Dream City Church - Phoenix — Attraction in Phoenix

Yesterday while attending a conference at this church I had a very unfortunate and unsettling experience take place, where my 2 little girls were yelled at and berated by maintenance, because they were not allowed to play in your water feature up front. The maintenance worker's volume was so loud you could hear his voice very loud and clear from one end of a football field to another! So where were the parents you ask? Well we were a few feet away. Having a conversation with the individual heading the event and so I told the kids to enjoy themselves by the water as this was their source of entertainment since the event began on Thursday at 9am and now it was around 7:30pm Friday evening. When my husband walked over to speak to the worker he appeared stunned and apologetic, however head of security excused his behavior stating very rudely "You as a parent wasn't around for the past 20 minutes and we told them 3 times to put the rocks down." (Mind you, we had been outside for all of 7 minutes.) When I expressed we thought it was acceptable to play with the water as other kids were doing the same since the start of the event, his response was..."It is a water feature. Would you rather some creepy guy talking to your kids?" Well sir, has your staff been out here to inform us of this since Thursday? His response- "I'm not gonna sit here and argue with you." Mind you their were 2 other females sitting in the golf cart that he was leisurely talking to and leaning against. We immediately realized this was not someone who could be reasoned with. An experienced and respectable Head of security would have sent one of his female subordinates over to the children (so it wouldn't have been a creapy guy) and kindly asked them to stop playing or asked where their parents were? (Again we were their on the outside with our kids, in eye view of our kids). What if our kids were deaf? And I am by no means excusing the children not hearing the 1st 2nd, or 3rd time, but do understand kids get carried away when doing something they enjoy. When kids are playing, especially in water, their senses are shut off especially when doing something they thought was ok. To the owner - your head of security was rude, dismissive, and unapologetic for the way the maintenance worker talked to our kids and requires additional training on how to diffuse a situation and deal with kids (although he stated he had 5). They are kids! He is a perfect example of a bully. I deliberated whether I would write such an extensive review, but I resolved because I wouldn't want anyone else's children to experience such harsh backlash, I would send a warning. Kids are human beings, not animals. No matter their fault, correct and guide in love. Because your maintenance was apologetic, I hold no ills, but your head of security is another story. I hope he is not a reflection of your mission, though he plays an integral part. Please consider placing a "Do Not Play" signage for your water feature when having events or having an announcement made. It's sad to make such a request, but if you have such individuals working for you, this would avoid mishaps in the future.

It is now Saturday and kids are once again playing in the water. Nothing was said, though head of security was there. When I then moved closer with my daughters to observe what would happen, he then decided to do his job and get up, go over to the kids and ask them not to play there. Did this happen because he knew I...

This isn't a review as much as I would like them just to see this. I love this church. It made an impression on me as a child that stuck with me all my life. As an adult I returned and became a active member of the church serving several times a week. I held this church in such high regard and would send so many people there because I believed they could get the help they needed and feel welcomed and loved. Unfortunately, they were being turned around time and time again. I'm not sure what has changed with the church I still love, but after quite a few disappointing experiences I had to walk away. I stayed away during all of the political stuff so I have no comment on that. However, I have recently returned to the church for my own personal relationship with God and because I do believe in this church and there vision of Arizona being a Christian state that loves God. But last night I was very very disappointed at the things that I heard. So much so that I had to walk out and keep myself from yelling out at the young man on stage. Just a couple of days ago I heard them proclaiming to be the "friendliest church" but the things he was belting out were not friendly at all and completely irresponsible. I understand the important topic of the service but it never calls for us to call people names. If you can't handle such an important topic without insulting people or being mean then you have no business dealing with the topic at all! This is not friendly behavior and it is completely irresponsible to behave like that with young people in your audience. This is not how you use God's people and platforms. Despite anything the world throws at us we should never EVER lower ourselves to such behavior. I very much hope you guys read this and address it properly because I do love this church and hope to not only continue to attend, but to be greatly involved. I very, very much support making this state a Christian state but this certainly is not Christian behavior, but in my last couple of visits, it does seem to be becoming a pattern. I'm glad for this review because I would have no standing up in that auditorium and telling that young man that his behavior is far from what "the friendliest church" would represent. I'm sorry I had write this but I love you guys very much and I hope to see again the church that made such an impact in my life that I simply can't see myself being a part of any...

I'm only giving a one for one reason only, this series on politics has no place on the pulpit. Now I have to skip six services until this is over with. This is your own opinion not God's his kingdom is the only thing you use the pulpit for. It is very disheartening and was a HUGE mistake using race as a divider in how people vote right or left...you mentioned blacks are basically at fault for that and whites vote right. But your wrong with that premise it's overwhelmingly whites voting left. I had a first timer come and when I saw the series and what was coming I was saddened and embarrassed and the response from my guest was probably pretty much not coming again. I didn't know how to respond to that guest when she was excited to come learn about Jesus. I really hope you scrap the rest of this series and get back on track about God's kingdom and chalk this up as to complete ignorance of what the gospel really is and what id supposed to be taught and be humbled by this and ask the Lord for forgiveness for preaching your own opinion and convictions and not God's word. You are just a man as the founder just like any of us in God's eyes and are not beyond rebuke from anyone and no matter what scripture you twist to prove your point, it's just that...twisting. This was a huge mistake and you really should consider the division you have caused within the church and this "series" is not going to change minds to your liking and if you feel that strong about your candidate, maybe step down until the election and work for them and let others preach the gospel. But I believe you are going to lose many people in the seats including me until this series is over. Big giant blunder using God's time on your politics....very sad especially for Jesus. When this time could be used to save souls and bring others into the flock not make people go away. If I was a first timer and hearing this I would not return, I saw others sitting in the seats with the same disappointed and puzzled look on this. Terrible decision and this was not thought through and was based only on personal aspirations not the Lord's wants...