The Walk to Emmaus is a three-day spiritual experience with a mission to renew Christian disciples and strengthen local churches. During this long weekend you will enjoy singing, learning, laughing, worshiping, reflecting, praying, and participating in small groups, feeling God’s love and grace in so many ways.
White Plains United Methodist Church has a large and active Emmaus community with approximately 250 members who have attended the Walk to Emmaus. We are members of the Heart of Carolina Emmaus Community (HoC) which serves central and eastern North Carolina. HoC hosts Emmaus walks. We serve individually and collectively in support of HoC activities as well as Kairos, the Emmaus prison ministry.
What is Emmaus?
The Biblical story of the Walk to Emmaus provides the image for the Walk to Emmaus.
The Gospel of St. Luke relates the story of the risen Christ appearing to two men who were going along the road from Jerusalem to Emmaus. Two friends were walking together, sharing their hearts’ deepest concerns. The risen Christ joined them and explained the scriptures as they walked, how it was ordained that Christ would suffer and so enter His glory. This experience on the road was a heart-warming experience, as the risen Christ walked and talked with them. The illuminating climax of the experience was when Christ took bread and said the blessing, then broke it and gave it to them. The two had their eyes opened, they recognized Him as the risen Christ, and they rushed back to Jerusalem to tell the others. (Luke 24:13-35)
What is the Purpose of Emmaus?
The purpose of Emmaus is threefold:
- To strengthen our relationship with Jesus Christ
- To build church leaders
- To spread the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Emmaus is a partnership between the laity and clergy toward the renewal of the church. Emmaus is for the development of Christian leaders who are members of a local church and desire to strengthen their spiritual lives.
Sponsorship
The Upper Room, a ministry unit of the General Board of Discipleship of The United Methodist Church, sponsors the Walk to Emmaus and offers it through local Emmaus groups around the world. Although connected through The Upper Room to The United Methodist Church, The Walk to Emmaus is ecumenical.
If you’d like more information, please contact Lee Heathcoat who is a member of the Church Staff involved with Walk to Emmaus.
When he was at the table with them, he took bread, gave thanks, broke it, and began to give it to them. Then their eyes were opened and they recognized him, and he disappeared from their sight. Luke 24:30-31
Additional Informational Resources :
About – Walk to Emmaus
An Introduction to Walk to Emmaus The Upper Room SD