Dream Center

I recently have been doing some reading and research on the Dream Center model of churches. My understanding is the this type of church was birthed out of Los Angeles at the LA Dream Center under Pastor Matthew Barnett via Phoenix First Assembly of God. I learned about Pastor Matthew and the LA Dream Center after reading the book Multiplication bu Tommy Barnett, Matthew's dad and pastor of Phoenix First Assembly.

From the initial vision of the LA Dream Center some 150 dream centers have now begun that actively engage their community and work for transformation. According to their website the LA Dream Center's mission is to provide hope by meeting both tangible and spiritual needs. We provide food, clothing, shelter, life rehabilitation, education and job training, Biblical training and much more through our 273 ministries and outreaches. We reach thousands of hurting and needy children, families and adults across all races and cultures each week.

There are many things to love about LA Dream Center but there are two things I find especially Wesleyan in their ministry.

First, there is no dualism in their ministry. What I mean is that sometimes you find churches and ministries that just want to meet the physical needs of the poor but largely ignore the spiritual needs of the people they minister with. Then there are churches who are largely concerned with ensuring people's salvation (important!) but are less concerned with meeting physical needs. The LA Dream Center does both. This is exactly what Wesley did as he held together these two necessary things.

The second thing is that the LA Dream Center lives out both personal and social holiness. They live out holiness of heart and life. They just don't talk about ministry they do ministry. They just do not seek the transformation of the individual they seek the transformation of the community.

We can learn something from these Assembly of God folks. Thanks for the reminders LA Dream Center.