It was a lot of fun directing the congregation in their song service - you know, waving my arms toward them like they were watching because they cared! I also directed the big choir at that church.

The church happened to be directly across the street from where I lived, so I never missed a meeting. I always sat on the platform - and couldn't help noticing the transfixed faces of everyone staring back.

One Sunday was a particularly slow service. I remember asking myself if perhaps the preacher chose to read the Yellow Pages, would anyone notice? Under my breath, I prayed and suddenly an unknown warmness started to pour over my head and over my body. "What in the world could this be?"

I staggered my way to the restroom trying to stop unknown sounds that kept repeating out of my mouth. I'd never heard of anything like that happening to anyone before!

Trying to gain my composure, I returned back inside the sanctuary and grabbed my four kids off the front row. This odd word had enveloped my being. I raced into my bedroom and threw myself on my bed. There, in a state of suspension, I lay unable to move but watching as the clock hands traced orbits.

Now, of course, I have words to define what happened -- like "speaking in tongues," being "slain in the spirit" and having "open visions." But, those words were totally unknown then.

The Lord appeared and spoke to me for hours, giving me specific instructions. Among those instructions was the order to "Leave that church immediately and here's how to do it." I had loved that place and suddenly being told to leave it was abrupt. But, that strange word just kept bubbling from my lips without stopping. It was, "Koinonia."

Days, weeks, and months passed as I watched my past "friends" going to that church across the street - they seemed determined not to turn my direction. I searched past the frosty glass wondering if perhaps I were the only one in the world who had an experience with God like that. I stayed home - not knowing anyone to tell. Why, everyone would think that I had gone crazy! But, that word, "koinonia," kept repeatedly coming to the surface. Over and over.

After many months of staying home, a friend asked me to help direct a city-church choir for a Crusade being held at the High School. Well, it seemed like a good opportunity to be involved with choirs again and besides, I'd never been to a "crusade."

It was there at that choir practice right before the Crusade, that some of the singers prayed in a strange language and they even sang it! I was totally perplexed, "WOW! Other people know about this strange adventure!"

Later, a nice guy came up and introduced himself as a pastor. Then he asked me a curious question.

"Are you saved?"

What could that mean?

How could that word come close to the unconditional covenants I had made with Jesus? I told him what happened and what church I had left.

He was shocked!

"That church? But child, that's a cult! It appears that the Lord brought you out of a cult! They don't know who Jesus really is!" This stunned pastor asked to hear my whole story. He had never encountered anyone who had actually had a real visitation from the Lord.

Later, he took me all around the auditorium -- telling everyone my story!

As time went on, I learned what had sovereignly taken place and what the Lord wanted me to talk about. The Holy Spirit deposited the WORD KOINONIA inside of my being. It speaks of the kind of relationships that must define my life and ministry.

Deep called unto deep, confirming the valued concepts of "koinonia."

KOINONiA, (koininea, koinoonia, koy-nohn-ee-ah, NT #2842) - denotes participation with others in intimate affiliation, partnership, fellowship, communion, brotherhood, and sharing of those concepts that are in common. Koininia defines a unity LIKE that of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.

This kind of "fellowship" seems to be the secret that the early church all shared (Acts 2:42). And, we notice that because of their koinonia kind of fellowship, they experienced the power (dunamis) of God coming into their midst. As believers, we are called to enter into this same "koinonia" fellowship (communication, participation and social interaction - as being "one flesh") with one another and with Jesus (1 Cor. 1:9).