A Journey with Christ
While they were talking and discussing,
Jesus himself came near and walked with them. – Luke 24:15
The Southwest Virginia Walk to Emmaus Community is a part of the world-wide network of the Walk to Emmaus through its affiliation with The Upper Room International Emmaus Office, Nashville, TN.
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 encouraged to join small groups to support each other in their ongoing walk with Christ.
Through the 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 also 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.
Who should go to Emmaus?
Emmaus is open to members of any Christian denomination. Emmaus is for the development of Christian leaders who:
- Are members of a local church
- Have a desire to strengthen their spiritual lives
- May have unanswered questions about their faith
- Understand that being a Christian involves responsibility
- Are willing to dedicate their everyday lives to God in an ongoing manner
What happens on the Emmaus Weekend?
You will enjoy three days of singing, learning, laughing, worshiping, reflecting, praying and participating in small groups. Discussions center around fifteen talks given by laity and clergy. These talks present the theme of God’s grace, how that grace comes alive in the Christian community and how it is expressed in the world. You’ll also discover how grace is real in your life, how you live a life of grace, and how you bring that grace to others.
You will have the opportunity to participate in the daily celebration of Holy Communion and to understand more fully the body of Christ. You will experience God’s grace through the prayers and acts of anonymous service offered by the Emmaus community. You will leave with an experience of Christian love in action that will equip you for new levels of grace-filled service and leadership.
What Happens After the Emmaus Weekend?
You are invited to have a closer walk with Christ for the rest of your life; this is called the Fourth Day. Those who attend a Walk to Emmaus are encouraged to:
- Expand their own spiritual lives through worship, study and active participation in their local church
- Become more active disciples of Christ in service to the world
To nurture this process of discipleship, the Emmaus movement offers specific opportunities. First, groups of four to six people meet weekly to reflect on their spiritual journey and encourage one another in accountable discipleship. Second, there are monthly community gatherings where Emmaus participants meet for fellowship, worship and instruction. Third, community members are regularly informed of the support needs of upcoming Walk to Emmaus weekends, and other opportunities for servant leadership.
Please contact us if you are interested in participating in a walk or if you have recently moved into Southwest Virginia and want to participate in community gatherings, candlelight, etc. All of the SWVA Emmaus Walks are held here:
Camp Easter Seals
900 Camp Easter Seals Road
New Castle, VA 24127
Please take the time to view this Walk to Emmaus introduction video:
