SOJOURN TO BETHLEHEM

Celebrate Christmas with the Palestinian Church

Christ at the Checkpoint is the flagship conference of the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice at Bethlehem Bible College. The conference gathers Christians from around the world to dive deeply into questions of faith, peace, and justice with guidance and teaching from Palestinian Christians.

At a dark moment in history, it offers a biblically grounded and culturally rich space for honest engagement, faithful discipleship, and global solidarity rooted in Jesus and his teaching.

Dec 27th - 31st
Bethlehem, Palestine

Bear witness to a shared faith and hope as we seek Christ at the checkpoint.
An Incredible Opportunity

Stand with us. Celebrate with us.

Spend this Christmas with Palestinian Christians, families and churches.

This photo is from the early 1900s as pilgrims and local Christians gathered in Bethlehem for Christmas.

Highlights

Your Trip

This schedule is subject to change as we finalize details, but we wanted to give you a sense of how our time together will unfold.

We will also be offering an optional full-Christmas package (Dec 23 - 26). Details to come.

Arrival

Dec 26 — Saturday

Arrival to Bethlehem.

Fly into Tel-Aviv Airport
or bus from Jordan.

Use a scheduled Taxi or Bus to travel to Bethlehem Bible College.

STEP-BY-STEP travel directions coming soon.

Welcome dinner in Bethlehem.

Day 1

Dec 27 — Sunday

Attend a local church.

Worship alongside Palestinian Christians.


Opening Ceremony & Session

Dinner at venue.

Dismissal: Community activities

Day 2

Dec 28 — Monday

First full day

Breakfast & networking.

Morning: Conference sessions.

Lunch around Bethlehem

Community activities.

Afternoon: Conference sessions.

Dismissal - Community activities.

Day 3

Dec 29 — Tuesday

Second Full day

Breakfast & networking.

Tours.

Lunch around Bethlehem.

Afternoon: Conference sessions/

Dismissal - Community Activities.

Day 4

Dec 30— Wednesday

Third Full day

Breakfast & Networking.

Morning: Conference sessions.

Lunch around Bethlehem

Community activities.

Afternoon: Conference sessions.

Dismissal - Community activities.

Day 5

Dec 31 — Thursday

The Last day

Breakfast & Networking.

Morning sessions

Closing Session

Optional Day 1

Jan 1 — Friday

Post - Conference

Activities will be announced closer to the conference date.

Feel free to tour the holy land on your accord.

Jan 2 — Saturday

Optional Day 2

Post - Conference

Activities will be announced closer to the conference date.

Feel free to tour the holy land on your accord.

Frequently Asked Questions

More coming soon.

  • CATC is a biennial Christian Evangelical conference, organized by Bethlehem Bible College, Palestinian Christians, and allies, now in its 15th year. The conference brings together Christians from around the world to discuss issues of faith, justice, and peace in the context of the Church’s role in the Israeli occupation of Palestinian territories.

    CATC provides a platform for dialogue, reflection, and action, aiming to promote understanding and advocacy for justice and peace for all people in the Holy Land. CATC offers a rich and diverse program focused on themes of faith, justice, and human rights. Attendees can expect to engage in meaningful dialogue, hear from expert speakers and theologians, participate in workshops and discussions, and gain insights into Christian witness in contexts of oppression, both from Palestine and the Global South.

  • We are currently working on finding a new venue for the Christ at the Checkpoint Conference, and we’ll be assisting you with lodging at the same venue or at a nearby hotel. Stay tuned for updates. Also please note that all venue details and the option to apply for accommodations will be available directly through our website and registration page.

  • Your safety and well-being are top priorities. While we cannot guarantee entry or absolute security, we strive to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all conference participants. Here’s what you need to know:

    The Bethlehem Bible College campus and guest house are equipped with security measures to mitigate potential risks, providing a secure environment for attendees. Our guided tours during the conference are carefully curated and led by known and vetted companies, ensuring a safe and enriching experience for all participants. The general areas around Bethlehem are inviting and welcoming; most visitors will discover our friendly people and unmatched hospitality.

    However, roaming any foreign city at night or alone without proper knowledge can be a risk. It is advisable to stay in central areas, along taxi and bus routes, and not to travel solo after dark. The reality of living under military occupation is that nothing is certain and depends on the whim of the soldiers in charge on any given day. Daily life revolves around external control of movement, accessibility, and even safety. While we can offer general guidelines to avoid more predictable incursions or protests, nothing is entirely predictable, preventable, or within our control. We live here, with our families, loved ones, and friends, and invite you to come be with us in our homeland.

  • We invite you to experience Bethlehem at Christmas; a truly magical moment to witness the land of Christ in His birthplace during the holiday season. We also offer the opportunity to engage with a global community of believers committed to pursuing peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land. You will be able to explore the rich cultural and religious heritage of Bethlehem, and visit historic churches and holy sites that hold deep spiritual significance for Christians around the world. You will also gain insights and resources to draw on our faith and Gospel of Christ and become effective advocates in your communities empowered by the knowledge and experiences gained at the conference. Most importantly, it is essential for Christians worldwide to stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters who are directly affected by oppression and injustice. By demonstrating solidarity, we bear witness to the values of compassion, justice, and love exemplified by Christ Himself. 

  • We invite you to experience Bethlehem at Christmas; a truly magical moment to witness the land of Christ in His birthplace during the holiday season. We also offer the opportunity to engage with a global community of believers committed to pursuing peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land. You will be able to explore the rich cultural and religious heritage of Bethlehem, and visit historic churches and holy sites that hold deep spiritual significance for Christians around the world. You will also gain insights and resources to draw on our faith and Gospel of Christ and become effective advocates in your communities empowered by the knowledge and experiences gained at the conference. Most importantly, it is essential for Christians worldwide to stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters who are directly affected by oppression and injustice. By demonstrating solidarity, we bear witness to the values of compassion, justice, and love exemplified by Christ Himself. 

  • We invite you to experience Bethlehem at Christmas; a truly magical moment to witness the land of Christ in His birthplace during the holiday season. We also offer the opportunity to engage with a global community of believers committed to pursuing peace and reconciliation in the Holy Land. You will be able to explore the rich cultural and religious heritage of Bethlehem, and visit historic churches and holy sites that hold deep spiritual significance for Christians around the world. You will also gain insights and resources to draw on our faith and Gospel of Christ and become effective advocates in your communities empowered by the knowledge and experiences gained at the conference. Most importantly, it is essential for Christians worldwide to stand in solidarity with their brothers and sisters who are directly affected by oppression and injustice. By demonstrating solidarity, we bear witness to the values of compassion, justice, and love exemplified by Christ Himself.