Holy Land Research Institute

On this Day of Rosh Hashanna, 9/21/17...                        

 After thirty five years of doing research in the Holy Land, and always mixing Archaeology with Biblical teaching;  it is with answered prayer that the Holy Land Research Institute was birthed. It is our Mission Statement to inform our supporters of the latest discoveries in Biblical Archaeology, using the evidence to share the Good News;  all while restoring the ancient Church of the Transfiguration, and the lost Christian Heritage on Mount Hermon, through the New Church/House of Prayer, and the Damascus Road Museum, and our Academy of Archaeological Etiquette.  

12/12/24....It has now been seven years since this Mission began. We started with only a promise from above and a heart full of faith; that this seamingly impossible mission had a chance to succeed. When this opportunity was presented to me, it was because of my work in Jerusalem in the early nineties identifying the mountain top of the New Testiment event called, the Transfiguration of Christ. As in many typical Biblical sites, there is always debate over the real locations of these sanctified sites, and this paticular mystical site has escaped both religious and academic scholars for two thousand years.  I never imagined that looking for the true location of the Transfiguration would lead me into the Pagan past of pre-flood giants and fertility gods, Cultic Temple sites, and ancient rock hewn tombs.  Little did I know how these cultic sites would show me what to look for on the mountain top I had previously identified thirty years ago with only simple geography leading the search. 

The opportunity to live in Majdal Shams and hince return to my unfinished research has uncovered not just the true location of the Transfiguration, but the theological reasons that Jesus chose this place to declare His Church and show His Disciples, and the people, Who He really was with a brilliant Light Show, Moses and Elijah, and The answer to The ultimat revealing question, "Who do you say that I Am?"  And God answered, "This is My Beloved Son in Whom I am well Pleased, listen to Him!"    The authority to cast out demons and overcome the dark forces of this world were given to His Church that was declared here, "Upon this rock I will build my Church, and the Gates to Hades shall not prevail against it." 

The Holy Land Research Institute is now rooted deep into the fabric of Majdal Shams. Against all odds, we have the sole priviledge of having the only recongnized Christian Foundation in the Capital of the once Syrian Druze. Not since the Ottoman Empire chased out any Christian presence before WWll has an ousider been welcomed to live amonst the Druze that have a strick religious practice of keeping the outer world at bay.  This year has demonstrated how important it is for us to be in Majdal Shams, in the Golan Heights. It is an awesome privileege to be there and share the love of Christ while doing ground breaking research. We're sincerely grateful for your support as we press on with this important mission; to bring back Christianity to the Druze of the Golan Heights.  Please make sure we have your email address for our Digging Deeper Updates so you will receive the latest news on our progress and the latest discoveries in Biblical Archaeology.

Imagine a Church on the Damascus Road, near Caesarea Philippi where Jesus declared His Church, open to the public where the history of the Damascus Road, and Mount Hermon will finally be on display for the world to see. It will not only be a House of Prayer and a great tourists attraction, bringing needed economic development to the Druze of the Golan Heights, but it will be the instrument of revival to restore Christianity to the place where Jesus declared His Church, and gave it the Keys to the Kingdom of Heaven.

Ten million dollars sounds like a lot to ask for, but it's needed to build a world class facility. Individuals and Churches can provide the funds, and the prayers; and the Holy Land Research Institute can do the rest. God Bless you for your help with this important mission in Majdal Shams, on the Damascus Road, Israel. 

                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                   We are humbled by this calling and the accountability it demands, and promise to be reliable, honest, and faithful to this Mission…not collecting treasures of this world, but treasures in Heaven, for the Kingdom of God and His Children. 

 May the Lord bless you for your prayers, your fellowship, and your support. 

 Prof. Thomas Winder

 CEO & Executive Director         

 Mt: 16:18.  “…upon this rock I will build My Church; and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it”.

Isaiah 61:4 "And they will rebuild the ancient ruins; they shall raise up the former desolations and renew the ruined cities, the devastations of many generations."