The Reverend Doctor Kamal Farah

Reverend Doctor Farah, affectionately known as Father Kamal, was born in the Maronite Christian community of Kefar Bar'am in upper Galilee. He earned his PhD in Advanced Linguistics from the Catholic University and the Sorbonne in Paris. After ordination to the priesthood in 1967, Father Kamal served as rector of churches in North Galilee and Nazareth. He then returned to Paris to pursue a second PhD focused on canon law. These studies prepared him to serve as President of the Church Court in both Galilee and Jerusalem, and later as Director of the Episcopal Diocesan Church Office in Jerusalem. 

Fr. Kamal served as Director of the Department for Ecumenical Relations of the Evangelical Church in southwest Germany, and Director of the Schneller Vocational School and the Bishop’s Episcopal School, both in Amman, Jordan. Later, he was Course Director at St George's College in Jerusalem and then continued at the College as Academic Dean and Senior Lecturer.

Fr. Kamal’s academic focus is on teaching the New Testament, especially historical and theological aspects of the life and ministry of Jesus Christ in context. He is also an active advocate for human and civil rights, and has a particular love for the communities of the Eastern Churches. He is familiar with Syriac-Aramaic and other Scriptural languages including Hebrew, Greek and Latin, as well as Arabic, French and English.

Fr. Kamal has led numerous courses and pilgrimages as a scholar, spiritual mentor and animator. Pilgrims love his engaging, joyful personality and lively sense of humor. His understanding of the Holy Land and ability to illuminate the Scriptures in context give pilgrims opportunities for exceptional growth. Participants in his programs have a rich learning experience and a deepening of their faith.

HENRY RALPH CARSE, Ph.D.

Henry Ralph Carse is a writer and translator, pilgrim mentor, practical theologian and peace activist. Born in Vermont, he journeyed as a young pilgrim to Jerusalem and made his home in the Holy Land for over 40 years. He holds a B.A. degree in Bible from the Hebrew University in Jerusalem, an M.A. in Theology from The General Theological Seminary in New York, and a Ph.D. in Applied Theology from the University of Kent in Canterbury, England. His doctoral thesis - “Creative Ambiguities in the Pilgrimage Process” – is a postmodern theological study of contemporary pilgrim narratives.

Dr. Carse has guided and mentored pilgrims in the Holy Land for decades, has been Director of Studies at St. George's College in Jerusalem, and has led experiential “full immersion” pilgrimages and study programs in Israel, Palestine, Jordan, Egypt, Turkey and Greece. His interests include the Art and Practice of Pilgrimage, Wilderness Spirituality, Biblical Studies, Mystical Contemplative Traditions, and Interfaith Dialogue and Action. His published works on the Israel-Palestinian conflict and desert spirituality include No-One Land: Israel / Palestine 2000-2002; Sinai: The Abundant Emptiness; and Walls: Israel and Palestine.

In 2001, Dr. Carse founded an interfaith education-for-peace initiative, “Kids4Peace,” under the auspices of the Episcopal Diocese of Jerusalem. Today, "Kids4Peace International” (www.k4p.org), has grown into a global movement, bringing together Israeli and Palestinian youngsters and their families with people of other faiths and nationalities, across the lines of the conflicts that impact their lives.

Dr. Carse has one daughter and three sons, all born in the Holy Land. Today he writes and teaches on pilgrimage theology and contemplative traditions, is training as an end-of-life doulos, and is composing poetic renderings of key sacred Hebrew texts. His “soul-home” is Jerusalem and his “root-home” is in the Green Mountains of Vermont; he can often be found on the pilgrim pathways between.

Anton Farah

Yes, he is Fr. Kamal’s brother! Anton was also born in the Maronite Christian village of Kefar Bar'am in upper Galilee. Affectionately nicknamed “The Walking Encyclopaedia” by those who know him, Anton holds Bachelors of Arts degrees in Education, as well as Geography and Hebrew Literature; the latter two are also subjects he taught in Christian parochial high schools in Nazareth until 1978.

Around that time, Anton made a career change and became a tour and pilgrimage guide, obtaining a guiding license from Israel’s Ministry of Tourism. At present, he continues to guide and mentor groups and individuals throughout Israel/Palestine. Because of his commitment to the church, he volunteers to guide local, indigenous Christian groups from different denominations, accompanied by their priests, to deepen their knowledge and connection to the land.

Anton resides in Nazareth and is fluent in Arabic, Hebrew and English. He is a popular guide, always in great demand, known for his vast knowledge and also loved for his sense of fun. He is appreciated for his insights into current affairs as well as his expert grasp of the history and traditions of the Holy Land. Anton knows the geographical aspects of this land as only a native expert with a great love can. As a pilgrim in one of our programs has put it, “Anton brought life to the stones!”

LAURIE PARRISH, Certified Public Accountant

Laurie Parrish is an experienced Christian pilgrimage leader and facilitator. She has always loved to travel: she first visited the Holy Land in 2012 as a pilgrim and she continues to return every year, usually spending a few months at a time in Israel/Palestine. Laurie has served as a volunteer at the Nazareth Hospital and at an archaeological dig near the Sea of Galilee. She researched and catalogued the historical archives of a Jerusalem church institution and offered pilgrimage hospitality at the Ecce Homo Guesthouse on the Via Dolorosa in Jerusalem’s Old City. The knowledge she has gained in these activities has given her insights into many aspects of the Holy Land and its different faith groups, as well as first-hand understanding of the experiences of fellow pilgrims.

Laurie curates each pilgrimage that she facilitates and accompanies. She continues to expand her knowledge of the Holy Land’s “secret nooks and crannies” to share with fellow pilgrims along the journey. With many years professional experience as a seasoned CPA tax accountant, Laurie’s skill with details and practical know-how equip her well to plan, organize and accompany pilgrimages and study programs.

Laurie started organizing spiritual journeys for her own church in 2011 with destinations including England/Scotland, Greece, Jordan and Israel/Palestine. Her itineraries present a holistic perspective with a focus on biblical, spiritual and cultural aspects of the lands visited. Pilgrims enjoy the time she includes for meditation and prayers, along with a friendly, joyful and inclusive atmosphere in which each person feels cared for and important. In Laurie’s Holy Land Pilgrimages, her carefully thought-out journeys include awareness of, and direct contact with, local Christians and other faith communities, as well as the challenges and contributions to justice and peace in this Land in conflict.

Laurie resides in the beautiful Pacific Northwest U.S., where she serves her Christian community as a Contemplative Prayer Leader and Eucharistic Minister.