The Church That Never Sleeps

January 17, 2000
Author Barnett tells of a dream his renowned evangelist father, Tommy Barnett, experienced as he drove through the streets of Los Angeles more than thirty years ago: a vision to take the inner city for Christ. Supposedley hand-picked by God, then seconded by the elder Barnett, young Matthew leaves his comfy, suburban church home and heads for Los Angeles, seeking to flesh out his father's vision. Barnett shares the struggles and success stories from his position as pastor of the L.A. International Church that he and his father co-founded. With a 24-hour open-door policy, this five-year-old church now leads more than 200 ministries, feeding roughly 10,000 people weekly, distributing more than 1000 articles of clothing monthly, caring for the 100 addicts who live in the Discipleship Home, rescuing troubled teens and homeless young people off the streets and running a free medical clinic. Through individual personal testimonies, Barnett reveals the work that he feels God has accomplished in the lives of the locals. He also recounts stories of miraculous monetary provision to continue this work and equip the workers to serve the city's people. Barnett excitedly tells how the poorest and the wealthiest stand side by side to minister to others, united through the inspiring, enduring bond of a vision for a better world.