Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and his daughter paid an impromptu visit to Dream Center, where they gave to single mothers.
Matthew Barnett, pastor of Angelus Temple, a Pentecostal megachurch in Echo Park and founder of its homeless program, The Dream Center, said he was taken aback by the celebrity visit.
“How in the world do I describe the magnitude of the moment when (The Rock and his wife Lauren Hashian) showed up at the (The Dream Center) to take care of one of the mothers who lives on campus by providing for the needs for her baby delivery,” Barnett said on his Facebook page.
Barnett said he was studying for a Sunday morning service in his office when a staff member informed him that Johnson’s wife, Lauren Hashian, had brought donations for a pregnant mother.
When the things arrived, Barnett claimed he stepped outside to help and show his gratitude when he observed Johnson on the phone inside the car. “I’m just walking down, getting ready to say, ‘Thank you,’ as we take all of her stuff out of the car,” Barnett told Faithwire in an interview. “The Rock’s in the back talking to someone on the phone.”
Barnett stated that he did not want to bother the former professional wrestler, who is now a wealthy actor in Hollywood. But as soon as he noticed the actor’s presence, Johnson sprung from the rear seat. According to Barnett, Johnson was eager to meet the pastor and others at The Dream Center, a facility that provides support and transitional accommodation to those in need, including those facing homelessness and recovering from addiction.
“He’s like, ‘Hey, how are you guys doing?'” Barnett stated. “Interacting with people on a more genuine, everyday level. I am thinking, ‘How much time does he actually want to spend here?'”
According to Barnett, Johnson had extended chats with a few Dream Center visitors, including an eight-month-pregnant woman. She was the pregnant mother to whom Johnson and his wife had come with a cot, soft toys, and other gifts.
“[He was] talking to this mother . . . for 10 minutes, asking what she’s going through,” he said. “She was in foster care most of her life . . . it meant so much for her.”
Johnson spoke with a man in the ministry’s rehabilitation program while snapping photos and speaking with others.
“He not only treated her as if she were the most important person in the world, but he also stayed and listened to her and anyone else with remarkable compassion. “I quickly realized that this man cares not only about people’s immediate needs, but also about their potential,” Barnett said. “I’m still in awe by his extraordinary humility and the spark of hope that he brings to the world.”
Angelus Temple was founded in 1923 by evangelist Aimee Semple McPherson, who also created the Foursquare Church Movement. Barnett co-founded The Dream Center in 1994. In 2001, he was selected as pastor of Angelus Temple.
The Dream Center and Angelus Temple combined that same year.
Tommy gained headlines this spring for his link to Brian Houston after whistleblower documents revealed Hillsong Church’s lucrative speaker’s circuit, or “celebrity preacher’s scam,” which paid some high-profile preachers up to a million dollars extra. According to the study, Matthew Barnett was a guest speaker at Hillsong and got an honorarium of at least $26,738.
However, the Dream Center has a Candid GuideStar Gold Transparency rating for 2023 and is a subordinate institution to the General Counsel of the Assemblies of God.
Johnson Reach
Johnson later shared details of his Dream Center meeting on his own Instagram account.
“We got to take our lil’ tornados here, down to the [LA Dream Center] so we can help out some families who are going through it,” Johnson said in a statement.
He commended the Dream Center’s “amazing work” and remarked, “the mana is real” when shaking hands and feeling all the hugs.
“Great to meet ‘mama to be’ Zaynah and congratulations on the baby!” said the man.
In another article, Johnson mentioned a man named Charles who approached him and told his experience in the Dream Center parking lot.
“—I was blessed to receive it,” Johnson stated about the man’s testimony. “Sometimes we have to go through immense brokenness to rebuild our future. Keep up the fantastic work, my brother, of setting a good example for our brothers and sisters.”
Johnson expressed thanks for the opportunity to serve and commended the Dream Team for their contributions to the community.
“We’ve all been there a time or two and struggling people don’t need a handout,” he said. “They just need a hand up.”