About Us

Sharon Stolebarger

Co-Founder

Sharon Stolebarger is the co-founder of Holy Ground Explorations, along with her husband, Dan.

Sharon has a vast resume of travel organization, having run a group tour department at a travel agency for over 13 years. Little did she know that this would prepare her for her current passion of bringing people to Israel.

Sharon has organized more than 25 tours/trips to Israel, Turkey, and Jordan, and continually seeks to add the personal touch to the experience. If you were to ask her the biggest compliment she ever received, she would repeat what one person told her: “I came to Israel to visit the Holy Land. We soon saw that what you have in Israel is a family and you instantly made us all a part of that family.”

A vital component of the tours Sharon puts together come through the many friendships and contacts she has made over the years. HGE spends a ½ day working and serving on an IDF base (Israel Defense Force). This usually is one of the top 5 highlights for those on the tour. Whenever possible, Sharon will bring in a speaker who will address the issues facing Israel. There is a saying on these trips — “Blessed are the flexible, for they shall not break.” The itinerary becomes fluid in order to allow for inclusion of unexpected opportunities which may arise.

Sharon has been a part of various ministries: Horizon Christian High School, Miles Ahead Crusades (part of The Rock Church in San Diego) and Koinonia Institute. Inevitably, each position she held ended up involving arranging for group travel. At Horizon High School, there were several trips to Hawaii for the football team. Miles Ahead Ministry included trips to Canada as well as taking 150 people to Nairobi and Uganda — the largest contingency traveling together in the history of all of Africa.

Sharon has a heart for the people of Israel. She always makes an opportunity for those traveling to bless those in Israel, whether it be through bringing clothing for babies or underwear for soldiers. You won’t find HGE passing out tracks in Israel, but you WILL find them working alongside a soldier, painting, giving him the opportunity to ask: “Why are you here doing this?” The answer? “This group loves Yeshua and loves Israel and we want to give back.” After many years of doing this, something extraordinary happens. Here’s Sharon’s account of what took place: “We actually were blown away by a commander of a base where we had worked often, calling before Operation Protective Edge, asking Dan and I to pray for him and his unit. Can you imagine? A Jew asking a Christian to please be praying for them? I can think of no better reason of why to go there and serve.”

Sharon and Dan have three sons, 2 daughters-in-law, and 5 GRANDsons and one Princess! She and Dan have lived in Hayden Lake, Idaho since 2005, having moved there from San Diego.

Jane Ben Ari

Lead Tour Guide

Jane Ben Ari is perhaps the most thorough guide in Israel, hands down. She began guiding in 1972 and has guided thousands upon thousands of people in the past 43 years.

Jane has been involved with guiding Days of Discovery and participating with them in published documents concerning Israel. In addition, she has worked with the BBC on various projects including children’s programs with Tony Robinson and specials regarding the Dead Sea Scrolls.

Here is what Jane has to say about HGE tours: “What I like most about the tours that Dan and Sharon Stolebarger do is that they instill in people a passion for Israel. Their tours are different from any others in that they truly endeavor to have the participants experience what Israel is all about. The teachings at the Biblical sites are always new and Dan has a way of teaching the Bible in such a way that you immediately take it into your heart. And the organization performed by Sharon Stolebarger in the executing of these tours make them flow in such a way that is just simply impressive. Another element to their tours, in my many years of guiding, is that Dan and Sharon make them fun. I think that the combination of all these elements is why so many people repeat their tours over and over again.”

Jane Ben Ari grew up in England. Following high school, she made aliyah (return to the Land), making Israel her permanent home.

Jane’s passion, interestingly enough, is Nepal and she treks there almost every year, also bringing aid to the villages who live in abject poverty, although she will tell you they are the happiest people she’s ever known. Jane is even putting two Nepalese children through school — their only hope of changing their position in the caste system.

Jane has three children: Yoav (Danit), a lawyer for the Dead Sea Manufacturing Co., Emmy (Tal), a psychologist living in Tel Aviv, and Kfir, her youngest, who lives in China, is a teacher, musician, jeweler, and is licensed in Oriental medicine. She has eight grandchildren.

Dan Stolebarger

Co-Founder

[email protected]

Dan Stolebarger has been involved in a variety of “ministry” forays since 1970, from pastoring a traditional church, planting a church, serving as an Executive Pastor at a megachurch, and has led a small group ministry consisting of over 500 groups. He served as the head of the Bible Department at a Christian high school in San Diego, as well as serving as the Athletic Director and Head Football Coach.

Following the Lord’s leading throughout his life has involved taking many “risks” which has led to a plethora of experiences, all leading him to this new chapter in his life. In May 2015, God birthed an exciting new ministry, Holy Ground Explorations. Dan, along with his wife, Sharon, co-founded HGE and they are excited about where this journey will lead.

Dan is passionate about Israel, the Word of God, and raising up followers of Jesus.

Dan and Sharon Stolebarger have been married 39 years and have been blessed with three sons, Lucas, Trevor (wife Alicia), and Jesse (wife Whitney), as well as five GRANDsons, and one Princess. Their ministry began in Chula Vista, CA, at the First Baptist Church, planting EastLake Community Church, moving on to Horizon High School under the leadership of Mike MacIntosh at Horizon Christian Fellowship. From there he was the Executive Pastor of The Rock Church San Diego before moving up to Idaho in 2005 to join the ministry of Koinonia Institute.

Education Background

Bachelors of Arts Degree – Point Loma College – 1978
Masters of Divinity – Bethel West Seminary – 1982
Doctor of Philosophy – Louisiana Baptist University – 2008

Our Team

Dan Stolebarger

Co-Founder

Sharon Stolebarger

Co-Founder

Jane Ben Ari

Lead Tour Guide

Dan & Sharon Stolebarger