SPONSOR’S CHECKLIST
·
Begin to pray and sacrifice for your candidate now.
·
Insure candidate is ready and able to physically, mentally, and
emotionally participate in an Emmaus Weekend.
·
Explain the logistics of the weekend.
·
Obtain a completed application from the candidate. Mail completed
applications to:
Texoma Emmaus
PO Box 665
Sherman, TX 75090
Upon acceptance, you and your pilgrim will be notified in writing
or e-mail approximately 6 weeks before the Walk.
·
Complete the sponsor’s portion of the application.
·
Mail the application and deposit to the registrar.
·
Bring the pilgrim to the weekend site on time (
o Remember it is important
to maintain minimal contact with your candidate during the weekend, especially
if the candidate is your wife/husband
·
Gather and bring agape letters (not gifts) to the weekend
site.
·
Attend
Send-off and Sponsor’s Hour.
·
Attend to the needs of the pilgrim’s family during the weekend.
·
Attend
Candlelight.
·
Attend
Closing and take the pilgrim home.
·
Bring
the pilgrim to the Follow-up.
·
Help
the pilgrim get into a reunion group.
·
Encourage
the pilgrim to attend Gatherings.
·
Encourage the pilgrim to become a sponsor.
·
Sign
up online for the Prayer Vigil
Emmaus is open to Christians of any
denomination. Be intentionally inclusive of the different denominations as you
extend your invitations to individuals. The love and call of Christ is for
everyone!
NOTE: This is a Sponsor’s Kit, not just
an application. Please provide only the Emmaus Pilgrim Application and Pilgrim
Information and Instruction pages to the candidate.
SOME QUESTIONS FOR PROSPECTIVE SPONSORS
1.
Sponsorship is probably the most important
role you will play in the Emmaus Community!!! Why do
you want to be a sponsor? Do you want to build up the body of Christ by
inviting people to participate in the Emmaus experience? Your invitation to a
candidate is the first step on the Walk to Emmaus. To the candidate you, as
the sponsor, are the Emmaus Community and, as such, should walk
with the candidate all the way to Emmaus and back.
2.
Who should you invite to participate in the
Walk to Emmaus? Emmaus is for active Christians who, through their personal
renewal, will bring new energy, commitment, and vision to the church. Potential
prospects include:
a.
Church leaders, both Clergy and Laity,
b.
Christians who are the quiet backbone of the church,
c.
Christians who need a rekindling of grace and an opportunity to
renew their commitment to our Lord, and,
d.
Christians who are hungry for something more and who want to grow
spiritually.
3.
Who should you NOT invite to participate in
the Walk to Emmaus? Emmaus is a wonderful experience for many people, but not for
all people. As a sponsor you must be aware of and sensitive to the factors that
may have a negative effect on the weekend or be divisive to the church.
Examples of questionable sponsorship include:
a.
Non-Christians with no relationship with the church or our Lord.
b.
Persons undergoing an emotional crisis.
4.
How do you sponsor a candidate? Day
Four: The Pilgrim’s Continued Journey, has an
excellent chapter on “The Next Generation: Sponsorship” which elaborates
on the following ten steps on how to sponsor a candidate. The steps are:
a.
Pray for the person’s openness to God’s call to discipleship.
b.
Make an appointment with the person or couple to discuss their
participation in Emmaus.
c.
Invite them to attend for the sake of a more vital relationship
with Jesus Christ.
d.
Ask them to make a commitment by filling out the registration
form.
e.
Continue to pray and request agape letters but not gifts.
f.
Support the Walk through your prayer, attendance, and service.
g.
Encourage the pilgrim in his or her 4th Day
involvement.
h.
Help the new pilgrim find ways to act out their new commitment and
enthusiasm in their home church.
i.
Inform the pilgrim how he or she can serve the Emmaus Community
and future walks, and
j.
Help the pilgrim sponsor others.
Sponsorship is an act of love for God,
for the candidates, for the Emmaus Community, and for the local church. It is a
demonstration of agape love. It is making oneself an instrument of God’s Prevenient grace.
Pilgrim Information and Instructions
Emmaus Mission: to inspire, challenge
and equip local church members for Christian action in their homes, churches,
places of work, and their communities.
The Walk takes place from
Insure your sponsor has explained The Walk to Emmaus weekend
experience to you and your spouse before completing an application.
Texoma Emmaus cannot be responsible for lost or stolen valuables
(jewelry, money, etc.). Please do not
bring valuables such as pagers, mobile phones or more cash than what is
necessary to pay in full for your balance due or purchase a book from the
Texoma Emmaus Community book table.
Please enclose a pre-registration deposit (transferable, but
non-refundable) of $50. This deposit will be applied
toward your contribution of $200 which offsets the expenses of your
weekend. Make check payable to: Texoma Emmaus Community.