Greg Engroff

This talk was given at the opening session of the 2008 International Advisory Committee that convened April 25-27, 2008. In the future, we will list new resources and news from The Upper Room that will help communities as they serve Jesus Christ in their own communities.

I was asked by some of the members here tonight to make a statement about who I am, where I come from and what is my vision for Emmaus and Chrysalis. Some of these questions, we will answer together this weekend. Others, I will answer now. For those who asked me to do this, you will be happy to know that I will do it in Emmaus form and I will keep it under 20 minutes.

My name is Greg Engroff. I was on Crossroads Emmaus of Eastern Pennsylvania, Walk # 6 in 1988 and sat at the Table of Mark. I have been involved in the Emmaus and Chrysalis movements since that time.

I have 3 adages that I try to live by: "Right is right no matter how many people are against it and wrong is wrong no matter how many are for it." "Everything works out in the end. If it hasn't worked out, it isn't the end." Finally, "In our struggles in life, we must row in the direction that we feel God is leading us, but sometimes, He will take us to places we never imagined."

At the age of 57, I dropped everything I was doing - I laid down my nets -- changed careers, moved to Nashville and began serving full-time. I left Pennsylvania with Carol's and my family's blessing, after all, I had been saying for years that I felt that God had more in store for me. Did He ever -- more than I ever imagined!

God has chosen me to serve Him in 2 movements where we are disciples who are making more disciples. He has picked me to serve with all of you and probably over 1,000,000 pilgrims and butterflies. And we keep getting to do it through these movements; at home, at church, at work and in our community. All He asks is that we do it in His name -- Jesus Christ.

My mother Joyce used to say that I am the eternal optimist; the world's peacemaker. She was right but she seemed to always be in touch with God. The truth is that these are gifts that God gave me to use and practice throughout my life. He set the stage for this time.

So, here you are 60+ people who love these 2 movements and come from all over the world. What can you expect from us here in Nashville? You can expect that Victor, Laura, Deana and I will lead and model from the top and will all be working together to serve you; as will Edna. Edna Vaughan has worked with Chrysalis for many years and will continue to work with us by not only handling expense reports, but also by helping us with special projects.

You can expect that we will serve you; whether you are a Regional Representative, a Certified Trainer, a Community Lay Director, a Community Spiritual Director, a Community member or a follower of Jesus Christ. We serve you; as we serve Him. In the USA, the regional reps ARE Chrysalis and Emmaus. They are the ones teaching, advising, loving and supporting you and the other communities. They have Certified Trainers working for them and soon, we will have Certified Trainers throughout the world. There have been a few changes among the Certified Trainers and the Regional Reps; all to serve you better.

I want to take some time to talk about communications. Please encourage all communities -- globally -- to update their Emmaus and Chrysalis community information on our website. Both Chrysalis and Emmaus's newsletters are electronic now. In the periods between the quarterly newsletters, we will be sending E-blasts to all the Community LD's and SD's. These E-blasts will include news, promotions, new resources, updates and on-line materials. In the coming years we will be developing podcasts and webinars. Our only way to contact communities is via the information on our website. We just finished a DVD that introduces the Chrysalis movement to churches and youth groups, and we're going to have one of those DVD's for Emmaus by October of this year. We have just formed a subcommittee of Regional Reps who will be developing training modules for communities to use at their Gatherings, 4th Day meetings and other events. We need to reach out to all to spread the word about Chrysalis and Emmaus -- and most importantly, Jesus Christ.

And while we are on the subject of Jesus, let's make sure that we understand each other; these movements are not about Greg Engroff. And they are not about you either. These movements are about Jesus Christ and His transforming love and grace - and how He will use us to serve Him. I am His servant, and so are you - the Body of Christ.

Emmaus and Chrysalis are designed to spiritually renew church members who will Christianize the environment, and the church is a vital part of this renewal effort. But another overriding purpose of these movements is to Christianize environments such as home, business, churches and friendships. We become active disciples. We no longer do Emmaus or Chrysalis or attend Emmaus or Chrysalis -- WE ARE EMMAUS AND CHRYSALIS!

About two months ago, I was challenged to read a book, "The Shack" by William P. Young. For me, this book has opened up a whole new world of understanding about the Trinity, and grace and forgiveness -- and love. The central character is McKenzie or Mack. He has been learning about grace and forgiveness, -- and love. He is speaking to the Holy Spirit, Sarayu, as she is named for Mack. And she is explaining one last thing for Mack, "Mack, if anything matters then everything matters. Because you are important, then everything you do is important. Every time you forgive, the universe changes; every time you reach out and touch a heart or a life, the world changes; with every kindness and service, seen or unseen, my purposes will be accomplished and nothing will ever be the same again."

Mack was about to return to the world after a weekend away and he was going to tell the world about the grace and forgiveness -- and love that he discovered through his relationship with the Father, Son and Holy Spirit -- just like our pilgrims and butterflies. It is our hope that after this weekend of being together, that you will return to your homes and communities with a renewed understanding of grace and forgiveness -- and love, and that you will spread the word that the Father, Son and Holy Spirit love you and every person in the world. They love you just as you are but love you so much, that they want you to be like them and love everybody as they do. When you show a kindness or show forgiveness or show love, the world will never be the same again. Lennon and McCartney said it well, "All you need is love" but the apostle Paul said it better, "Love never fails".

DeColores!

Fly With Christ.