President Emeritus Bio - Mike Biggins

Beginnings in Colorado Springs

Mike Biggins’ tenure as president of Emmaus Journey grew out of many years of steady service and deepening involvement with the ministry. His relationship with Emmaus Journey began in the late 1990s in Colorado Springs, Colorado, where he participated in a small Bible study at Holy Apostles Catholic Church led by founder Rich Cleveland. As Rich explored effective ways to engage Catholics with Scripture, Biggins contributed to the early conversations and efforts that would eventually develop into Emmaus Journey.

Continuing the Mission from Afar

After a work-related move to Delaware, Biggins’ direct involvement with the group lessened due to travel and professional responsibilities, though his wife remained active in leading local Bible studies using Emmaus Journey materials. During this period, he stayed connected primarily through conferences in Colorado Springs, which provided ongoing formation and a continued link to the growing ministry.

Joining the Advisory Group

In 2005, as Emmaus Journey expanded, Rich formed an advisory group to help guide the development of study materials and resources, and Biggins joined this group, meeting several times a year to collaborate on direction and content. When Emmaus Journey was formally established as an organization, he was invited to serve on its board of directors.

Leadership Transition and Organizational Growth

A significant leadership transition occurred when Rich retired and leadership passed to Henry and Darlene Abeyta, accompanied by the relocation of Emmaus Journey to Albuquerque, New Mexico, in 2012. At that time, Biggins was asked to serve as board chair, assuming responsibility for organizing board meetings, reviewing financial reports, and overseeing key administrative matters.

Addressing Administrative Challenges

By June 2017, as Henry and Darlene balanced Emmaus Journey with other responsibilities, they requested that the board consider hiring administrative help. In response, Biggins traveled to Albuquerque to better understand the scope of the administrative workload and discern how best to support the ministry’s operations.

Taking on Administrative Responsibilities

In January 2018, Biggins relocated to Albuquerque and personally took on the administrative duties of Emmaus Journey. His responsibilities included shipping materials, maintaining inventory, and managing bookkeeping, initially averaging 16 to 20 hours per week, which still allowed time for other pursuits. As he grew more familiar with the administrative side, Henry gradually stepped back from these tasks to focus on other ministry activities and personal interests. By 2020, Henry announced his intention to retire from leadership, prompting the board to begin a search for a new president.

Stepping Up as Interim President

Because Emmaus Journey operated with limited funding and could not offer a salary for the position, the presidency required a fully volunteer commitment, which narrowed the field of potential candidates. To ensure continuity and stability, Biggins agreed to serve as interim president, a role originally envisioned as a six‑month bridge. The onset of COVID-19 significantly extended this transition, and he continued as interim president, board chair, and lead administrator, shouldering 40 to 60 hours of service per week during the pandemic years.

Transition in Leadership and Retirement

In January 2024, he announced that he would step down as interim president and retire from the board at the end of the year, while assisting with the transition to new leadership. By the end of April 2025, confident that Emmaus Journey’s future was in capable hands, Mike Biggins concluded his tenure, having served the ministry from its early formative stages through a demanding and formative season of leadership.