Yesterday I flew to LA to come and spend a week at the Dream Center. I came with my friend Rob. Basically the Dream Center is a place where a church bought out an old hospital and have transformed it into a massive (and I mean massive) rehab/discipleship/justice center. It really is quite beautiful in every sense of the word. Apparently at one point almost everyone who lived in LA was born at this hospital so it has some historical significance.
This morning we helped setup for a food drive that they are doing and this afternoon we are helping alongside of some food trucks a few minutes from here. There is people everywhere all taking part in different projects. There is a massive discipleship program where people who have been struggling with drugs, sex, alcohol, gangs or even who have just had enough of the grip money has had on them all live on the campus here, serve here and work towards their own rehabilitation and their communities.
I came for a number of reasons. One of the major reasons though was because over the last few years I’ve become very disenfranchised with Pentecostal, charismatic, conservative, prosperity type ministries, churches and people. I never wanted to get to a point where I couldn’t see Jesus working through people that I disagreed with. There is no doubt in my mind that the Kingdom of God is moving forward here and people’s lives are being changed, even if I don’t agree with their theologies and chosen lifestyles. It’s difficult to see Jesus through the worship leader’s Porsche I tell ya. Thursday night at Angelus Temple (the church that runs the Dream Center) is having Benny Perez as their speaker, and then next week Bishop TD Jakes, so it is stretching for me. I’m just learning that amongst all the things I disagree with and are so easy to be upset about, Jesus is moving and it is beautiful.
I also came because I see the potential of stuff like this in Sarnia. Vineyard does some amazing things right now with the marginalized in Sarnia, and hopefully theStory can join forces with them to be able to reach more people. Being at a place like this gives me hope and inspiration for the future of what could be.
I think this whole thing is more interesting considering the history of Angelus Temple.
I am really proud of you Nathan. I totally resonate with you regarding trying to see Jesus working through people you disagree with theologically. I think it is awesome what you are doing…can’t wait to hear more.