The strength of our Emmaus community is a direct result of the community’s sponsorship practices.
If our community makes a commitment to sponsor strong church leaders for the purpose of strengthening the local church then the community will be a strong and vital renewal movement.
Emmaus is designed to spiritually renew church members who in turn can Christianize their environments, such as home, work friends and churches, As people who have attend a Walk consider their priorities and experienced the grace of God in a loving community and are moved by the Holy Spirit to be disciples, they will want to transform the most significant areas of their lives as a result of the weekend.
Qualities to look for in a Pilgrim:
They are already on a pilgrimage, willing to grow and move forward in their journey of faith.|
They know God can make and has made a difference in their lives.
Pilgrims that are not so consumed by other situations that they will be able to give their full attention to the message and experience of the Walk to Emmaus during the 72 hours.
Step for Good Sponsorship:
Pray about whom you want to sponsor – don’t focus on the weekend experience but how you envision them after the weekend and their new stronger and lively faith.
Make an appointment to speak with the person.
Speak to both the husband and wife together.
Share in your experiences about Emmaus.
Share about the Emmaus community: The Group Reunion, community gatherings.
Issue the invitation to attend the Walk.
Encourage them about the commitment they have made.
Follow Up on their 4th Day
Help them to understand Emmaus: What it means to be involved in the community.
Who Pays for Pilgrim fees?
The sponsor can pay or the pilgrim can pay either way is fine.
Some Churches may have a sponsorship fund.
Things you NEED to tell a Pilgrim:
When talking to a married couple Keep in mind that Equal Commitment from both members of a couple is desirable. Don’t rush their decision.
Talk about the sleeping arrangements, meals and facility locations.
Let them know the start and end times for the weekend;
7:00pm Thursday – 7:00pm Sunday
Limited free time during the weekend. Personal items for the weekend.
Let the Pilgrim now that they should not expect any contact with their family or business except in an emergency.
Things you WILL WANT to tell a Pilgrim:
What the 3 day Emmaus experience has meant to you, your family, church, and job
How Emmaus has changed your priorities.
How being involved in a Reunion Group and community activities has sustained the spirit of the Walk for you.
Things you MAY WANT to tell a Pilgrim:
Talk Presentations, table groups, Worship and Prayer Time, Communion, fellowship
Things you MAY NOT WANT to tell a Pilgrim:
Candlelight
Personal Agape Letters
Don’t try to anticipate what a person may get out of the walk.
There are no expected results other than experiencing God love.
Remember the primary reason for sponsoring someone on the Walk to Emmaus is to deepen that person’s relationship with Jesus Christ. If you don’t lose sight of that reason you will be a great sponsor to the Oceanside Community.