The Walk to Emmaus is based on the story of two disciples walking along the road between Jerusalem and the village of Emmaus shortly after Christ's resurrection. As the two were talking about what had happened during the last few days, Christ appeared to them, but they did not recognize him. Christ explained that he must suffer before receiving his glory. Later he joined the two for supper. As he blessed and broke the bread, the eyes of the disciples were opened and they recognized him. But then he disappeared. The disciples immediately returned to Jerusalem to spread the word that Christ had indeed risen.
The Walk to Emmaus is a spiritual renewal program intended to strengthen the local church by developing Christian disciples and leaders. It's model is Christ the servant, and it encourages Christ's disciples to act as "servants of all."
The Walk to Emmaus experience begins with a seventy-two hour short course in Christianity, comprised of fifteen talks by lay and clergy on the themes of God's grace, disciplines of Christian discipleship, and what it means to be the church. The course is wrapped in prayer and meditation, worship, and daily celebration of Holy Communion. Members of the Emmaus Community who have previously attended the course support the event with prayer, preparing and serving meals, and other acts of love and self-giving. Typically an Emmaus Walk begins on Thursday evening and concludes on Sunday evening.
During and after the three days, Emmaus leaders encourage participants to meet regularly in small groups. The members of the small groups challenge and support each other in faithful living, seeking to Christianize their environments of family, job and community through the ministry of their church congregations. Follow-up groups also seek to renew Christian people as disciples of Jesus Christ and as active members of the church, the body of Christ, in mission to the world.