Case of Support: September 2020
100 DAYS OF GIVING
Renewing Christian Disciples – Strengthening Local Churches Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of Your faithful and kindle in us the fire of Your love. Send forth Your Spirit and we shall be created. And You shall renew the face of the earth. O, God, Who by the light of the Holy Spirit did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant that by the same Holy Spirit we may be truly wise and ever enjoy Your consolations. ​Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
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100 DAYS OF GIVING
The Emmaus Promise The Walk to Emmaus offers today’s disciples an unparallel opportunity to rediscover Christ’s presence in their lives, to gain a fresh understanding of God’s transforming grace, and to form meaningful friendships that encourage a lifetime of spiritual growth. It all starts with a 72-hour retreat but soon becomes a meaningful way of life—a Fourth Day journey of prayer and study, growing in Christian service and leadership, and being a light for the world. This powerful movement of spiritual renewal is making a difference for countless disciples and congregations in many denominations and throughout the world. When you see a thriving church in your community, you can assume there’s a committed Emmaus leader behind the scenes, working in collaboration with the pastor and other church leaders and in cooperation with the living Spirit. Emmaus Ministries is making a world of difference—renewing lives, homes and families, churches and communities, and the world. It’s a difference rooted in abundant love and grace, a difference that binds us together for a greater purpose, and makes God’s love real to all.
“While several strategies for reopening the world are being discussed, I encourage you— the people of God everywhere—to allow this season to be a formative one during which you can make new discoveries about God and increase your faith. Use this time to embark on a life of prayer, a life of study and a life of action, involvement in the community.” – Rev. Stéphane Brooks, International Spiritual Director of Emmaus Ministries
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100 DAYS OF GIVING
The Emmaus Impact For over 40 years, the sole purpose of the Emmaus movement is to strengthen disciples for the renewal of the church. The Walk to Emmaus continues to be one of the most effective, formational and transformational programs available for personal renewal and leadership development. Since 1978, 1.4 million people have experienced this outpouring of love, benefitted from sound theological teaching and compassionate witness, and been given a spiritual boost that will last a lifetime. This happens when 346 local Emmaus communities, thousands of sponsors, and hundreds of teams come together to share God’s love. Emmaus Ministries has grown and expanded to include Chrysalis (older teens) and Face to Face (boomers) and partners with Journey to the Table (young adults) and Discovery Weekend (middle school students) to offer spiritual support for people at every age.
74
272
Emmaus communities active in the U.S.
Emmaus communities outside the U.S.
Available in
12
languages Active in
1.4
28
MILLION
countries on six continents
renewed pilgrims worldwide
Today, like so many other ministries, Emmaus Ministries is at a crossroads. The critical question before us is this? How can we continue to renew Christian disciples and strengthen the local church in a global pandemic? 4
Men’s Walk #1 Argentina, 2019
100 DAYS OF GIVING
A Bold Vision for the Future God is not finished with us yet. Emmaus Ministries has a bold vision for the future, grounded in faith and offered in hope. With God’s help, the Emmaus movement will continue to transform lives, helping people become Christian leaders empowered to serve their church, and will continue to be a healing balm for a suffering world. We will follow God’s leading through COVID-19 and into a promising tomorrow. Yes, our beloved program will undergo some modifications to meet health and safety precautions, but together we will adapt and serve boldly and faithfully. Emmaus will not disappear; our Fourth Day continues. Emmaus communities and the Community Support Structure are at the core of this vital ministry, and The Upper Room is committed to be your spiritual companion in the days ahead as we navigate this situation together.
With Your Help, We Can:
• Create and test hybrid and online solutions for the Weekend experience • Train and coach community leaders through online courses and conversations • Empower communities to increase focus on the Fourth Day lifestyle • Help communities benefit from the Ministry Manager Application • Increase the number of participants by 4% across all Emmaus programs • Develop eight new international communities in the next five years • Strengthen church partnerships using Emmaus Ministries programs as an instrument to develop lay and clergy leaders • Assist communities in reaching churches not currently involved with the Emmaus movement • Increase the number of non-English speaking Emmaus Ministries events in the U.S.
Just as the first disciples unexpectedly encountered the Risen Lord on the Road to Emmaus, Jesus walks with us today. The road is rarely smooth. May we find comfort knowing we never walk alone. 5
Men’s Walk #1 Bolivia, 2018
100 DAYS OF GIVING
A Funding Campaign
The Upper Room, home to the Emmaus Ministries International Office, is initiating a funding campaign called Emmaus Ministries: Making a World of Difference. This campaign is designed to support the ongoing work of Emmaus and to help cover the operating deficit of 2020, which comes as over 500 weekend events around the world are cancelled. Since day one, the work of Emmaus Ministries has always been supported by community fees, the sale of resources, and donations. This year, COVID-19 disrupted our ministry and the work of our communities. As a result, the Emmaus office is anticipating a projected deficit this year of more than $160,000. The Upper Room is inviting you, your communities, and local churches to help sustain this vital program through a special giving initiative, a gift of Agape love.
12,580
adults attended a Walk to Emmaus in 2019
1,939
youth attended Chrysalis in 2019
Only
4,817
disciples attended an Emmaus event this year before Walks were cancelled
“At all times I was able to experience the presence of the Risen One, in the devotional spaces as well as in times of teaching, meditation, and prayer. The communion with brothers, experienced in the daily sharing of the table and the word, generated deep bonds of brotherhood.� – Rev. Marcelo Mondini from Argentina, reflecting on his Walk to Emmaus in Bolivia. Marcelo went on to serve on the core team to host the first Walk to Emmaus in Argentina in 2019.
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100 DAYS OF GIVING
Your Gift Matters Our goal is to raise $100,000 in 100 days, starting September 19, to ensure the accessibility and sustainability of Emmaus Ministries this year and for years to come. With your gift, we can continue the work that matters in supporting disciples, communities, and congregations. Without it, we experience a setback and our mission is impeded. With this focus in mind, we are renaming the operations fund, currently called 40 for Emmaus, the Fourth Day Fund. The new name aptly describes the purpose of the fund. By supporting the accessibility and growth of Emmaus Ministries, you can ensure a faithful and fruitful Fourth Day journey for new and long-time pilgrims alike. 100% of every donated dollar to this campaign goes directly to supporting Emmaus Ministries through its operations fund, the Fourth Day Fund. The Upper Room is covering the cost of this campaign while generous donors have contributed to the cost of hosting the first international virtual event.
Leadership Development Event Hong Kong, 2018
“Emmaus helped me laugh again, and it brought joy back to my life after the loss of my child. I am now stronger in my walk with the Lord than I ever have been. And, to this day, I continue to sponsor pilgrims to the Walk to Emmaus. In my local church, I have led our discipleship team and have had the opportunity to start new Sunday school classes and various women’s ministries. De Colores!” —Susie Gilley attended her Walk to Emmaus in 1993 with the Chattanooga-Lafayette Community. She is now in seminary, seeking to be ordained as a pastor in the Church of the Nazarene.
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100 DAYS OF GIVING
100 Days of Prayer and Support This is a personal invitation to join us in this special time of prayer and support. Here’s how to participate: 15 Weeks of Prayer and Reflection
International Virtual Gathering
Starts September 21
September 19 8:00 CT
Email devotions based on the 15 talks of a Walk to Emmaus weekend
REGISTER
100-Day Prayer Vigil for Our Future
Ohio
72-hour Giving Weekend November 5–8
Starts September 19
The 42nd anniversary of the first Walk to Emmaus
SIGN UP
Year-end Gratitude December 28–31 California
Ilesa, Nigeria
Your participation, prayers, and gifts will make a world of difference. Please share this news with others who know and love the Emmaus movement. 8
100 DAYS OF GIVING
Ways to Give – Count on Me!
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Give online here
You can make a one-time gift or set up an ongoing monthly gift of any amount by using your bank account or credit or debit card. (Monthly gifts are charged on the 15th of each month.)
Send a check
Mail your donation to: The Upper Room • P O Box 305150 • Nashville, TN 37230-9891 Make checks payable to: The Upper Room. Memo: Emmaus Fourth Day Fund Tax ID#: 62-0475840. The Upper Room is a 501(c)(3) non-profit corporation in the state of Tennessee.
Ohio
Hong Kong
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Montana
100 DAYS OF GIVING
Need More Information: For questions or additional information about Emmaus and the funding campaign contact: Hess “Doc� Hall hhall@upperroom.org
OR
Nicole Curtis ncurtis@upperroom.org
The Upper Room is a part of Discipleship Ministries, a general agency of The United Methodist Church.
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100 DAYS OF GIVING
Meet the Emmaus Team
Rev. Stéphane Brooks
Hess B. “Doc” Hall, Jr.
Rev. Lilia Ramirez
the Regional Reps
International Spiritual Director
Associate Director
Administrative Program Manager
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