The Walk to Emmaus is a God led spiritual experience that can bring spiritual revitalization to church leaders, and in turn, contribute to new life and vision for the work of their local church. Pilgrims, who have been prayerfully chosen to experience this weekend, often return to their family, churches and communities with a renewed commitment to become effective disciples for Jesus Christ. Therefore, sponsorship is a very important aspect of the Emmaus Walk weekend that should be taken seriously, carefully planned, diligently considered, and followed-through. When done correctly, the pilgrim that God lays on the heart of the sponsor receives a deepened relationship with Jesus and thus becomes an enthusiastic disciple eager to do God's work.
Please read this letter from one of the members of Agape Temple who experienced a life changing spiritual renewal as a result of good sponsorship.
Thanks,
Rev. Ella McDonald

To:  Dallas Emmaus
 

Greetings,
 
I want to share with you the experiences I had while being on the Walk to Emmaus.  Being a fairly new Christian and a single mom, I truly had mixed emotions about taking this new adventure.  I felt that perhaps I did not know enough about Christ to be a part of this walk, and as a single parent, I felt so nervous about leaving my daughter and my family for this period of time without having any means of communicating with them.  My nervousness and doubts did not cease until after I settled in the first night and had experienced the most friendly hospitality I had received in years from the sponsors of the walk.
 
As I arrived the first evening, I was surrounded with an enormous show of love and support.  Everyone seemed to be full of excitement and so friendly.  I meet so many people- all with a spirit of JOY and LOVE!
 
Over the three days, although it seemed our days were full, there was so much PEACE!  Every aspect of the days were so motivating.    During the sessions we shared our life stories, shared our challenges, prayed and embraced on another; then during the still of the night we quietly reflected on the goodness of God.  Without the distractions and interruptions of family, friends, cell phones, etc., I felt that it was in those quiet times that I really listened to God and established a closer relationship with Him and knew there was HOPE for me and the future ahead.  I was so honest about things in my life; I opened myself to hear from God as I focused on being a lifelong servant for Him.
 
As we walked along the quiet and dark paths each night, I related to the story in Luke and I felt that I too, now had a closer walk with the Lord.
 
The Walk to Emmaus was a spiritual cleansing and renewal for me.  It was a time that I honestly and openly looked at me and my relationship with the Lord.  It was an experience that I hope to never forget and I pray that many others will have the opportunity to take this spiritual and blessed journey.
 
De Colores!
Dianna Thompson
Walk #207
Table of Sarah

From the last pilgrim that I sponsored in response to what sponsorship means, he says:

Even though I have not sponsored anyone yet, I think sponsorship is giving from the heart. A gift that is unmatched by anything and that gift is a renewed faith."

That says it all!

Kirk Ragsdale