Our Story

Bob and Pam Rognlien lived in the Old City of Jerusalem in 1989-90 where Bob was conducting post-graduate studies in New Testament archaeology and sociology at the Ecole Biblique et Archeologique. Watching tourists come and go past their front door everyday made them realize a typical Holy Land tour misses much of the actual history and culture that illuminates the Way of Jesus. For that reason Bob began to design a unique kind of experience that would go off the beaten track to focus on the most imporant and authentic sites to help people encounter the real Jesus more powerfully. For over thirty years now we have been leading this historically-informed, spiritually-focused pilgrimage based on the life of Jesus and have seen it literally change many hundreds of lives, as it has changed ours. Knowing that many people can’t afford the time or money, or can’t physically make such a trip, we felt called to create a documentary film that would convey a taste of this unique experience to those who would watch it. Our dear friends and ministry leaders, Andrew and Ellen Chalmers share our passion for the real Jesus and the land where he carried out his mission. Andrew is also a gifted filmmaker. In answer to our prayers the Chalmers family came with us on two Footsteps of Jesus pilgrimages and Andrew filmed everything we did and said. From that mountain of footage Andrew and his team have forged a moving and powerful film. “Following the Footsteps” is our gift to you. It is also an invitation to explore the Way of Jesus further by listening to a podcast, reading a book, taking a video course, joining a small group study, or coming on a trip with one of our trained leaders. Our prayer is that your life will be changed, as ours have, by coming closer to the real Jesus.