Imperial Courts

Adopt-a-Block is the greatest form of out reach I have ever witnessed. Not only does it offer people in need food, shelter, and invite them to church to learn about having a relationship with Jesus, It also builds strong relationships and friendships between people of all walks of life and spiritual backgrounds.

Through working with Adopt-a-Block God is teaching me how to build relationships and friendships based not on my own personality and being but through his love shown in my words and my actions. I feel as if I learn as much, if not more, from these kids and parents that they learn from me. It is truly one of the great learning experiences of my life.

Jordan Brugger- Imperial Courts

Being a Dream Center Missionary

I have learned so much as a Dream Center missionary. I moved here from a small town on the opposite side of the country, and I had to get adjusted to the big city of Los Angeles. I had come several years ago to help out as a Dream Missions (formerly Short Term Missions) missionary for a week. I loved what I experienced so much that I decided to finish college and come back to be a one year volunteer. Now, over two years later, I have gained hands-on experience that is unparalleled to anything that I have encountered.

It’s easy to have sympathy from afar for someone who is struggling with life issues, but the Dream Center puts a story with the faces. During my first year at the Dream Center, I was a child supervisor of the teen girls living in the group home here. These girls came from broken homes and difficult situations, and I had to learn how to not take what they did to heart, but instead love them as Jesus Christ loves them. It was there that I really understood what it meant to be selfless and sacrificial because there were times that I did not want to deal with their attitudes and backtalk, but had to shine the light of Jesus Christ no matter how I was feeling on a given day. God enabled me to love each of them.

During my second year, I have been privileged to use my college writing degree to contribute various newsletters and stories to the Marketing department at the Dream Center. I had previously wanted to write for the Dream Center, but did not know how to go about doing that. Since working in the Marketing department, I have not only written articles, but have also participated in various Dream Center outreaches and have met so many people in the inner cities who have been impacted and helped by the ministries, and had stories to share. I have learned the importance of listening to their stories and sharing them with those who are helping to make a difference in their lives.

Being at the Dream Center has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and depend on God in a more meaningful way. It is a blessing to be a part of something that is changing the city and changing the world one block at a time the way that the Dream Center is.


-Shameka

Attaining Excellence

I can't believe it is already May.

Doesn't it feel like you were just celebrating Christmas with your family?
I think it's amazing how quickly time goes. Sometimes I have to remember that time is only an earthly thing and God doesn't really operate that way. What feels like a lifetime to us, is only a brief moment for him. What a strange thought.

It's coming up on summer which means the crazy seasons of the Dream Center are about to kick into gear!
There's always something exciting going on here, always exciting new projects and events to be a part of, but come the middle of summer, everything erupts. There are so many awesome things that go on here everyday that we get to be a part of and help in that sometimes it's almost overwhelming to think of all the things we can accomplish for God if we really work to our full potential.

Every day I remind myself that what I am doing is helping to make a lasting impact on the people, and the city that I am around and in everyday. By choosing to live up to the full potential that God has for each us, we can live with a sense of accomplishment. Not just in our jobs, or our relationships, or our marriages...but in everything we do. If we choose to live with integrity and do things the right way, we can leave each place we come to with something positive and lasting.

Isn't that a great thought?
And the cool part is that, with God being the motivator and source that is guiding, pushing and stretching us, it is completely attainable.
Choose to live up to all the things God wants you to be.
It's bigger than you, but that's what makes it so cool.

Stay tuned for blogs, things are about to get crazy here!