Port Elizabeth Emmaus Community Port Elizabeth, South Africa
Connect with us
Community Lay Director: Russell Richards
Community Spiritual Director: Revd Shirmell Newman

What is Emmaus?

The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal programme intended to strengthen the local church through the development of Christian disciples and leaders.
 
In Luke 24 we read the story of the Risen Christ appearing to two who were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. He explained the Scriptures and their hearts were warmed. Their eyes were only fully opened to recognise Him when Christ took bread, blessed and broke it. Filled with joy they rushed back to Jerusalem to share the news with the other disciples. The story provides the image for the Emmaus movement which came to South Africa in 1990 from the United Methodist Church in the USA, which in turn developed it from the Spanish Roman Catholic Cursillo de Christiandad (a short course in Christianity) which started in the late 1940's. The movement is true to Protestant theology and is ecumenical in practice. God is using Emmaus in Southern Africa to bring reconciliation between races and renewal to Christians and their Church communities.
 
 

The Purpose of Emmaus

Emmaus aims to inspire, challenge and equip local church members for Christian Action in their homes, church communities and places of work. It provides a means by which we can grow together in love and servanthood as members of the Body of Christ.
 
 

What Happens at Emmaus ?

The "Walk to Emmaus" is a 72 hour experience (Thursday evening to Sunday evening). The time is spent studying, discussing, worshipping and living together, beginning with a time of silent preparation from bedtime on Thursday night until breakfast on Friday morning. 15 Talks delivered by clergy and laity, form the basis of discussions and projects. These present the themes of God's Grace and how grace comes alive in the Christian Community and expresses itself in the world. You will have the opportunity to celebrate Holy Communion daily and begin to understand more fully the Presence of Christ in the Body of His Believers. This is enhanced by the prayers and acts of love of a living support community, locally and around the world.
 
 

What else should I know ?

Come to Emmaus with a spirit of charity and open-mindedness, ready to receive whatever God, through Jesus, has in store for you. Come and be soaked in the wonderful Agape Love of Christ.

Time will not be an issue for you as a pilgrim - for 72 hours Time will be solely in the Hands of God and the leadership of the Walk. You will be required to pack away your watch and clocks, radios, cameras and cell phones (or you may wish to leave these at home). Any necessary medication times can be supplied to the leadership who will ensure that you will take it on time, and any telephone calls (where absolutely necessary) coming in or going out will be done for you via the Assistant Lay Directors on the Walk. This is done so that you are not bound in any way by the 'world' while you enjoy a stress-free time of fellowship and fun interspersed with input and meeting times with your Lord.
 
 

Who Should Go to Emmaus ?

Emmaus is for growing Christians who are open to experience the Grace and Love of God in new ways through the Christian community. More especially, it is for those who will be committed to make a difference as a result of this experience.
 
 

What Happens after a 'Walk' ?

One of the primary strengths of Emmaus is the follow-up. Your weekend lasts 3 days (72 hours), but you are invited to build on it for the rest of your life, through;
To nurture this discipleship, Emmaus also offers some specific opportunities (these are not compulsory):

More info: