The Emmaus Program

Life Together in Pursuit of Jesus

Emmaus is a year-long communal discipleship program. Jesus calls us to follow him with our whole selves – body, soul, mind and spirit. In Emmaus we take this call seriously.

But following Jesus can be hard, especially in today’s world, especially as a college student.

This is why in Emmaus we dedicate one year to live in intentional Christian community. During this year of communal living we commit to a rhythm of spiritual practices, worship, biblical reflection and service. In other words, we commit to following Jesus with our whole selves.

In the process, we will grow in our love for God, develop more robust spiritual lives and be transformed in the image of Christ. In short, we will learn what it means to be faithful disciples of Jesus.

Applications to participate in the Emmaus Program during the 2025-26 school year are open now! Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis through the spring semester. Emmaus Application

Experience the Emmaus community

We would love for you to join us for one of our weekly Emmaus community dinners! Come see the houses, meet current Emmaus students and learn more about the program. We host community dinners every Sunday during the semester at 5:30 p.m. Please reach out to Derek or one of the Emmaus student ambassadors for more details. 

Want to learn more about Emmaus?

If you'd like to learn more about Emmaus, please reach out to one of the Emmaus student ambassadors or the Emmaus director. We would love to treat you to coffee and share about our experiences in Emmaus.

• Charis Tiamson (ctiamson24@my.whitworth.edu)
• Elena Vigil (evigil27@my.whitworth.edu)
• Henry Wheeler (hwheeler26@my.whitworth.edu)
• Maia Mouser (mmouser26.whitworth.edu)

Emmaus Director Derek Taylor (dtaylor@whitworth.edu)

Emmaus Scholarships

Up to six $1,500 Emmaus Scholarships will be awarded for the 2025-26 school year. These scholarships will be available to any student who demonstrates financial need (including international students). If you are interested in applying for an Emmaus Scholarship, please reach out to Emmaus Director Derek Taylor (dtaylor@whitworth.edu).

What you will do in Emmaus

Emmaus is designed for all students of all majors and all church backgrounds. 

During your year in Emmaus you will:

• Live in intentional Christian community in the Emmaus Houses near campus with other students for one academic year.
• Practice a consistent weekly routine of communal prayer.
• Read the Bible regularly and prayerfully.
• Worship God through song.
• Memorize Scripture.
• Enjoy weekly communal meals.
• Share your love for Jesus with the campus and the world through acts of service.
• Connect with community and faith leaders in the Spokane area.
• Reflect theologically on what it means to be a follower of Jesus in today’s world.
• Receive one-on-one mentorship from a professor.
• Participate in a dynamic Spring Break service-learning trip.
• Eat, play, sing and simply enjoy life together with other students in the Emmaus cohort!

About the name "Emmaus"

At the end of Luke's gospel (24:13-35), two of Jesus' followers encounter a stranger as they walk toward the village of Emmaus. Under the stranger's guidance, the disciples dwell on the story of God's faithfulness told throughout Scripture. The disciples don't want the stranger to go on alone, so they invite him into their home. When they sit down together to break bread, their world is turned upside down. They see that this stranger is Jesus himself. This gift is simultaneously a task, for the disciples are immediately compelled to share the good news with others. In these ways, the Emmaus story provides a compelling model for Christian discipleship. Following Jesus requires us to care for the stranger, to offer hospitality, to think deeply about Scripture, to gather in community and to participate in God's mission of redemption. This holistic pattern of discipleship is our Emmaus Way.

Meet the Emmaus Faculty Director

After graduating from Whitworth, Derek received a M.Div. from Princeton Theological Seminary and a Th.D. from Duke University. Derek is married to Lauren, the campus pastor for discipleship & residence hall ministry here at Whitworth. Lauren and Derek spend most of their free time chasing their young sons Theo and Micah, going on hikes with their dog Charlie (who is by all objective standards the best dog in the world) and cooking up something fun in the kitchen. If Derek isn't doing these things, you might find him watching Duke basketball, enjoying the great outdoors (ideally with fly rod in hand) or reading a good book. Along with directing the Emmaus Program, Derek also teaches theology here at Whitworth. He is especially interested in the theology of Dietrich Bonhoeffer, the doctrine of creation and the intersection of theology and ecology. Derek also has a deep passion for coffee, so if you'd like to chat over a cup, just shoot him an email!

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I be in Emmaus and other extracurricular activities like sports, music, drama, etc.?

Yes! Emmaus is designed to complement a number of other activities and responsibilities. Every member of the Emmaus community has friends, classes and activities outside of Emmaus, and my hope is that you will continue to invest in these. In Emmaus we do our best to be flexible and make room for these other commitments. 

What coursework is required for Emmaus?

In Emmaus, students will take up to two courses together with other Emmaus students.

During Fall Term, students in Emmaus take a course that focuses on the theology of spirituality, community and Christian life. This course will meet once per week in the evening. The credits from this course can count toward a theology major or minor. This course can also be taken as an audit, i.e., for no official credit. In Emmaus we do our best to accommodate students who have a full credit load. Please reach out to Derek (dtaylor@whitworth.edu) if you have questions about your situation. 

During Spring Term, we take TH-327 Theology of Justice and Diversity. For Emmaus students this course is strongly encouraged but not required. TH-327 is taken as a normal 3-credit course; pass/fail is accepted. This course satisfies the "Faith, Reason & Contemporary Issues" (FRCI) general education requirement and counts toward a theology major or minor. This course can also satisfy one of the requirements for the Ministry Endorsement Program.

What type of students are in Emmaus?

There are many types of students in Emmaus. The program is designed for students from all church backgrounds and all majors (most students in Emmaus are not theology majors). The one common denominator is a commitment to Jesus Christ. It doesn’t matter what denomination you are a part of or what style of worship you prefer. It doesn’t matter if you are new to faith or if you have been a Christian your whole life. It doesn't matter if you have taken theology courses before or if you are just beginning to explore your faith. What matters is that you take your faith seriously and desire to devote your whole self to Jesus.  

How many students are in Emmaus?

Emmaus consists of between 10-16 students, depending on the year.

Does Emmaus cost anything?

No. The costs associated with living in the Emmaus Houses are the same as those associated with living in other Neighborhoods Houses. Note: Students living in Neighborhoods Houses are not required to be on an official meal plan, so students in Emmaus often save money by cooking for themselves. Specific questions about on-campus living costs can be answered through Residence Life.

Emmaus activities (like Emmaus family meals, hospitality events and retreats) are covered by the Emmaus budget and are not the students’ responsibility. 

Is any financial assistance available for students in Emmaus?

In addition to the Emmaus Scholarships mentioned above, students in Emmaus may also apply for these paid positions: Emmaus Ambassador, Emmaus Worship Leader, and Emmaus Care Coordinator. For more information, please reach out to Derek (dtaylor@whitworth.edu). 

Can I be in Emmaus with my friends?

Yes, we encourage you to apply with friends! If you are accepted into Emmaus, you will have an opportunity to express your preference for your roommate.

Can I be in Emmaus and be the Neighborhoods RA?

Yes! You can apply to be the Neighborhoods RA through the residence life office. 

What sort of community service does Emmaus do?

On average, students in Emmaus will serve about 6-8 hours per month. A variety of service opportunities will be available to students. If you are already actively involved with an off-campus service-learning site, you will be able to continue serving at this site.

Does the Emmaus faculty director live in the Emmaus Neighborhoods Houses?

No. But the Emmaus director lives only a few blocks away. The Emmaus director will regularly participate in communal prayer, the Emmaus family meal and other activities.