Your potential programme options could include:
Plus interactive encounters with today’s living stones
For more information contact: John Drake MBE
+44 (0) 7850 682683
Company Reg. 12658120
Your Facilitator
John Drake MBE fell in love with Jerusalem when, in 1969 he was asked by the then Anglican Archbishop in Jerusalem to undertake “street work” in the Old City.
On his return to the UK, John enjoyed an active Christian ministry serving at Bournemouth, Carlisle and London Central YMCA’s before moving to YMCA Norfolk and serving as CEO until his retirement in 2009
Currently he works with a range of different agencies by supporting their programmes in both Israel and Palestine. He normally visits the Holy Land three or four times a year.
Boundary Breakers Ltd was founded by John Drake MBE to give legal structure and public transparency to his aspiration to create exciting educational encounters. Such encounters give opportunities to explore the foundations of the Christian Faith in their actual locations.
Boundary Breakers Limited also enables the independent traveller to appreciate and learn from the stimulation of the collective experience.
Getting Started
John Drake, on behalf of Boundary Breakers, receives a request to help facilitate a potential tour.
John then joins an exploratory meeting convened for all interested parties in order to:
Ensure that all members of the group fully appreciate that Boundary Breakers Ltd is acting as an Independent Travel Facilitator and works in association with Worldwide Christian Travel Ltd who are ABTA and ATOL bonded.
Once having an understanding of the group’s aspirations and any constraints John Drake then contacts trusted professional tour operators in the Holy Land to negotiate cost and availability of dates etc. At the same time John will contact additional key programme contributors to provide the bespoke nature of the requested programme.
Our programme contributors are drawn from a diverse spectrum. They include Jews, Muslims, and those drawn from different Christian expressions including Jews and Palestinians who worship Jesus as Lord.
Our aim is to ensure that the group appreciate the rich diversity and immense cultural heritage of all who live in the land and to ensure that the group return home with a deeper understanding of the social, political, and cultural environment that shaped the life of Jesus of Nazareth and thus empowered and better equipped to serve in their own ministries.
In due course John will then…
Forthcoming Trips
2nd Oct 2023 Peacemakers Encounter 10 Days Availability
5th Nov 2023 North Wales Study Tour 10 days Availability
Planned Encounter Tours
October 2023 – Private Tour for educationalists who want to explore bilateral programmes with young adults .
November 2023 – 11 day Holy Land Encounter Tour leaving from Manchester . Vacancies available.
February 2024 – Young Adults Holy Land Encounter.
March 2024 – Holy Land Encounter Tour for USAF staff and families stationed in Germany and the UK.
May 2024 – Christ at the Checkpoint Conference, Bethlehem.
September 2024 – Musalaha Study Encounter for Reconciliation and Mediation Practitioner.
February 2025 – A 10 day ” In the Footsteps of Jesus” Tour with Canon Rev Dr Richard James.
For further details and all enquiries contact John Drake on 07850682683 or email [email protected]
Previous Encounter Testimonials
Don’t take our word for it – here’s what our previous group leaders say:
I have travelled to the Holy Land on four occasions in the last ten years. The last two group residential visits have been organised and under the guidance of my now good friend John Drake.
Before even traveling to the Holy land our YMCA groups meet up with John for group discussions (his knowledge of the religious and Geo political situation of the Middle East soon become evident).
John’s careful explanation of all the preparation needed for a group traveling to the Holy land has proven to be invaluable for the creation of an insightful, educational and thoroughly enjoyable experience.
John has the ability to share an insight into both the living as well as the historical stones of the Holy Land .
Over the years John has led many mixed groups from North Staffordshire YMCA that have included staff, Board members, local leaders and young people.
All have of the past travellers have reported that they have had a life changing experiences from traveling to the Holy land with John
Simon Lovatt
North Staffs YMCS
First I want to say how great John was to work with, he has had to facilitate various groups that we have taken out to the Holy Land, ranging from youth groups to business and church groups.
John was responsive, accommodating and helped us keep within our budget.
He is a delight to work with and very knowledgeable on the history of the area and shows you the real cultures alongside the tourist attractions.
I have now visited 10 times with the support of John and he has ensured we are always safe and aware of our surroundings.
I look forward to continuing our group visits with Johns support.
Clive Yates
CEO YMCA Sutton Coldfield
