The key to Tres Días is the Weekend. It is three full days (“Tres Días”), starting on a Thursday evening and ending on Sunday evening. The entire Weekend is sequestered to screen out the distractions of everyday life. Nothing to worry about. No meals to fix, no phones to answer!
You can only attend a Weekend once in a lifetime. The reason for this will be apparent by the conclusion of the Weekend. Most people find them transforming, and often refer to the Weekend as a “mountain top” experience.
WHAT HAPPENS ON A TRES DÍAS WEEKEND?
In a retreat setting, you will hear lay and clergy talks, testimonies, have small-group discussions, sing, worship, take communion, eat and fellowship with people of all walks of life. There are also a few “surprises” planned, as well as plenty of breaks. Each Weekend is lead by a group of men or women called the “team,” and they differ for each Weekend. On men’s Weekends, the team consists entirely of men, and on women’s Weekends, of women. Unlike many spiritual retreats, the quality of Tres Días Weekends is not dependent upon the leaders being dynamic preachers or even experienced retreat leaders. Rather the leaders are simply laymen and clergy who have previously attended a Tres Días or similar Weekend. In preparation for the Weekend they volunteer their time in work and prayer to build a Christian community that will minister to the new attendees.
The atmosphere at a Tres Días Weekend is one of love, joy, Christian fellowship, singing, laughing, and worship. It makes future Christian experiences more meaningful because it shows how lively and joyful the Christian life is intended to be. One way the Weekend has been described is “an encounter with Christ.” You will experience the love of Christ like never before. One man who has been involved in this ministry for a long time made this statement once at one of the team meetings:
“At Tres Días, you won’t hear the best speakers, or the best singing, or the holiest prayers, but talk about ‘come-to-Jesus’ moments, Tres Días has those in spades!”
WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO ATTEND A TRES DÍAS WEEKEND?
Tres Días is open to any Christian 21 years of age or over, from any Christian denomination. (Exceptions have been made for persons 18-21, with approval.) Married and unmarried are welcome. If married, husbands generally attend a Weekend first, although this is not a requirement. Wives usually attend the corresponding women’s Weekend a couple weeks later. Each person wishing to attend must be sponsored by someone who has previously attended a Tres Días or similar Weekend. The reason for this will become clear after the Weekend is over.
Attendance at a Weekend is limited to 20 first-time attendees (everyone other than the “team”). This ensures that each new attendee is allowed plenty of opportunity to interact with the other men or women on the Weekend, and to fully participate in and enjoy the benefits of the Weekend.
HOW MUCH DOES IT COST TO ATTEND A TRES DÍAS WEEKEND?
The cost is $100. This pays for the rental of the facility, food, and supplies. Team members also pay a fee. If the cost is a burden to you, tell your sponsor. Often there is help available.
WHY HAVE SEPARATE WEEKENDS FOR MEN AND WOMEN?
While many will find that their Tres Días Weekend greatly enhances their relationship with their spouse, marriage enrichment is not the aim of the Tres Días Weekend. Separate Weekends grant married persons individual time apart to explore their own relationship with God. Additionally, having separate Weekends affords both men and women, married or not, the opportunity to share with others of the same sex in a more comfortable setting.
WHAT SHOULD I KNOW ABOUT THE TRES DÍAS WEEKEND BEFORE ATTENDING?
Tres Días is for people who want to grow spiritually and who want to build up their Church and contribute to its ministry in their own community. Tres Días is ecumenical and a common meeting ground for all Christians who seek to serve the Lord. It is not intended to promote a certain Church or denomination, nor is it intended to be used by participants to promote their own political or social views or agendas.
WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE CAN I EXPECT TO HAVE?
How God uses the three-day Tres Días Weekend differs for each person according to His will and the individual’s needs. Participants’ experiences vary. Ideally, Tres Días participants come to the end of their three days feeling closer to God, with a renewed desire to continue to grow and to serve Him and their brothers and sisters in Christ. When asked about their Tres Días Weekend, many will say they experienced love and acceptance like they had never known before. Some will acclaim the Weekend was a life-changing experience. Most everyone will agree that it was a very positive and uplifting three days and that it resulted in lasting friendships.
WHAT WILL BE EXPECTED OF ME?
Be yourself. Come with a desire to get closer to God. Leave your world behind for 72 hours. No one is asked to sing a solo or make a speech. Participants are expected only to be honest, to participate fully, and to respond genuinely as the Weekend unfolds. No one is forced to do anything that he or she does not feel comfortable doing. What is important, is that participants attend Tres Días out of a desire to grow spiritually and that they allow God to use the three days to move them forward in their Christian faith.
WHAT IF I CAN’T STAY FOR THE FULL THREE DAYS?
Each day of Tres Días is an important part of the overall message. Each participant becomes an indispensable member of his or her group. If it is impossible for you to be present for the entire 72 hours, then you’ll need to wait for a date when your full participation is possible.
WILL I BE ABLE TO CALL WORK OR HOME AND CHECK IN?
Tres Días is a time apart with God. This is one of the things that makes Weekends like Tres Días unique. The Weekends consist of a group of men or women who come together for 72 hours, shutting out the outside world and its concerns, to focus on God and the blessings he is eager to impart. Not present will be radios, TV’s, newspapers, Internet, or anything else that allows the outside world to intrude. Participants are asked to work out their affairs ahead of time to really be away for all 72 hours without interruption, to remain on-site the entire time, and to refrain from making phone calls to work or home. Should an emergency arise at home or work while you are attending the weekend, your sponsor will make sure you are contacted.
CAN I INVITE SOMEONE ELSE TO ATTEND THE WEEKEND WITH ME?
Only those who have attended a Tres Días Weekend may invite others to attend. Therefore, you will be able to invite someone only after you have completed your Weekend. Many times, a husband will be so excited after attending his Weekend that he will want his wife to attend the very next women’s Weekend, held two weeks after the men’s.
HOW SHOULD I DRESS AND WHAT SHOULD I BRING TO THE THREE-DAY WEEKEND?
Dress in comfortable clothes. You will not need church clothes. Jeans, T-shirts, tennis shoes, sweatshirts, etc. are best. During cool weather you may want to bring a sweater, coat or jacket, as you will be going outside from time to time during the Weekend. Your sponsor can answer any specific questions you have as far as what to pack. The essentials are toiletries and enough clothes for three days. If you are taking medications, you will want to bring those with you. Also, please inform your sponsor of any special dietary needs. Everything else will be provided. Please do not bring any personal entertainment items.
WHAT HAPPENS AFTER THE WEEKEND IS OVER?
Tres Días is an ongoing Christian program of sharing and supporting. The three-day Weekend experience introduces you to a growing and supportive community of friends in Christ who try to live more Christ-like lives.
WHEN AND WHERE ARE THE WEEKENDS HELD?
Separate Weekends for men and women are held twice a year, typically in early Spring and early Fall. For each pair of Weekends, the men’s is held first, followed by the women’s Weekend two weeks later. The Weekends are held at the United Pentecostal Church Indiana District Conference & Training Center, located at 1900 E Broadway St, Fortville, IN 46040. You can find a map here.
HOW TO ATTEND A TRES DÍAS WEEKEND
To attend a Tres Días Weekend, you must be sponsored by someone who has already made a Weekend. If you don’t happen to have a sponsor, just contact us here and let us know where you are at and we’ll try and get you in contact with one of our community members in your area.
In preparation for attending a Weekend you must fill out an application. You or your sponsor may download the application below. Print the application, complete all information, and sign. Your sponsor will submit the completed application to the appropriate person. If married, separate applications for each spouse should be submitted at the same time. Be sure to include the required deposit.
An invitation to Tres Días is like a personal invitation to spend three days with Jesus Christ Himself. If you’re looking for renewed joy, purpose and commitment in your Christian walk, Tres Días offers these and much more.
Click here for application to attend a Weekend.