Today, various media outlets are reporting some amazing news concerning the Dream Center. I write this blog, rejoicing in what God has done, and yet also to give you a vision for the future.
The Dream Center is slated to be awarded $10.2 million dollars through a Federal Government program called New Market Tax Credits. The funds are available to charities who have invested into disadvantaged communities. The charity must be located in a zone that qualifies as a disadvantaged area of the community. We have invested over 35 million dollars in building improvements over the years. The Dream Center was a perfect candidate for this program. The miracle is beyond amazing. I think about our journey over the past 18 years and the miracles that were needed to keep the doors open. Not a week has passed that we haven’t had to rely upon a miracle. In fact, we’ve depended upon them.
Funding does not come from the government but from the purchase of tax credits by investors. JP Morgan Chase representatives toured the Dream Center and were so moved that they bid on this project and have worked hard to help this miracle come to pass.
Today, we celebrate this gift that will allow us to finish off the main tower at the Dream Center. I’m reflecting on all those days that we didn’t have money to feed people and God would give us “Midnight Miracles.” Often, we wondered how we would house the homeless and take care of our people in our rehab homes. However, repeatedly, our God has proven that He is everything. The people of God have allowed The Dream Center to sustain for the past 18 years and now we’ve got our one big push that puts us over the finish line……….Of this era.
The new era begins. Yes, this gift is great. However, $9 million is already allocated towards finishing off the main tower. Debt free! The completion of this project will allow us to expand our campus residential programs by approximately 30%. We will be adding a home for emancipated minors sponsored by Pastor Jentezen Franklin and Free Chapel/Kingdom Connection. Kids that have aged out of foster care will now have a wonderful facility to call home. Our rehab programs will now expand bigger than ever before. Everything is getting ready to go to another level.
The remaining money is just two months of our operating budget. So once again, we walk by faith.
The reality is that the need is bigger than ever before. 30% more residents means 30% more utilities, daily meals, remodeled rooms, and more.
The truth is the Dream Center is entering into a period of great expansion. We rejoice that this phase is over but what is coming next is far more challenging.
The beautiful thing is that money raised will now go directly towards the daily care of people. The finishing of the building allows that to happen. Pray for us as we now take on the challenge of overseeing this massive phase of growth. There is so much more to do and we need your help in keeping these programs moving forward.
I rejoice that the hospital tower will be complete and the dream of my 74-year-old father will become a reality. We must stop and rejoice. I also thank all the churches that have and continue to support the Dream Center. The truth is, your generosity has allowed us to stay in this fight to position us to receive such a miracle. This is a miracle that we did not expect and has left us speechless and full of thanks to our God. Also, it recommits all of us to be a greater investment and to never grow weary in the fight to rescue the most forgotten in our city. We have not quit the fight in eighteen years and are more fired up than ever. This is a day to give thanks, reflect, and rejoice. I want to thank the City of Los Angeles, the five investors, and everyone who believed that this major facility in the heart of downtown was worth the investment to provide housing, help, and a second chance to so many in this city. The best is yet to come.
Such great news! Praise God and congratulations!
We’re rejoicing with you! Fabulous!
ch:
This is so awesome!!!!! Congratulations Pastor Tommy and Pastor Matthew & Caroline. Excited for this new era!!
Praise God!!!! Im so excited! I graduated from the Discipleship program @ the dream center & it was awesome im so excited for Pastor Matthew & his staff. I was there when they dedicated the new floor for project hope & the womens discipleship actually I helped them build the beds and set up the room. It was awesome to bless those beautiful girls
God is SO faithful!!! So excited for our internship (me and my husband) beginning in November!
How come the news is reporting a 49.7 million dollar grant, but the blog says 10.2 million. Just curious about the variance.
It is the way that New Market Tax Credits work. The Dream Center will receive a benefit of 10.2 million dollars from the 49.7 million issued to the corporations who purchased the tax credits. It is an awesome miracle for us!!!
I see. Thanks for the clarification. Great job Dream Center! Love what your doing. Congrats!
Amazing! Praising GOD for his faithfulness ! So happy for you guys <3
Awesome to hear what God, and u do, “Home”in L.A./Mattias, Sweden.
our god is able!!!
Pastor Matt & all there at LADC- we are so floored / amazed/ encouraged by the provision God has provided to LADC!! We’re not surprised though, as you have remained so faithful to filling needs, helping those around you- despite what seemed impossible, despite the economy: You pressed on no matter the circumstance, which has always been an encouragement to our family! Thank you for remaining steadfast and pouring your lives into people! Our son, Matt Wolfe, is a direct recipient of your faithfulness! We love you and the whole team! Keep pressing on! We’re anticipating even greater things from LADC!
Carolyn & Jeff Wolfe
Moline, IL (formerly of PFA!)
Blessed be the name of the Lord!! We are Rejoicing & Excited for you and marvelling at God’s goodness & favor over LADC.
Love & Blessings
Andrew & Moira Brown
Auckland Dream Centre
Thank God for this miracle allowing the dream to go ever further into what only God can foresee! This Aussie blogger will continue to pray and praise Him for His works.
That’s great news, thank you for sharing. We have featured this in Revival Magazine – take a look!
http://revivalmag.com/article/la-dream-center-awarded-103-million
Awesome. I was recently at The MCWE Jubilee school of Ministry at the Anaheim Marriot (8/31/12-9/3/12)I was both inspired and motivated by both you and your dad’s message to go after your vision. For many years I have been pregnant with a vision to rescue,rebuild and restore the broken, the destitute and the hopeless. I have been stirred to action. I visited your table at the Hotel and spoke with Mr. Gary Blair. Since I live in New York, he directed me to Pastor Brad Reed in the Bronx, New York. He was very helpful. I am planning to start an adopt a block Ministry on Saturday Mornings. This is much bigger than I am but I am willing to allow Him to use me to start this Ministry in Long Island New York. Kindly pray for me that God will use me to reach the unreachable with His love , with His Message and with all of the resources that might be needed. In the past, I have attempted to start a project and life’s situations have aborted the plans, please pray the God will use me to do His will via
this ministry.Pray that God will heal my body
and strengthen me to reach this goal successfully for His glory in Jesus name.
Matt & Caroline, I am thrilled for you and always inspired and challenged by all the great work done at the DC to keep on reaching our city. We are called to reach the lost as you continually do, not just do “church, but be the church.”
Wow. Great news. Pray this seed will produce a very fruitful harvest.
Quick question. How much is the Dream Center (and Centers in other cities)engaged with Christian Community Development Association?
Yeahhhhh!!! Felicidades!!!!
God’s power is made evident in our weakness….and the Dream Center is an amazing testament to the Power and Faithfulness of a loving God. God bless your24/7 ministry!
I sometimes find it funny that I am surprised that the amount of money keeps coming to The Dream Center but then I quickly realize that this Dream is from God Himself. This is really Gods project to have such a powerful arm that stretches so far and wide in The City of Angels. He knows exactly what you need and has a way for everything to be built, funded and hungry mouths fed REGARDLESS of how impossible or big the task may be to expand the Lord OBVIOUSLY is in the business of blowing minds and doing the impossible which is a testimony that continues to build for Pastor MB and DCD. Everytime you get the chance to travel and preach what an incredible message you continue to tell people about. The Dream Center has grown and evolved so greatly since the beginning that Pastor MB’s message could never seem boring, repetetive or the same because each time he travels the Lord has done something so incredible that HE ALWAYS HAS SOMETHING FRESH AND NEW TO SAY TO EACH CHURCH!!! Thats the kind of testimony that I want, one that continues to grow and surprise me more than anyone that hears it because God wants to b ring people closer to Him and this is one place and testimony that you need to see with your own eyes and after Pastor MB preaches around the world I know that the power and love of God in this message excites and re-kindles so many peoples relationships with Christ that The Dream Center will always have fresh feet leaving their imprints all over DCD and Los Angeles as we continue to build and believe in Gods project as it is lifted to a “Higher Place” where our faith becomes stronger in Him and I am personally grateful for that in my life because I have needed to see and hear about the true objective and mission behind Jesus and the Gospel which is so deep and challenges each of us in our daily lives. Lord give each of us strength to continue this fight and journey we put our faith in You and believe that you are going to do the impossible every day as You see fit. Thank you Lord for the most amazing 18 years and we look forward with GREAT EXPECTATION to the next 18! Amen -Benjamin Demman
That is such great news! How the LORD has blessed our church, Pastors & Dream Centers in great abundance!
The Lord will send a blessing on your barns and on everything you put your hands to. Deuteronomy 28:8
How that in a great trial of affliction the abundance of their joy and their deep poverty abounded unto the riches of their liberality. 2 Corinthians 8:2
Thanks to God who enabled you and your teams to live His dream.