When they first arrived in the U.S., members of Revive felt they had God on their side.

Members of the band decided to move to Atlanta from Australia, almost on a whim. The band members left everything except what fit in their suitcases behind with no idea where to live, no car and little money.

Mike Tenkate, drummer for Christian rock group Revive, said the band was fortunate enough to randomly meet a woman in the Atlanta airport who ultimately ended up arranging housing for the band. He said this stroke of luck, which may have just been a coincidence for some, confirmed for the members of Revive that God was happy the band had moved to the U.S.

"God provided us with exactly what we needed," he said. "He'd been good to us from the start."

The band had another stroke of luck after meeting band Third Day. Penn Staters and locals can see both Revive and headliner Third Day perform live at 7:30 Friday night at the Bryce Jordan Center with supporting act Brandon Heath.

Third Day had a hand in orchestrating Revive's big move after the two bands first came together in 2007 joining for an Australian tour.

After the tour, Revive approached Third Day about its production company that worked with young bands, which Tenkate felt was "a path that Revive could follow."

"They said if we needed any help in the future to give them a call," Tenkate said, referring to the members of Third Day. "It may have been an irrational idea for them, but we definitely called them."

Mark Lee, guitarist for Third Day, said the band is happy to do anything it can to encourage new artists in the shared Christian rock genre.

He added the band just wanted to "return the favor" after so many different artists took Third Day under their wings when the band was starting out.

"It's so fun for us to find a band like Revive and see the response from the crowd and have them on tour with us every night," he said.

Third Day, which originated in Atlanta, cites Georgia bands such as R.E.M and The Black Crowes as influences.

"We're definitely an American rock band," Lee said, adding some of these non-Christian artists have been influential.

Third Day is also a band fortunate enough to have stayed together since 1992 without any lineup changes. Lee said this adds a level of "continuity" to the band's albums.

"You think you're gonna do it for a few years and then be done," he said. "I guess somewhere along the way you cross a bridge and realize you're not just doing this for a couple years; this is your career."

Although Revive is a younger band, Tenkate said its main goal is already well established.

It works to "revive" Christians and get them out of their daily routine to explore a closer relationship with God, he said.

The band just wants to write music that reaches Christians and reminds them to remain true to the God that looks after them, Tenkate said, though adding he's "not trying to sound all pious and spiritual."

The band started its ministry of music in Australia, which Tenkate said he felt is a "secular country."

While in Australia, the band focused on administering its message and music through performing at public schools, which Tenkate said allow religious views and the teaching of these views.

"I don't know if you've ever tried to teach 7-year-old boys the gospel, because they don't listen," he said, recalling occasions where the school children would even throw fruit on the stage.

"I'm not going to lie, it was hard," Tenkate said. "You just have to keep plugging away at your belief system."

Tenkate said the audience present on Saturday can expect a mixture of rock songs, worship songs and quiet, reflective songs. He added he believes Revive has the "whole package," as there is a little bit of something for everyone in the band's music.

A great fear for the band once it started touring and recording was Americans would not understand the members' Australian accents. However, he is thankful to report Americans are "taking to" the band's music, and not holding the accents against the band.

"I think Americans just like to hear Australians talk," he said jokingly.

Tenkate added he's still amazed his small band from Sydney is now touring the U.S., attributing much of his band's success so far in America to Third Day.

As for Third Day, Lee said the audience present to hear both bands Friday can expect a fair dose of rock from Third Day's set.

"If you come to our live show and don't get rocked, you don't have a pulse," he said.