February 2025 Newsletter

Good evening, Emmaus Community! This is my first submission to the newsletter, and I feel humbled and blessed to be doing so. I want to take a few minutes to talk about sponsorship and the upcoming Spring walks. Can you remember who sponsored you when you walked to Emmaus? How were you asked, and did you immediately say yes? Before going on my walk, I was asked years ago and said, "no thank you". I had no idea what it was about and quite frankly, I wasn't ready. The invitation was quickly dismissed. Fast forward to a couple years ago, I went searching for someone to talk to about Emmaus! I wanted to go, even though I didn't know what it meant to go on a "72-hour walk". I did find out that I would not be walking a lot (more reason to say yes). What I learned first was that my sponsor truly loved me and wanted me to get the most out of my experience.

Since my walk, I have been blessed to sponsor pilgrims and see firsthand when they experience God's grace. I'm telling you now, you will be blessed too.

The men and women's walks are approaching fast! Have you asked someone to go on a walk? If you haven't, do you have someone in mind? Begin now praying for the upcoming walks and ask God if there's someone in your life that He wants you to talk with. If you aren't sure how to approach that person, I would be more than happy to talk to them with you. I would be happy to come to your home church and talk about the Emmaus ministry to your congregation. Just let me know.

Walk applications can be found on the Emmaus Community Facebook page as well as during the gathering events.

de Colores
Treasa Black

According to legend, in the 3rd century, a Roman clergyman defied Emperor Claudius's order to not perform marriages for Army age young men. He performed several marriages for young couples in the church until he was arrested and put in prison.

While he was in prison, he met a jailer who had a daughter that suffered from blindness, whom he healed and then befriended. Upon learning that he was nearing execution, He wrote a letter to the young girl and signed it, " From your Valentine" and from this legend comes the tradition of exchanging love letters on "Valentine's day".

The Apostle Paul wrote many love letters to churches all over the Roman Empire. He expressed his love for Christ and for them by sharing the Gospel way in depth, Encouraging them to keep the faith, to not return to Judaism, and to live their lives in an effort to better know and serve God, their Father, in spirit and in truth.

Here is an example:

Philippians 1:1-6 (NKJV) Paul and Timothy, bondservants of Jesus Christ, To all the saints in Christ Jesus who are in Philippi, with the bishops and deacons: Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. I thank my God upon every remembrance of you, always in every prayer of mine making request for you all with joy, for your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this very thing, that He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ;

Later in the same chapter he says:

Philippians 1:9-11 (NKJV) And this I pray, that your love may abound still more and more in knowledge and all discernment, that you may approve the things that are excellent, that you may be sincere and without offense till the dayof Christ, being filled with the fruits of righteousness which are by Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God.

Today, we see communication being used in ways that are not uplifting. Instead, it's used to promote political agenda, self-promotion, division, and arguing. (I may be guilty of this myself.) but social media is merely a tool. We can use it for good and uplifting purposes.

There are people all around us who are hurting and feel alone, They need to hear from someone who cares. Just as Valentine, and Paul used letters to encourage, guide, and show their love, let us use social media, texting, and any other forms of communication to share our love, confidence, and appreciation for one another as well as our undying faith and submission to our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I thank my God continually for our Emmaus Community

Pastor Jeff