"The services were spiritually uplifting under the coordinator’s leadership. The team was divinely chosen to communicate with the needs of our people. There were relationships between family members that had been alienated for years restored! A family of sisters who had not spoken to each other since their mother’s funeral came to the altar to pray it through. This weekend helped unify our congregation."
Pastor Stan Weisbrod
Robertsdale (PA) Church of God
April 18 - 20, 2008
"The coordinator did a wonderful job of keeping us on track and lowering the level of anxiety about the weekend. The team members really shared from their hearts! We certainly achieved some of our goals and there is more to be seen as the impact will continue! It has helped our growing congregation realize that the majority is ‘new’ to our church."
Pastor Jerry Lyon
New Horizons Community Church of God
Jackson, MI April 18-20, 2008
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"The team was who we needed. We saw the joy of salvation return…we were encouraged by testimonies of team members…we were wonderfully encouraged. God showed up and many people had a life changing experience."
Pastor Robert Rensberger
First Church of God
Wabash Indiana, April 11-13, 2008:
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"The weekend was far greater than what I had expected. Almost everyone spoke of being blessed by the testimonies."
Pastor Carl Phipps
South Street Church of God
Mountain Grove, MO, April 11-13, 2008
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"The Holy Spirit led the coordinators and they fit our congregation well. The testimonies were excellent. Many blessings shared – rededicated lives – one teen girl accepted Christ – inspiration for another who was depressed."
Pastor Wade Seaborne
Garfield Park Church of God
Indianapolis, IN, April 4 6, 2008
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"Each member of the team was a blessing. I didn’t have any specific expectations yet God moved in an incredible way. The quality of leadership was outstanding…keeping everyone on task without quenching the Spirit. The sharing among our people was open and transparent…several expressing interest in starting new ministries."
Pastor Michael Coutts
Hillside Church of God
South San Francisco, CA, Sept. 12 - 14, 2008
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"This was a time for healing, rededication, and renewal of spirit for many, including myself. There was a good mix of personalities and ages in the team. God brought us renewal and revival according to our expectations."
Pastor Michael Kennedy,
Baker St. Church of God
Rimersburg, PA Feb. 22-24, 2008
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"The weekend went beyond our expectations. I believe that was because of the prior prayer and the genuineness and spirit of the team. The weekend touched many hearts, and, I believe, brought many to see that it is okay to be vulnerable and transparent with one another."
Pastor Bruce Applegate
Crossroads Church of God
Milwaukee, WI, February 8 - 10, 2008
I would start out by saying, "Wow", "Praise God", and "Thank you, Jesus." Everyone I've spoken to in our congregation has stated in one way or another, "This is the best revival we have ever had." We experienced a great move of God in the services, small groups, and coffee groups - real needs being met by real people and a real God.
Pastor Ron Leonard
Jones Chapel Church of God
Meridian, MS Feb. 22-24, 2008
"We had a wonderful weekend. I longed for the weekend to be an avenue of spiritual renewal for the congregation, and it was, plus two decisions for Christ were made. I would say that involvement in prayer was a blessing to many, even our 80 and 90 year old members shared in the vigil. I believe LIVE Weekends are an incomparably valuable tool for spiritual renewal within our Church of God Reformation Movement."
Pastor Stan Schilffarth
First Church of God, Kittanning, PA
January 11-13, 2008
"I am amazed that ordinary people are willing to give their time at their own expense. Certain personalities/testimonies seemed to touch most everyone, but others met specific needs."
Pastor Alan Higdon
K-Springs Church of God, Chelsea, Alabama
September 21-23, 2007
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"The LIVE team was excellent and the congregation that participated was really blessed. A lot of encouragement and confirmation was shared with me as pastor. We developed a closer bond as a congregation and with individuals and there was healing."
Pastor Daryl Brown
Central Church of God, Georgetown, KY
September 28-30, 2007
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"I was moved beyond anything I'd expected. God not only touched the congregation, He touched my life as well. I did not realize how much I needed this weekend. Thanks! Keep doing the good work!"
Pastor Terry L. Canfield
Akron Church if God, Akron, IN
September 7-9, 2007
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"It was excellent, a needed spiritual shot in the arm. Communication between mutual laypeople was powerful! God even had His way with lodging as people were matched perfectly with people who needed them the most."
Rev. William P. Means
First Church of God
Lancaster, OH, September 14-16, 2007
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"This weekend we were under attack. God was present through it all. There were team members who could not come because of last minute health issues. There was a storm that two team members had to leave and attend to. There were several congregation members who became sick prior to the weekend. Yet God moved in the hearts of those who participated. God is good."
Pastor Keven Dickerman
University Park Church of God
Johnstown, PA, June 8-10, 2007
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"Some said, 'Now I understand the Church of God better.' " The people realized you don't always have to have preaching to have a good spiritual experience. The weekend excitement came out in the Celebration Service. People shared about their experience; even those that normally don't express themselves."
Pastor Bill Wilson
Grace Church of God
Forest, VA, May 4-6, 2007
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"I absolutely loved the weekend. Everyone on the team was just great. The Spirit moved on our people and we were all blessed! I feel I grew from the sessions. There were many tears and a great commitment to unity. People who were seeking God's will in their lives spoke of God revealing it to them. Some people pledged a new commitment to God and their church. I feel everyone was moved by the Spirit of God and the team members that came."
- Pastor Paul Butler
Community Christ Fellowship, St. Louis, MO
April 27-29, 2007
"Our LIVE Weekend made every one feel like they were a part of God's family. It renewed spirits and commitments to Christ. Spending more time together helped break down barriers and you could see closer relationships would be formed."
- Pastor Ron Hofacker
Rose Hill Church of God, Paulding, OH
April 27-29, 2007
"I must admit that I've been in some real moving services before and the LIVE Weekend Celebration Service happens to rank right up there with one of the most moving. The Spirit moved in a really special way and I was taken aback at some of the results. Many new commitments came from the obedience of those who were willing to come and praise God for them. We're going to have at least two small groups come from the questionnaire that was given and a group that's going to put together a few more game nights/fellowship times for the church body as a whole. I saw fear in people's voices, and saw people shake, but I believe the reason they came forward and testified was that they saw how God used those that he brought to us, people with no real training, but just a willingness to be obedient."
- Pastor Gene Worline
First Church of God, Grove City, PA,
March 16-18, 2007
"I have witnessed more joy, excitement and enthusiasm within the church. It began as we created the church teams. It strengthened throughout the preparation and beyond. For us, it seems more effective than traditional renewal services."
- Rev. Thomas H. Tennant
Bridgeport First Church of God, Bridgeport, OH,
March 16-18, 2007
"People expressed a desire for the church to grow in Christ and in numbers. They also expressed a concern to care for each other. We will be starting some small groups soon."
- Pastor Larry Dodge
First Church of God, Rochester, IN,
February 16-18, 2007
"The LIVE Weekend met my expectations. Four or five people made significant decisions. Some of our newer people enjoyed getting to connect with our church."
- Pastor Mark Hall
Orchard View Church of God, Grand Rapids, MI
February 9-11, 2007
"The LIVE Weekend brought some out of the closet with a boldness to share Christ with others. People became more open with one another and helped others to become more sensitive to the Holy Spirit. The LIVE Weekend helped people want to become more committed to Christ and His church."
- Pastor Pearl Jenkins
Round Top Community Church, Falkville, AL
February 2-4, 2007
"It went beyond my expectations. One man shared that his marriage had been reconciled because of LIVE. A woman shared that she had received healing from the grief and anger over the death of her daughter and others shared that our church was healed. God's timing and the great team made it possible!"
- Pastor Ed Nelson
Sloan's Lake Community Church, Denver, CO,
November 3-5, 2006
"The coordinator is a true example for others. He always affirms the pastor's role and uplifts the local church. Each one of our three Weekends have been an extraordinary blessing for our congregation. Many prayers were answered. Our congregation experienced true revival as God blessed this lay oriented ministry. We had new commitments made to serve and love God better. The experience for our youth was awesome!"
- Pastor Don Hackney
First Church of God, Staunton, Virginia,
November 3-5, 2006
"They were loving, genuine, sensitive people. Their transparency in sharing bits of insight about their own needs was both endearing and encouraging. All sharing was positive, especially several who said they were just like us. If God can use them, he can use us. It was a true time of spiritual renewal and refreshing! The fact that it was "lay-led" is both refreshing and humbling to me. The genuineness and complete "fit" with the present needs of our people could only have been the work of God's Holy Spirit. Every testimony given spoke directly to the need of someone in our church body (the people in our church body testified to this in our Celebration Service)."
- Pastor Sam Dunbar
First Church of God, Saint Louis, MI,
October 27-29, 2006
"I never know what to expect or how this thing actually works, but it always does! God just shows up in the simplest and humblest of testimonies and songs. Our weekend was a very relational time, people opened up, a person was saved, others felt accepted, one person revealed some of his pain...many people found help."
- Pastor Brian Harrell
Liberty Street Church of God, Parkersburg, West Virginia,
September 22-24, 2006
"I was amazed at the willingness of the people to share openly in the celebration service. Some folks who would not stand before a crowd of people stood and shared their testimonies about the weekend. Several people expressed a spiritual renewal had taken place over the course of the weekend. Some have learned they need to allow God to control their lives more and to let go of things they have no control over. People who had seemed like strangers learned more about each other. One gentleman said he was not sure the church could grow but has changed his mind. There were many, many positives that took place - unity was the greatest thread that ran though the weekend."
- Pastor Nathan Greene
Central Heights Church of God, Columbus, IN
September 26, 2006
"Our church has a new Pastor and I have a new congregation."
- Pastor Louis Anderson
Brighton, CO (COG)
September 2006
"I think LIVE Ministries does more to support small churches than any other Church of God Ministry."
- Chuck Armstrong
Anderson, IN
July 2006
"I have been asked once again to speak at Camp Man-Dak in New Rockford, ND. I am to talk about LIVE Ministries ... how it started, what it's all about, what happens on a LIVE weekend, share my personal testimony of how I became a LIVE team member, how a church can have their own LIVE weekend -- and answer any other questions. I pray the Holy Sprit will be with me today and I give God the glory He so richly deserves. Just think how that LIVE weekend changed my life just two short years ago. Oh, if only I had given myself to God sooner. It was the questions asked on Saturday night that changed me. Thank you for allowing me to witness the Holy Sprit touch so many lives and make so many new friends through LIVE Ministries."
- Beckie Thorson
First Church of God, Grand Forks, ND
July 7, 2006
"The willingness of the team members to be open and share their pains and struggles touched a lot of lives. The Holy Spirit kept moving even after the LIVE team left. People seemed to have that ‘glow' about them, and I believe it's because we had been in the Lord's presence. The weekend far exceeded my expectations, and Lord willing, it will not be my last experience with LIVE."
- Pastor Dave Sessums
Middle Grave Creek Church of God, Moundsville, WV
March 24-26, 2006
"Keep the prayer focus. Our people were thrilled to learn that they were being prayed for around the world!"
- Pastor Charles Strawn
Meadowbrook Church of God, Bethalto, Illinois
March 24-26, 2006
"In our celebration service, we had a young man stand up and say, "We have had 5 souls saved this weekend and I would like to make it 6!" He came forward and gave his heart to the Lord with many tears. This was our 4th LIVE Weekend and we are excited about the moving of the Holy Spirit upon our congregation."
- Pastor Ron D. Wamer
New Springfield Church of God, New Springfield, Ohio
March 10-12, 2006
"The weekend met my expectations....and then some! I've had two conversations with men from our church, both who were greatly touched by the people, message, and ministry of this weekend. God is definitely stirring hearts and the best is before us."
- Pastor Jerry Riddle
Eagle Point Church of God, Little Rock, Arkansas
February 17-19
"The weekend was a blessing to a people who needed the good medicine of cheerful heart. Proverbs 17:22. It highlighted the importance of small groups, sharing our stories, and what we can accomplish for God if we are available and work together!"
- Pastor Troy Scott
First Church of God, Goshen, Indiana
January 20-22, 2006
