awad wants to hear your questions for Christ at the Checkpoint.
Send your questions here, and we’ll post a Youtube response as soon as we can.

Christ at the Checkpoint Student Delegation - Frequently Asked Questions

What is the purpose of this trip/conference?

To empower and encourage the Palestinian church. You can read the full explanation of the goals of the conference here. The purpose of the student delegation is to increase the number of young adults represented at the conference.

Is it safe to visit Palestine and Israel?

Yes. Particularly in the Bethlehem area, it is safe to visit. We have run this program, and many other pilgrimages and delegations for internationals in this area, for many years and participants have consistently reported that they felt safe and comfortable during their visit.

What does it cost?

The cost of the program is $775. This does not include flight.

I am under the age of 18 or over the age of 30. Can I still apply?

For liability reasons, we cannot accept participants under the age of 18. If you are over 30 and currently enrolled fulltime as a BA, MA or PhD candidate, or are bringing a youth group to join the program, please contact us about your eligibility to apply.

What if I can’t come for the entire time?

If you need to leave a day early or arrive a day late, this shouldn't be a big deal. Just let us know in your application that this is the case. We do, however, expect all participants to be available for the entire conference (March 5th through the 9th) if at all possible.

What about Visas?

Students from the United States and the United Kingdom do not need to apply for a visa in advance. They receive an Israeli visa upon arrival. If you live elsewhere, please check your embassy or consulate's website for more information.

Will there be internet?

Yes. There are many internet cafes in Bethlehem. We are also hoping to be able to have a "media hub" set up at the conference so a few participants can make live updates.

Where can I learn more about the Palestinian Christian community?

There are a number of books we would recommend, including: Rev. Alex Awad's Palestinian Memories: The Story of a Palestinian Mother and Her People, Mitri Raheb's I am a Palestinian Christian, Naim Ateek's A Palestinian Christian's Cry for Reconciliation, The Arab Christian by Kenneth Cragg and Who are the Christians of the Middle East?

I want to raise money for my trip. Can my church, friends and family make a donation?

Yes! We encourage everyone to raise money toward the cost of their participation. This is also a great way to get your church and community involved in this project. We have some specific instructions about how you should go about fundraising, however, so if this appeals to you please contact us before you start sending in the checks.

How do I apply?

To apply simply fill out the online registration form and submit the $75 registration fee. The registration fee counts as a down payment toward the total cost of your program. You can find the application form here:
http://www.middleeastfellowship.org/christatthecheckpoint/register

Do I register on your website AND the Christ at the Checkpoint website?

No. If you want to join our student delegation, simply fill out this registration form. You will then be officially enrolled in both our trip and the conference.

How do we get to Bethlehem?

Most participants fly into the Ben Gurion International Airport in Tel Aviv. From there it is very easy to arrange for a shared or private taxi to Jerusalem. The group will meet up in Jerusalem and be brought to Bethlehem. Alternatively, we can arrange a direct pickup from the airport for an additional $100 fee (to pay the driver).

Coming to Christ at the Checkpoint through MEF? Ask Sami Awad. Holy Land Trust Executive Director and Christ at the Checkpoint Conference speaker Sami Awad wants to hear your questions for Christ at the Checkpoint. Send your questions here, and we’ll post a Youtube response as soon as we can.

Christ at the Checkpoint Student Delegation— Itinerary

Important: Please note this is only a rough draft itinerary. The schedule is likely to change and is intended only to give a basic idea of what we will be doing on the trip. We will continue to update and flesh out the details as time goes on...

March 2nd Arrival.

March 3rd Jerusalem tour. Mount of Olives to Gethsemane, Via Dolorosa to Holy Sepulchre.

March 4th Church of the Nativity. Worship with Palestinian Christians. Hebron tour. Tent of the Nations.

March 5th Visit refugee camp project. Meet with local Christian leaders. Group outing with Palestinian students. Evening: opening of the conference.

March 6th Conference Participation.

March 7th Conference Participation.

March 8th Conference Participation.

March 9th Conference Participation.

March 10th Visit to rural Christian village—Aboud.

March 11th Galilee/Nazareth.

March 12th Departure.

We will continue to update this page as new details are added. Please contact us with any additional questions you may have.

Christ at the Checkpoint Student Delegation — Speakers

Click here.

Christ at the Checkpoint Student Delegation— Payments

Costs

The cost of the student delegation package is $775.

This price includes:
• Room and board (breakfast and dinner)
• Sight-seeing options
• $400 conference registration
• Fees for local coordinators and guides
• The $75 registration fee.

The price does NOT include:
• Airfare
• Airport Transportation
• Lunches
• Travel insurance
• Personal expenses

Payment Options

Check

If you are living within the U.S. we prefer, if possible, that you pay by check. Unlike credit cards/Paypal, we are not charged any fees for processing checks, and every dollar we save is money we can directly invest in your trip!

Simply write a check to "Middle East Fellowship" for the amount of $775 and mail it to:

Middle East Fellowship
P.O. Box 1252
Brea, CA 92822

Paypal

Alternatively, if it's easier, you can use Paypal for payments. Simply confirm that the dollar amount is correct in the field below and hit the "paypal" button to be redirected to the Paypal payments page:

Make a Payment with Paypal

Christ at the Checkpoint Student Delegation — Registration

Basic Information

Your Name: *

Your E-mail Address: *

Confirm E-mail Address: *

Gender: *

Male

Female

School/University Where Currently Enrolled (if applicable):

Your Street Address: *

City:

State:

Country: *

Date of Birth: *

Citizenship: *

Primary Phone Number:

	Mobile	Home	Business
Type of Phone

Phone Number: *

Emergency Contact Information: *

Please provide information on who should be contacted in case of emergency, please include their name, their phone number and any other relevant info.

Would you like us to arrange a driver to pick you up from the airport for an additional $100 fee?: *

Yes

Church/Organization Affiliation:

How did you hear about the conference?:

Are you a vegetarian?: *

Yes

Do you have specific medical needs or mobility problems?: *

Yes

If yes, please explain.:

Would you like us to keep you informed about updates to this program and others by signing up for our free, low volume e-mail newsletter?: *

Yes

Please tell us (briefly) about your motivations for joining this delegation—what you hope to learn or accomplish as a participant or why it appeals to you.: *

Other Comments

Anything else we should know? Comments? Requests?:

Liability/Legal

I confirm that all information I have provided in the registration process is correct to the best of my knowledge.

I appreciate the risks inherent to travel within the Middle East, including the risk of discomfort, delay, inconvenience and injury. I accept that neither Middle East Fellowship nor Holy Land Trust will be liable for loss of or damage to property, or for injury or death however arising.

I agree to follow all rules and guidelines set by Middle East Fellowship and Holy Land Trust staff.

I understand that Middle East Fellowship and Holy Land Trust reserve the right to deny any application form submitted.

I accept that Middle East Fellowship, Holy Land Trust and its agents reserve the right to remove individuals from the program whose behavior, in the sole opinion of our staff, is deemed culturally insensitive, inappropriate or beyond the guidelines set for program participants.

I understand and accept that all program fees submitted are only refundable if the cancellation occurs 30 days before the official start of the trip, and that any refunds will not include any transaction fees incurred. Less than 30 days prior to the start of the program a cancellation fee may apply to any refunds offered. No refunds will be available after the program start date.

If you agree to all of the terms and conditions listed above, please type the words "I agree" in the field below. Your application will not be considered complete until you have agreed to the terms and conditions above.

If you agree with the above, please type "I agree": *

CAPTCHA

This question is for testing whether you are a human visitor and to prevent automated spam submissions.

Math question: * 6 + 0 =

Solve this simple math problem and enter the result. E.g. for 1+3, enter 4.

Christ at the Checkpoint Student Delegation — Blog

You can find the Christ at the Checkpoint blog here.