Emmaus Sponsorship

Good sponsorship is vital to the integrity of the Walk to Emmaus. Many people take sponsorship for granted; they assume that everyone knows the how and why of sponsorship. Yet sponsorship is arguably the most important job in Emmaus. It is more than just “signing up people”. The quality of sponsorship influences the pilgrim, the health of the Emmaus Movement, and the churches affected by the movement.

Good sponsorship is your first act of agape before a Walk ever begins; the experience of the Walk for a pilgrim really starts with how we handle sponsorship.

Good sponsorship undergirds the whole weekend with sacrificial love on behalf of each pilgrim. Sponsors use discernment in recruiting pilgrims, Sponsors embody the personal commitment of the community to each pilgrim, and Sponsors provide personal acts of agape during the three days for the pilgrims. These acts of agape include signing up for the Prayer Vigil, collecting Agape letters, and taking their pilgrim to Send off at your church if there is one, attending Candlelight and Closing, and following up to help your pilgrim get connected.

Good sponsorship is the foundation for a healthy, effective Emmaus movement that is fulfilling its true purpose – the development of Christian leaders and the renewal of the church in ministry. The strength of any Emmaus community is a direct result of its recruiting practices. If the community is committed to recruiting strong church leaders for the purpose of strengthening the local church, then the community will be a strong, vital force in the renewal movement. If, on the other hand, the Walk to Emmaus is looked upon as a hospital where every human ill can be cured, it will have a weakening effect on the entire community.

The following is taken from DAY FOUR: The Pilgrim’s Continued Journey, also on pages 23-24 in Steve Bryant Handbook

Pray for the person’s openness to God’s call to discipleship, not for how to get him or her to go on a walk.
Make an appointment with the person or couple for the purpose of discussing their participation in Emmaus.
Extend an invitation. Invite them to attend for the sake of a more vital relationship with Jesus Christ, not just a weekend to go on. Share your faith; explain the basic elements of the walk, its purpose and follow-up dimensions which help us live in grace for the rest of our lives. Have the attitude that you are giving them a wonderful gift rather than that they need to go.
Ask them to make a commitment by filling out the registration form. If the person is married, speak with both partners and encourage an equal commitment by both spouses.
Sing up for the Prayer Vigil, prepare agape letters, enlist the support of their pastor. Collect ten or more personal agape letters. Remind them “No personal gifts during the weekend”. Agape must be for all pilgrims.
Support the Walk through your prayers by signing up for a slot during the 72-hour prayer vigil and by your presence at the send-off, sponsors hour, Candlelight, and Closing. Support the Pilgrim’s family by house sitting, babysitting, and watering plants, picking up the mail, feeding pets or just checking in with the spouse to see if any help is needed.
Encourage the Pilgrim in his or her Fourth day involvement. Give your friend an opportunity to talk through and appreciate the experience. Help them find a reunion group. Or, be prepared to start a group with him or her for a period of time until they find others to be in the group. Take them to Gatherings as your guest for a couple of months.
Help the pilgrim reenter their Church and consider ways to act out new commitment and enthusiasm.
Inform the Pilgrim of how he or she can serve the Emmaus community and future walks.
Help the Pilgrim sponsor others after 12 months. New pilgrims must wait 12 months before serving as a sponsor.

Sponsorship is an act of love for God, for the Pilgrims, for the Emmaus Community, and for the church. It is a demonstration of agape love. It is making oneself an instrument of prevenient Grace.
It is recommended by the Upper Room that recent Walk to Emmaus attendees wait 6 months before sponsoring their first Pilgrim. It is also recommended by the Heartland of Texas Emmaus Community Registrar that a Sponsor should sponsor no more than one to two pilgrims on a single Walk.

SPONSORSHIP IS IMPORTANT

SEEK PRAYERFUL GUIDANCE BEFORE ASKING APPLICANT TO ATTEND

ANSWER ALL QUESTIONS AND CONCERNS HONESTLY BEFORE GIVING THEM AN APPLICATION.

HELP RESOLVE ANY PROBLEMS THAT MIGHT PREVENT ATTENDANCE.

TAKE YOUR PILGRIM TO A SEND OFF BLESSING AT YOUR CHURCH IF THERE IS ONE.

BRING YOUR PILGRIM TO THE CENTER ON TIME ON THURSDAY EVENING.

TREAT YOUR PILGRIM TO DINNER ON THE WAY TO THE WALK.

PARTICIPATE IN THE SPONSOR’S HOUR PRAYER SERVICE AT THE CENTER.

OBTAIN PERSONAL AGAPE LETTERS FROM FRIENDS AND FAMILY

ASSIST OUR PILGRIM’S FAMILY DURING HIS/HER ABSENCE.

ATTEND THE CANDLELIGHT AND CLOSING SERVICES

DRIVE OR RIDE HOME WITH YOUR PILGRIM AFTER THE WEEKEND

TAKE YOUR PILGRIM TO THE FIRST GATHERING AFTER THE WEEKEND.

PERSEVERE IN HELPING YOUR PILGRIM GET IN A REUNION GROUP.

It is recommended by the Upper Room that recent Walk to Emmaus attendees wait 6 months before sponsoring their first Pilgrim. It is also recommended by the Heartland of Texas Emmaus Community Registrar that a Sponsor should sponsor no more than one to two pilgrims on a single Walk.

PILGRIMS ARE PRECIOUS, HANDLE WITH PRAYER

“..serve one another in love.” Galatians 5:13

WHEN YOU AGREE TO SPONSOR A PILGRIM FOR THE WEEKEND, YOU ACCEPT CERTAIN RESPONSIBILITIES FOR THAT PERSON.

YOU AGREE TO:

PRAY FOR THEM: Before, during and after the weekend.
TELL THEM about the weekend. Do not be secretive. But do not reveal specific details about activities. We want them to be a surprised. Offer them the book: What Is Emmaus? By Stephen Bryant.
BEFORE MAILING APPLICATION: Obtain their pastor’s signature and answer any questions that may come from their pastor. Be open and share your own experience if necessary. Mail completed application with check to the registrar (please answer all questions).
TELL THEM what they need for the weekend. Comfortable shoes, casual clothing, jacket, toiletries, maybe their favorite pillow. DO NOT BRING: Radios, clocks, cameras (help them avoid the embarrassment of having to be told they can’t take pictures), cell phones, and pagers.
HELP THEM with special problems such as: childcare, house sitting, car pools, meals, etc.
BRING YOUR PILGRIM to the walk on Thursday evening, feed them a good meal on the way. As food agape bring your Pilgrim’s favorite treats and one case of bottled water when you drop them off. STAY for Sponsor’s Hour to pray over their cross.
WRITE AGAPE LETTERS. Collect others from spouse (if applicable), family, friends, and relatives and bring them Thursday. Bundle 12 of the most important letters together for your pilgrim to receive at their table on Sunday afternoon.
PRAYER AGAPE: Make sure your name is on the prayer vigil.
ATTEND CANDLELIGHT.
BE THERE FOR CLOSING! 3:00 p.m. on Sunday. Pack up things for your pilgrim. Carry their bags
Follow-up MEETING: Be sure to tell your pilgrim about this time ahead of time. Contact your pilgrim on Monday after the walk to see how they are doing. Arrange to pick them up for the meeting or gathering. Be sure your pilgrim locates a Reunion Group. This is your responsibility!!

Checklist for sponsorship:

As a sponsor, I understand and have done the following for my pilgrim:

I have committed the whole process of sponsorship to prayer.

I have listened to God about whom to sponsor on the walk.

I have discussed the walk with my pilgrim and their significant other even if the significant other has no intention to attend a Walk to Emmaus.

I am sponsoring someone who is fully committed to living a life that is pleasing to God.

I am sponsoring someone who is: A Church leader, an authenticator, a servant, or someone who is seeking their servant role in the church.

I have committed the time to sponsor this one pilgrim, by retrieving agape letters, by transporting this pilgrim to and from the retreat site, I have committed the time to help them get settled in their room, and to attend sponsors hour, candlelight services and closing services. I have also committed the time to assist my pilgrim in finding or starting their reunion group and taking them to their first 4th day community gatherings.