Luke Chandler is a minister with the North Terrace Church of Christ in Temple Terrace, Florida. He and his wife have four children. Evangelistic work and other travels have taken him to South America, Europe and the Middle East. He has a degree in History with an emphasis in Ancient History and is currently completing the thesis for an M.A. in Ancient and Classical History.
Luke has participated in the Khirbet Qeiyafa excavations in Israel from 2009 through 2012. Luke is a featured commentator in the 2011 documentary “Inside Jerusalem” and is a member of the American Schools of Oriental Research (ASOR).
Luke may be contacted by email: LukeChandler – at – verizon.net
Luke,
I recently listened to your interview on the Book and the Spade and re-listened today. My wife and I took a tour of Israel two years ago and it was a real blessing. She wants to go back on a tour in 2010 and I said I’d rather participate in a dig. It has been a lifelong dream of mine.
Well, I looked through the BAR find- a -dig to see what was available. Khirbet Qeiyafa seemed like a good reasonably priced expedition and very interesting. As I looked through the pictures I saw that you put up a blog. I was surprised that you were the one I had listened to.
I am around the same age as your father (63). I hope to retire in a couple of years but figure if I am ever going to do this I need to do it soon.
You have been an inspiration to me. Thanks.
Gale
Gale,
I am very happy you found something useful from my experience. If you are sure that you want to join a dig, you should definitely do it! Many believe it would be a beneficial experience, but assume they have ‘missed the boat.’ I basically believed that just a year ago about myself. Thanks to a change of heart and a supportive wife, I am planning to return to Khirbet Qeiyafa next year as well. I’m even organizing a group to come with me. Perhaps we’ll see each other there?
Very best wishes,
Luke
What week-end schedule did the Team use for this dig? Do they observe the sabbath or continue work on Saturday? Do they allow you to be free for worship on Sunday?
The dig works a Sunday afternoon-through Thursday afternoon schedule. A bus takes everyone to Jerusalem on Friday mornings, arriving at the Central Bus Station at 9:30 a.m. We are free from then until 10:30 a.m. Sunday morning when we board the bus again to return to the dig. We are always able to worship together on Sunday mornings before heading back to the dig.
Weekends are free for us to explore, rest, travel, etc. So far, I’ve spent my weekends either in Jerusalem or at the Dead Sea.
When will you be going on another archeological expedition this year?
Hello Judy,
I plan to depart on July 5th for the Khirbet Qeiyafa excavation. I’ll be there for two weeks, along with three other people who are coming with me. If you’re interested in joining an expedition, feel free to get in touch with me by email at LukeChandler@verizon -dot- net.
Best wishes,
Luke