10 Steps to Successful Sponsorship

1) Pray for your prospective pilgrim. This prayer should be focused on how this person can become a more vitally alive Christian in helping bring God's kingdom into his or her natural environments rather than on how you can get this person to attend the weekend.

2) Meet with your prospective pilgrim. Make an appointment with them and their spouse to explain the Walk to Emmaus, its purpose, and your experience to them. Answer all questions. You may wish to share with them the booklet "What is Emmaus" from the Emmaus Library series available from the Upper Room. Continue to pray.

3) Don't overwhelm your prospective pilgrim in a single session. If they respond favorably, explain the commitment to continued participation in Reunion Groups, Community Gatherings, team membership, and especially the renewed commitment to their local church. Continue to pray.

4) After careful, prayerful evaluation, you may invite them to participate by giving them applications, and encouraging them to fill them out in your presence. Complete the backs of the applications and mail them with the Walk deposit to the community registrar. Continue to pray.

5) Prepare for the Walk. Continue to answer questions. Begin to collect Agape letters. If a close family member or friend cannot obtain contact names for you, you might ask the pilgrim for a list of closest family, friends, business and church contacts. (Promise them that you are NOT soliciting money.) Serve as liaison between pilgrim and Community Registrar. Continue to pray.

6) Weekend Responsibilities: Transport your pilgrim both to and from the walk and attend ALL Walk functions: Send-off, Sponsor's Hour, Candlelight, and Closing. Look after your pilgrim's family to make sure their needs are met while you pilgrim is on his or her walk. Continue to pray.

7) Remember Day Four. After the Walk, help your pilgrim integrate back into their world with their new-found spirit. Help them adjust to life back down in the valley as a renewed and stronger Christian. Take them to their Walk Followup Meeting. Take them to their first Community Gathering and help them join a Reunion Group. Continue to pray.

8) Remember Day Four. Help them find service and leadership opportunities in their local congregation consistent with their God given spiritual gifts and skills. Continue to pray.

9) Remember Day Four. Discuss Walk-Team service with them if they are so inclined and put them in touch with those responsible for team selection, both Conference Room and Behind the Scenes. Continue to pray.

10) Last but not least, help your pilgrim learn to be a good sponsor for new prospective pilgrims. Continue to pray.