From One of the First Pilgrims to Today

Dear Pilgrim, 

Greetings in this holy season of Easter! The Lord is risen indeed! Alleluia!

During Easter, I’m reminded of the first Walk to Emmaus described in Luke’s Gospel. On the day of his resurrection, Jesus walked along the road to Emmaus with two disciples who didn’t recognize him until he broke bread with them. They marveled: “Weren’t our hearts on fire when he spoke to us along the road and explained the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32, CEB).

A few weeks ago, I got to bear witness to a fellow pilgrim, an Emmaus nonagenarian, Rev. Pete West (pictured right), who made his Walk in the early days of the ministry. His story reminds us why Emmaus Ministries is still vital today.

What drew you to Emmaus?

“I didn’t know what to expect, but I hungered for grace and wanted to grow in faith. I was an ordained minister at the time, but I too had things to overcome. Emmaus helped me to realize that salvation was a process, that God had wooed and won me to himself through prevenient grace. Because of God’s great grace and love, I wanted to become the type of person God wanted me to be.”

How have you served in Emmaus Ministries?

“I was on one of the first teams at Sumatanga, Alabama. Over the years, I served as an Assistant Spiritual Director and a Spiritual Director. Most of my service has been with the North Alabama Community. I have also given many talks but ultimately settled on “Sanctifying Grace,” which also happens to be my son’s favorite talk to give.”

Why does Emmaus matter to the church?

“Emmaus teaches the three-legged stool of piety, study, and action. It’s important to put into action the things we learned in Emmaus. If we take the three-legged stool seriously and bring it back to our churches, it can revolutionize every local church.”

Weren’t your hearts on fire, reading this amazing testimony of Rev. West? There is much work for Emmaus Ministries to do, and we are committed to doing it. But we need your help. Your gift to The Fourth Day Fund allows us to keep in motion all of the daily business operations that undergird this invaluable work. With your gift today, we can keep the Emmaus movement going, renewing Christian disciples and strengthening local churches for the sake of the world.

Will you join us in this vital work? Thank you for your generosity!

Rev. Stéphane Brooks serves as the International Spiritual Director of Emmaus Ministries at The Upper Room.

P.S. Your gift to The Fourth Day Fund fuels the Emmaus movement—renewing Christian disciples, strengthening local churches. Thank you for giving today.