God changes lives …
… let us usher you into His presense to change yours!
We strive to to inspire, challenge, and equip church members (regardless of affiliation) for Christian action in their homes, churches, places of work, and communities .
About Us & Our Story
Our Origins
The Seven Mile Walk With Jesus, and several related activities such as the Maryland Emmaus, Walking with Jesus, Lutheran Rainbow, and the Tres Dias programs, have their roots in the Roman Catholic Cursillo de Cristianidad (Short Course in Christianity) movement.
Cursillo is the original three day movement. It began in Spain in 1944 within the Roman Catholic church. Cursillo was first developed in Spain as the direct result of dedicated Christian men seeking to help others come to a deeper understanding of Jesus Christ. Those who first developed the Cursillo program worked together as a team, praying together, sharing their Christian lives together, studying together, planning together, taking action together, and evaluating what they had done together. This teamwork is the hallmark of the Cursillo, Emmaus, and Seven Mile Walk With Jesus movements.
The Cursillo movement expanded rapidly. Cursillo was first introduced into the United States in Waco, Texas in 1957. Two Spanish airmen, in the country for flight training, worked with Fr. Gabriel Fernandez, a priest from Spain, to put on the first American Cursillo. Later, in 1965, it was accepted into the Episcopal Church.
The Walk to Emmaus or Emmaus Walk evolved from the Roman Catholic Cursillo movement. It started in the 1960’s and 1970’s when Episcopalians and Lutherans and Tres Dias offered Cursillo. In 1978, United Methodist Church trademarked Emmaus and adapted the Cursillo practices into a primarily Protestant version.
Maryland Emmaus held its first weekend in the fall of 1987 and in October of 2014, Maryland Emmaus became the Seven Mile Walk With Jesus Ministry.
Since our beginning, God has blessed many men and women through our community. Over 200 weekend retreats have been held with approximately 20-35 Pilgrims per weekend. Over 6000 Pilgrims have made their weekend walk in Maryland.
The Process
The Walk Weekend
The weekend’s designed to rejuvenate and re-energize the attendee’s relationship with God.
The three-day retreat provides unique experiences of Jesus’ love in a very intimately, and perhaps, unlike you have ever experienced before.
To attend the 3-day retreat, you need a personal invitation from someone who has gone before you.
Preparation
In preparing for your special weekend, we ask you leave electronic devices at home. The purpose of this is to open yourself fully to God’s schedule, and remain in the moment the entire weekend. Your Sponsor will have emergency contact information during the weekend.
Expectations
Expect to be blown away. The only thing we
ask of you is to come with an open heart willing to allow the Holy Spirit to stir in your soul.
All your basic needs will be provided, food and shelter. Come expecting to create friendships that may last a lifetime!
Weekend Structure
The weekend begins Thursday evening and runs to Sunday afternoon. It includes 15 Christian Living talks given by clergy and lay members. The weekend experience includes communion, Christian Clowning, and other activities.
A Gift
This weekend is a gift for you.
Your Sponsor and our Community have
found their weekend experience valuable
and want others to have that
same opportunity.
Already Invited?
NOW WHAT?
Click below to find more information about the weekend, what to bring and xxxxxx.
Our 4th Day
Gatherings
After attending a weeked, you’e become a part of the community. Seven Mile Walk with Jesus holds monthly gatherings where they come together to worship, pray and “check in” with each other.
Currently, we meet on the
2nd Friday’s of the month in Westminster.
St. Benjamin’s Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall
700 Kriders Cemetery Way
Westminster, MD 21158
Time: 7:30 pm
Interpreting provided upon request