About the Walk to Emmaus
About the Walk to Emmaus |
| What is Emmaus? | History of Emmaus | Should I attend? |
What is Emmaus? |
The Walk to Emmaus was established to develop Christian leadership in the local church and discipleship in the world around us. It encourages a closer relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ. Men and women attend different Walks and must be adults over the age of 18. There is a weekend designed for youth called Chrysalis.
The weekend is a 72-hour experience which begins on Thursday evening and continues through Sunday evening. Clergy and lay speakers present 15 talks. Participants, or Pilgrims as they are called in the Emmaus community, study, discuss, and experience God's grace and love in a mighty way.
A more detailed description is available at The Upper Room.
The Walk to Emmaus is based on the story of two disciples walking along the road between Jerusalem and the village of Emmaus shortly after Christ's resurrection. As the two were discussing the events of the past few days, the risen Christ joined them. But they were kept from recognizing Him. He explained that the Christ must suffer before receiving His glory. Later He joined the two for supper. As He blessed and broke the bread, the eyes of the disciples were opened and they recognized this stranger as the risen Christ. But then He disappeared from their sight. They immediately returned to Jerusalem to spread the word that Christ had indeed risen. (Luke 24:13-35)
This story is the background for the Walk to Emmaus weekend. Just as Christ appeared to the disciples and explained the Scriptures to them, Pilgrims on their walk learn, strengthen, and renew the faith of Christian people. This is done in an atmosphere of love, friendship, and prayer.
The Walk to Emmaus program began in the United States in 1977 and is overseen internationally by The Upper Room in Nashville, Tennessee. Its format comes from church renewal, called Cursillo de Christiandad or "short course in Christianity," begun in 1949 in Spain. Millions of persons the world over have made a Cursillo weekend.
Related weekends are held for youth and college-aged folks under the name of Chrysalis.
The Walk to Emmaus is for Christians and is not an evangelistic outreach to non-Christians. It is a concentrated three-day course in Christianity and is not designed as a relaxing retreat. You will be surrounded with love and prayer and will go back to your church revived and strengthened. One Pilgrim said, "It's 72 hours with Jesus."
If you decide you are interested in attending an Emmaus weekend, you will first need to find a sponsor. Anyone who has attended a weekend can sponsor you. Your sponsor should be someone who knows you well. Sponsorship is an important duty and not one to be taken lightly. They will work with you to guide you through the application process, answer any questions you have, and envelop you in prayer before, during, and after your weekend. Texoma Emmaus Community is a body of believers who stand ready to help you in your faith journey.