My name is Donna Jones, and I went on Lexington Emmaus Walk #1 for Women in August, 1985.  At the time I was a student at Asbury Theological Seminary.  My pastor announced one Sunday morning that the Emmaus Walks for men and women were being held, and anyone interested should contact him.  I was interested, looking for a diversion from my routine of classes and study.  I never could have imagined the wonderful adventure I was beginning.

I have been a part of the Lexington Emmaus Community since its start, and it is my joy to serve as the Community Spiritual Director.  I have gone from being a seminary student to completing 20 ½ years of pastoral ministry.  As a disciple of Jesus Christ, I know what the Emmaus experience can do for a person’s walk with Christ and growth in grace.  As a pastor I also know what the Emmaus experience can do to develop Christian leaders and to strengthen the church.

In preparing for this message I opened our website and looked through the group pictures of the Emmaus Walks and Chrysalis Flights through the years.  I was reminded of such joyous times and the precious people who make up our community.  In 2008 we will hold our 100^th Walk.  So many extraordinary folks have passed through our community as the years go by.  They have literally gone out to the far corners of the world.  The Emmaus experience is truly a Means of Grace that reminds us of the unfailing, never-ending love of God.

Our base is Lexington, Kentucky, but we include members from a large region throughout central Kentucky.  If you are new to our area, I welcome you in the name of our Lord Jesus Christ.  I invite you to attend our community Gatherings on the first Friday night of each month at St. Luke United Methodist Church on Alumni Drive in Lexington.  I also encourage you to join a Reunion Group and make yourself available to serve on teams for upcoming events.  Information about these things can be found on this website.

Christ is counting on us, and we count on him.  May God bless and keep you.

De Colores,