The Walk to Emmaus comes out of the Cursillo tradition. The Spanish word "Cursillo" means a "short course". A "weekend Walk to Emmaus" is a short course in Christianity.

   Cursillo had its origin in Spain, the island off Majorca, actually. After World War II, the Roman Catholic bishop, saw the deterioration of the Christian faith in his diocese, and along with some laymen, developed this program to raise up leaders among the men of his parish. The first Cusillos were very penitential in nature. In fact, the team and candidates fasted for the full 72 hours.

   Cursillo came to the United States in 1957 when some Spanish airmen came to Corpus Christi for flight trainging, where there was a Spanish priest who was also a Cursillista (One who has attended Cursillo). At first Cursillos were given along the Mexican/American border and only in Spanish. It spread to other Spanish-speaking communities before being translated into English. Cursillo has spread across the United States, and many different denominations have adopted the program. Except for a very few areas, Cursillo is not ecumenical.

   In 1977, the Upper Room, an agency of the United Methodis Church, became interested in Cursillo in Peoria, Illinois, one of the few ecumenical centers. In 1981, in mutual agreement with the National Secretariat of the Roman Catholic Cursillo, Upper Room Cursillo changed its name to Walk to Emmaus.

   Walk to Emmaus has also spread across the country, mostly in the United Methodist Conferences, but also at least one Presbyterian Synod. Walks to Emmaus are also being held in Australia. The Central Illinois Emmaus Community was formed in the summer of 1982, and has been holding Emmaus Weekends since December 1982.

   Agape is a Greek term used in the New Testament to describe the love which is a deliberate act of the will, and seeks nothing but the highest good for the loved one. It is a principle by which we deliberately live, a policy of life which involves not only the heart, but the mind and will as well. As such it is a product of the Holy Spirit, for such love is impossible without power from beyond ourselves. It is this love that perfects the Christian life.

   In the Emmaus program, Agape is first, foremost, and always a sacrifice. God expressed His love most clearly in the sacrifice of His Son, Jesus Christ, so for us also that love must take the form of sacrifice, giving ourselves for the benefit of others. Agape is the giving of ourselves for others. It is the love of God for His children made visible and manifesting itself in our love for one another. It is God's love finding expression, grace expressed people's lives, love in action, flowing through us. Agape is Justifying Grace made visible, our loving the team and candidates with the free, undeserved love of God which we have experienced. It is the Holy Spirit working through us for the benefit of others.

   Agape is the example of the love and concern of a supporting community. Agape is not in fact gifts to the candidates, but sacrifice on behalf of the candidates. The gift is the sacrifice, for a gift is only a gift when there is sacrifice behind it. It is loving the candidates in a sacrificial way.

   Our Agape must demonstrate clearly to the candidates the grace of God working in our lives on their behalf, and the power of the Holy Spirit gives us to the sacrifice ourselves for them, even though we may not know them. This shows that the life of grace they have just learned about is indeed possible. It is Agape that shows the truth of grace.

   Agape is not optional for a Christian, but is our responsibility given us by Christ Himself. The community through Agape demonstrates what it means to be children of God. It shows the community living, witnessing, continuing in grace, and transforming the environment for Christ. It shows that prayers and sacrifices are normal for Christian people.