Teen Revival...
The Chrysalis Experience
By Kalista King 

Many of you may have heard of or have participated in an Emmaus walk sometime in your life. If you do not know what an Emmaus walk is, http://emmaus.upperroom.org/about, describes it as, “The walk to Emmaus is an experience of Christian spiritual renewal and formation that begins with a three-day short course in Christianity. It is an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ in a new way as God’s grace and love is revealed to you through other believers. 

The Walk to Emmaus experience begins with the prayerful discernment and invitation from a sponsor.  After one accepts this invitation they complete an application.  The Emmaus leaders prayerfully consider each applicant and in God’s time, the person is invited to attend a three-day experience of New Testament Christianity as a lifestyle. 

Following the three-day experience, participants are joined in small groups to support each other in their ongoing walk with Christ.  Through the formational process of accountable discipleship in small groups and participation in the Emmaus community, each participant’s individual gifts and servant-leadership skills are developed for use in the local church and its mission.  Participants are encouraged to find ways to live out their individual call to discipleship in their home, church, and community. 

The objective of Emmaus is to inspire, challenge, and equip the local church members for Christian action in their homes, churches, communities and places of work.  Emmaus lifts up a way for our grace-filled lives to be lived and shared with others.” 

Fortunately, they also have a youth walk for ages 15-21 called, Chrysalis. On http://chrysalis.upperroom.org/about, Chrysalis is described as, “A Chrysalis weekend is an experience of Christian spiritual renewal and formation that begins with a three-day short course in Christianity. It is an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ in a new way as God’s grace and love is revealed to you through other believers. The Chrysalis experience begins with the prayerful discernment and invitation from a sponsor.  After one accepts this invitation they complete an application.  The Chrysalis leaders prayerfully consider each applicant and in God’s time, the person is invited to attend a three-day experience of New Testament Christianity as a lifestyle.” 

Following the three-day experience, participants are joined in small groups to support each other in their ongoing walk with Christ.  Through the formational process of accountable discipleship in small groups and participation in the Chrysalis community, each participant’s individual gifts and servant-leadership skills are developed for use in the local church and its mission.  Participants are encouraged to find ways to live out their individual call to discipleship in their home, church, and community. 

The objective of Chrysalis is to inspire, challenge, and equip the local church members for Christian action in their homes, churches, communities and places of work.  Chrysalis lifts up a way for our grace-filled lives to be lived and shared with others.” 

According to http://upperroom.org/chrysalis/whatis/, “Before it becomes a butterfly, a caterpillar goes through a growth stage during which it is called a “chrysalis.” On the surface it may not look like much is happening, but the delicate chrysalis process changes the fuzzy caterpillar into an awesome butterfly with wings of intricate designs and intense colors. The chrysalis process symbolizes how Christ can transform you into something beyond your dreams. It happens when you grow beyond yourself, opening your life to Jesus’ power and love.” 

I am pleased to say that five girls from the Darke County area are participating in this weekend’s Chrysalis walk at Greene Street Church in Piqua, Ohio! I chose to write an article about them this week so that you could join me in praying for them to have an amazing experience and come back radically changed. The girls were considered, “caterpillars” when they first arrived at the church to begin their weekend journey. The past two days have been focused on their transformation process in becoming beautiful butterflies. Today is the final day of this process, in which the girls will be sent back out into the world, but this time, with a whole new outlook on life. I hope that you will lift them up in prayer with me, as they get ready to leave Chrysalis, and embark on the journey of a lifetime.