A Weekend to Unplug, Grow, and Belong. Step into a 72-hour journey for your soul.
Discover what happens when you disconnect from the noise and reconnect with God.
What is the Walk to Emmaus?
The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program sponsored by The Upper Room. It's not a new denomination. It's a movement designed to grow Christian leaders within their existing churches. For 72-hours, you will be immersed in a supportive environment of worship, music, learning, and reflection, surrounded by a community committed to working alongside you.
Foundations for the Weekend
1. Unplug Completely
In a world of constant notifications, true silence is a luxury. To help you fully immerse yourself, we ask all guests to set aside their phones and watches for the duration of the weekend.
The Benefit: You’ll be amazed at how much more clearly you can hear God’s voice when the digital noise is silenced.
2. Empower Growth
The heart of the weekend is a series of fifteen presentations—some given by clergy and others by laypeople just like you.
Real Stories: These aren't just academic lectures; they are real-life stories of faith, struggle, and grace.
Small Group Reflection: After each presentation, you’ll have time in a small group to process, ask questions, and discuss how these truths apply to your own life and leadership.
3. Find Belonging
The Walk to Emmaus is ecumenical, meaning we welcome Christians from all denominations. You will find yourself at a "table" with people from different backgrounds, careers, and life stages.
Who is present? The retreat is led by a dedicated team of volunteers (laity) and several clergy members who are there to serve and walk alongside you.
A supportive community: You’ll experience the power of a community that is praying for you—often people you’ve never even met—reminding you that you are part of a much larger family of faith.
The Rhythm of the Weekend
Thursday Night
The Arrival
Crossing the Threshold
The transformation begins the moment you and your sponsor arrive and step inside. Arriving on Thursday night allows the frantic pace of the city to fade into the background as you enter a space set apart. It is a time for settling in and letting the stillness set the stage—an invitation to put down your burdens and prepare your heart for the hours to come.
Friday
Listen and Grow
The Quiet Reflection
Friday is a day of looking inward. Like a quiet morning at the water’s edge, we set aside the noise of the world to listen to the whispers we often miss. Through study and reflection, we begin to hear God more clearly, finding the steady ground needed to begin a deeper journey.
Saturday
Learn and Connect
The Shared Path
As the rhythm deepens, the circle widens. Saturday is a day of warmth, music, and shared discovery. It is here that we find strength in the community and depth in the journey. Around tables and through song, we explore how the lessons of the quiet are lived out in the company of others, building a foundation that lasts.
Sunday
Renewal
The New Horizon
The journey culminates in a sense of light and renewal. Sunday is about the transition from the sanctuary back into the world, carrying a heart that has been restored. As the doors open to a new day, we realize the weekend was not just a destination, but a preparation for a life lived with a renewed spirit and a clear purpose.
The 72-Hour Journey
During the three days, you will experience fifteen talks—five per day—presented by both laypeople and clergy. These talks focus on the central themes of:
-
God’s Grace: Exploring the depth of God’s unmerited love.
-
Disciplines of Discipleship: Learning how to follow Christ more intentionally.
-
The Body of Christ: Understanding what it means to be the church in the world today.
The weekend is intentionally "wrapped in prayer". While you are in the conference room, members of the wider Emmaus community are supporting you through a continuous 72-hour prayer vigil, preparing your meals, and performing anonymous acts of "Agape" service to demonstrate God's selfless love.