We moved to Chickasha in 2002 and immediately started attending church at Epworth UMC. My children were involved in the youth ministry programs, and I started singing in the choir. I was also attending our monthly men’s ministry breakfast and fellowship meetings. It didn’t take very long before I was being asked to go on an Emmaus walk. When I asked questions about what that was, I was told I would have to attend the walk and find out. “It is so you don’t start having preconceived thoughts and ideas about what it will be like”, I was told. Eventually, I signed up, and my wife and I worked it out where I could attend.
I have always believed that you should think about how you treat and interact with people you don’t know, with the possibility that you might be speaking with one of God’s angels, or Jesus, or maybe even God. The story of Emmaus fit into that belief, so going on a Walk made sense. “The way you have treated others is how you would have treated Me." I met new people from other towns and churches in Oklahoma. Eventually, through helping with subsequent walks and meetings, you get to know them, their friends, and their families. It’s a very supportive community. I think maybe like the early churches in Christianity.
There are many opportunities for spiritual growth on each Walk, and I’m sure it’s never the same for each pilgrim. Most of us are at slightly different places in our spiritual walks, and there are many underlying reasons for what we believe and how we receive, perceive, and react to situations. The great thing is that I never felt like I was being judged or expected to act or say certain things. I had never been very comfortable speaking in public, especially when I had to pray, but found myself becoming more comfortable through my interactions with my table members and the walk volunteers. I definitely think I was able to learn from the leaders and participants of our walks, especially in the areas of prayer and acceptance.
I received many blessings from going on my walk. I had an opportunity to get to know pilgrims from my own church and from other churches in the southwest part of Oklahoma. It gave me a community to be a part of and to share with. The candlelight services were especially meaningful for me, as I believe they are for most of the community. In a world where being a Christian is often misrepresented as being better, more righteous, and more important than others who don’t have lots of stuff (materialism), I felt accepted for who I was, not being judged or condemned for not being good enough. I realized personal growth and a chance to truly understand my purpose as a follower of Christ. A chance to walk beside and learn from our Savior.
By Mark Gibson
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