What to Expect
Hey!
Thanks for checking out Emmaus Road. We’re a young community of faith with a passion to infect the world with the love of Christ. Here’s the top five things you should know about our church:
- Come comfortable: God’s more interested in you than your clothes!
- We’re about authentic community. We intentionally make time in our worship schedule for real conversations and regularly share together in “community meals” and home groups. It’s all about relationships!
- We worship! It’s not about going through the religious motions for us. Because God deserves our best, our worship is thoughtful, participatory, dynamic and passionate. We seek to encounter God.
- We love kids. Creative, engaging and integrated ministry to children and students is a high priority at Emmaus Road. We’re not afraid to get messy!
- We value deep ministry in this often shallow world! Messages are biblical and relevant; aiming to engage both heart and mind as well as challenge and inspire. It’s about transformation rather than mere information.
Life’s a trip; the trick is to know where you’re headed and enjoy the ride. We invite you to “Come along and ride on a fantastic voyage” this Sunday evening at 4pm. We look forward to getting to know you and your family.
Blessings,
Steve
Lead Pastor
The Vision of Emmaus Road
Vision
To be a culturally relevant Christian Community compelled by Christ’s vision of the Kingdom of God to carry forward His ministry to the world.
Mission
To RECONCILE people to their creator by WORSHIPPING, GROWING, and SERVING together in authentic Christian COMMUNITY.
Philosophy of Ministry
Emmaus Road is a missional church. This, in essence, means that we are an outreach oriented community ultimately finding the meaning of all church practices within the context of God’s reconciling mission to the world. Bottom line; We exist primarily for the benefit of those who are not our members.
Core Values
- Grace Based Ministry – The understanding that growth occurs through processes as well as events; growth is a journey. Growth is understood as a rollercoaster with high times and low times and a lot of excitement and fear in between. The grace of God allows us to “enjoy the ride.”
- “Keeping It Real” – An organizational culture that encourages leaders and members to be honest and open about where they are in their spiritual journey.
- Relevancy – Ministering to people where they actually are. Bringing the Word of God into dialogue with the real world lives of people.
- Deep Worship Experiences – The presence and grace of God can be directly experienced in times of extended musical worship.
- Altar Services – God powerfully reveals himself through the Body of Christ in extended times of prayer for one another.
- Relationships – Evangelism, fellowship, discipleship, ministry and worship all find their proper context within authentic community.
- Mentoring/Leadership Development – There is no success without successors.
- Involvement – People learn more by doing than hearing and watching.
- Spiritual Growth – Leaders and members must be continually growing in their relationship with Christ.
- Numerical Growth – An indicator of true spiritual growth is numerical growth; The Great Commission is not optional.
- Fun And Laughter – God intends his children to enjoy life and one another.
- Challenge – Pursuing ambitious but realistic goals is essential to the journey of faith.
- Commitment – Christ made high demands of his disciples; so must we.
- Innovative Programming – Programs must be excellent. Because our environment is always changing our programs must be regularly evaluated on their effectiveness.
What We Believe…
About God:
God has revealed himself to be the living and true God, perfect in love and righteous in all his ways, one in essence, existing eternally in the three persons of the Trinity: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.
About the Bible:
God, who discloses himself to mankind through his creation, has savingly spoken in the words and events of redemptive history. This history is fulfilled in Jesus Christ, the incarnate Word, who is made known to us by the Holy Spirit in sacred Scripture.
Scripture is an essential part and trustworthy record of this divine self-disclosure. All the books of the Old and New Testaments, given by divine inspiration, are the written word of God, the only infallible rule of faith and practice. They are to be interpreted according to their context and purpose and in reverent obedience to the Lord who speaks through them in living power.
About Humanity:
God, by his word and for his glory, freely created the world out of nothing. He made man and woman in his own image, as the crown of creation, that they might enjoy a relationship with him. Tempted by Satan, they rebelled against God. Being estranged from their Maker, yet responsible to him, they became subject to divine wrath, inwardly depraved and, apart from grace, incapable of returning to God.
About Jesus:
The only mediator between God and humankind is Christ Jesus our Lord, God's eternal son, who, being conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of the Virgin Mary, fully shared and fulfilled our humanity in a life of perfect obedience. By his death in our place, he revealed the divine love and upheld divine justice, removing our guilt and reconciling us to God. Having redeemed us from sin, the third day he rose bodily from the grave, victorious over death and the powers of darkness. He ascended into heaven where, at God's right hand, he intercedes for his people and rules as Lord over all.
About Salvation:
The Holy Spirit, through the proclamation of the gospel, renews our hearts, persuading us to repent of our sins and confess Jesus as Lord. By the same Spirit we are led to trust in divine mercy, whereby we are forgiven all our sins, justified by faith alone through the merit of Christ our Savior, and granted the free gift of eternal life.
God graciously adopts us into his family and enables us to call him Father. As we are led by the Spirit, we grow in the knowledge of the Lord, freely keeping his commandments and endeavoring to live in the world so that all may see our good works and glorify our Father who is in heaven.
About the Church:
God, by his Word and Spirit creates the one holy catholic (universal) and apostolic (missional) Church, calling sinners out of the whole human race into the fellowship of Christ's Body. By the same Word and Spirit, he guides and preserves for eternity that new, redeemed humanity, which, being formed in every culture, is spiritually one with the people of God in all ages.
The Church is summoned by Christ and empowered by the Holy Spirit to offer acceptable worship to God and to serve him by preaching the gospel and making disciples of all nations, by building up the community of faith through the ministry of the word, sacraments and pastoral care, by striving for social justice, and by relieving human distress and need.
About Last Things:
God's redemptive purpose will be consummated by the return of Christ to raise the dead, to judge all people according to the deeds done in the Body, and to establish his glorious kingdom. The wicked shall be separated from God's presence, but the righteous, in glorious bodies, shall live and reign with him forever. Then shall the eager expectation of the creation be fulfilled and the whole earth shall proclaim the glory of God who makes all things new.
Steve Metro
Lead Pastor
Steve was born and raised in Southern California and has lived in Phoenix for the last five years. At the end of his troubled teenage years he surrendered his life to Christ in Riverside County Jail and experienced God’s life transforming power. In July of 1999 he married Julie and they have been inseparable ever since. During the last decade Steve has served as a pastor to students and adults in Riverside, CA and Phoenix, AZ. He has also been a featured speaker at camps and conferences in California, Arizona, Colorado, and Alaska. Steve studied Christian Apologetics at Biola University and Christian Ministry at the Church of God School of Ministry and Lee University. Currently, he is working on a Master of Divinity Degree at Fuller Theological Seminary. If he wasn’t too old and out of shape Steve would be busy training to win next season’s So You Think You Can Dance.
- Favorite Food: Italian
- Favorite Movies: Grizzly Man, Goonies, Breakin', Beat Street, Saving Private Ryan, Star Wars, Godfather, Goodfellas, Braveheart, 3:10 to Yuma, Back to the Future, Pirates of the Caribbean, Old Yeller, The Last Samurai…
- Favorite Books: The Bible (obviously), Blue Like Jazz, Reasonable Faith, Mere Christianity, and I honestly enjoyed the Da Vinci Code as a work of fiction.
- Favorite Music: Michael Jackson’s Thriller Album, the Eagles, West Coast Rap, Punk Rock, Rockabilly, Classic Rock, Country… I’m pretty eclectic. As for Christian stuff, I’m into Hillsong United, David Crowder, Chris Tomlin, Matt Redman and Warren Barfield.
- Hobbies: Riding Harley Davidsons, Traveling, Camping, Fishing, Kung Fu, and watching History and Discovery channels.
- Dream Vacation: 2 months in Europe on my Harley with Julie, and my dog (Sierra) in a side car.
- What I Want for Christmas: An official Red Rider carbine action 200 shot range-model air riffle. J/K, I guess I’d just like some Tinker Toys or a Harley Davidson Road King Classic with ape-hangers.
Julie Metro
Church Administrator/Worship Leader
The Beach Boys don’t have to wish concerning Julie; she’s a true California girl born and raised. Until she and Steve were married, she lived in the same house in Upland, CA her whole life. Over the past five years she has come to love Arizona (especially from the back of a motorcycle). She is a graduate of the Church of God Ministerial Internship Program and continues to develop her ministry skills by studying music, worship leading and Christian leadership. Julie has been a pastor to students and adults for nine years and has served on church and world missions administrative teams. She has a tremendous weakness for kittens.
- Favorite Food: Chicken Fettuccine Alfredo and Beef Flautas w/Fried Flour Tortillas & lots of sour cream
- Favorite Movies: A Walk To Remember, Sweet Home Alabama, How To Lose A Guy In Ten Days, Wild Hogs, The Notebook, The Wedding Planner, Pirates of the Caribbean 1, 2 & 3, Bruce Almighty, Cinderella (as well as all classic Disney movies), etc...
- Favorite Books: The Bible, Captivating, Blue Like Jazz, All Beverly Lewis Amish Novels and Nicholas Sparks Novels (my new favorites include Holiness, The Heart God Purifies and Vintage Jesus)
- Favorite Music: I love worship music like Hillsong United, Chris Tomlin, David Crowder Band, Desperation Band, Jeremy Camp & Warren Barfield I like jazz and styles like Michael Buble, Norah Jones, John Mayer & Colbie Caillat; I also love country like Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Miranda Lambert, Jason Aldean, & Rodney Atkins; And I love The Eagles!
- Hobbies: Singing, riding on the back of Steve's Harley Davidson, camping, fishing, hiking, canoing, kayaking, riding ATVs, traveling, baseball, volleyball, lovin' on my animals (2 cats & a dog), watching movies, hanging out with my family and my friends
- Dream Vacation: Backpacking (or riding a Harley) around Europe until I got to see and visit everywhere I wanted to... so many places to see!
- What I Want for Christmas: A bigger house to have tons of friends over... or the backyard done at my current home!
Nick Charette
Student Ministries Pastor
Nick is a native of Arizona. He became a follower of Christ during his junior year at Independence High School and quickly recognized that God was calling him into ministry. In the spring of 2005 he graduated from the Church of God Ministerial Affirmation Program and is currently pursuing a degree in Christian Ministry from Western Bible College. For the past five years Nick has enjoyed reaching students for Christ and helping them to grow spiritually through active mentoring and involvement in meaningful ministry to their peers, family and the world. Nick recently proposed to Tori, the love of his life, and is quickly learning the practical value of the phrase “Yes dear” in the wedding planning process. The big day is coming sometime in May of 2009.
- Favorite Food: Mexican and Pizza and wings.
- Favorite Movies: The Shawshank Redemption, Finding Nemo, Pirates of the Caribbean 1,2 and 3, Cinderella Man, The Dark Knight, Gladiator, Ace Ventura (Pet Detective) (When Nature Calls), 10th and Wolf, The Godfather and Anchor Man the Legend of Ron Burgundy.
- Favorite Books: The Bible, Blue Like Jazz, The Jesus of Suburbia, Where the Sidewalk Ends, Hurt, Case for Christ, Deep Ministry in a Shallow world, Adventures in Missing the point and The Chocolate Touch.
- Favorite Music: I enjoy West Coast rap, alternative rock, Classic rock, R&B, Oldies, Worship music and Gladys Knight & The Pips.
- Hobbies: I enjoy reading, going to the movies, singing karaoke, dreaming about having a Harley, watching the Food Network and the History Channel and hanging out with family and friends.
- Dream Vacation: 3 months of traveling the world in the most awesome Winnebago ever with unlimited funds, and access to a private jet 24/7
- What I Want for Christmas: I would like a jet black 2008 Harley-Davidson XL 1200L Sportster with 10 inch Ape Hangers, hard bags and a sissy bar for the future wife.
Cindy Shembab
Children's Director
Cindy is a native Arizonan, born and raised in Scottsdale. She has a daughter, Rochelle, who is a freshman in high school.
Cindy received her Bachelor's Degree in English Literature from Arizona State University, with a minor in history. Ten years ago she went back to school to achieve a longtime dream of teaching professionally. In June 2000 she graduated with a teaching certification for grades K through 8 from the University of Phoenix. She is in her 8th year teaching kindergarten at Parkway Children's School of Excellence. Prior to teaching she worked in advertising graphics and banking.
Cindy has been a Christian for almost 30 years. She and her daughter attended Parkway Community Church of God for 10 years where she worked in the Sunday School program for over 8 years. She also has over a dozen years experience working at Parkway and elsewhere contributing to the spiritual growth of youth and young adults. It has been a tremendous move of God in Cindy's life to be a part of planting this brand new church. She loves children of all ages and knows she is called by God to minister to them.
- Favorite Food: Potatoes
- Favorite Movies: The Lord of the Rings, While You Were Sleeping
- Favorite Books: The Bible, Lord of the Rings, Captivating, Blue Like Jazz
- Favorite Music: Christian
- Hobbies: Reading, Writing, Art, and following the Diamondbacks
- Dream Vacation: Europe...especially England and Germany
- What I Want for Christmas: A new computer and internet service (Rochelle wants me to get a cell phone...)
If You'd Like To Get Involved In One Of The Following Areas
CLICK HERE TO CONTACT US
- Band
- Worship Team Singers
- Youth
- Children
- Media (Computers, Video & Photography)
- Sound (Set Up & Organization)
- Dance
- Art (Poetry, Drawing, Painting, Sculpting, Graphic Design)
- Welcoming Committee
- Drama (Live Skits, Video Skits, Human Videos, Comedy Improv, Short story writing, Screenplay writing)
- Small Groups (Hosting and/or Facilitating)