DOOR Hollywood Blog Archive 2008-2015

Christ's Death and Resurrection and Al Green's Life! by Marvin

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 08 Apr 2015 23:16:00 +0000

Tired of Being Alone seems like a secular song, an ode to a woman that Al longs for and wants us to long for, but is it really that? I propose that Christ was working in Al from the start through his own lyrics that he may not have even written, or at least not with “those” intentions. Listen carefully to the words:

"Sometimes I wonder, if you love me like you say you do. I've been thinking about it yeah, I've been wantin’ to get next to you baby! Sometimes I hold my arms and I say, needing you has proven to me to be my Greatest Dream.”

I propose to you that Christ worked in Al's heart to tell him, "Al, I love your songs, all your songs, but can you write and sing them for me as well, can you lament over me, my death, and my resurrection? Can you come and sit at my table so I can help you create another table (Concert tables) for others to hear my message through you? Because through you they will hear me in many ways, through, so called secular and gospel because you’re a great instrument for The Kingdom? Can you do that? They’ve been listening to your amazing songs their entire life. From age 56 down to 26, they all still love you. Tell them about your old songs, but let them know you’re a pastor, an ambassador for Christ, write a few for me, yes?" And I believe that Al said, “Yes Lord” And that’s what he does today. He sings the old songs with the subliminal messages, but he also sings the gospel songs to the same audience…and they love him. Or is Christ smiling sitting on the right hand side of the Father going, “I told you Al would work it out.”

I believe that Al Green, who within six months of signing with Staxx Records, a famous Memphis, Tennessee record label, was a major star. This also caused him to have a meteoric rise to fame, women, money, success, and a hot batch of grits (girl in a hotel) dumped on him. And I believe that knowing that Christ let him survive that, Al Green eventually said, “Yes Lord, I will follow you”. Let me tell you, having not experienced a "come to Jesus moment" like that (but in other ways) I will say that if a hot pot of grits is thrown on you by a fine woman, like Nia Long, Eva Mendez, Lucy Liu, or Diane Lane, or even Halle Berry, is not going get you to come to Christ, I don't know what will! I think Al ran to Christ and sang all songs for all people. He had the audiences of young and old, rich and middle class, black and white. Christ had him set the table, break the bread, and celebrate the death and resurrection of Christ in a concert for everyone every time he touches a microphone.

Personally, even though I attend a Presbyterian church (which I love my church) I'm not a "religious" person. I am a fallen human full of sin in s many areas of my life that I really do feel like Al Green. Having Christ use me for the benefit of all, believers, for we are still sinners, and non-believers who Christ wants me to meet and set a table for them as well.

My paraphrased version of Christ's Death goes like this:

I'm a follower of the man they took at roughly 35 years of age and had so called, "religious leaders" of the time asked Him, "who do you say you are?" He confessed to be who they thought He said he was, (Christ the Messiah) the One sent by God as God in Christ. Then a church leader tore his clothes, mashed his teeth, turned him over to the Romans who were just trying to kick it and not have a billion Hebrews go crazy over their so called God! “But fine", said Pontius Pilate, "you say he did something, fine. But what has he done? Never mind, crucify him then”. Christ then carried his own cross to his own death, all planned by His Father, God, by using Judas as one of the main people at the table of the last supper (God uses who he needs to use for His purpose), then Christ must have thought, “it's really happening, I will die for the entire world. I pray they actually believe me when they use B.C and A.D, will they at least see and honor that?”

And then it happened; He (Christ) was actually being nailed to the Roman gibbet, by stretching his hands to the east and west of the cross, pierced in the palm of his hands with nails. His legs were broken so it quickens the death, His feet were then placed together as one larger nail was placed through probably the middle toes of one foot and penetrated the other, a stacked look if you will, as the pain of all those nails would cause you to pass out, go numb, or just scream in agony...maybe all three. And then He would have to survive, for it still wasn't His time, being placed in a small dug out ditch that when the cross was placed upright, it didn't' tip over. This is Rome; they were amazing at planning all things. The cross then bounced in and stood upright. And maybe for a moment, He (God in Christ as human) got a little rest, at least nothing was being pierced. Now the mocking came, bullying in today's terms, as if He hadn't suffered enough. And God says, “No, you haven't, for the entire world must look to this and come to me at the table of broken bread, and spilled wine”. So, more suffering, mocking and then eventually as the skies grew dark, death--upon a cross--planned by His father--and executed by Him, with help of Rome, but really, we’re all responsible for that death. His entourage begged for his body that had been literally flogged and beaten to a pulp, then He was put in a tomb. The next day Mary came to see him. He was not in the tomb.

And I heard that Al Green song again, "Sometimes I wonder, if you love me like you say you do. I've been wanting to get next to you”. I hear Christ asking me that in the midst of that song. So, I say to you, ask me again if I’m a “religious person.” I say no, I'm a listener of a great Al Green songs that I believe Christ, all powerful, can use even that as a way to reach me(us). Tomorrow, please listen, and see if you can set a table, break some bread, and pour some wine to celebrate The Resurrection of Christ as the greatest love song ever written. Thanks Al Green for your ear for Christ. Christ does love you like he says he does; Happy Resurrection Day Everyone.

#Doorstories15, #marvinstories15, #Resurrectionstories , #racematters

Why Do I Need to Talk to White People?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 03 Mar 2015 23:44:00 +0000

Over the weekend, Marvin and I got to speak with the men of Scottsdale’s Valley Presbyterian Church about #ReconciliationMatters. Marvin said something he often says that originated from one of our Discerners: “why do we need to talk to white people?”

Meanwhile, we have an energetic and open group from Grand Valley State University here now, from western Michigan which is my homestate’s Anglo bible belt. Some of them have asked, “who has to make the first step in improving race relations? Every time I try, it seems like people I speak to aren’t interested.”

There is injustice, surely. But I think I’m seeing efforts made on both sides…though both are hesitant. The Samaritan story keeps blessing me. The Samaritan made great efforts to cross the line. Jesus is asking the Jewish scholars to make great efforts in listening and receiving the story He tells. Will they? Well, no, because they killed Jesus.

So will we? I’m speaking to mostly white people, too, and so many times they (we) want to hide behind guilt, or are often not wanting to talk because we don’t want to be hit with guilt. So we just never say anything so nobody can ever call us racist.

But isn’t the Good Samaritan story asking us to choose LISTENING instead of GUILT? Could the religious scholars receive the lesson about a hero from the other side of the tracks or not. Can we? Will we? We, as white people who enjoy benefits of privilege only granted to us, could choose to stay feeling guilty, or we could listen and seek first to understand, to empathize instead of sympathize, to find our commonness in being God’s children. And no: there is no use in feeling guilty for what my forefathers may or may not have done. But there is use in thinking critically about my current behaviors and attitudes. First, however, I need to listen.

So prayer seems pretty important. If not absolutely critical. And the other question is what Marvin and I are working on constantly: why do white people need to listen to people of color? That’s the work we are focused on. That’s the door we are prayerfully trying to open. Maybe instead of taking the first step forward, we need to set a table that invites others in, and then sit down and listen. And then pray, together, and wait on God to show us what's next. - Matthew
#DOORStories15

Racial #ReconciliationMatters at DOOR Hollywood

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 28 Jan 2015 06:54:00 +0000

Bring your youth group, college service team, or church mission group for a weekend or a week!

‪#‎doorstories15‬‪ #‎ReconciliationMatters‬

Jesus says the most important commandments are to Love God and Love our Neighbors. At DOOR Hollywood, we believe that racial reconciliation is critical, and especially now, urgently needs tending to as a form of learning how to practice redemptive love of neighbors.

This year at DOOR Hollywood, Marvin and Matthew launch a new curriculum, asking questions like, “what is service for, why does God ask us to reach outside ourselves, and how does service give us opportunity to mend breakdowns between ourselves and neighbors from different families, tribes, countries, races?”

Sign ups for this Spring and Summer are open, click here:http://doornetwork.org/week-long-programs

Ending 2014 with DOORs Wide Open

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 02 Dec 2014 22:18:00 +0000

#DOORStories14 (click here to see the tapestry of 2014...)

DOOR Hollywood’s first seven years have brought tremendous fruit. We've hosted thousands of young people through our Discover program, connecting them to local agencies like WorldVision, PATH, My Friend's Place, Project Angel Food, Meet Each Need with Dignity (MEND), and Homeboy Industries. We’ve collaborated with a robust chorus of local voices, exposing young Christians to the gifts and needs of Los Angeles, and challenging them to consider Biblical responses to racism, classism, and our propensity to see people “on the other side of the tracks” as modern Samaritans. Our Dwellers have been cited as integral in reshaping the dialogue and approach to solving homelessness with dignity, compassion, and commitment to building authentic community for disenfranchised individuals.

As we approach our ten-year mark in 2017, we are thrilled to see the growth of our third program: DISCERN. Originally created as a semester-long internship intended for college students, Discern is now so much more, and is truly what makes DOOR unique in the tapestry of Christian ministries. Our Discerners are increasingly local youth, primarily from the lower-income areas we intentionally place ourselves. Discerners in Hollywood have been helping to host Discover groups and welcome Dwellers to the neighborhood for years. These are young Latino, African-American, Caucasian, and Asian youth who speak with dexterity, grace, and vulnerability about issues like gentrification, gang-tensions, and the complexities of straddling the line between being “documented” and “undocumented.” Eyes are opened and hearts are moved past single stories and dominant narratives. And we believe this is how God always intended us to communicate: in person, over meals, in a context of service. In an increasingly digital and detached world, perhaps we need this now more than ever.

Our Discerners and Dwellers, some of whom started their DOOR journey as Discover participants with their church youth group, are future (and current) social workers, teachers, artists, activists, writers, ministers, pastors. We know these God-given gifts come from “both sides of the tracks.”

Here are some exciting ways to get involved with our growing ministry (click here to get started!)

$15,000 Sponsors a Dweller for a year

$6,500 Covers food for the Dwellers

$3,500 Sponsors a full year of Fellowship Building Recreational Events

$2,000 Provides a Retreat with Frontera de Cristo along the border of Arizona and Sonora, Mexico

$1,500 covers one Discerner's Summer Stipend

$1,000 covers the lodging cost for one week-long Discover group

$600 Covers the cost of sending 2 Discerners to attend a Forum for Theological Exploration conference

$500 Covers curriculum books for the year

$200 Covers the weekly honorarium offered to local speakers

$150 Covers a Retreat Registration for a Discerner or Dweller

$50 Covers the cost of sponsoring a “Dollar Meal” for a large Discover group, an activity that builds solidarity with folks living off the streets

Thank you, and have a blessed end of your 2014! - Matthew,

Discern Vs. Dismiss

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 09 Sep 2014 23:02:00 +0000

A few days back after being witness to the Beloved Community Council, a DOOR gathering based on the spirit and vision of Martin Luther King, Jr. to lift up and empower a diverse chorus of this country's voices, especially as it relates to the ministry of our work in cities, I feel recharged, honored, and ready for a new year. I’m so grateful to be part of such an intentional organization, one that takes risks, listens, challenges, and steps back when needed.

DOOR Hollywood board member and regular speaker, Toni White, and I had a great discussion on the flight home. It led to some thoughts I'm having about the propensity for Christians to hide behind "discernment.” Or, I should say, “discernment” has too often meant, “dismissiveness.”

In my first 10 years as a Christian, born-again, woken up, however you want to classify, I have learned greatly about Discernment. That, one role we share as Christians is to prayerfully find our role in God’s kingdom, and prayerfully find the ways we are supposed to recognize something is out of our control. Sometimes we have to discern “swine” and reserve our pearls for those outside the sty. Sometimes we have to own that we have “savior complexes,” and for some of us there is an overlay of “white savior guilt counter-complexes,” and step back.

But, in my next 10 years, I want to dig into discernment. In some of the circles I’ve found myself in, “discernment” has been code for “dismiss.” In other words, I might call it “discernment” when I don’t want to engage in a hot racial argument; in hearing the reason why a man living homelessly gives for needing that dollar; in stepping away from a situation that looks too complicated and messy. And, sometimes, that might be good discernment. But, it might also be a desire to not engage, which is more accurately described as being dismissive.

Discernment requires that we “intake,” and intake requires that we listen, take time, hear. You can’t discern if you have no information. You can’t adequately pray about something if you haven’t heard the core issue. Now, sometimes we might seriously not be available, and that is okay, as we who seek justice and freedom can~~not~~ rest, and we ought to. But if I’m honest, haven’t I used the word “discernment” when I just chose to avoid from the outset?

We are not called to be dismissive people. We are called to NOT overlook, to NOT ignore. May we feel called to step into the hard places and questions with boundless compassion, and may God make it clear when we are to accept rest.

Come see the new Dwellers, Lanita, Christian, Heather, Sara, Steph, Jordan, and Heather settling in by clicking here!

Be well, friends: Matthew

Complicating a Single Story

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 29 Jul 2014 20:56:00 +0000

Complicate Single Stories with DOOR Hollywood:

The parables of Jesus urge us to see past our limited understandings, or single story, of people who are different than us, the nature of God, the ways to right living. DOOR Hollywood, a multi-tiered urban ministry has been studying the damaging effects of the current single stories we are inundated with, often repetitively portrayed by television, movies, and news reports. What comes to mind when one thinks of “the homeless,” “the gang member,” “the immigrant,” “the single mother on welfare,” “the celebrity,” “the elderly,” and “kids these days.” Are we seeing our neighbors as people or as problems? Are we seeing them the way God asks us to? Are we able to humble ourselves to learn from a former prisoner, to see God’s face in a woman living on the streets? Come hear our stories in progress as we wrestle with these questions. Visit us for a weekend, a week, or living in intentional community for a year as a Dweller, and stay in touch with us on Twitter and Facebook. #DOORStories14

Stories In Progress, #DOORStories14

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 11 Jul 2014 06:28:00 +0000

some really fun photos from our Stories in Progress event at CBS Radford Studio's "New York Street" tonight. see more here: #DOORStories14

If you weren't able to make it, and still want to support us, click here

DOOR Hollywood PRESENTS: STORIES IN PROGRESS!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 01 Jul 2014 23:20:00 +0000

Thursday, July 10th, 6pm at CBS STUDIOS' NEW YORK STREET

With three overlapping programs, Discern, Dwell, and Discover, our fundraising needs are the largest they’ve ever been. DOOR Hollywood invites you to attend this special event, hosted for the first time at CBS Radford Studios on beautiful 'New York Street,' home of Brooklyn 99, Seinfeld, and countless other "city" scenes.

Come learn about DOOR's local mission of 'complicating the single stories,’ digging deeper than any news report dares to go and trying to follow Jesus' example of storytelling in the Good Samaritan parable, while breaking the bread of Mama’s Hot Tamales, great company, and experiencing one of LA's most unique silent auctions in a vibrant street-fair setting.

Please RSVP by clicking here.

We also have a massive fundraising goal of $50,000, and need everyone to help even if you can't attend. Every donation matters, from $5 to $500, so please help if you feel called.

Please click here to help fundraise before our celebration on July 10th!

In the peace of Christ,

Matthew & Marvin
#DOORStories14

Fires.

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 10 Jun 2014 20:49:00 +0000

Not gonna lie: I'm starting the summer burned out. Literally. Last Friday morning, we received a call that our storage unit was burning down. This was filled, mostly, with baby clothes, baby furniture, and other appliances from our downsize three years ago. Photo albums miraculously survived; refrigerator, not so much. Think: Raiders of the Lost Ark, the Nazi's face melting upon seeing God. We lost about 75% of what was in there.

Matthew 6:19-20 keeps floating through my thoughts. If I'm honest, it's really annoying me: Don’t hoard treasure down here where it gets eaten by moths and corroded by rust or—worse!—stolen by burglars. Stockpile treasure in heaven, where it’s safe from moth and rust and burglars. It’s obvious, isn’t it? The place where your treasure is, is the place you will most want to be, and end up being. Yes, I agree, but unfortunately, it still hurts to lose. It still hurts to throw away toys that meant a lot to your daughters. Darcie's original artwork and my personal song lyric workbooks, gone. And all because of a very chance accident with linseed oil in another unit. A costly lesson, indeed.

Amidst this, we have also learned that one of our Dwellers has been diagnosed with a cancer, and while it is promisingly very treatable, that treatment must start immediately and not here in LA. The emotional burn is painful to all of us: Marvin, the Dwell community, the neighbors. We pray for her, pray for God to move the mountains of fear and pain. And this week, I think we all started to feel the physical loss of someone very dear to us.

So, launching Discern and Discover this week seems impossible, and yet, here we are. Last week, Silverlake Presbyterian, a local group, came for a day and really engaged with our Discerners. And, last night with our new friends from Laramie, Wyoming, was maybe a piece of the "treasure of heaven."

Toni & Albert, our regular speakers came to share experiences with homelessness. After this, Toni turned to the idea of racial reconciliation, asking folks to consider if we see a homeless white man different than we see a homeless black man. The answers were honest and troubling, but opened a massive, 90 minute discussion on race in general. Toni asked everyone in the room what they thought about brown-skinned people in general. We asked what we all thought about pinkish-orange folks. Luis, a new Discerner shared experiences of assumptions made of him as a Mexican-American. "Why are white people afraid?" "Why do we shy away from talking about racism?" "Why does CNN ask if Donald Sterling is racist or not (of course he is!) but it misses the bigger truth that we all have aspects of racism within, and it's not whether we do or not, but how we will process, handle, and build bridges despite that...."

I even got to be called out: as we study single stories, I made a comment while a Wyoming teen was telling us about an experiment his teacher conducted in middle school to simulate racism. As a sort of "amen," I said, "go Wyoming." The Wyoming leader pointed out to me that my statement suggested a single story of his state as being incapable of caring about diversity, caring about the ongoing damage of racism. He's right. Touché, and amen. I asked forgiveness, we all moved on.

Marvin brought it home when he asked, "pink people in the room, have you ever had an African-American ask you how you feel about black people?" The conversation was generous, honest, and deeply moving. Felt a little like the stirring of the Spirit, apropos a day after Pentecost.

Which is why I love this work, even exhausted. Marvin's point: DOOR allows these kinds of spaces to exist, these kinds of conversations to flow, these kinds of kingdom moments to spark. And to find grace when we say the wrong thing.

It's this kind of treasure that recharges and fires me up. Not gonna lie, pun very much intended.

Peace,

Matthew

Stories In Progress EVENT, July 10, 2014! All are welcome!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 27 May 2014 21:43:00 +0000

The 'Story in Progress' of DOOR Hollywood is that it's growing, and working to provide more paying internships and opportunities for local teens and adults to serve as hosts to our Dwellers and Discover group delegations to Hollywood.

On July 10, 2014, we will hold our largest fundraiser in our history at CBS Radford Studios in Studio City, California. It will be a street fair and silent auction along "New York Street," familiar to most as the site of Seinfeld, Brooklyn 99, and countless other moments of stories set in a city.

DOOR Hollywood is the story of our city. Please RSVP by clicking here.

We also have a massive fundraising goal, and need everyone to help even if you can't attend.

Please click here to help fundraise before our celebration on July 10th!

In the peace of Christ,

Matthew & Marvin
#DOORStories14

Stories in Progress: Along the Border

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 27 May 2014 21:27:00 +0000

DOOR Hollywood follows the example of Jesus' parable about the Samaritan, in that it would appear that the idea of "the Samaritan" was a person who would not be expected to have any kindness to offer. And yet....

The Hollywood YAV/Dwellers recently visited the Mexican/US border in Agua Prieta, Sonora, and listened to migrant's stories, listened to the protocols of the border patrol from their office, and stepped into Mexico as guests, being hosted by families working hard to make a life in Mexico sustainable and profitable. Jocabad, our leader, asked: what can we learn when we step to the other's side? Not just the "other-side," but the other's side. How will Jesus meet us there?

As we walked along the border in Mexico, I thought of my times in Dachau where many died; my standing on New Orleans' Congo Square where many stepped off boats into slavery; thought of preserved stops of the Underground Railroad where many passed to freedom. These were moments that have happened. As we walked along the dusty desert trail leading to a common crossing point, I felt the electric energy of a moment of great human history happening NOW. The water tank we filled may very well be used tonight, and many prayers go up along that trail. Prayers of protection, prayers of hope, prayers against fear, prayers for something better. It was sacred space, the solemnity and power of now.

Please see more photos from our journey by clicking here.

Blessings and hope to you in this now,
Matthew
#DOORStories14

Ministry of Time Spent....

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 07 Mar 2014 03:03:00 +0000

Recently, our Dweller Tara highlighted these two quotes. I think they get at the heart of La Casa de la Comunidad....read them, let them breathe, see how they sit within your heart.

“More and more, the desire grows in me simply to walk around, greet people, enter their homes, sit on their doorsteps, play ball, and be known as someone who wants to live with them. It is a privilege to have the time and the freedom to practice this simple ministry of presence. Still, it is not as simple as it seems. My own desire to be useful, to do something significant, or to be part of some impressive project is so strong that soon my time is taken up by meetings, conferences, study groups, and workshops that prevent me from walking the streets. It is difficult not to have plans, not to organize people around an urgent cause, and not to feel that you are working directly for social or spiritual progress. But I wonder more and more if the first thing shouldn’t be to know people by name, to eat and drink with them, to listen to their stories and tell your own, and to let them know with words, handshakes, and hugs that you do not simply like them, but truly love them.” – Henri J. M. Nouwen, Gracias

“The fundamental building blocks of the kingdom are relationships. Not programs, systems, or productivity. But inconvenient, time-consuming, intrusive relationships. The kingdom is built on personal involvements that disrupt schedules and drain energy. When I enter into redemptive relationships with others, I lose much of my 'capacity to produce desired results with a minimum expenditure of energy, time, money, or materials'. In short, relationships sabotage my efficiency. A part of me dies. Is this perhaps what our Lord meant when he said we must lay down our lives for each other?” - Robert D. Lupton, Theirs is the Kindgom

Hollywood From Above

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 19 Feb 2014 04:25:00 +0000

It was Tara’s turn to plan a community time, and she chose to have a dinner with the Dwellers' next-door neighbors and then took us all up to Mulholland Drive to lift each other up.

It was calm and a little cool, the marine layer had started to roll in off the ocean, and looking down on Universal Studios and North Hollywood, the city lights had that glowing halo thing going on. We were a little huddled mass on the mountaintop, one by one sharing a compliment and a thankfulness for each person.

“I appreciate how you calm me down.” “I appreciate how you always make me laugh, even on hard days.” “I appreciate how much you care for all of us.” “I appreciate how grounded you are.” “I appreciate when you listen, you’re a really good listener……” It went on until we closed in prayer.

It wasn’t a dramatic Moses mountaintop moment, but as I drove down from the mountain, I felt the resonance of the commandment of Jesus: Love your neighbor as yourself.

A moment to pause and lift one another up.

Peace,

Matthew

Complicate the Single Stories in Hollywood in 2014!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Sat, 25 Jan 2014 00:57:00 +0000

Blessings as we begin 2014!

We aim to dig into the debilitating and isolating nature of the "single story" in our work this year.

Come as a Discover group and ask questions like these: are homeless individuals lazy or scam artists or neither? can I learn about God from a former gang member, from someone living on the streets? what can I actually do to help the racism of today?www.doornetwork.org/discover

Come work in Hollywood as part of our summer Discern team, alongside local young adults studying what it means to follow Jesus in Los Angeles. Ask questions like:
is God indeed working here in the city? is LA only a scary, crime-infested city where only movie stars can "rise above" it all? or are they most in danger of missing the point? www.doornetwork.org/discern

Come spend a year living in intentional Christian community as a Dweller in a predominately Central American immigrant neighborhood and ask questions like: Who would Jesus deport? Can Christians effect change in systems that seem to glorify the rich and criminalize the poor? Can I get along with someone from another denomination? From another culture? am I difficult to live with? www.doornetwork.org/dwell

Come for a day, a week, a summer, or a year. We look forward to asking questions and seeking God's truth together.

In Peace,
Matthew and Marvin

$6,000 by December 31!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Mon, 16 Dec 2013 05:57:00 +0000

Update: We did it! We raised $6,440 as of December 31, 2013! Happy New Year!!!

2013 has been the best programmatic and missional year for DOOR Hollywood, based on reviews, evaluations, and depth of discussions. From the local teenaged Discerners leading conversations on the painful backstories of gentrification; from Dwellers continuing to strengthen partnerships with local homeless relief agencies; from walking into the reality of racial reconciliation in the name of Jesus, Marvin and I were blown away by the responses to the questions we posed. We were blessed by the emotion showed from our Discover participants who stated feeling like their “eyes had been opened.” We prayerfully celebrate as former Dwellers start digging deeper into social justice right here in Hollywood.

2013 has also been our hardest financial year in our history. Due to a perfect storm of major Presbyterian and Mennonite events this past summer, our Discover participant numbers were painfully low, the primary source of our budget. After DOOR Hollywood’s most successful silent auction to date last May, an event that highlighted the grit of ministry that matters, we held a Christmas Store fundraiser over the weekend with Hollywood Presbyterian Church. Robert Lupton’s “Toxic Charity: How Churches and Charities Hurt Those They Help” served as a launchpad as we worked with a combination of Discerners, Dwellers, and local residents and congregants to limit practices that might strip dignity from the folks most affected by the sale.

We set an audacious fundraising goal of $30,000 for the year, almost 3 times what past years have brought in, and today have come in at a little over $24,000. This gives us 3 weeks to close our $6,000 gap and start 2014 with renewed enthusiasm and energy to keep asking these questions, to keep pressing ahead at bridging the justice Jesus calls us towards with the reality of situations in our city, to create even more opportunities for local and traveling youth to connect their faith to attentive action and possibly, change. Help us keep shining a light on the unheard stories of God’s faithfulness and love, right here, right now, in Hollywood. Click here to help us reach our goal! - Matthew & Marvin

Both And, by City Director Matthew

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 06 Dec 2013 02:39:00 +0000

Ilé at Mama's International Tamales

A few weeks ago, I had the pleasure of auditing a Fuller Seminary class on Henri Nouwen with Dwell alumni, Will Quay. Professor Wil Hernandez urged us to consider Nouwen’s thinking on the damaging nature of “either/or” mentalities. Either I win, or you do. The disciples argued about who would be closest to Jesus. Either you, or me. Either/or mentality shoved native peoples off of this land, made for you and me.

A recent statement by Pope Francis, circulating widely on Facebook right now, echoes this danger: “Today everything comes under the laws of competition and the survival of the fittest, where the powerful feed upon the powerless. As a consequence, masses of people find themselves excluded and marginalized: without work, without possibilities, without any means of escape.”

Instead, doesn’t Jesus encourage us to think inclusively, to say both you AND you AND I can sit at the table of God? The would-be stone throwers AND the woman who was to receive death by stoning? The warden and the prisoner. The Mexican and the United States-ian. You AND me.

DOOR has been encouraging me in this sense of invitation for years now. I recently had to write a one-sentence description of Hollywood for the Young Adult Volunteer site. Here’s what I came up with: “In a city known for its storytelling and its very famous residents, Hollywood YAVs learn the joys of mutual hospitality with their Central and South American neighbors while uncovering the overlooked stories of the largest and most diverse homeless population in the country.” We have been inviting homeless and housed to the table for years now, and the stories are rich and painful, moving and convicting, human and emotional and joyful.

Dwellers and Discover group listen to Ilé describe the empowering
work of Mama's.

And yet, I’m still challenged. I was at a coffeeshop last week, and a man named Brad sat down next to me, as there was room at my table. Brad talked about ancient Egyptian philosophies and the conflict with modern expressions of Christianity. Brad told me he opted to be without a home because he didn’t need the trappings of capitalism. Brad was brilliant. Brad was intimidating. We had a nice conversation. We listened. And on my walk home, I swear God uses my iPod to send me messages, because Ani DiFranco’s “Garden of Simple” came on, and the line “science chases money and money chases it’s tail and the best minds of my generation can’t make bail.”

God, how have we become so competitive? How is it that some can have so much and some so little? How do some get so lost in the shuffle, so stuck in the prison of losing? Is Brad the one without, or am I, even with my apartment and my iPod? Who decides?

And this has been a great and terrible year for DOOR. We had some of the best program and discussions I’ve ever heard, from the downfalls of gentrification to the reality of the hard work of racial reconciliation. We had the lowest number of visitors we’ve ever had, which for a non-profit educational ministry has financial implications.

Can we sit with BOTH our success AND our failure? Can we celebrate even in hard times? Can we invite people to come even when we’re not sure if there will be food on the table?

Brad bought me a coffee.

I invite you to come break tamales with us at DOOR, either for a day, a week, or a year. I promise, God’s faithfulness will not be in question, and is likely to blow us all away.

Dweller Brent Vlog Update!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 21 Nov 2013 01:15:00 +0000

Life in Hollywood is a huge transition. Dweller, Brent talks about the transition from high school to intentional Christian community: the joys of being in LA, the work and lessons of engaging with homeless individuals, and even some love for creating bicycles. Enjoy!

Unveiling, by Dweller John

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Fri, 18 Oct 2013 17:51:00 +0000

During the day, people often come to the church looking for help of various sorts (clothes, food, housing, etc.). I had a man named Bobby simply ask if he could use the phone as he only had 5 minutes left on his prepaid phone, which he promptly showed me. He explained that he was not from Los Angeles and just needed to get home. Bobby came into the church with the sole purpose of using the phone. Little did he know more would happen.

As we sat in front of the phone, Bobby started explaining his story. He was originally from New Jersey, coming from Atlanta, and did not find what he was looking for here. His company in Georgia ended up letting him go. He heard that the company had a branch in Los Angeles and decided to make the trip out here to find work. He was unable to find work at the branch here, resulting in a heart struck man, homeless man. Bobby had a very manly demeanor. He looked like he had been a boxer of some sort back in his day. As he was explaining this entire scenario his eyes started to tear up a tiny bit, surprisingly so.

Bobby picked up the phone and started dialing a man high up in a company in Georgia. There was no answer and he explained that the voicemail told him to text message a phone number for him to call you back. I texted the number and Bobby continued.

He explained that he hadn't been home to New Jersey in 7 years. During this time, he had grandson born. That grandson is now 6 years old. Bobby had never met him. He also told me about his now 8 year old granddaughter. The tears started to run down his cheek. Bobby exclaimed that he was so upset that he was not there for them. He was not there to be a grandpa. The look on his face was one of sorrow, his eyes turning red. Bobby started to apologize for crying. He explained that this was the first time he had ever said that to anyone. We talked for a little bit more before the phone rang.

I answered and spoke with a man about Bobby. It was not but a 3 minute conversation before the man had to hang up the phone as he was rather busy. He said that he knew Bobby, and understood the situation. Bobby and the man knew each other from their work in Atlanta. He again said he would call back, but this time I gave him Bobby's cell phone number to call.

Bobby had let up the tears and calmed down. He thanked me for speaking with him about the situation. He said that no one, in all of the places he had been looking for help, would listen to what he had to say. Bobby realized one thing. He wanted to see his grandson more than get back to work in Georgia.

As I looked at the time, I realized that Bobby and I had been speaking for over an hour. I said that I needed to get back to what I was doing and Bobby understood. Before he left, we prayed. Bobby slowly left the church with no idea where to go. As I walked back into church, I heard Bobby's phone ring. I looked back and saw Bobby smiling, looking up and pointing. Considering he only had 5 minutes left on the phone, the call must've been short, but important.

I don't know what happened thereafter. I have not seen Bobby back at the church since. I don't know if he made his way back to Atlanta or to New Jersey. I do know one thing though. I saw Bobby smiling. Something in that phone call changed his mood.

C.S. Lewis speaks about 'unveiling' ourselves before God. "We must choose to uncover before God and reveal the concerns, questions, and even doubts or complaints that we have concealed deep within us." Bobby unveiled himself in this conversation with me. He found that he wanted not to be in work, but with family. In doing so, it seems that he found what he'd been looking for deep in his heart. Seeing another person unveil who they are before me was moving.

Lewis goes on to say "We must lay before Him what is in us, not what ought to be in us."As I continue this work, I can only hope to unveil myself before God. Knowing what is in me is something that it hard to put into words. I challenge myself and all of you reading to try and unveil yourself before the Lord.

-John

Building a Bike, by Dweller Tara

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 18 Sep 2013 05:04:00 +0000

New Dweller Tara is well into her blogging. We welcomed her, Brent, Freddie, Laura, Chantel, and John a few weeks ago. It's been a wonderful whirlwind to say the least. You can keep up with Tara and all her housemates by clicking here: www.facebook.com/DOORHollywoodDwell. Peace to you: Matthew & Marvin

Week 3 has come to a close. I’ve officially started my job at PATH (People Assisting the Homeless) and our community hours have begun. I also found a bike to get me around the city! Let’s start with that because it’s probably what I’m most excited about. Here it is:

Brent and I went to The Bicycle Kitchen and “made bikes”…well, sort of. It’s basically a bike junkyard and you find parts that you like and you build your own bike. It’s a much cheaper way of doing things, and you don’t HAVE to pay any certain amount. The “cooks” give you an estimate based on the parts you’ll need and the amount of work you’ll need to put into it, but if you can’t pay that, then they’ll take whatever you can pay. It’s more like a donation than anything else. They have some bikes that come pretty much complete, which is how this one came. It just needed some adjustments and some TLC, and it was good to go! It took more time than just buying one, but doing it this way has made me appreciate my bike so much more. I’m like a proud bike mom. Plus it will be a cheaper, healthier, and more sustainable way of getting to work (and anywhere else in the city).

I started at PATH this past Tuesday and really like it already! Laura works there with me and they bring us along on pretty much everything: meetings, street outreach, transporting clients, etc. so we’ve already had a lot of cool experiences. Going out on the streets and checking in with “clients” has been great. We offer them water and food, see how they’re doing, listen to them and get to know them, and usually ask if they’ve thought anymore about coming into the shelter. There have already been many moments where I’ve seen the Gospel really being lived out…particularly Matthew 25:37-40:

“Then those ‘sheep’ are going to say, ‘Master, what are you talking about? When did we ever see you hungry and feed you, thirsty and give you a drink? And when did we ever see you sick or in prison and come to you?’ Then the King will say, ‘I’m telling the solemn truth: Whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me—you did it to me.’

DOOR’s motto is “See the face of God in the city” and it could not be more spot on. In just this one week, I’ve been so humbled and inspired to do God’s work, no matter how messy, complicated, sad, or frustrating it might be. Now that’s not to say I won’t take care of myself – don’t worry, mom and dad! They’ve drilled self-care into us so much, and PATH even has scheduled self-care days where we go do something fun to take our minds off the crazy work we do......Tara

Hollywood Discern In Action!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 03 Jul 2013 23:40:00 +0000

Our Assistant Director, Marvin Wadlow Jr and Kyle Wahe, our third year Discern team captain, have launched an amazing summer of seeing the face of God in our own city with our team. It involves art and video projects, service work, prayer time, learning how to interview well, learning how to create resumes, and listening and sharing each other's stories and testimonies. Here's some fun photos of the team mid-way through the summer. They are also working nearly full-time at Alexandria House, a transitional home for women and children, PATH Gramercy (a daycare of a similar nature to Alexandria House), and YoungLife Hollywood.

Please pray for Odalys, Christian, Madee, Arthur, Wendy, Pule, and Kevyn, and check them out on our facebook page often. With Christ's Love, Matthew

See the face of God in Hollywood, in each other, in those who come to serve and learn, in those who have lived here their entire lives, in those who are living on the streets, in those who are living in mansions, in celebrities and nobodies. See God's face in all.

The Beauty of Inconvenience

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 23:24:00 +0000

I admit it. I like 7-Eleven. Popping a quick protein bar, quick coffee, or, dare I say it, a nitrite-laden hot dog for some "real food" from time to time. I love the convenience, the maximizing my workdays and not spending too much time or money on eating.

I'm also the hypochondriac kid who learned about "tampered with" food a wee-bit too young (ref: the 80's stories of tampered/poisoned Tylenol and Lipton Soup packs). If it's open, looks a little imperfect, dirty, I wouldn't eat it.

My wife comes from a wiser, thriftier, heartier camp than I. Many early marriage arguments involved her picking out, back from the bottom of our kitchen trash can, a block of cheese I had just tossed. "What, ONE mold spot and the entire block is garbage?" she smirked as she cut off the tiny blue corner. I admit, I was a little over-paranoid.

You can imagine the internal stretch I experienced when one of our 2011 Dwellers, ben adam, showed up and spoke of all the glories and benefits of dumpster diving. I put on my good "city-director-love-everyone show," but inside, I admit I was siding with his housemates who were a bit grossed out that breakfast food options had come from the dumpster behind a bagel shop.

But last Wednesday, I finally volunteered to serve in the Food Ministry that my family has been benefiting from for almost a year. It was really a beautiful experience. Obvious fact I learn: our country wastes, or opts against, tons of good food. Literally. Apparently, there are many versions of my former self seeing a slightly dirty or damaged package, and not buying it. That food, on it's expiration date, is sent off to places like the LA Food Bank and other food re-distribution organizations. It's still edible, just not marketable. After those tons of food items go, there is even still some left, and my wife, and the lessons of ben adam, have urged me to embrace this new diet.

Andrea, who's been doing this for over a year, met and trained me at a local grocery store at 9am. We ask for the "spoils". An employee wheels out 7 grocery carts of eggs, bread, desserts, produce, some even organic, frozen meats of all kinds, even chocolate bars sometimes. We load up our vans, drive to two other stores, same process.

Along the way, I get to know Andrea, about her family. She obviously knows the store employees who come out, knows the process, has great moments of kindness and catching up. She teaches me that Heidi, God bless her soul, used to do this all by herself for 5 years. Slowly but very surely, it has grown into a great community effort, and here we are. And this is just one of the days of the week. The others involve gathering the same foods and distributing it to local shelters and youth homes. Again, there's more than enough NOT being sold. Totally blew my mind.

After picking it up, we arrange it carefully under umbrellas on a driveway. A committed group of us come, donate some money to help cover gas for the weekly pick-ups. You are to take what you need, and be thoughtful to not take everything for yourself. People respect this, love this. People pray for one another and family members over bags of bread, over ears of corn, over this very "inconvenient" and beautiful ministry.

As I ate my Vietnamese Spring Rolls with peanut sauce that day, (something I had picked up a few hours earlier), I thought how much this beats 7-eleven to a pulp, anyday. It is DECISIVELY NOT convenient. Took 4 hours. But I met Andrea, heard the history of the ministry, met John and Carlos and Emma and Peter and countless others who had bagged up the food at the stores before we came. I prayed for people along the way, and was prayed for myself.

And, I felt an internal "thank God" for ben adam and my wife's stretching and nudging. We are saving hundreds of dollars on groceries, eating so much better than ever before as we can opt for more organics and fair-traded products when we need to buy, and we are on a weekly family food adventure, that we get to share with many other families. Yogurt lasts a long time after it's expiration date. And a bag of Kale that got accidentally slashed open by an Exacto-knife on delivery just needs a wash. Tastes fine.

Our Dwell program is focused on stretching young adults to a simpler and more interconnected way of living. I've led this for five years here in Hollywood, and sheepishly recognize it took me awhile to embrace something like this. But, nonetheless, we are all works in progress, and thank God we're designed this way. It's so much better to work together for everyone's benefit. So much better, indeed, and way more delicious. - Matthew

Why I Do What I Do, by Dweller Savanah

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Wed, 15 May 2013 19:37:00 +0000

People ask me all the time why I work with the most vulnerable and at-risk people on the streets. Why wouldn’t I help the people on the edge of homelessness, so they don’t fall down to the bottom? Why wouldn’t I focus on those easiest to help and help as many people as I can?

My answer has a few different parts. If we are looking at a very shallow view of the issue, I would say: Money. To house one person on the streets costs very little money relative to the amount of money it takes to keep someone on the streets. If you add up every ER cost, every police encounter, every social service expense, the numbers are astounding. House this person and the numbers go down significantly.

But that’s not why I care. I care because when I am talking to a woman with matted hair, diseased feet and urine soaked blankets next to her, she teaches me something. She teaches me that she has a story and a life that I will never have. She teaches me something about strength and perseverance and stubbornness. She teaches me to appreciate life and appreciate something as simple as a new bra. She teaches me that it does not matter what a person looks like, smells like or talks like, it is something deep down that matters. She gives me this wisdom and I get the opportunity to dream with her about a better life. And that is something that no other job is quite like.

I’m not sure if you’ve ever sat down and talked to someone who has not been talked to in a very long time, but there’s some magic in it. Sometimes the person breaks out into long stories and speeches and everything they have ever memorized, sometimes, without a filter, they will tell you ever painful memory, every happy memory and every important moment in their lives. And sometimes, they won’t say anything at all…but their eyes light up and they stare and wonder why you are talking to them and why you care and wonder if you are just using them. This look should not be taken lightly. This look is often a skeptic, but sometimes filled with just enough hope that you know that this person in front of you is still in there; this person has a future and a past and their own dreams. I remember that each person on this earth is connected, each person has a story, each person has wishes and hopes and fears. And each person deserves the chance to live the life that they want to live.

There’s a man that I see quite frequently that other agencies say won’t talk and doesn’t want services. Maybe I am just a little more stubborn than they are. Day after day we go and see this man and slowly but surely he opens up to us. When he speaks, it is rapid with a thick accent a lot of hand signals. His big hands point to his head and say that he needs help. He points to his mouth and says he is hungry. We hand him a lunch and he slowly but surely puts each morsel in his mouth and points at his head again. He tells us he hears things and wants medication. We realize that the man who has been seen throwing things, screaming and sitting shirtless on the Boulevard, was simply afraid of what was going on in his head. This man couldn’t open up because he was afraid. While this man’s problems are much deeper than a single magic pill, it gives us a stepping stone to a more trusting relationship. People claim that those experiencing homelessness are lazy or don’t want help. I disagree. I think each person who sleeps on the ground wants to sleep in a real bed and have people around them that they love. The problem is that the world we live in is not set up for the masses. It is set up for the few people who are lucky enough to be born into privilege. It is set up so if you look a certain way, act a certain way or believe certain things, you are sent to the bottom. Someone has to speak up or nothing will change.

On a daily basis, I see injustices in the world. Why is it that if a white, rich man in Ohio doesn’t wake up one morning, everyone who is anyone seems to know and care. But if a man in LA who lives on the streets falls into his own deep sleep—no one cries. No one knows. It’s not news—it’s daily life. Too many people die in this world without a single real relationship. Too many people live without being heard. Too many people suffer in silence. I do what I do so at least someone hears. I do what I do because I want to hear. Sometimes all it takes is an ear to listen. Sometimes it takes more. But it is always worth the try.

A wise man once said, “It is the greatest of all mistakes to do nothing because you can do little.”

So I try to do a little.

Am I Still Working? - by Dweller Kendra

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 02:25:00 +0000

yes, i didn’t get fired for those of you wondering. i know it’s been a long time since i’ve posted anything about my friend’s place. it’s been busy and full of new opportunities to learn. my co-worker and i had the opportunity to take one of our young male clients to court for a loitering citation that he received from the cops while sitting in front of our gate-waiting for our agency to open. he was wanting to be first in line so that he could receive a shower, get some new clothes, and eat breakfast. he’s a brillant young man and was actually one of six who got the citation to show up and attempt to clear his ticket. luckily, when we got to the court office, we found out charges had never been filed. i wish you could have seen brian’s face as he fist-pumped me to show his excitement and relief about not having to actually go to court.

another woman i have to mention is alina. alina and i have gotten to be really great friends. she is 19 and tougher than i would ever know how to be. alina has been on her own since she was 12 years old, and traveled to L.A. from New York City on her own. She has been in and out of school, and has been experimenting with meth while she stays on the streets of hollywood. she transitions in and out of shelters, but recently has been making HUGE changes for herself.she got a job at a local grocery store and started saving her money.she made a $100 deposit to the W.O.O.W program-a transitional housing program that encourages healthy behaviors to improve a person’s overall wellness.she has quit using meth.she has surrounded herself with people who want her to succeed.she has started to believe in herself.alina’s brother passed away when she was 10, and she asked me to come and be with her while she visited her brother’s grave for the very first time. i love the work i do-it’s meaningful, beautiful, and life-changing.

i have decided that this kind of work is what i want to do for the rest of my life. i’m not anxious or stressed about what this next year brings for me, because i know where i’m meant to be. God has given me a gift to work with young people experiencing homelessness and i see His loving care and grace every day when i talk and get to know them. i know for sure that i want to continue my education in social work and for now that’s enough..

and when i need a break, i get to walk these adorable little pups

DOOR HOLLYWOOD 2013!

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 04 Apr 2013 22:38:00 +0000

DOOR Hollywood Spring, Summer, and Fall 2013

Looking to serve, learn, and experience the face of God through the people of Los Angeles?

Sign up NOW for:

DISCOVER: weeklong service learning project June through August.

DISCERN: Summer-long internships for individuals looking for leadership experiences in urban missions

DWELL: year-long service and intentional Christian community living

Do You Know What I Know?

noreply@blogger.com (Anonymous) — Thu, 20 Dec 2012 03:55:00 +0000

Said the shepherd boy to the mighty king, “Do you know what I know? In your palace wall mighty king, do you know what I know? A child, a child shivers in the cold. Let us bring him silver and gold.”

Lately, I’ve thought about the fanfare, the trumpeting angels, the spectacular birth announcement of Jesus Christ that terrified shepherds in the night. The Star of Bethlehem, the Angel Gabriel, all of these fantastic signs. It only now has dawned on me, that God had to do this, what with Jesus being born in the margins and laid in a feeding trough. How else would anyone know that the words of ancient prophets were being fulfilled? Had he been born in an earthly palace, there would have been parades and pomps and circumstances with all the trimmings. But, Jesus was born in the outskirts, and the heavenly and celestial birth announcement was noticed by the poor shepherd boys, out of town.

And, then, as this song that we hear in every shopping mall in every city every December, the news of Jesus’ birth had to also come from the bottom up, in terms of human hierarchy. The shepherd boy asks, “do you know what I know?” to a king. And what’s amazing, in this song anyway, is that this earthly king listens. Listens, and spreads the word of this upside-down Kingdom.

Listening. Do you hear what I hear? Do you see what I see? Do you know what I know? Maybe 2013 we can work on listening, that we might know what others know, see what others see, know how one another live. There is a flurry of discussions right now, rightfully so, about gun controls and safety and mental health and why, why, why? And I’m impressed, actually, that people are talking about having real, civil, discourse. Talking about it, anyway. But to do this, we will have to not only spout our mouths off, but we will have to listen. 2^nd Amendment die-hards need to listen, really listen, to the voices of people affected by gun tragedies. Anti-gun folks ought to listen to histories of hunting families, especially those that do so with respect and a sense of balance. Anglo folks, especially those who believe racism is over, ought to listen to what it means to not be white in today’s United States, from those who have to think about that day in and day out. People adamantly against Mexican immigration ought to listen to a father doing anything he can to provide for his family, and try not to refer to him as an illegal alien. Christians ought to listen to the ideas of Jews and Muslims, which doesn’t mean we adopt the same beliefs, but dear Lord, we should be able to listen.

I ought to listen to my wife, what it means to be the mother of two, more than I currently do.

Do you know what I know? Do I know what you know? Is there a place we can sit down and listen to one another?

Thankfully, Jesus has already set that table.

Merry Christmas Everyone,

Matthew