For weeks the church has been preparing. Committees are arranging to house visiting team members, publicizing the weekend in newsletters, mailers, handouts and from the pulpit. Some have developed prayer teams and worked out meal times and where various groups would meet. Now it's Thursday and the 24-hour prayer vigil starts at 6:00 p.m. Every time slot, even in the wee hours, has a prayer warrior.On Friday the team arrives.

They come, some from great distances, at their own expense. Some are met at the airport, some drive in. Each is excited to be able to share their personal, living Christ with others, because they have been inspired by a LIVE Weekend in their own church. By 3:30 they gather at the church, many meeting one another for the first time, and they tour the facilities. At 4:00 comes a call from LIVE Ministries office offering prayer for the weekend and for the people, seeking God's hand in guiding the events and opening hearts. The Coordinator (leader) opens a team meeting with prayer and introductions. Team members meet the pastor and church leaders and until 6:00 p.m., training, prayer and preparation take place.

Six o'clock means a famous Church of God pot-luck or carry-in meal. Folks from the church mix with team members and bonding and friendships are already developing. Eventually the Coordinator and team are introduced and singing, prayer and testimony make the time fly. Team members bring their personal stories of how God has met their need and hoe He is moving in their lives today. There will be laughter, or tears, or both. Hearts are warmed. The church body breaks into small groups led by team members to discuss important expectations for the weekend. The evening concludes with a review of each small group's responses, then team members are ushered off to the homes of church families where they will be staying.

Saturday morning starts with breakfast in the host homes followed by a team meeting at the church. Preparations are carefully made for the upcoming Saturday Morning Meditation, or Coffee Time. Team members pray over the previous evening and the upcoming day. At 9:30, transportation committee drivers take team members to the Coffee Homes where they will moderate the meditation.

Church members have signed up to come to these various homes, and the host family is always ready with coffee, juice, pastries and goodies. In short order everyone is seated in a circle and introducing one another. The leading team member guides them through the meditation and discussions. Many LIVE Weekend team members can relate the powerful presence of the Holy Spirit in these coffee times. Hurts are exposed. Hearts are healed. In this small circle of friends, many have even come to the Lord!

By noon all are back at the church for a soup and sandwich luncheon - men in one room and women in another. This is a special time of sharing gender issues and again, the Holy Spirit can move in awesome ways. It's not as easy for guys to open up like women seem so able to do, but it happens in these breakout times.

By 2:00 p.m. Saturday, it's relaxation time. Team members may visit shut-ins, or may be taken on tours of the area, or many just rest up for the evening. At 5:00 p.m. the team meets again at the church to pray over the events so far and to prepare for the evening. Assignments are made for music and testimony. Another fabulous dinner begins at 6:00.

Saturday evenings are fun. People have gotten to know one another. Friendships are building. Following the meal comes singing, skits, laughter and testimony from more team members. Everyone moves into a small group designed to prepare them for a personal time at the altar. The evening concludes with quiet time in the sanctuary, hymns softly playing. People come alone or in twos and threes to the altars, often asking a team member to pray for them. The Pastor is available for special prayer and anointing. The Holy Spirit moves, person to person at the altars or in the pews. It is a powerful, emotional, Holy time. Folks weep, hug, and quietly go to their homes.

Sunday after an early breakfast the team meets for a final time. Prayers are offered, assignments made. This team meeting is different. It is the last time this team will ever meet. Certainly, members may be together on other teams at other times - but this team was created by God for this church on this weekend. It is not easy to end the meeting. But there are Sunday School classes to lead, and worship preparations. While the classes are in session, the Coordinator, Pastor and church worship team prepare.

As the service proceeds, the Pastor asks the congregation for a special offering for LIVE Ministries, then introduces the Coordinator who conducts the rest of worship. Music and testimony are blended. The altars fill when the call is made. More tears, more healing, more private conversations with God and very often, a new saved soul meets the Savior at those altars. The service concludes with a special prayer as the church re-dedicates itself to the Pastor and family. The congregation floods forward to hug, shake hands, offer encouragement.

The team has a final quick luncheon with the pastor and local committee - sometimes with the whole church - before they depart. For many, Monday is a workday. The trip back to the real world is swift. Parting from new friends can be painful and the leave-taking can be emotional.

But the church will never be the same. The LIVE Weekend experience will last, will endure. Sunday night the church will come together for a Celebration Service, relating their own testimonies, singing, praying, praising God. Renewal, refreshment, restoration, revival - in Jesus Christ.