By Damola Falaju

By its very nature, pilgrimage is more than travel. It is a journey of the soul mapped onto geography; a physical movement toward places where heaven once seemed to touch the earth. For millions of Jews and Christians around the world, they are sacred landscapes where Scripture unfolded, prophets walked, and faith took tangible form. To go on pilgrimage to these lands is to step into a living story that has shaped civilizations and continues to transform lives.

The Holy Land of Israel and the Hashemite Kingdom of Jordan occupy a unique place in the spiritual imagination of the world. In Israel, pilgrims encounter the City of David, the site of Solomon’s Temple and, for Christians, the place of Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection. The Sea of Galilee, where Jesus taught and performed miracles, and His birthplace, draw visitors seeking deeper connection to biblical events long read about in Scripture.

Across the Jordan River lies a continuation of that sacred narrative. In Jordan, Mount Nebo stands as the place where Moses glimpsed the Promised Land. The Baptism Site at Bethany Beyond the Jordan marks the traditional location where John baptized Jesus. These sites reinforce the truth that the biblical story transcends modern borders; it remains a shared spiritual heritage rooted in the broader Holy Land.

To walk the Holy Land is to remember that faith has roots. And sometimes, to strengthen those roots, one must journey back to where they first took hold. To stand in these places often reshapes faith. Scriptures once confined to printed pages become anchored in hills, valleys, and ancient stones. Pilgrims frequently describe a heightened sense of reality; an awareness that their beliefs are not abstract ideas but events grounded in history and place.

Pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan offers believers the opportunity to encounter their faith intellectually, emotionally, and spiritually. Intellectually, the journey provides context. Seeing the terrain of Judea or the wilderness landscapes of Jordan clarifies biblical narratives. Understanding distances, climate, and geography enriches interpretation and brings fresh insight into familiar passages.

Emotionally, pilgrimage stirs deep reflection. Walking the streets of Jerusalem or praying beside the Jordan River evokes solidarity with generations of believers who have gone before. The experience fosters gratitude, humility, and renewed purpose, while spiritually, pilgrimage invites transformation. Pilgrims become more open to contemplation and prayer. Many report moments of clarity regarding their calling, relationships, and life direction. The journey becomes a metaphor for the spiritual path itself.

Beyond personal enrichment, pilgrims often form lasting bonds with fellow travelers, creating a strong sense of community and shared experience. The pilgrimage allows for introspection and self-discovery, encouraging believers to reflect deeply on their faith and values.

For centuries, pilgrims have visited the Holy Land and returned with varying experiences. While some have expressed reservations about being unable to visit certain sites due to political situations at the time of travel, many others share resounding testimonies of spiritual renewal and divine encounter.

For Ogun State pilgrims on the 2025/2026 pilgrimage undertaken between January and February 2026, the experience will linger for a long time. Many wished they had the resources to repeat the exercise through the Ogun State platform; a testament to the satisfaction and fulfillment derived from the journey. Little wonder that some residents of Lagos chose to register with Ogun State for the trip.

The State Government demonstrated significant commitment to the pilgrimage, with Governor Dapo Abiodun’s administration ensuring a well-structured and seamless process. The journey, which involved 170 pilgrims on a 10-day spiritual exercise, began with application and documentation, followed by screening to ascertain spiritual readiness and medical fitness.

The Ogun State Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board properly educated intending pilgrims on the dos and don’ts of the trip, equipping them with necessary guidelines to ensure a smooth and spiritually focused experience.

Governor Dapo Abiodun, represented by the Chief of Staff, Dr. Oluwatoyin Taiwo, at the farewell service, emphasised that pilgrimage to the Holy Land is not a leisure trip but a sacred period of spiritual renewal and deeper communion with God. He urged the pilgrims to conduct themselves with integrity and decorum, noting that they represented Ogun State and Nigeria at large.

He stressed that unity, cooperation, and strict adherence to laid-down rules were critical to the success of the pilgrimage.

The Board Secretary, Mr. Ibiyemi Oduyemi, described the pilgrimage as a strictly spiritual exercise and cautioned pilgrims against distractions that could undermine its purpose. He advised modest dressing, moderation, obedience to local laws, and strict adherence to group coordination and tour guides’ instructions.

That the State recorded no casualty and no abscondment during the exercise reflects the dedication of the support teams and the discipline of the pilgrims.

The pilgrimage included visits to major biblical sites such as the Sea of Galilee, Cana of Galilee, Gethsemane, the Empty Tomb, Mount Tabor, Capernaum, Tabgha, the Mount of Beatitudes, the Via Dolorosa, the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jericho, Mount Carmel, and in Jordan, Amman, Ancient Gadara, Mount Nebo, Bethany Beyond the Jordan, the Fortress of Machaerus, Lot’s Cave, and the mineral-rich waters of the Dead Sea.

As the pilgrimage reached its climax, the newly conferred Jerusalem Pilgrims (JPs) expressed heartfelt gratitude to God and to the Ogun State Government for what they described as a spiritually enriching and well-coordinated journey.

For AP Dr. Samson Olu Adeniji, JP, the experience was divinely orchestrated: “Glory to God Almighty for a successful journey to and from Israel, on the 2025/2026 Holy Pilgrimage. My sincere appreciation goes to our amiable Governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, CON, the Executive Secretary of the Christian Pilgrims Welfare Board and all staff, as well as our Bus Captain and his assistant for the leadership qualities displayed throughout the pilgrimage. I thank God for the grace given to us to be part of this spiritual upliftment. More successes in Jesus’ name. Shalom! Shalom!”

Mr. Tunde Sonuga described the pilgrimage as a deeply fulfilling encounter: “We thank God for the journey to the Holy Land and for our safe return. It was truly a wonderful experience. We pray that the Lord will hearken to our prayers in Jesus’ name. Amen”.

For Ven. Alawale Olaniyi Ademola, JP, the organisation and leadership stood out: “Sincere gratitude to God Almighty. I express utmost appreciation to our humble and tireless Executive Secretary and our hardworking Bus Captain. You have all done well. May God grant you more grace in your labour of love. Shalom”.

Pastor Idowu Solaru reflected on divine protection: “We must praise God for His divine protection and mercies over us. He has been kind and faithful to every one of us throughout this fantastic journey. I also want to appreciate the Executive Secretary and our Bus Captain for a job well done. May His grace and mercies never cease in our lives, in Jesus’ name. Amen”.

For Oladapo Onasanya, JP, unity among pilgrims was unforgettable: “Congratulations to us all, the latest Jerusalem Pilgrims! I appreciate the Executive Secretary and the entire team for ensuring we had a smooth journey to and fro. It was not an easy task, and God will bless you mightily. I also cherish the brotherly love shared among pilgrims, especially those in Bus 1. May our lights continue to shine brighter in Jesus’ name”.

The CAN Chairman, Ijebu-Ode, Rev. Dr. Dele Taiwo, emphasised God’s faithfulness: “All glory be to Almighty God for His faithfulness over the 2025/2026 pilgrims. To the Bus Captain, you are truly wonderful. To all participants, you are blessed. May the name of our Lord be praised forever”.

Similarly, Pastor Olufemi Michael highlighted the shared spiritual bond: “Huge appreciation to our amasing Bus Captain for your patience, coordination, and outstanding leadership throughout our Israel pilgrimage. You made the journey smooth and memorable. To all fellow pilgrims, it was a joy sharing this life-changing experience together. May the blessings and encounters from the Holy Land remain with us forever”.

As the Ogun State pilgrims returned home, they carried more than memories of sacred sites. They returned with renewed purpose, deeper faith, and profound appreciation for the sacrifices made to facilitate the journey. The pilgrimage to Israel and Jordan was more than a trip; it was a transformative spiritual encounter that will leave a lasting impact on their lives.

Damola Falaju is the Information and Public Relation Officer, Ogun State Christian Pilgrims Board