Good Sponsorship is Vital to Emmaus

While most church related functions take a “y’all come” approach to participation, Emmaus relies on a method that is more consistent with the message of the Walk: sponsorship. The personal character of sponsorship underlines God’s personal care and commitment to each pilgrim. The fact that the Emmaus experiences passes from person to person reflects the relational nature of God and the manner in which God reaches out to people through people. Sponsorship is integral to some of the unique features and strengths of the Emmaus experience – a discerning approach to recruitment, personal agape and prayer for the pilgrims, sponsors’ presence at Candlelight and Closing and follow up.

Good sponsorship is vital to the Emmaus Movement.

Sponsorship

• Is the first act of agape before a Walk ever begins
• Undergirds the whole weekend with sacrificial love on behalf of the Pilgrim
• Is the foundation for a healthy, effective Emmaus movement
  

Whom do you sponsor?

• Church leaders (pastors & laypersons) who will bring new vision, commitment & understanding back to their congregations
• Dependable church members, the quiet backbone of the church
• Less active members who need their awareness of grace rekindled
• Christians who are hungry for “something more”
• Members & leaders who represent a cross section of the church
• Respected laypersons & clergypersons who participation, support & leadership will encourage other to take the Walk
• Members of diverse congregations, denominations & ethnic groups

Remember, Emmaus is right for many people, but not for everyone.

How do we sponsor?

• Pray for the person’s openness to God’s call to discipleship
• Make an appointment with the person to discuss participation
• Extend an invitation
• Ask the person to make a commitment (by filling out the application)
• Continue to pray for the prospective Pilgrim
• Prepare agape letters; (the Lynchburg Community asks for 12 so that all Pilgrims receive the same number of letters)
• Support the Walk
  • Through prayers during the 72 hour prayer vigil
  • Your presence at Send-off, Sponsors Hour, Candlelight & Closing
  • By supporting the Pilgrim’s family during the weekend
• Encourage the Pilgrim in his/her Fourth Day involvement; bring them to a Gathering
• Help the Pilgrim find a reunion group
• Help the Pilgrim reenter their church & consider ways to act out new commitment
• Inform the Pilgrim of ways to serve the Emmaus Community & future walks
• Help the Pilgrim sponsor others
  

Who can sponsor?

• Any person who has participated in the Emmaus can sponsor another person to Emmaus so long as they understand the aim and responsibilities of sponsorship and can fulfill them for the person they would sponsor.
• The Lynchburg Community has a guideline; you must attend a Day of Deeper Understanding BEFORE you sponsor someone
• Sponsors should not serve as team members
  

The above information is a summary of what is contained in The Upper Room, Handbook on Emmaus. If you have any questions, please contact a member of the Emmaus Board.