A Journey of Faith: My Pilgrimage to Israel, Three Weeks Before the War

By Renate Steffens

Three weeks before the war broke out in Israel, I found myself walking the

ancient streets of Jerusalem, standing where Jesus once stood, and feeling the deep, sacred heartbeat of the Holy Land. It was a pilgrimage I had dreamed of. A journey that, in hindsight, seems far more than coincidence.

I traveled as part of a group led by evangelist Angus Buchan, whose ministry has inspired so many to live boldly for Christ. From the moment we arrived, there was a tangible sense that this trip was different. Each day felt divinely appointed. Moments of prayer at the Southern Steps, baptisms in the Jordan River, worship on the Sea of Galilea. We recorded much of the trip, capturing testimonies, tears, and a unity of spirit that seemed to transcend time.

Garden Tomb, Jerusalem

Only later did we realize how significant those recordings would become. When news of the war broke, our footage stood as a living reminder of peace, faith, and hope in the land that now faced turmoil. What felt at first like a coincidence, the timing, the filming, the people brought together, now feels like a blessing orchestrated by God Himself.

Looking back, I see how the Lord’s hand guided every step of that journey. He gathered us there not only to witness the beauty of Israel but to carry its spirit forward in prayer and remembrance. The pilgrimage reminded me that even when the world trembles, God remains steadfast. His plans perfect, His timing divine.

Our trip may have ended, but the calling continues: to stand in faith and to hold onto the peace we found in that sacred land.