Emmaus Ministries: Case of Support 2022

Emmaus Ministries

Renewing Christian Disciples –Strengthening Local Churches

Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in us the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and we shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth.

O, God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy Your consolations.

Through Christ our Lord. Amen.

The Emmaus Promise

The Walk to Emmaus offers today’s disciples an unparallel opportunity to rediscover Christ’s presence in their lives, to gain a fresh understanding of God’s transforming grace, and to form meaningful friendships that encourage a lifetime of spiritual growth. It all starts with a 72-hour retreat but soon becomes a meaningful way of life—a Fourth Day journey of prayer and study, growing in Christian service and leadership, and being a light for the world.

This powerful movement of spiritual renewal is making a difference for countless disciples and congregations in many denominations and throughout the world. When you see a thriving church in your community, you can assume there’s a committed Emmaus leader behind the scenes, working in collaboration with the pastor and other church leaders and in cooperation with the living Spirit.

Emmaus Ministries is making a world of difference—renewing lives, homes and families, churches and communities, and the world. It’s a difference rooted in abundant love and grace, a difference that binds us together for a greater purpose, and makes God’s love real to all.

“Let’s allow this season to be a formative one during which you can make new discoveries about God and increase your faith. Use this time to embark on a life of prayer, a life of study, and a life of active involvement in the community.”

Rev. Stéphane Brooks, International Spiritual Director of Emmaus Ministries

The Emmaus Impact

For nearly 45 years, the sole purpose of the Emmaus movement is to strengthen disciples for the renewal of the church. The Walk to Emmaus continues to be one of the most effective, formational and transformational programs available for personal renewal and leadership development. Since 1978, 1.4 million people have experienced this outpouring of love, benefitted from sound theological teaching and compassionate witness, and been given a spiritual boost that will last a lifetime. This happens when 346 local Emmaus communities, thousands of sponsors, and hundreds of teams come together to share God’s love. Emmaus Ministries has grown and expanded to include Chrysalis (older teens) and Face to Face (boomers) and partners with Journey to the Table (young adults) and Discovery Weekend (middle school students) to offer spiritual support for people at every age.

A Bold Vision for the Future

During the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Emmaus Ministries adapted to meet the urgent spiritual needs of the day. We hosted international and regional Gatherings that connected pilgrims and renewed the soul. We created and launched Village Encounter and Fourth Day Restore, two online offerings that serve pilgrims at different stages of their journey. Indeed, Emmaus Ministries has a bold vision for the future. With God’s help, the Emmaus movement will continue to transform lives by helping people become Christian leaders empowered to serve their church and will continue to be a healing balm for a suffering world.

We will follow God’s leading in a changing world and into a promising tomorrow. No doubt, future adaptations will need to be made; but together we will serve boldly and faithfully.

With Your Help, We Can:

• Continue to develop hybrid and online solutions for the various programs

• Continue to develop online courses for training and coaching community members

• Empower communities to increase focus on the Fourth Day lifestyle

• Help communities benefit from the Ministry Manager Application

• Increase the number of participants by 4% across all Emmaus programs

• Develop five new international communities in the next five years

• Strengthen church partnerships using Emmaus Ministries programs as an instrument to develop lay and clergy leaders

• Assist communities in reaching churches not currently involved with the Emmaus movement

• Increase the number of non-English speaking Emmaus Ministries events in the U.S.

Just as the first disciples unexpectedly encountered the Risen Lord on the Road to Emmaus, Jesus walks with us today. The road is rarely smooth. May we find comfort knowing we never walk alone.

Men’s Walk #1 Bolivia

A Funding Campaign

The Upper Room, home to the Emmaus Ministries International Office, is initiating a 100 Days of Giving campaign. This funding campaign is designed to support the ongoing work of Emmaus and to help cover the operating deficit, which comes as community events worldwide were cancelled or placed on hold during the past two years.

Since day one, the work of Emmaus Ministries has always been supported by community fees, the sale of resources, and donations. COVID-19 has disrupted our ministry and the work of our communities for two years. As a result, the Emmaus Ministries office is anticipating a projected deficit this year of $100,000.

The Upper Room is inviting you, your communities, and local churches to help sustain this vital program through a special giving initiative, a gift of Agape love.

As communities restart, we anticipate approximately 7,500 pilgrims will attend an Emmaus Ministries event in 2022.

12,580

adults attended a Walk to Emmaus in 2019.

disciples attended an Emmaus event in 2020 before walks were cancelled.

“At all times I was able to experience the presence of the Risen One, in the devotional spaces as well as in times of teaching, meditation, and prayer. The communion with brothers, experienced in the daily sharing of the table and the word, generated deep bonds of brotherhood.”

Rev. Marcelo Mondini from Argentina, reflecting on his Walk to Emmaus in Bolivia. Marcelo went on to serve on the core team to host the first Walk to Emmaus in Argentina in 2019.

Your Gift Matters

Our goal is to raise $50,000 in 100 days, starting September 23, to ensure the accessibility and sustainability of Emmaus Ministries this year and for years to come. With your gift, we can continue the work that matters in supporting disciples, communities, and congregations. Without it, we experience a setback and our mission is impeded. By supporting the accessibility and growth of Emmaus Ministries through the Fourth Day Fund, you can ensure a faithful and fruitful Fourth Day journey for new and long-time pilgrims alike.

100% of every donated dollar to this campaign goes directly to supporting Emmaus Ministries through its operations fund, the Fourth Day Fund. The Upper Room is covering the cost of this campaign while generous donors have contributed to the cost of hosting international virtual events, such as the Village Encounter.

“Emmaus helped me laugh again, and it brought joy back to my life after the loss of my child. I am now stronger in my walk with the Lord than I ever have been. And, to this day, I continue to sponsor pilgrims to the Walk to Emmaus. In my local church, I have led our discipleship team and have had the opportunity to start new Sunday school classes and various women’s ministries. De Colores!”

—Susie Gilley attended her Walk to Emmaus in 1993 with the Chattanooga-Lafayette Community. She is now in seminary, seeking to be ordained as a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene.

Leadership Development Event Hong Kong

Ways to Give – Count on Me!

Give online here

You can make a one-time gift or set up an ongoing monthly gift of any amount by using your bank account or credit or debit card. (Monthly gifts are charged on the 15th of each month.)

Send a check

Mail your donation to: The Upper Room • P O Box 305150 • Nashville, TN 37230-9891

Make checks payable to: The Upper Room. Memo: Emmaus Fourth Day Fund

Tax ID#: 36-5019628. The Upper Room is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in the state of Tennessee. Kong

Need More Information: Room a part of Ministries, of Methodist “Doc” Hall

Meet the Emmaus Team

Rev. Stéphane Brooks International Spiritual Director Hess B. “Doc” Hall, Jr. Associate Director

Rev. Lilia Ramirez Administrative Program Manager the Regional Reps