Located in the Prince Mohammed bin Salman Natural Reserve, Wadi Al Disah—the “Valley of the Palm Trees”—is a stunning 15km canyon in Tabuk. It’s legendary for the sharp contrast between its massive red sandstone cliffs and a vibrant, spring-fed valley floor.
Eat an Afghani Omelette off the Hood of a Truck
An Afghani Omelette is a rustic, one-pan breakfast staple known for its fresh ingredients and vibrant colors. Unlike a folded French omelet, this is more of a deconstructed scramble or a savory vegetable hash topped with eggs. Eat it off the hood of a truck in the desert and its unforgettable. See the video below.
Tabouk: The Rugged Gateway to the Saudi Frontier
Tabouk is a rugged, high-altitude outpost and the gritty gateway to the Saudi frontier. It’s a base for explorers tackling Wadi Al Disah and the open desert. Watch the video below.
Where is Mount Sinai Located?
Whether Mount Sinai is in Saudi Arabia depends on whether you follow traditional church history or an alternative archaeological theory.
The Split Rock: A Biblical Mystery in the Saudi Desert
Located near the base of Jabal al-Lawz, the “Split Rock” shows signs of significant water erosion at its base—a striking sight in a region that sees almost no rainfall. Proponents of the Saudi Mount Sinai theory point to this massive, smooth-cleft stone as the “Rock of Horeb” (Exodus 17:6-7), noting how the surrounding plain could easily accommodate a large encampment.
Have a listen.
Spring Break, 2023: Students Visit the Biblical Heartland
Students from CCCB, JU, and OCCC visiting the site of Tel Dan in northern Israel.
For the past two weeks, students from Central Christian College of the Bible, Johnson University, and Ozark Christian College traveled throughout the Holy Land together along with professors Walt Harper (CCCB), Rick Cherok (Ozark) and Bill Wolf (Johnson). We explored, learned, prayed, laughed, and had a ton of fun together. We even charged the Beit Guvrin amphitheater floor as gladiators representing our schools….before meeting in the middle as friends.
Returning home tired but grateful!
Exile to Exodus: The Timeless Vistas of Ancient Midian
From the elevated ridges overlooking the modern settlement of Al-Bad', the desert winds carry the legacy of three millennia. This rugged vantage point offers a view into the heart of ancient Midian, a pivotal region where, according to biblical tradition, Moses lived in exile for forty years. What appears as a remote outpost today was once a central landscape in the narrative of the Exodus, marking the intersection of ancient nomadic culture and the early history of the People of God.
Check out the video below.
Jebal Maqla: A Horeb Proposal
Is this the mountain that changed history? As we trail the rugged shoulder of Jabal Maqla, the atmosphere is heavy with antiquity. Proposed by many as the biblical Mount Horeb, this desolate peak in northwestern Saudi Arabia is at the center of a provocative theory: that the true Mount Sinai lies not in Egypt, but here in the ancient land of Midian.
Check out the video below.
Contemplating the Sinai Core in Saudi Arabia
Mount Sinai is a pivot point in the Torah--or “the Moses Material”-- found at the beginning of the Old Testament. The literary structure is clear. The geographical reality less so.
Extreme Wilderness Camping: An Arabian Night (part 3)
From the towering red pillars of Wadi Al Disah to the mysterious, wind-swept slopes of Jabal al-Lawz, the “wilderness camping” culture in northwest Saudi Arabia is world-class. Imagine grilling over an open fire as the sun sets behind sandstone canyons, followed by a night sky so clear you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye.
Watch Part 3 of an Arabian night.
Extreme Wilderness Camping: An Arabian Night (part 2)
From the towering red pillars of Wadi Al Disah to the mysterious, wind-swept slopes of Jabal al-Lawz, the “wilderness camping” culture in northwest Saudi Arabia is world-class. Imagine grilling over an open fire as the sun sets behind sandstone canyons, followed by a night sky so clear you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye.
Watch Part 2 of an Arabian night.
Extreme Wilderness Camping: An Arabian Night (part 1)
From the towering red pillars of Wadi Al Disah to the mysterious, wind-swept slopes of Jabal al-Lawz, the “wilderness camping” culture in northwest Saudi Arabia is world-class. Imagine grilling over an open fire as the sun sets behind sandstone canyons, followed by a night sky so clear you can see the Milky Way with the naked eye.
Watch Part 1 of an Arabian night.
A Path of Refreshment? Searching for Biblical Elim in Saudi Arabia
Hidden along the Gulf of Aqaba, the granite cliffs of Wadi Tayyib al-Ism may hold the secrets of the biblical Elim. This dramatic gorge, where towering walls meet freshwater springs, mirrors the description in Exodus 15:27 of an oasis with twelve springs and seventy palm trees. Today, explorers and historians alike visit this spectacular site to see if it truly marks the spot where the Israelites found relief in the desert.
Watch the video below.
The Wells of Moses?: A Desert Miracle in Maqna
Near the sun-scorched coast of the Gulf of Aqaba, the village of Maqna holds a refreshing secret: a perennial freshwater spring that defies the surrounding desert heat. For many travelers and historians, this isn't just a geological wonder—it’s a site linked to the life of Moses.
Local tradition and several researchers identify these crystalline waters as the “Wells of Moses.” According to the biblical narrative, after fleeing Egypt, Moses arrived in Midian and assisted the daughters of Jethro at a well. Today, the sight of water bubbling up through the sand, shaded by a lush palm grove, makes it easy to imagine the ancient scene.
The Unofficial Drink of the Desert: Sipping Moussy in Al-Bad'
In the rugged, high-heat terrain of Al-Bad', travelers and locals alike reach for a surprising Swiss-made staple: Moussy. This non-alcoholic malt beverage has become a cultural hit across the Saudi frontier, offering a crisp, bubbly reprieve from the dusty trails of Midian.
Flavors include Original/classic, apple, lemon-mint, peach, strawberry, and my favorite, pomegranate.
Try sipping the video below.
Inside Magha’er Shu’aib in Al-Bad’: Is this Jethro’s Cave?
In the heart of northwest Saudi Arabia lies the community of Al-Bad' (ancient Madyan), a place where history is etched directly into the mountainside. Here, a powerful local tradition persists: these rock-cut dwellings were once the home of Jethro (known in Arabic as Shu'ayb), the Midianite priest and father-in-law of Moses.
Walking through the Magha’er Shuaib, you’ll find staggering Nabataean-style facades that mirror the artistry of Petra. While archaeologists date the carvings to the 1st century, the spiritual and cultural roots of this site go back much further. For travelers on the Exodus trail, this isn't just a collection of tombs—it's a physical connection to the man who gave Moses sanctuary during his forty years of exile.
Watch the video below.
“Four Corners,” Middle East Style
There is a unique spot on Earth where you can stand in one country and simultaneously gaze upon the shores of three others. Located at the northern tip of the Gulf of Aqaba (Red Sea), the coastlines of Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, and Israel converge in a dramatic display of geography and history.
Have a look in the video below.
The Ultimate Desert Escape: Camping the Canyons of Wadi Rum, Jordan
If you’ve ever dreamed of waking up on another planet, Wadi Rum is as close as it gets. Known as the “Valley of the Moon,” this UNESCO World Heritage site in Jordan is a wilderness of towering red monoliths and vast, crimson dunes.
Follow us as we investigate some camps.
The Pulse of the Desert: Driving Jordan’s Iconic Highway 15
Spanning the vast, sun-baked interior, the Desert Highway (Highway 15) is the lifeblood of Jordan. This high-speed artery connects the bustling capital of Amman to turquoise waters at the port of Aqaba, the country's only gateway to the Red Sea.
Driving this route is an immersive journey through Jordan's industrial and natural heart. You’ll share the road with colorful cargo trucks hauling goods from the port, all while passing the shifting silhouettes of the southern desert. It’s more than just a transit route; it’s a panoramic window into the vast scale of the Jordanian landscape.
Watch the video.
The Road to Damascus is a Road to Change
Few locations carry as much weight as the Road to Damascus. It wasn't just a physical trade route between Jerusalem and the ancient Syrian capital; it was the site of the most famous turnaround in history.
Check out the video below.