Holy Land Research Institute

Archaeology, Evangelism, & Restoration

Modern Archaeological Discoveries

Watch the Bible come to life as Rev. Winder uses archaeological and historical evidence to inspire a closer relationship with the G-d of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. See artifacts from ancient times and gain insight into the Age of the Patriarchs.

Evangelism is the Heart of this Ministry.

Our greatest desire is to introduce people to the truths of G-ds Word, providing the perspective of the Old and New Covenants, to discover Gods Plan of Redemption, that was paid in full by Y'shua Ha Meshiach, Jesus The Christ.

Dr. Hurtak next to the old Church in Majdal Shams.

Restoration of Christian Heritage

We are Directing the Restoration of an ancient Church of the Transfiguration, on Mount Hermon, Israel, for the 'Druzes' of the Golan Heights. Ministering Peace and Love through many community outreach programs, and the Sanctuary of Peace and Transfiguration Prayer Services.

Mission Statement and Introduction

Dear Family, Friends, and Colleagues;

On this Day of Rosh Hashanna, 9/21/17, We look forward to the coming year.

A fter 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 is being 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, Israel. This Church Restoration Project is the dream of Teresina Nacli; not only to re-establish the Christian Heritage among the Druzes of her native home land on Mount Hermon, but also to share her families legacy: of supporting peace for all peoples, through faith in the Prince of Peace. It has taken Teresina over twenty-five years to clear up the paperwork nightmare created from the annexation of the Golan Heights after the 1967 war between Syria and Israel. She had to settle for a fraction of her families lands; but now is ready to restore this late Ancient Church, built approximately one thousand years ago by the Orthodox Church to memorialize the Transfiguration of Christ, which took place nearby on the infamous ‘Road to Damascus’. Architectural Plans have been prepared, and blessings granted by the Major of Majdal Shams.

You may ask, “How on Earth did Brother Thomas get enlisted into this monumental project”? As fate would have it, my old friend and Religious Scholar, Dr. Hurtak, turns out to be Teresina’s Pastor. He knew of my research on Mount Hermon, and the Transfiguration that I completed in 1993 while attending the Institute of Holy Land Studies, (now, Jerusalem University), and my eight years on staff at Trinity Southwest University, deeply involved in the City of Sodom excavation, it’s promotions, and cultural affairs in Jordan. Next thing you know…Brother Thomas becomes the Project Manager and Resident Archaeologist for this exciting project. No doubt, only our God could connect those dots!

This project, as well as other Archaeological opportunities in the Holy Land have made it necessary for me to expand my country-boy ministry, and give it a new stature, a new name, and a new emphasis; to dig even deeper into the Bibles historical truths attempting to quell the secular worlds total dismissal of Biblical verification, while inspiring Biblical studies. In Future DIGGING DEEPER Periodicals and Updates, we’ll explore existing scholarship concerning currently excepted, and memorialized traditional locations of Biblical sites; including Mount Sinai, the Temple Mount, Sodom and Gomorrah, the Red Sea Crossing, The City of David, and the Empty Tomb, as well as Biblical personalities like Abraham and the Patriarchs, Noah, the Nephilim, King David, Moses, and the Hebrews, to mention a few.

Also in DIGGING DEEPER will be the updates for the progress on the Church of the Transfiguration Restoration Project and our community outreach to the Druzes population on Mount Hermon. This project not only restores an old church and re-establishes the Christian Heritage of the Golan Heights, but it will provide the space for a Community Playground and Donation Center, as well as a future Medical Clinic, Academy, and Retreat. It seems impossible that the Druzes were forgotten by the Church for nearly a hundred years, but when the local Christians were driven out by Jihadists after WWI, and the territory became the southern portion of the Nation of Syria; not even the Marianites returned. The Orthodox Church lost their roots in the Druzes region on Mount Hermon and had to seek other places to serve. The Christian Druzes reluctantly migrated to Europe and the America’s. Today, the Druzes that remain in Israel, proudly serve in the Israeli Defense Forces and enjoy the benefits of full citizenship. It is time to bring Peace, of the Prince of Peace, back to these incredibly strong and resilient people on Mount Hermon.

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.

Rev. Thomas Winder

Executive Director

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

PS 34: 3. O magnify the Lord with me, and let us exalt His name together.

Get to know us

Learn about traditional vs the real locations of Biblical events.

While attending the Institute of Holy Land Studies, (now Jerusalem University), in 1993, Rev. Winder explored the events surrounding the Transfiguration of Christ. His research eventually took him to Majdal Shams, near Nimrods Fortress, on th Road to Damascus.

Learn how ancient artifacts help us understand the past, as well as Theology.

The Abrahamic Covenant, for instance, involved a 'Fire Pot, and a Lamp', that explain Redemption, the Trinity, and G-ds great love. Re-creation and Restoration for the soul, body, and spirit.

Video library.

Visit the video section for Rev. Winder's testimony of when G-d spoke to him before dying on November 6, 2005. And many other videos concerning the Church of Majdal Shams, Archaeological digs, and sermons on Redemption.

Coast to Coast Evangelism

From Hawaii to the East Coast, Rev. Winder has shared the Good News, from an Archaeologist perspective. In Churches of all Denominatons, Institutions, as well as Retirement Centers; "Brother Thomas" inspires the young and the old, a-like, to explore the Bible as the greatest adventure in life.

"Digging Deeper"

Our E-mailed Periodicals, and Restoration Updates inform our subcribers of exciting new Archaeological discoveries relating to Biblical History, as well as the progress reports of the Church Restoration on Mount Hermon, Israel.

Come see Israel and Jordan

Seeing Israel and Jordan transforms lives; as one experiances the geography of the Holy Land, the Biblical stories become alive. From empty tombs, to Temples, mountains and seas; come and walk where Jesus walked, get baptized in the Jordan River, and re-dedicate your lives to His Kingdom and His Righteousness.