Relatable with Allie Beth Stuckey Ep 1209 | Jesus Is Moving in LA — Meet the Ministry Behind It | Matthew Barnett
Jun 24, 2025
Join Matthew Barnett, founder of the Dream Center in LA, as he shares his inspiring journey from hesitant pastor to transformative leader. He discusses how the center helps over 700 residents daily, tackling homelessness and addiction through faith-based initiatives. Matthew critiques ineffective policies, reveals the importance of forgiveness in healing, and emphasizes community support during crises like COVID-19. His insights on navigating faith and politics offer a compelling look at maintaining integrity while serving the vulnerable.
AI Snips
Chapters
Books
Transcript
Episode notes
Origin of the Dream Center
- Matthew Barnett came to LA initially for three months and stayed over 31 years building the Dream Center.
- It grew from a tiny church with 18 members into a massive 400,000 sq ft center serving 700 residents daily.
Address Heart Over Housing
- Spending huge sums on homelessness without accountability disincentivizes change.
- Transformation requires addressing heart issues, not just providing housing or money.
Dream Center's COVID Response
- During COVID, the Dream Center started feeding people daily despite lockdowns, with volunteers and support growing quickly.
- Social workers relied on them to check on vulnerable children left unattended due to policy restrictions.
