Hope in the Holy Land

Pilgrims of Hope for the Holy Land

Hope Pilgrim — Mon, 06 Jul 2026 17:00:00 GMT

This is a bonus episode featuring an interview between Paul Calvert of Radio Hayah and Mike O'Brien form Pilgrims of Hope for the Holy Land. It explains the grassroots nature of the movement and how it began in late 2024 with a prayer service in Liverpool.

Mike shares his reasons for travelling to the Holy Land before the "ceasefire" of 2025. He and Paul discuss the importance of pilgrimage as a journey of encounter and transformation, both for the pilgrim and for the communities they visit, and how the message from Holy Land Christians was clear and emphatic:

"Come back! We are waiting for you and we need you! Tell the people of the UK to come and see - then tell the world what they saw!"

#pilgrimsofhope #hopefortheholyland #palestinianchristian #bethlehem #timetoact #comeandsee #goandtell #ethicaltourism #hope #faith #pilgrimage

Chapters

00:00 Introduction to Hope for the Holy Land

09:00 The Importance of Pilgrimage and Encounter

14:10 Current Situation and Optimism in the Holy Land

18:00 Prayers and Future Aspirations for the Holy Land

resources

Pilgrims of Hope for the Holy Land - https://www.pilgrimsofhope.co.uk

Hope for the Holy Land Facebook Page - https://www.facebook.com/pilgrimsofhopefortheholyland

Website - https://www.pilgrimsofhope.co.uk

Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pilgrimsofhopefortheholyland
YouTube - http://www.youtube.com/@pilgrimsofhope25

Michael Jackaman - Bethlehem

Hope Pilgrim — Sun, 05 Jul 2026 12:14:12 GMT

We continue our "Palestinian Voices" series by speaking with Michael Jackaman, a tour guide and web designer from Bethlehem, about his life in the West Bank. He speaks about the reasons for large scale emigration from Bethlehem and the wider region, the source of his own resilience, and the hope he has for his children. He also describes what people in the UK, US and Europe can do to support these communities.
Pilgrims of Hope for the Holy Land is working in collaboration with Pax Christi FaithJustice Podcast and the Time to Act Campaign.

#hopefortheholyland #bethlehem #timetoact #persecutedchurch #palestinianchristian #christian #paxchristi #faithjustice

Key Topics

Tourism industry in Bethlehem and its impact on local economy

Challenges faced by local businesses during conflict and war

Innovative solutions like online shops for Palestinian crafts

Community resilience and mutual support in Bethlehem

The role of faith and heritage in maintaining hope

Bethlehem's economy relies heavily on tourism, with 80% of the population involved in related activities.

Local entrepreneurs are creating online platforms to sell Palestinian crafts globally, adapting to new challenges.

Community support and family networks are vital for survival during economic downturns.

The importance of international visitors and advocates in supporting Bethlehem's future.

Faith and cultural heritage provide resilience and hope for the local community.

Bethlehem's Hidden Economy: Tourism and Online Business Amidst Conflict

How Bethlehem's Community Is Innovating During Hardship

"Community support is vital during tough economic times."

"Creating an online shop helps us reach the world."

"My children’s future depends on opportunities here."

Resources

Bethlehem Gift Shop - https://bethlehemgiftshop.com

Bethlehem University - https://www.bethlehem.edu

Dar al-Khalima University - https://www.daralkhalima.edu.ps

guest links

LinkedIn - https://linkedin.com/in/michael-jaccoman

Twitter - https://twitter.com/michaeljaccoman

Madees Khoury - Taybeh

Hope Pilgrim — Fri, 12 Jun 2026 19:04:50 GMT

This is the first episode of our Hope in the Holy Land Podcast. In this series we hear from members of the Palestinian Christian community in Jerusalem and the West Bank about their life, the land and the challenges they face. As well as their hope for the future and the role of Western Christians in promoting justice and peace.
As this is my first foray into podcasting, the edit is pretty amateur. Fortunately, our first guest more than makes up for it. She is Madees Khoury the first and only brew master in the Middle East who is producing fantastic beer under the most difficult conditions. She is a really inspiring guest and I hope we encourage more people to visit Taybeh.

Key Topics:

Challenges of operating a brewery in Palestine
Palestinian wine and beer: indigenous grapes and international markets
Cultural events like Oktoberfest that unite the community
The impact of settler violence and restrictions on daily life
The role of international support and tourism in Palestine

#holyland #brewery #brewgooder #palestine #sumud #hopefortheholyland #inspirationalstory