On January 22nd, Pastor Matthew Barnett celebrated his 36th birthday with a four-hour fundraising campaign for the Dream Center. People who were unable to come to the birthday event could watch it in real time on the Dream Center Live (www.dreamcenterlive.com) website. Many people logged on to their Facebook, MySpace, Twitter and other social media accounts to inform their friends about the cause. It was a time of celebration and hopeful expectation as supporters were able to experience the heart of the Dream Center.

The afternoon began with the Happy Birthday song as Pastor Matthew walked into the Dream Center gym, followed by I’m OK You’re OK performing songs off of their recently released “Presents…” album. “The reason why we’re doing it is to help the Dream Center,” comments Pastor Matthew, who does not want to cut out ministries just because the economy is facing setbacks. “There is no gift too small.”

Viewers were given the opportunity to see exactly what their donations go towards. Those in the Dream Center Discipleship program shared how their lives have been positively impacted. Those living on the family floor spoke about how being at the Dream Center brought them out of homelessness and restored their families. Even leaders of various ministries shared how they have been able to use what they have learned at the Dream Center to help other people in the community.

Pastor Matthew called Los Angeles “one of the most strategic places in America” to have a Dream Center. Though Los Angeles is the second largest city in the United States, there is a high level of poverty in its inner city, with employment on the decline and families facing crime and destitution. As the stories were being shared and various ministries were being featured on Dream Center Live during the birthday campaign, people were sending in text messages with their pledge amounts, and donating through the Dream Center website.

Petree and Press Play also performed, and a local outreach that had been watching the broadcast online stopped by to show their support. Within hours, thousands of dollars was raised to keep the ministries of the Dream Center moving forward. After over 15 years of touching lives through the Dream Center, the best birthday present that Pastor Matthew could have received was to help more people see their lives changed.