The Emmaus Ministries was born from a vision to renew Christian disciples and strengthen local churches for their mission. This work takes root in the understanding that the body of Christ is diverse, vibrant, and united. As part of The Upper Room, an ecumenical ministry of the United Methodist Church, Emmaus Ministries embraces the call to break down barriers and reflect the unity Christ prayed for in John 17:21: “That they may all be one, just as you, Father, are in me, and I in you, that they also may be in us, so that the world may believe that you have sent me.”
While our mission is grounded in being ecumenical, interracial, and international, we recognize a pressing challenge: many Emmaus communities today are predominantly composed of members of a single denomination or race. How can we fully live into our founding vision of unity amid diversity? How can we better reflect this diversity on Boards of Directors, Event Teams, participants, and relationships within communities worldwide?
This article is the first of a series of four in which we will...
The scriptures present a compelling picture of God’s intention for the Church as a unified yet diverse body. The Apostle Paul writes in 1 Corinthians 12:12-27 that the Church is like a body with many parts—each distinct but indispensable to the whole. Unity does not mean uniformity; it is a harmonious blending of our differences to serve God’s purpose.
Paul’s words in Galatians 3:28 further challenge us: “There is no longer Jew or Gentile, slave or free, male and female. For you are all one in Christ Jesus.” This radical vision declares that the dividing lines of human society have no place in the kingdom of God.
In Revelation 7:9-10, we glimpse a beautiful fulfillment of this vision: “After this, I looked, and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people, and language, standing before the throne and before the Lamb.” This is the Church — and, by extension, the Emmaus Ministries communities —that we are called to build—not just in eternity, but here and now.
Emmaus Ministries began with a commitment to ecumenism, bringing together Christians from various denominations to deepen their discipleship. This vision was rooted in the desire to break down barriers and unite believers under Christ’s Agape love.
Throughout our history, there have been powerful examples of Emmaus Ministries communities stepping into this vision. In some places, Emmaus events have become a meeting ground for churches that might otherwise never work together. Across the globe, the ministries have fostered relationships between people of different cultures and languages, reminding us that the Gospel transcends all human divisions.
Yet, there is still much work to be done. The Emmaus journey is not just about individual renewal but about transforming communities to reflect the kingdom of God—a kingdom where diversity is celebrated and unity is cherished.
One Texan Emmaus Ministries community decided they would intentionally reach out to African American churches. They began sponsoring members and leaders of these churches. Over time, they saw their events transform into a tapestry of God’s people, and today, their event teams and participant lists are regularly made up of members of the various groups that form the community.
Listening to the leaders of this community share, it is clear that the journey toward diversity at various levels of the community was not easy, but it was profoundly rewarding.
There are certainly other stories that we hope to hear about as we share on this topic.
As we begin this series, we invite you to pause and reflect:
Begin with prayer. Ask God to reveal the barriers that may keep your community from embracing its ecumenical, interracial, and international calling.
Take a small but intentional step. Perhaps it’s reaching out to a church from a different denomination, inviting someone from a different cultural background to a meal, praying with you, a reunion group, or simply starting a conversation about inclusivity within your leadership team.
Emmaus Ministries stands at a crossroads. Will we settle for comfort and familiarity or step boldly into the calling God has placed before us? The path toward becoming a truly ecumenical, interracial, and international community is challenging but filled with the promise of renewal and growth.
Together, may we embrace this vision—not just for our own community’s sake but as a witness to the world. Remember that when we reflect on the unity and diversity of God’s kingdom, we strongly proclaim the Gospel.
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