History of Emmaus Abbey
You pronounce Emmaus: E-may-us.
Our Beginnings…
EMMAUS ABBEY CHURCH was first conceived in January of 1999 while praying in Victory Chapel at Fort Meade Maryland. I was preparing a message out of St. Luke chapter 24 verses 13 through 36.This passage launched a vision that burned in my heart until I retired from active duty in 2008.
I had some discernment to go through with seeking God’s direction and through that time felt led to pastor a local congregation to see if this was where God was calling me. After realizing that my calling was more into counseling. I began researching my way through starting a biblical practice of counseling. I first went back to the St. Luke passage that moved me to start this ministry.
The Emmaus Abbey Story
Emmaus Abbey is named after a famous event on the day Jesus rose from the dead.
Read the Story: Luke 24:13-35
13 And behold, two of them were going that very day to a village named Emmaus, which was about seven miles from Jerusalem. 14 And they were talking with each other about all these things which had taken place. 15 While they were talking and discussing, Jesus Himself approached and began traveling with them. 16 But their eyes were prevented from recognizing Him. 17 And He said to them, “What are these words that you are exchanging with one another as you are walking?” And they stood still, looking sad. 18 One of them, named Cleopas, answered and said to Him, “Are You the only one visiting Jerusalem and unaware of the things which have happened here in these days?” 19 And He said to them, “What things?” And they said to Him, “The things about Jesus the Nazarene, who was a prophet mighty in deed and word in the sight of God and all the people, 20 and how the chief priests and our rulers delivered Him to the sentence of death and crucified Him. 21 But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel. Indeed, besides all this, it is the third day since these things happened. 22 But also some women among us amazed us. When they were at the tomb early in the morning, 23 and did not find His body, they came, saying that they had also seen a vision of angels who said that He was alive. 24 Some of those who were with us went to the tomb and found it just exactly as the women also had said; but Him they did not see.” 25 And He said to them, “O foolish men and slow of heart to believe in all that the prophets have spoken! 26 Was it not necessary for the Christ to suffer these things and to enter into His glory?” 27 Then beginning with Moses and with all the prophets, He explained to them the things concerning Himself in all the Scriptures. 28 And they approached the village where they were going, and He acted as though He were going farther. 29 But they urged Him, saying, “Stay with us, for it is getting toward evening, and the day is now nearly over.” So, He went in to stay with them. 30 When He had reclined at the table with them, He took the bread and blessed it, and breaking it, He began giving it to them. 31 Then their eyes were opened and they recognized Him; and He vanished from their sight. 32 They said to one another, “Were not our hearts burning within us while He was speaking to us on the road, while He was explaining the Scriptures to us?” 33 And they got up that very hour and returned to Jerusalem, and found gathered together the eleven and those who were with them, 34 saying, “The Lord has really risen and has appeared to Simon.” 35 They began to relate their experiences on the road and how He was recognized by them in the breaking of the bread.
Birth of the Counseling Ministry
It would begin in January 2011 as Emmaus Center for Christian Counseling and a year later became a 501C3 birthed in January of 2012. I then felt called to discern a call into the Charismatic Episcopal Church of North America which led me to visit Cathedral of Christ the King, Sharpsburg, GA. I decided right then, I would ask to become a part of the CEC communion. The Diocese of the Mid-south is a part of the Charismatic Episcopal Church of North America. I setup a meeting with Bishop Epps and in April 2014 I was received into CEC church as a priest and this is how God moved to bring about Emmaus Abbey Church. We eventually re-classified Emmaus Center for Christian Counseling into Emmaus Abbey Church. It was a very good fit and we having been growing ever since.
We soon developed into a small proprietary chapel and reclassified as a church in July 2013 meeting in our new chapel next to our home. Within three years we were able to purchase 1.25 acres to build a Parish House to further hold bible studies and worship. Emmaus Abbey was received into the Charismatic Episcopal Church of North America in April of 2014. We found a home in the Dioceses of Mid south, Sharpsburg, GA.
Our Location
We are now meeting at our proprietary chapel at 7317 Glastonbury Road, Knoxville, TN until our new church is completed at 4912 East Emery Road, Knoxville, Tn. Everyone is welcome to check us out for worship on Sunday’s at 1030am. Come have a donut and cup of coffee in the lobby prior to service. Blessings, Emmaus Abbey Church