Emmaus Ministries

Renewing Christian Disciples and Strengthening Local Churches

The Northern California - Nevada Emmaus Community

Who We Are ~ Our History

The Northern California - Nevada Emmaus Community is one of hundreds of Emmaus communities worldwide, offering opportunities for spiritual renewal, Christian fellowship, and discipleship. Since our first Walk in 1988, our community has served people throughout Northern California and Northern Nevada through the ministries of Emmaus and Chrysalis.

Over the years, we have hosted 120 Walk to Emmaus weekends, including 69 Women’s Walks and 51 Men’s Walks. We have also nurtured younger generations through Chrysalis, sponsoring 69 Flights — 35 Girls’ Flights and 34 Boys’ Flights. Through these experiences, countless lives have been touched and strengthened in faith, leadership, and community in Christ.

2026 Fall Walk to Emmaus Retreats

The 2026 Fall, Walk to Emmaus Retreats will be held at Carson Valley United Methodist Church in Gardnerville, NV (1375 Centerville Ln, Gardnerville, NV 89410)

  • Men’s Walk Retreat: September 10–13, 2026

  • Women’s Walk Retreat: September 24-27, 2026

Leader/volunteer preparation weekend for the Walks/Retreats

  • Aug 14–16, 2026 at Carson Valley United Methodist Church, 1375 Centerville Ln, Gardnerville, NV 89410

Our Purpose

The purpose of The Walk to Emmaus is to encourage, strengthen, and equip Christians for faithful service in their homes, churches, workplaces, and communities. Emmaus invites participants to embrace and share a grace-filled life centered in Christ.

After the three-day Walk experience, participants are encouraged to continue growing in faith through small groups and involvement in the Emmaus community, their ‘4th Days’. These groups provide support, accountability, encouragement, and fellowship as individuals continue their spiritual journey. Through ongoing discipleship and community participation, participants are nurtured in their spiritual gifts and servant-leadership abilities for ministry within the local church and beyond. Emmaus encourages each person to live out their unique call to discipleship in everyday life.

The Walk to Emmaus is an ecumenical ministry that welcomes Christians from many denominations and traditions. One of the movement’s greatest strengths is the unity and fellowship shared among believers from diverse backgrounds. Emmaus focuses on the core essentials of the Christian faith, emphasizing the beliefs and values Christians hold in common while deepening participants’ understanding of Christian living.

The purpose of a Chrysalis weekend is to nurture the spiritual lives of young people and help them grow in a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Chrysalis provides a loving Christian community where youth and young adults are encouraged, challenged, and equipped to live out their faith in their schools, homes, churches, and communities.

Through a three-day Chrysalis “Flight,” participants experience worship, music, prayer, fellowship, discussion, and talks centered on God’s grace and Christian discipleship. The ministry emphasizes acceptance, encouragement, and the discovery of each person’s God-given gifts and purpose.

Following the Flight, participants are encouraged to continue their spiritual growth through small groups, gatherings, service opportunities, and ongoing involvement in the Chrysalis and Emmaus communities. Chrysalis seeks to strengthen young Christians in their daily walk with Christ while developing future servant leaders for the church and the world.

Like Emmaus, Chrysalis is ecumenical in nature, welcoming participants from many Christian traditions and emphasizing the shared foundations of the Christian faith.