DreamCenter Lake Elsinore - Growing on The Vine

This episode of Growing on the Vine features Brett and Aubrey Masters, leaders of Dream Center Lake Elsinore in California, a ministry that combines church outreach and community service. Dream Center Lake Elsinore was founded with a "missional model" emphasizing outreach and addressing tangible community needs rather than traditional church formats. Their mantra, "Find a need and fill it; find a heart and heal it," drives their efforts.

Key Points:

1. Dream Center’s Mission and Approach:

   • Dream Center operates as a church with a strong emphasis on community outreach.
   • Their primary focus is serving local communities through initiatives like Adopt-a-Block, food pantries, mentorship programs, and large-scale community events.

2. Programs and Services:

   • Adopt-a-Block: Volunteers visit neighborhoods weekly, building relationships and meeting needs such as home maintenance, prayer, or emotional support.
   • Food Pantry: Provides food and hygiene items to over 4,000 individuals monthly.
   • Youth and Family Services: Includes mentorship programs, free summer sports leagues, parenting classes, and resources for those escaping domestic violence or addiction.

3. Community Events:

   • Easter Festival and Back-to-School Bash: Annual events drawing thousands of attendees for free resources, fun activities, and a message of hope.
   • City Serve Day: A large-scale community workday engaging hundreds of volunteers from local churches and organizations.

4. Transformation Stories:

   • Carolina's story exemplifies Dream Center's impact: transitioning from a vulnerable single mother to an active community participant with a supportive family and renewed faith.

5. Vision for Church Involvement:

   • The Masters advocate for a holistic approach where churches address both spiritual and material needs.
   • They emphasize relationships as the key to long-term transformation, something government programs often lack.

6. Volunteer and Financial Support:

   • Individuals can get involved by attending volunteer orientations, participating in Saturday outreach, or supporting through monthly donations.
   • Financial partners, including recurring donors and corporate sponsors, play a vital role in sustaining their mission.

7. Encouragement to Engage:

   • Dream Center invites the community to be part of their mission by volunteering, contributing financially, or utilizing their resources.

The Masters closed by highlighting the profound, gradual transformation they've witnessed in Lake Elsinore over the past decade. They attribute this change to consistent service, relationship-building, and God’s provision.

Listeners were encouraged to connect with Dream Center through their website, social media, or in person at their Lake Elsinore headquarters.