Over 30 pilgrims journeyed on the Dakotas Walk to Emmaus during the last two weekends of March at Inspiration Hills Retreat Center. The clergy and laity who were pilgrims are now on their 4th days and are back in their respective congregations freshly filled with new enthusiasm and joy after their spiritual renewal by the Holy Spirit during their spiritual walks.

Betty Janke, Dakotas Walk to Emmaus secretary states, "If your congregation was so blessed to have one or more of these persons involved with the Walk to Emmaus, please welcome them and encourage them to keep the fire burning.  Remember the scripture from Luke 24 after Jesus' resurrection when the two disciples were walking the road to Emmaus and they were joined by the resurrected Savior?  Their hearts were strangely warmed.   So have the hearts of the participants of these Walk to Emmaus retreats been warmed.  They return now to your congregations ready to serve and tell the good news.  Please welcome them home."  

The dates for the next Walk to Emmaus retreats will be March 8-11, 2018, for men, and March 15-18, 2018, for women, at Inspiration Hills. The Walk to Emmaus is for clergy and laity.   More information may be obtained from the website: Dakotaswalk.org or you may contact any of the board members.

The Walk to Emmaus is named so because the experience is very similar to the Bible story in Luke 24:13-34 in which the risen Christ joins the two disciples who were walking from Jerusalem to Emmaus. By walking with Jesus, reflecting on the scriptures, breaking bread together and sharing their resurrection stories, the disciples experienced Christ’s presence and their hearts burned within them.

The program, Walk to Emmaus, is a 72-hour experience starting Thursday evening at 7:00 pm and ending around 7:00 pm on Sunday. Participants are asked to separate themselves from their daily activities for this time period. There is no “physical walking distance”, but rather a “walk” with others in fellowship, learning and fun.

The structure of the Walk centers on 15 talks, which are discussed by the participants. Clergy present five talks and ten are presented by laypersons. The Walk will include the talks, which focus on God’s grace, special times of worship, daily celebration of Holy Communion, and the prayers and acts of anonymous service offered by the Emmaus community.

The program is ecumenical in all aspects and a Board of Directors governs each local community. Clergy are eligible for 3 continuing education units for being a pilgrim on the Walk to Emmaus.

An Introduction to Walk to Emmaus, The Upper Room from Upper Room Ministries on Vimeo.