Walking The Text

"Brad hasn't just read the Bible and studied it, he's walked it - literally. I can only imagine what it would be like to follow him around the biblical sites, holding the Scriptures in your hand and reading the stories in the places where they actually happened, listening to Brad give the language and history and historical background. That would be amazing!"

— Rob Bell
Author and Former Teaching Pastor
Mars Hill Bible Church

"I have known Brad Gray for more than five years. He is a passionate follower of Jesus with an intense interest in understanding the Bible in its original historical, cultural, and geographical context. Brad is an exceptional student and has worked hard studying this context in the country of Israel and in the Middle East. He is an excellent teacher in demand for his ability to communicate clearly and powerfully the Biblical message. Brad will make a significant impact by his teaching on the lives of many people."

— Ray Vander Laan
Author, Trip Leader and Founder
That The World May Know Ministries

"Brad has the heart of a teacher and a deep love for the land of the Bible. I have enjoyed the hours we have spent together over the years, and deeply value his commitment to transformational teaching."

— Jeff Manion
Author and Senior Teaching Pastor
Ada Bible Church

"In my opinion the difference between merely doing one’s job and pursuing one’s call is that the first is a matter of obligation and routine, the latter an expression of one’s passion.  That sums Brad Gray.  The man is passionate!  Most importantly, he is passionately and totally God’s man, a husband and father passionately in love with his wife and kids, a scholar passionate to understand the culture and context of God’s word, a gifted teacher who passionately endeavors to instruct and share in wonderful and creative ways, a disciple who passionately seeks with all his heart, soul, and strength to be like his Rabbi Jesus.  Brad’s love for God, the Text, the Land, and those God has placed around him is rich and all too rare.  I count it an honor to not only to call Brad a friend, but to have enjoyed the smile of God by sitting under his teaching."

— George DeJong
Author, Pastor, Trip Leader and Founder
Under The Fig Tree Ministries

"Jesus who is 'the Way' had a certain way of living. Because I bless him for being the Way I want to know all that I can about the way he lived. Brad Gray, one of the very finest students I have ever had the pleasure of teaching, is wonderfully qualified to show you that. The more you know about the way he lived the stronger your conviction that he is the way will become. I have walked in the dust of Jesus many times and every time it made me love him more and follow him better. This trip with Brad Gray will do that for you and I only regret that I can’t make it with you!"

— Dr. Timothy Brown
President and Henry Bast Professor of Preaching
Western Theological Seminary

“I recently facilitated a trip to Turkey with Brad Gray. Such an opportunity was nothing short of a privilege. It didn't take long for me to experience Brad as a gifted, passionate, and articulate teacher, with extraordinary research skills and insight. His enthusiasm for the ‘Story’ comes through with color and intrigue. Brad is as much a shepherd as he is a teacher. He deeply cares for the welfare of the entire group and will do anything for the needs of the flock. More than anything, Brad is a man of the Spirit. His zest for the Lord is strong. He clearly is one who seeks the Lord with all his heart, all his soul, and all his might. Through this experience, I have gained not only a Rabbi, but a friend.”

— Mark de Roo
Leadership Development Coach

“My time in Israel encouraged my faith in a whole new way. Walking the land and spending so much time in the text gave me a new perspective on God's story and how deep His love truly is. From the wandering in the desert to the bustling city of modern Jerusalem, Brad's passion for the text encouraged my heart and challenged my faith; I was truly blessed.”

— Bekah Wallace
Client Services Associate

"Brad is a passionate student and teacher of the Word.  During our trip together, I was continuously amazed at the depth, intensity, and uniqueness of his teaching.  Using the land as his guidebook, he truly brought the Scriptures to life! As a trip leader, Brad displayed a never-ending source of energy, patience and leadership. While continuously challenging the group both physically & spiritually, he transformed a group of strangers into a deep community marked by mutual service and sacrifice. I highly recommend Brad as both a teacher and a trip leader.  You will not be disappointed walking the land alongside him!"

— Chris Genders
Pastor

“‘Walking the Text’ is a spot title for describing Brad's ministry. Every step in the rocky desert, every climb up a Galilean hillside, and every twist on the streets of Jerusalem fosters an experience that allows participants to more fully engage the biblical narrative and, even more so, to be transformed by it. Brad’s pastoral interest in peoples’ lives, his vast knowledge of ancient history, archeology, rabbinic tradition and church history, along with his passion for God’s Word, opens up new pathways of learning and living in Christ. His capacity to lead trips comes from his Spirit-inspired calling to follow Christ in mission. Go for a walk with Brad and you will experience the word of God in wonderful and life-changing ways.”

— Kent & Betsy Frens
Pastor, Stay-At-Home Mother & Christian Educator

“For several years, we talked about taking a trip to Israel. Our biggest concern was finding a teacher that was passionate about the Text and the land, as well as a strong leader who would motivate and inspire us. We found all of that and more in Brad Gray. Immediately we were impressed with his demeanor, confidence and leadership skills. Brad is an excellent and passionate teacher. Through our experience of walking the land, engaging the text, and learning about the biblical world, we gained a deeper desire and hunger to know God and his Word more intimately. It was a life-changing experience for us, and we highly recommend to anyone not only this trip, but any trip Brad Gray is leading.”

— Jim & Patti Lee
Airline Captain, Product Designer & Developer

“Brad made sure everyone had an unforgettable experience by intensely exploring cutting-edge archeological sites and sacred ground, leaving our group with profound changes as followers of Jesus Christ.”

— James Janecek
USA Air Force Chaplain

“Traveling through the areas of Asia Minor in the footsteps of Paul, my wife and I saw, learned, and internalized the Word in ways we'd never expected. Seeing the sites of the early church led us to an understanding of the first century Greco-Roman world, the Jewish communities of the Diaspora, and the means by which God brought the Good News of Jesus Christ to all people. Brad taught our group clearly, powerfully, and faithfully each day, challenging us physically, intellectually, and spiritually to live our lives in such a way so as to contend for Christ in our culture, just as the early followers of the Way did in theirs. We are thankful for the impact this trip has had on countless aspects of our lives!”

— Ed Deiwert
Teacher

“The experience of walking the Biblical text taught me how to follow Jesus as my Rabbi. Being led up and down mountains, through deserts, and into rivers, often times without any explanation other than the simple, compelling invitation to "Come," refined my faith like no other experience I've had. The call to trust, along with the opportunity to catch a deeper glimpse into the heart and divine story of God, allowed me to fall more in love with Him than I ever thought possible.”

— Katie Cline
Student

“For myself, the text came to life as we walked the land and read the Word with our rabbi, Brad. Just like the unearthed ruins scattered throughout Israel and Jordan, I never imaged there would be so much detail to “unearth” in the text. This trip has enhanced my desire to know God’s word, and share it with others. I bless God and thank Brad for the experience I had, for he is truly going after his calling.”

— Todd Schierer
Graphic Designer

“I had the privilege of going with Brad to Israel in 2010, and it's safe to say that my life will never be the same. I'm not big on emotional and spiritual "highs," so I was a little skeptical about going on a trip like this. However, the biblical sites and Brad's teaching led us to a close encounter with the Living God. I can honestly say I fell in love with God’s word all over again, and it has led me to amazing new places and relationships. I understand my rabbi, Jesus (Yeshua), like never before, and this has caused me to draw closer to Him as His disciple. As I've told my friends, ‘If you have to sell everything you have to go, do it. You'll never regret going, but you'll always regret staying.’”

— Ryan Wallace
Pastor

"This trip was one of the top development opportunities I have experienced. Too often learning happens in a classroom or in a study with only the scriptures and commentaries. To walk with Brad through the land brought the scriptures to life and the writer of the commentary close enough to engage in conversation as we walked. I believe a trip to the biblical lands should be a key part to any leaders development and an experience that will awaken and unite a tribe that will change the world."

— Jeremy Pietrocini
Associate Partner, Gallup Consulting