Letters from Participants
Testimony on the first Russian walk to Emmaus
The Walk to Emmaus for me was a great revelation of God’s love. Before the Walk I knew that God loved me and that I was supposed to love others, but only during the Walk I felt the real effect of God’s love. My heart was touched by God through the expression of love by other people.
The Walk to Emmaus for me was like a burning bush for Moses. I made a decision at the Walk not to be a passive Christian any longer. I need to labor to multiply the rows of saved people, to enlarge the army of God. I realized that I have power. I came to understanding, that the Body of Christ is united and I was shown an example how to love, how to serve, how to bless.
Now I am taking all this into my Fourth Day. I am active in church ministry, I joined a drama club in our church, I help my friends to overcome the doubts of earthly living. I am going to participate in a youth conference next month. But soon the summer break will be over and I will go back to Chelyabinsk to continue my studies. That will be a true start of my Fourth Day: spiritual warfare and overcoming many temptations. But I know I will be a winner! Thanks to all who organized, participated and served at the First Russian Walk to Emmaus. I love you all so much!
Eli Haibullin.
Emmaus and strong churches are a dynamic partnership that helps to deepen the spiritual growth of the members of the congregation; this is what has been experienced at Macedonia United Methodist in Southmont, North Carolina. The first two members of Macedonia UMC entered the Emmaus Community on Piedmont Emmaus Walk #50 in the fall of 2005. Now, over 25 members of the congregation have attended the Walk to Emmaus. Macedonia has an active worship attendance of 230, so over 10% of church attendees are part of the Emmaus community. And the members of the Emmaus community are active in leadership in all areas of the churches life.
Early on there was a bit of tension in the church as people went on the Walk to Emmaus and came back transformed by the radical hospitality that they experienced. Now there is a growing desire of those who were skeptics to experience what their friends are so excited about. How did this happen? This church transformation was made possible through the work of dedicated laity, clergy support, and most importantly the movement of the Holy Spirit.
As the pastor of the church, I have supported all of our laity as they have taken their walks and I have encouraged them to remain focused on using their renewed enthusiasm in leadership at Macedonia. I have also encouraged the people who have been on the walk to sponsor others. Many of the first participants from Macedonia had already had their faith deepened through a strong Disciple Bible Study ministry, faithful participation in worship and Sunday school, and other means of grace.
The real secret to the success of the partnership between the Emmaus community and Macedonia is the laity who have gone are dedicated first to Christ and realize that the local church is where they are primarily called to live out their faith. In addition they are modeling the radical hospitality they experienced as they dedicate themselves to ensuring that those they sponsor have a similar experience on their walks. Many of our members, in addition to their local church ministries, are serving at the Piedmont Emmaus walk weekends in the kitchen, praying, sorting agape, and/or cleaning the cabins and facilities. The members of the “Macedonia Cry Babies” (a name given our group because our men and women get weepy at the closing worship of every weekend) are first and foremost servants and they are happy to be so!
Emmaus is a wonderful way to deepen the spiritual lives of the members of the congregation, to develop leaders and enhance the life and ministry of your church under the guidance of the Holy Spirit.
DeColores,
Rev. J. Burton Williams
