The following is from The Upper Room Emmaus web site

The aim of sponsorship:

The aim of a sponsor should not be “to get all my friends to go,” to fill up the weekend, to fix people’s problems, or to reproduce one’s own religious experience in others. Rather, the aim of the sponsor is to bring spiritual revitalization to Christians who will, in turn, bring new life and vision to the work of the church in the congregation, home, workplace, and community. The aim of sponsorship is to build up the body of Christ.

The Sponsor’s responsibilities:

Sponsorship is an act of love for God, for the participants in the Walk to Emmaus, for the Emmaus Community, and for the church. It is a demonstration of agape love. A sponsor will:

  • Pray for the participant’s openness to God’s call to discipleship.
  • Make an appointment with the participant (or participating couple) to discuss his or her participation in Emmaus.
  • Invite the participant to take part in Emmaus for the sake of a more vital relationship with Jesus Christ. The sponsor shares his or her faith, explains the basic purpose, elements, and follow-up dimensions of the Walk.
  • Ask the participant to make a commitment by filling out a registration form. If the participant is married, the sponsor will speak with both partners and encourage an equal commitment by both spouses.
  • Support the participant’s Walk through prayers and otherwise. The sponsor will also support the participant’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 or support is needed.
  • Encourage the participant in his/her continued journey and take the participant to Emmaus “gatherings” after the Walk weekend is over.
  • Help the participant re-enter his or her church and consider ways to act out new commitment and enthusiasm.
  • Help the participant sponsor others.