What is the Walk to Emmaus?

The walk to Emmaus is an experience of Christian spiritual renewal and formation that begins with a three-day short course in Christianity. It is an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ in a new way as God’s grace and love is revealed to you through other believers.

The Walk to Emmaus experience begins with the prayerful discernment and invitation from a sponsor.  After one accepts this invitation they complete an application.  The Emmaus leaders prayerfully consider each applicant and in God’s time, the person is invited to attend a three-day experience of New Testament Christianity as a lifestyle.

Following the three-day experience, participants are joined in small groups to support each other in their ongoing walk with Christ.

Through the formational process of accountable discipleship in small groups and participation in the Emmaus community, each participant’s individual gifts and servant-leadership skills are developed for use in the local church and its mission.  Participants are encouraged to find ways to live out their individual call to discipleship in their home, church, and community.

The objective of Emmaus is to inspire, challenge, and equip the local church members for Christian action in their homes, churches, communities and places of work.  Emmaus lifts up a way for our grace-filled lives to be lived and shared with others.

Christ is Counting on you.

Christ is counting on you.

And I am counting on Christ.

We all remember hearing our Lay Director say this to us as we were given our Emmaus Cross. We all remember how deep and meaningful that moment was. We all remember the peace that came from knowing we could count on Christ. Knowing within our very bones that our Lord and Savior was here for us.

 I have clutched my Emmaus cross a zillion times since my walk way back in 1997 and said “ and I am counting on Christ”. Resting in that known promise.

 But, what about the other part? The “Christ is counting on me” part.

How well have I lived up to the promise that Christ can count on me? Well, If I am honest. I have probably failed as often as I have succeeded at being a person Christ could count on.

 Sometimes.

Yes, Sometimes, I have been shy in sharing his word with strangers. I have been slow to answer his call to serve. Especially when it could be at the expense of my own comfort. I have let opportunities to let his light shine slip through my fingers. Yes, I have been lazy and complacent. Sometimes.

But other times.

Other times, I have been bold, and I have been brave. I have stood where the weary could no longer stand. I have shared His message of Love in the face of those who would seek to silence it. I have fed his sheep when I wasn’t even sure how I would feed myself.

You see, what I’ve come to understand is Jesus Knows me. He knows I am human. I am fallible. I make mistakes. I get weary. He knows that sometimes I can be a Daniel in the Lion’s Den and other times Jonah in the belly of the whale. AND HE LOVES BOTH PARTS OF ME. HE pushes me to be a good and faithful servant. Even when I wonder if I am worthy of all he has given for me, he still calls me to serve him. He dusts me off and says “try again kid. We’ve got this.”

 Why am I telling you this?  Well, He has called me again. With all my flaws, my weaknesses, and my mistakes. He is asking me to be his servant. To lead his flock. To serve as his hands and feet. I have been Called to be the lay Director of Women’s Walk 115 October 12-15, 2023. Thankfully, he also called the most fabulous group of people to serve alongside me as a part of this team. Furthermore, He has called Brian Davis to be the Lay Director of the Men’s Walk 85 November 2-5, 2023. And again, he surrounded Brian with an amazing group to serve with him as team members. In both teams you will see old faces and new faces.

And…….JESUS IS CALLING YOU.

 It takes over 200 people to create a successful walk.  From the people who carry suitcases, the kitchen crew, the agape makers, the prayer warriors, coming to Candlelight, the Sponsors of the Pilgrims and so many more ways, it takes US. The Greater Findlay Area Emmaus Community.

 It is time for all of us to shake off the dust of the last few years when we all became very used to staying home.

I invite you all to go take up your Emmaus Cross. Place that Cross once again around your neck and let yourself hear your original Lay Director say “ Christ Is Counting ON YOU.” And then, let’s all say it together…..

 “AND I Am Counting On Christ.”

 Come join us this fall. Be an active part of these walks. Let your light shine.

Decolores my friends.

 Beth Yoder