Grand Opening at Crossroads...

The following article about our church was on the front page of the Religion section of the Saturday edition of the Times-Herald.

"For greater things have yet to come, And greater things are still to be done in this city."

Those words from the song, "God of this City," by Christian recording artist Chris Tomlin reflects what is happening at Crossroads Church. The fast-growing east Coweta congregation has moved to its new campus -- on Highway 16 near its intersection with Poplar Road. This weekend marks the Grand Opening for the new campus.
Services are set for 7 p.m. today and for 9:15 and 11 a.m. Sunday.

The 130-acre tract where the soaring, modern styled church building is located was just a piece of ground not long ago. Now, rising on the hill at the end of a winding four-lane drive is a testimony of God's faithfulness to the body of believers who call themselves Crossroads Church.

Members say the building offers Crossroads the opportunity to touch more lives of those who are un-churched here in Coweta County -- and to offer a spiritual home to those new to the county who are looking for a church.Statistics indicate Coweta County is the ninth fastest growing county in Georgia and the 26th fastest in the country. In the year 2000, there were a little over 89,000 people living in Coweta County. The most recent population count is just shy of 123,000 people -- a 38 percent increase. The rapid population growth spurred the members of Crossroads expanded facilities in order to minister to a growing Coweta County.

The new worship center that can seat 1,400 people. It has six theatres and a nursery hall with nine rooms on the lower level for children. Along with the worship center and the children's level, the building contains a full service coffee shop. The Bean and Build Coffee Shop was named after the church's vision statement to "Be and Build Disciples of Christ."

The coffee shop was opened to provide a "third place" for members, attendees and guests to enjoy a cup of coffee or a fruit smoothie before or after a weekend service. Their future plans are to open the "Bean" for local middle school and high school students after games on Friday nights -- as well as functions the church offers throughout the week.

Yet to open in the facility is the Connections Bookstore, where people will be able to pick up the latest best-selling Christian fiction or one of the many discipleship books written by Crossroads' lead pastor, Ken Adams. Gift items, such as note cards and T-shirts are available now, along with sermon DVD's.

Crossroads started as a church plant by Palmetto Baptist Church in March 1989 with 68 people in attendance at their first service. Adams was called as pastor the church in June 1989. Since that time, attendance has grown to almost 3,000.

The congregation's first service was held at White Oak Elementary School. After out-growing that location, the church met at East Coweta High School. Then, in 1991 they stepped out in faith and purchased 20 acres on Highway 154.

The consistent growth of the church and wide-spread use of their existing property for activities -- varying from middle school events that have been attended by as many as 900 to county-wide baseball and basketball leagues to three weekend services -- led the congregation to purchase the property on Highway 16 in 2006.

"Expanding 4 His Glory" was adopted as a motto during the construction of the new building. Crossroads is a casual church, known as a "come-as-you-are" place to worship and fellowship. Worship music, sung and played by gifted musicians, is a big part of who the congregation is.

The culture Crossroads' leaders and members have set out to achieve with their new building is for Crossroads to become that "third place" -- neither home nor work but the place where people are drawn when work is done and the demands of home are finished. Crossroads new location poises the church as a place where people can come to socialize, have a cup of coffee and meet for small groups, Bible study and discipleship groups. Future plans call for a walking path and fitness area.
While the building offers a place for people who want to worship God -- or want to know more about Him, it is the people who make Crossroads what it is and who will help it fulfill its future potential. "We believe buildings are simply tools to help the church fulfill the Great Commandment and Great Commission," Adams said.
"Our goal was to build a facility," he said, "that exists to bring God glory."


This past week our church took part in our annual week or prayer. During the Wednesday PM edition of the week of prayer, we gathered around the building to pray for our church--here is a aerial picture of that expression of prayer.