The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church through the

development of Christian disciples and leaders.  The programs approach seriously considers the model

of Christ’s servant hood and encourages Christ’s disciples to act in ways appropriate to being a “servant to

all.” 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. The Walk to Emmaus gets its name from the story in Luke 24: 13-35,

 which provides the central image for the three day experience and follow-up.

The Walk to Emmaus offers today’s disciples a parallel opportunity to rediscover Christ’s presence in

their lives, to gain a fresh understanding of God’s transforming grace, and to form friendships that

foster faith and support spiritual maturity.  While Emmaus provides a pathway to the mountaintop

 of God’s love, it also supports pilgrim’s return to the world in the power of the spirit to share

the love they have received with a hurtful and hurting world.

                                  Excerpts from “What is Emmaus” by Stephen D. Bryant