Jesus said that those who have been forgiven much, love much (Lk 7:47). This is in-a-nutshell what has happened to Pastor Paul and his wife Patty. They grew up in the Bay Area of Northern California as an “item" since Jr. High. They dated through high school and got married right away. During their high school days they participated in many illegal activities including drug use, violence and theft. Drugs and alcohol became a way of life. After a couple of years being married, they split up because of their indifferences. Three years went by in a downward spiral. Pastor Paul eventually went homeless living in his car.
Through divine acts of God both Paul and Patty received Christ within a month apart and ended up going to the same church. Both testify that it wasn’t the great preaching or programs, but the love someone showed them right where they were in their lives. Months after they had received Christ a mutual friend found out that they were separated and not yet divorced. Through the love and conviction of the Holy Spirit he counseled the two of them to get back together; to give their marriage to God. Reluctantly they listened and decided to trust God.
Twenty-nine years and 11 children later they are not only thriving in marriage and family but God has blessed them in the ministry. They have been pastors of two very successful churches in California and have led countless hundreds, if not thousands, to Christ through the power of Christ and His love. In the summer of 2002 Pastor Paul and Patty felt the leading of the Holy Spirit to move to Atlanta and start the Atlanta Dream Center. Not knowing where to start, they use to drive through the city praying and asking the Lord where to start and the Lord lead them to the Old 4th Ward- the same neighborhood Martin Luther King Jr. grew up and led many Freedom Marches.
Ask any one on the streets surrounding the DreamCenter about Pastor Paul and Patty and you will get a story of the effect they have had on them and the streets of Atlanta. Thousands of people have been affected by the power of the gospel, and many more to come to love much because they have been shown that they have been forgiven much.
