Samuel Allen was a passionate young preacher in the 1960s with a dream of starting his own church called Dream Church. His vision was to create a vibrant spiritual community that embraced God’s grace, celebrated diversity, and reached out to the lost and hurting. However, Samuel’s unconventional methods and desire to connect with the youth culture of the time put him at odds with the strict denominational leaders he answered to.
After being forced out of the pulpit due to his “edgy” style, Samuel and his wife Julie were deeply hurt by the rejection of fellow Christians. They moved to another state, unsure of their future and whether Samuel would ever have the chance to fulfill his calling of pastoring his own church.
The new faith-based film “Southern Gospel” chronicles Samuel’s incredible true story of perseverance, forgiveness, and realizing his God-given dream against all odds. Let’s explore where Samuel Allen and his Dream Church ended up.
How Was Samuel Allen’s Early Life and Calling
Samuel was raised by his preacher father Joe Allen, who emphasized that God looks at the heart over strict rules. Despite being part of the legalistic God’s Church Organization (GCO), Joe bought his musically-gifted son an electric guitar, considered “of the devil” by the GCO.
As a teenager, Samuel felt a strong calling to ministry, but his tendency to question the GCO’s harsh regulations caused friction with the church leaders. A youth rally where he performed rock-inspired gospel music was the final straw – the GCO elders could not accept his contemporary style.
After a devastating tragedy partly caused by the GCO’s legalism, a disillusioned Samuel left to pursue a career as a secular rock musician. He descended into drug abuse and nearly landed in prison before having a life-changing encounter with God that renewed his passion for preaching the gospel.
Why Did He Resign from His Own Dream Church?
Newly inspired, Samuel started Dream Church in Florida in 1986 with his wife Julie. True to its name, Dream Church was Samuel’s vision of a grace-filled, racially-diverse congregation that rejected legalism and welcomed all people.
The church quickly grew from 140 to 370 members as Samuel’s bold, contemporary preaching style resonated, especially with young people. However, the GCO leaders could not accept Samuel’s methods and ultimately forced him to resign as pastor of his own church.
Devastated but determined, Samuel and Julie relocated and took some time to regroup. Samuel remained committed to the dream God had given him of leading an inclusive, forward-thinking church that impacted lives with the transformative message of God’s love.
Where is Preacher Samuel Allen and His Dream Church Now
After years of perseverance, Samuel’s dream was finally realized when Dream Church International was established in the late 1990s. Though Samuel has since passed away, his son Casey and daughter-in-law Lenore continue his legacy as the current lead pastors.
Dream Church has remained true to Samuel’s original vision, describing itself as “a vibrant community driven by a deep sense of purpose and guided by our unwavering commitment to family values…We celebrate our shared journey, supporting and uplifting each other in times of joy and need.”
The church embodies the principles of Community, Compassion, and Charismatic faith, creating “a warm and welcoming home for all who enter our doors.” Worship services are “spirited” and “dynamic,” embracing the power of the Holy Spirit.
In line with its outward focus, Dream Church is heavily involved in local outreach ministries through its Dream Center. These initiatives provide support services like food distribution, healthcare, youth mentorship, and emergency assistance to underprivileged communities in the area.
On a global scale, Dream Church sends mission teams and supports church planting efforts “to transform the lives of our world by restoring hope, meeting needs and reaching people with the transforming love of Jesus.”
What Impact Did Samuel Allen Have on the Community?
While he faced opposition and setbacks, Samuel Allen’s unwavering faith and commitment to his God-given vision ultimately prevailed. His life was a powerful testimony of forgiveness, perseverance, and the transformative power of God’s grace.
The film “Southern Gospel” has brought renewed attention to Samuel’s incredible story, showing how he was able to overcome hatred, rejection, and his struggles to finally establish the inclusive, forward-thinking church he was called to lead.
Today, Dream Church International stands as Samuel’s living legacy, embodying his dream of creating a diverse community passionate about encountering God, growing together, and joining God’s mission in the world. The church remains a place of hope, healing and second chances for all who enter.
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So while the road was long and difficult, the dream Samuel Allen carried for decades was ultimately realized. His passion for communicating the uncompromising truth of God’s grace, love and acceptance to all people still burns brightly at Dream Church today.
