Sponsorship - The Most Important Task of Emmaus Involvement
HNEC Sponsor Form
HNEC - Sponsor Checklist
HNEC - Sponsor Request for Pilgrim Letters
HNEC - Sponsor Information
"Sponsorship is the act of your revisiting The Walk to Emmaus experience with the person whom God has laid upon your heart. Sponsorship is one of the most important aspects of The Walk to Emmaus and must be taken seriously. Sponsorship requires extensive prayer, diligent thought, careful planning and follow-through. The strength of an Emmaus Community is a direct result of its sponsorship practices." (a) Sponsorship training is provided prior to each HNEC Community Gathering or upon request from any HNEC Board Member.
Pray about whom to sponsor and wait for God’s leading. If you are a first-time sponsor, seek the counsel of a more experienced Fourth Day person before contacting your prospective Pilgrim and read the book Sponsorship, by Richard and Janine Gilmore.
Make sure your Pilgrim is a Christian who belongs to a church and wants to attend a Walk to Emmaus weekend for the right reasons. Remember that the Emmaus weekend is not a place to become a Christian, but is a place to strengthen church leaders. It is not a fix-it shop or a place to send problem members.
Meet with your Pilgrim to affirm his/her walk with the Lord and to share your own Walk to Emmaus experience, explaining how your life has changed. Include your Pilgrim’s spouse in the discussion and encourage both to participate.
Explain the Emmaus weekend to your Pilgrim, being open and non-secretive; provide a copy of the book What is Emmaus? Help them understand how the weekend works and what they should bring, as well as items they should not bring (cell phones, cameras, etc).
Be very careful not to create expectations, remembering that each Pilgrim’s Walk experience is unique and personal, according to God’s plan and not our own.
Help your Pilgrim with the Pilgrim Application, making sure that it is signed by his/her pastor. Send the application in along with your Sponsor’s Application, being careful to follow all the Guidelines for Sponsors printed on the back.
(a) from Sponsorship, by Richard and Janine Gilmore
