To preserve the privacy of these individuals, we will refer to them only by their first-name initial.
V's Story
V was homeless on the streets of Atlanta for 16 years. Her survival story includes abuse, addiction and loss, but thankfully it doesn’t end there. During her time on the streets, she got to know us through our community clothing closet, which she visited often to receive a new pair of clothes. One night, V was physically attacked. Bloodied and bruised, she knew immediately where to go to find solace and healing: the Atlanta Dream Center Church. As she sat in front of our office, a member of our team cared for her and cleaned her wounds. For over 4 hours, V sat with our team member and experienced a love she had never known before. The next morning, V showed back up at our office. She brought Pastor Paul her crack pipe, her weapon she used on the street and the little drugs she had left and said, “I am all done”. V has been clean since that day and is celebrating 15 years of sobriety. What started with a fresh change of clothes turned into a changed life, all because of the love of Christ.
To preserve the privacy of these individuals, we will refer to them only by their first-name initial.
JR's Story
JR was known on the streets for his bad temper. He often came by the church to taunt us with threats and hurl insults. Then, one day, he came to us for an altogether different reason: He was ready to change, and he needed help. He knew the Atlanta Dream Center Church could point him in the right direction, even after all he had said and done. Pastor Tommy welcomed him into the church with open arms, and that day JR began a path to a new life. Today, JR is no longer homeless and no longer known for his anger. He now reaches out to others with the same love and hope that turned his life around.
To preserve the privacy of these individuals, we will refer to them only by their first-name initial.
R's Story
R was in prison for dealing drugs. His sentence was almost up, but he had no place to go once he was free, as his wife had made it clear he was no longer welcome home. We heard about R from a mutual connection, and reached out to let him know doors were always open at the Atlanta Dream Center Church. He took us up on our offer and began spending time at the church. From there, everything changed. He was baptized, reunited with his wife and eventually became a bus driver for us, bringing in hundreds of people a year to church. A man who had been disgraced and dismissed by the world found love and purpose at the Atlanta Dream Center Church.
To preserve the privacy of these individuals, we will refer to them only by their first-name initial.
J's Story
J was only a child when we met her. She lived with her mom and siblings in government-funded housing. We would knock on J’s door every Saturday morning with a bag of groceries and a heart to serve. J and her family became our friends. She attended our kids’ ministry programs and loved coming to the Atlanta Dream Center Church. Sadly, her family was forced to move when their apartment building was torn down. We lost contact with J for many years. That is, until this year, she came to the Atlanta Dream Center just to say “Thank you!” She brought her new husband with her so he could meet the people who impacted her childhood and helped her become the woman she is today. She told us, “We would be so hungry as kids. But every Saturday you would bring bread and treats, and I would always look forward to that. It meant everything”. Today, J is working, married and in love with Jesus.
To preserve the privacy of these individuals, we will refer to them only by their first-name initial.
RH's Story
RH was a man in chronic homelessness. A few years back, he frequently came by the church to help out (one time he even aided us in putting together 200 bikes for kids at Christmas!), but he wasn’t interested in getting off the streets. At least not at the time. But recently, while knocking on doors and serving the community through Adopt-A-Block, our paths crossed with RH again. He answered one of the doors we knocked on, and immediately, his face lit up. Here’s what he had to say: “Pastor Paul and the Atlanta Dream Center did so much for me. I will always be thankful for what y’all did. Please tell Pastor Paul that I am doing good and am no longer on the streets.” We are honored to have played a part in RH’s recovery story.
To preserve the privacy of these individuals, we will refer to them only by their first-name initial.
G's Story
G was a veteran who was down on his luck. He had lost touch with his family and had been sleeping in his truck after things went sideways at his job. One day, he happened to find himself on the street of the Dream Center. During that time, he noticed one of our team members struggling to pull a trailer into a parking spot. He offered his help — having had experience with semi-trucks and trailers. He didn’t need our help that day, but winter was coming and that would soon change. When temperatures plummeted, G remembered the Atlanta Dream Center Church and showed up at our door in hopes of receiving a few blankets. We were able to offer him much more — including a place to stay, a new church family where he was baptized and a job as a bus driver and repairman. G never spent the night in his truck again. Today, he has his own place, is connected to his family and is living a healthy and happy life.
Stories From the Dream Center
"If it wasn't for the Dream Center Church, who knows where I'd be."
These are just a few of the stories of the men and women and children who experienced abuse, addiction and neglect in the world but found love at the Atlanta Dream Center Church. Individuals who were barely surviving are now thriving because they found hope and purpose. Their lives are forever changed because of those who have generously funded the mission of the Atlanta Dream Center Church — to be a place where anyone can come to find the love of Jesus and experience true life change. Your donations, prayers and hours of volunteering make all the difference.
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