Sponsorship

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Sponsorship
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Introduction

• A sponsor is one who takes responsibility for
  another
• It requires
• A lot of prayer
• A lot of physical energy
• A lot of time
• Perseverance - for the long haul
• Sponsorship is a partnership between you and
  God O

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Scriptural Principles

• Prayer
• The first step of sponsorship
• Release to God
• Our control
• Our desires
• Our expectations
• Empty ourselves of self to be filled with
• Gods instruction
• Gods timing
• Gods person for us to sponsor O

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Good Sponsorship

• It is the first act of agape
• It is the foundation for a healthy, effective
  Emmaus Movement, which results in the renewal of
  the church
• Wise sponsorship builds up the body of Christ O

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Who Not to Sponsor?

• Anyone currently involved in emotional distress
• Anyone with lingering health problems
• Anyone who is a church-hopper
• Anyone who is a soapboxer
• Anyone who differs from the basic doctrine
  promoted in The Walk to Emmaus
• Anyone who is not currently attending a church O

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Who to Sponsor?

• Anyone already on a pilgrimage
• Anyone that has a passion for Christ
• A church leader who is a servant
• Anyone seeking a servant role O

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Responsibilities of the Sponsor

• Spend time in prayer to discern who God wants you
  to sponsor
• Pray over a list of names
• May take a long time before you hear Gods
  response
• It is not your responsibility for getting
  everyone you know on the Walk to Emmaus O

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Responsibilities of the Sponsor

• Continue to spend time in prayer
• Devote prayer time to your potential pilgrim and
  yourself
• Include requests
• Openness on the part of your prospective pilgrim
• A humble spirit for you for the presentation
• That God would guide your discussion time O

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Responsibilities of the Sponsor

• Set a time and place to meet with the potential
  pilgrim
• Before leaving, pray that God will give you
  calmness, assurance, and perseverance
• Tell about your experience and how it has changed
  your life
• Answer any questions O

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Responsibilities of the Sponsor

• Give your prospect an application
• Explain everything
• Answer any questions
• Follow up and check back with them
• Pray while awaiting the response
• Being turned down is not cause for disappointment
  or discouragement its a reminder of Gods time
  O

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Responsibilities of the Sponsor

• Obtain the application
• Make sure all information is complete
• Complete the sponsors portion include anything
  the Registrar/Kitchen/Team members would need to
  know
• Submit the application with the appropriate fee
• Remind your pilgrim to reserve the dates for the
  Walk O

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Responsibilities of the Sponsor

• Begin preparations to request personal agape
  letters
• May require some sleuthing on your part so your
  pilgrim doesnt know what you are doing (but
  dont lie!)
• Make your requests for letters early and
  follow-up O

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Responsibilities of the Sponsor

• Keep contact with your pilgrim
• Remind them of upcoming walk
• Offer guidance as what to pack
• Prepare them for a 72-hour encounter with Christ O

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Responsibilities of the Sponsor

• Take your pilgrim to The Walk and assist with
  check in
• Dont allow them to arrive on their own
• Get them settled in their room
• Return to the send-off area for snacks and
  fellowship
• Remain with your pilgrim throughout
• After send-off, attend sponsors hour O

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Responsibilities of the Sponsor

• Spend as much time as possible in prayer for your
  pilgrim during the weekend
• In addition, be part of the 72-hour prayer vigil
• When your pilgrim sees your name, it provides a
  special lift for them O

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Responsibilities of the Sponsor

• Check on your pilgrims family during the Walk
• If your pilgrim lives alone
• May need to check on pets or plants
• Pick up mail
• Take out trash
• If your pilgrim is married
• Offer to baby-sit so spouse can have some time
• Do all this in the spirit of cooperation and
  servanthood O

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Responsibilities of the Sponsor

• Attend Sponsors Hour, Candlelight and Closing
• Pray for your Pilgrim at Sponsors Hour
• Bring any last minute agape letters to
  Candlelight
• Pray for your pilgrim at Candlelight
• Provide transportation home after Closing
• Any special agape should be held until the trip
  home O

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Responsibilities of the Sponsor

• Take the new member to the Follow-Up and help
  
  them join a reunion group O

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Responsibilities of the Sponsor

• Bring to later Walks, gatherings and other
  Community events
• Introduce them to others in the Community
• Help them learn about Emmaus and/or Chrysalis
• Show them the many opportunities to serve
• You can explain and model progressive servanthood
• Encourage them to be involved in their local
  church O

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Responsibilities of the Sponsor

• Teach them how to be a good sponsor
• Help them understand the responsibilities of good
  sponsorship
• Explain why Emmaus has a detailed and consistent
  approach to sponsorship O

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The Equal Commitment Rule

• The Walk to Emmaus
• Is not meant to be a divisive force, especially
  in marriages
• Encourages the participation of both spouses
• So
• Present to both husband and wife
• If one partner does not choose to attend,
  suggest that they pray about the decision for a
  period of time
• Pray
• If still disinterested, sponsor the other, as
  along as the other agrees O

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Q A About Sponsorship

• How many should I sponsor on a Walk?
• Simple answer no more than two (2)
• Sponsoring a too many persons may compromise your
  ability to be a good sponsor
• Remember, it is not just a 72-hour weekend you
  are sponsoring, but through your pilgrims 4th
  Days O

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Q A About Sponsorship

• Can I work on a team and sponsor someone on the
  same weekend?
• Not easily, but sometimes it is unavoidable
• You will need help from others to handle those
  responsibilities outside the Conference Room
• Be sure that the pilgrim knows that you have a
  job to do on the weekend O

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Q A About Sponsorship

• What about agape letters?
• Goal is to have at least 12 letters from family
  members and close friends for the pilgrim
• These letters
• Should be positive and uplifting
• Possibly relate a special moment the two have
  shared
• You might consider writing a 4th day letter to be
  mailed to their home later as a surprise O

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Q A About Sponsorship

• What about providing my pilgrim gifts and
  special surprises during the weekend?
• The message of Emmaus is that God loves each
  person with the same love God does not have
  favorites
• A special gift will short-circuit this message
• Any gifts or special surprises will be returned
  to the sponsor to be given at a later time
• Sponsors can present these at the conclusion of
  the weekend on the way home O

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In Conclusion

• Remember
• Good Sponsorship
• is
• The most important job of all!
• De Colores