For years I ran from what my calling was, kind of like Jonah. I’m a good runner. I did all kinds of things these past few years, but I wasn’t listening to the call.  Let me share with you where I came from. 

I physically lived under a bridge for 17 years of my life.  Not in my car by a bridge, NO, physically UNDER A BRIDGE.  I was good at selling drugs and I was good at doing drugs. 

Before I got on the streets, I had become a successful engineer, who lost my job. 

One day, I was sitting under the bridge where I always had. I just felt like there had to be more to life then what I was doing.  Like many people do, in desperate situations, I cried out to God.  I can’t explain it, but strangely enough all the sudden I began dancing and singing.  That was my first encounter really feeling God’s presence.  It wasn’t until months later that I hopped on The Dream Center bus and knew I needed to change my life. 

The Dream Center was where I found stability in their one year Discipleship recovery program.  After 17 years of living UNDER A BRIDGE, I began to dream again, see hopes in my life, and see a future. 

After going through intense recovery and working through a lot of life controlling issues that had once gotten me to where I was found at my rock bottom UNDER A BRIDGE; I was placed in charge of the food chapel at the Dream Center. 

The Food Chapel is a place where ANYBODY can come to before breakfast and dinner and for ANYONE who attends the 15- minute chapel they receive a FREE MEAL.  This was the start to where all my education and preparation has birthed.  So now, I’m consumed by it.  We do 18 chapel services each week, and it’s wonderful. 

I understand these people because I was one of them for so long. 

There are so many good people on the streets, people in bad situations just trying to survive. Now, at 60 years old, I have completed Bible School after having a lot of education from my past, but not a lot smarts… or wisdom if you know what I mean. 

GOD RESCUED ME SO I CAN HELP RESCUE THEM.

(Source: dreamcenter.org)

At The Dream Center, we’ve had to develop thick skin with naysayers. Now, after much time and experience, we actually get excited when a doubter comes to check us out. They see that true faith is an active faith – not just a load of head knowledge – but a way of living that is on a mission to change the world through the power of God. They hear testimonies of women saved from sex trafficking, or teens rescued from life on the streets and given an education and a chance at a positive future. Before you know it, something clicks – they’re suddenly aware of the truth in these miracles, they grasp the reality of what is happening here. The turnaround in the attitude of many of the doubters is amazing – another little miracle in itself.

Todd is a great example of this transition. He was raised a Jew, but later became an atheist; after visiting The Dream Center repeatedly, he became intrigued by the selfless efforts of God’s people and eventually accepted and embraced Jesus; now he is a servant himself.  Todd tells his story best:

“There I was in this strange church with these unusual people all around me, trying to figure out what was going on. But I had that feeling. So I came back the following Sunday, and I kept coming back – it wasn’t easy for me, being in my midthirties and with my beliefs set.

I have a scientific mind, one that loves facts and figures, so a lot of Bible stories I was hearing didn’t make sense to me. So it took me several months of coming back, listening, watching these people, before any of it started to make sense. But I kept coming back.”

Through a set of odd circumstances, Todd traveled to Phoenix for the pastor’s conference and wound up staying in a hotel room with Matthew Barnett for three nights. 

Todd says,

“I was probably the only atheist in a room full of pastors for several days, learning how to be a better pastor. While in Phoenix, I knew, somehow, that I was being called to serve this man, Matthew Barnett, and the amazing vision he had for LA. I got saved and made the decision to quit my job and begin to serve Matthew and work with The Dream Center. I had never felt anything so strongly before in my life. I began working with Under the Bridge (our skid row ministry) and eventually got plugged into Adopt-A-Block. These ministries change you forever. It’s the best way to catch the vision and to see beyond yourself – you’ll never be the same. I’ve learned that anything is possible through God, and anyone can be reached – even the naysayers and the atheists.”

(Source: thecausewithinyou.com)

By Gary Talovic: 

Once, in the middle of a heated argument, my girlfriend threw something at me.

I threw it back.  She went to the hospital.  I went to jail.

But I’m getting ahead of myself.  Let’s rewind.

In my old life, I spent 25 years working in Silicon Valley.  I worked everywhere from the smallest start-up company to multi-billion dollar corporations, all in senior management positions.  My wife and I also owned a business that grossed over $1million a year. We had a nice house, fancy cars, secure investments — and we raised 2 beautiful children.

On the outside, everything was perfect.  But on the inside, there was something wrong with me.  I was unfulfilled and unhappy — focused on what I didn’t have, and unable to appreciate what I did have.  I was defined by the world’s criteria — my possessions.

One quote summed up my position:
“Never take from Man what should be given by God.”

The dissatisfaction was pervasive, and I watched my recreational alcohol and drug use slowly turn into a full-blown addiction. I alienated my wife and we ended our 20- year marriage in a bitter divorce. My children had no idea who their father had become.
I continued down this destructive path, entering into a business partnership with an addict and living with my girlfriend — also an addict.  I spent everything I had on my habit.

Then I had the argument with my girlfriend, and ended up in jail.  I had finally hit bottom; I’m lucky I did.

While in jail, I cried out to God. I had been ignoring him for some 40 years, but my prayers were answered by a letter from my daughter, containing an application to the Dream Center.

I entered The Dream Center’s Discipleship Program, and eventually life became what it’s supposed to be.  Possessions no longer define me, and I know I’m forgiven for my past mistakes.  The self centered, “never enough” life that nearly destroyed me is gone, and has been replaced by the peace and hope that only God can give. I now wake up with real joy.

My kids have their father back, I have a good relationship with their mother, and I truly feel rich inside.

When I was at my worst, I thought my life would be over soon.  But now, working as an accountant at The Dream Center and living with a smile on my face, I thank God for the second chance I didn’t see coming!

(Source: dreamcenter.org)

I went to the dream center this past summer for a short term mission trip. I loved every minute of it! You guys are having such a huge impact and its great to see how god is using the Dream Center. I hope to come back someday. Always praying for you guys :)