Dear Friends,

This letter catches us in the midst of our planning for our new Middle Eastern series which you will be viewing this fall. We’ll be going to Jerusalem June 1 to begin filming in the Holy Land prior to the arrival of our June Tour. I thought you might be interested in some of the sights we are planning to televise in Israel and out in “the Empire” (Athens, Corinth, Ephesus, Patmos, etc.)

I’ve had an ongoing desire to make a program showing the Jerusalem Great Synagogue and contrasting it with the true Temple of God. People have been saying that the new Synagogue is the Tribulation Temple under construction and a mere glance at the modesty and layout of the Synagogue should put that yarn to rest.

Then I thought we’d go to the magnificently sculptured Menorah (the Tabernacle candlestick as seen above in our letterhead). Words don’t adequately describe the gorgeous wrought iron figures depicting the history and future of the Promised Land on this bigger than life-sized replica. Our lesson can be on Light, a most important Biblical concept. We have to keep oil in our lamps and be waiting for our Bridegroom every night.

Next, to the Garden Tomb and a try for some video on the inside. What a place to teach about the resurrection. And while we’re there, we can visit the traditional site of Calvary with the “Golgotha Rock”. The noise of the public road nearby will distract us from our work as it must have distracted those actually watching the crucifixion at that singular site.

Then, in keeping with the subject, we can go to the Upper Room and shed some light on one of our Lord’s most profound discourse (John 13–16). (Shedding some light on that dark room itself will present some problems to our intrepid crewmen, but we were successful last year in the tombs of King David and the minor prophets).

Then we might draw upon the voluminous Israeli knowledge of the past at the Temple site (the Southwestern Wall diggings) and the Israel Museum. We may be able to show the Dead Sea Scrolls and get an expert commentary at the museum.

While still in Israel we can do a “man on the street” series of brief interviews about prophecy, the situation today, the Messiah, etc. The Israelis are refreshingly talkative and opinionated, and our news programs typically don’t give them much chance to speak.

Later as we travel by ship to Greece I may teach some lessons with a simple Mediterranean Sea background. Paul looked at the same water often and Jonah was intimately acquainted with it.

At Ephesus there are worlds of things to show you, if the Turkish authorities are cooperative, and well also be visiting Patmos. At Athens we’ll be able to film Mars Hill, where Paul gave his stirring sermon on the Unknown God, and the magnificent Parthenon. We’ll also have a chance to do a program at Corinth involving an on-the-spot look at a community which received two very important letters.

All of the above is specified, not just for your information but for your opinion as well. In the past when I have asked for your “vote” on what we should be doing, we have received some very intelligent responses. If you have ideas about other sites for programs please send then along immediately. We will sincerely consider every one. The ideas given above are not necessarily final and they may not be as good as they look on paper. This is your ministry and we’re more than glad to have your thoughts concerning it.

We’re also more than glad to have your gifts at a time like this. Obviously what we are undertaking is very costly and we are depending on you to come through for us. I don’t think I need to belabor that point. A donation during May will count for much more than one later on. Your help will be deeply appreciated at this particular time.

We realize that you share our excitement in projects like this one and please know that we are very grateful to you for making this possible.

God bless you all!

Your messenger,