Spotlight on Sponsorship
 
How do we sponsor?
 
1.         Pray for the person's openness to God's call to discipleship, not for how-to get him or her to go on a Walk.
2.         Make an appointment with the person or couple for the purpose of discussing their participation in Emmaus.
3.         Extend an invitation. Invite them to attend for the sake of a more vital relationship with Jesus Christ, not just a weekend to go on. Share your faith; explain the basic elements of the Walk, its purpose, and follow-up dimensions which help us live in grace for the rest of our lives. Have the attitude that you are giving them a wonderful gift rather than that they need to go.
 4.         Ask them to make a commitment by filling out the registration form. If the person is married, speak with both partners and encourage an equal commitment by both spouses.
5.         Continue to pray, prepare agape letters, enlist the support of their pastor. Collect eight to twelve personal agape letters. Do not ask the team to deliver personal gifts during the weekend.
6.         Support the Walk through your prayers during the 72-Hour Prayer Vigil and your presence at Send-Off, Sponsor's Hour, Candlelight, and Closing. Support the Pilgrim's family by house-sitting, baby-sitting, watering plants, picking up mail, feeding pets, or just checking in with a spouse to see if any help is needed.
7.         Encourage the Pilgrim in his or her Fourth Day involvement. Give your friend an opportunity to talk through and appropriate the experience. Help them find a group. Or, be prepared to start a group with him or her for a period of time until they-find others to be in the group. Take them to Gatherings as your guest for a couple of months.
8.         Help the pilgrim re-enter their church and consider ways to act out new commitment and enthusiasm.
9.         Inform the Pilgrim of how he or she can serve the Emmaus Community and future Walks.
10.       Help the Pilgrim sponsor others
 
Sponsorship is an act of love for God, for the Pilgrims for the Emmaus community, and for the church. It is a demonstration of agape love. It is making oneself an instrument of prevenient grace.