Pastor Deb Washer

Coming Down From the Mountain

I worked on the team for the Walk to Emmaus #110 in the Shenandoah Valley Walk to Emmaus Community this past weekend. The Upper Room Ministries not only publishes the Upper Room devotional books that many churches order and provide for members and other people, but they have developed other spiritual ministries which include other devotionals, books, and spiritual retreat experiences.

The Walk to Emmaus, is a wonderful ministry tool that often renews people’s faith. Its main goal is to advance the ministry of Jesus Christ. It is difficult to explain because it is an experience that is both personal and communal. The weekend is highly structured but at the same time, it allows people to be themselves before God and one another in a safe, and loving environment.
The description of its purpose from their website:

“The Walk to Emmaus develops Christian disciples and leaders by inspiring, challenging, and equipping active adult church members for Christian action in their homes, churches, workplaces, and communities. It also benefits less active members who are seeking to renew a relationship with God, grow spiritually, or discover firmer foundations for their lives.

Through The Walk to Emmaus, as they seek to become healthy and vital congregations, local churches have both a means of growing disciples and a tool for developing leaders for their disciple-making systems.

The program begins with a 72-hour short course in Christianity that is wrapped in prayer and signs of sacrificial service. It continues for the rest of participants’ lives with follow-up groups that, along with the local church’s robust offerings, contribute to participants’ ongoing growth in grace.”

Prayer is the foundation and framing of The Walk to Emmaus. God uses a team of people who have experienced the weekend to continue its work. There are Emmaus communities all over the world. Butch and I attended The Walk to Emmaus in Baton Rouge in 1999 in the Lagniappe Country Walk to Emmaus Community. I have served in both the Shenandoah Valley, and the Southwest Virginia Emmaus communities. One of the most important parts of Emmaus are the “Group Reunion” meetings that participants are encouraged to attend regularly for prayer, encouragement, and accountability.

These “walks” happen in the spring and fall of the year, and there may be a waiting list if we have too many people desiring to attend. I want to invite anyone in my church or any of my friends to consider attending. If you want to know more, I would be happy to sit down and have a conversation about The Walk to Emmaus. God nudges people to accept the invitation to attend The Walk to Emmaus – I invite you to listen to the nudge.

After attending or working on a Walk to Emmaus weekend, we return home needing to process all that we experienced and are inspired to do. This is where I am at today. I am left declaring,

“Your Will, oh God,
Nothing more, nothing less, nothing else.
Amen and Amen!”