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California: Christian Charity Reports Surging Interest in Gospel Amid Wild-Fire Relief Efforts

by Karen Faulkner, Worthy News Correspondent

(Worthy News) – The Dream Center Christian charity which provides food and housing for those in need in Los Angeles has reported a surging interest in the Gospel among volunteers who have flocked to help bring relief following the recent devastating California wildfires that killed 24 people and destroyed some 12,000 buildings and homes.

In an interview with CBN News, Matthew Barnett, pastor and CEO of the Dream Center in Los Angeles, said many new people from all walks of life have been hearing and experiencing the Gospel as they deliver aid to communities affected by the fires. The Dream Center itself is working on providing not only emergency food and shelter but also long-term support.

“They’re not just open,” Barnett said about interactions with the flood of volunteers. “They are telling you stuff that you’re not even asking them. I mean, they are volunteering … their lives … and, just by listening and asking them questions, and then you say … ‘God is with you.’”

“As people are working 10 hours a day so joyfully … I’m talking to them as they’re serving … we’ll play worship music and … they’ll be like, ‘I like the song. I never heard before. What is it?’” Barnett said. “And then we’re just talking about God while we’re working together with this whole new community.”

Noting that many have requested prayer, Barnett said: “It really is kind of a revival in action where people just want to know that God is there, but I’m really seeing it in a very unusual way through a lot of the volunteers rubbing shoulders all day long.”

“Serving is the greatest way to engage people that do not know the Lord because everybody can rally around that,” he said. “Everybody can get behind the fact that the Gospel inspires you to do great things and to love people in practical ways, and it’s an unbelievable open door to be able to share why you do it and what inspires you to make that change.”