The Spirit of the Sovereign Lord is on us, because the Lord has anointed us to proclaim good news to the poor. He has sent us to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom for the captives Isaiah 61
On November 1, 1987, 12Stone Church opened our doors as Crossroads Community Church. Believing God for great things, we rented the Gwinnett Cinemas off Pleasant Hill Road. Our grand opening brought fewer people than we hoped. It was hard not to focus on all the empty seats. Come to find out that s exactly what our focus should have been. Every empty chair represents a soul in need of Christ
We once called ourselves... A LAF-able Church Loving, Accepting, Forgiving Seeker Sensitive Believer Bold We are called to reach as many people as possible for as long as God allows us to serve.
Invest, Invite, INCLUDE 440/ 250 125 80/125 250 500 1987 1989 1990 1993 1995 Movie Theatre Dinner Theatre Jazzercise Collins Hill Edwards Center
1,000 350 2,500 500 unlimited/ 500 2003 2007 2008 2009 2010 Edwards 2 Hamilton Mill Campus Central Campus Flowery Branch Campus Online Campus & Sugarloaf
CHURCH
We are one church with MANY LOCATIONS Lawrenceville Hamilton Mill Flowery Branch Sugarloaf
A new name and a RECLAIMED IDENTITY In 2007 Crossroads Community Church became one of many Crossroads churches in the area. Feeling led to reclaim our divine thumbprint and the post to which God had called us, we prayerfully considered changing our name. A name soon surfaced that captured the heart and mission of our church family.
The name comes from the story of Joshua, who led the Israelites into the Promised Land. Before they could reach the Promised Land, they would have to cross the Jordan River, which was at flood stage. God told Joshua to have the priests, who were carrying the Ark of the Covenant, step into the water. When they did, the waters were cut off allowing the Israelites to cross on dry land. Once they were on the other side of the river, 12 stones (one for each of the 12 tribes of Israel) were taken from the river and set up as a monument so that future generations would know the power of God.
...So future generations will know the power of God
You re limitless, nothing is too hard for you You re limitless, there s nothing you cannot do You are bigger, and you re greater, and you re stronger I know You re limitless, you re limitless I m saying goodbye to any limitation I m saying hello to the God of all creation
PRAYER We believe the battle for souls and life change is fought and won on our knees. We pray for salvation; transformation, restoration and revelation, for those in our midst and those yet to walk through the doors; for those whom we save an empty seat. In 1991 Pastor Kevin received a prompt to pray over the chairs in the sanctuary. When Pastor Kevin asked how long he should pray on Saturday nights, the Spirit of the Lord replied, As long as you want Me to show up on Sunday. From that time to present, Pastor Kevin and a band of prayer warriors have prayed over the empty seats and during our weekend services.
EVANGELISM It s always been about the onefrom Tony, our first salvation, to over 20,000 locally and globally.
WORSHIP Worship is when we honor God for who He is and what He s done, and when we say yes to His great invitation. God s great invitation is Himself. Chris Morgan, Worship Pastor
TEACHING We don t make God relevant. We show people God IS relevant. Pastor Kevin
(possible collage of several pictures of videos, stage, sketches, films)
CREATIVITY Jesus used parables to teach men and women the truth about God, His Kingdom and His will for their lives. He used stories that connected with the lives of the people for that time; stories about sowing seeds, finding lost sheep and forgiving a wayward son. Today we tell modern parables to share God s story with a modern world using heart, humor and creativity. We don t take ourselves too seriously but we take God very seriously.
COMMUNITY Life transformation happens best when you re on the spiritual journey with others. Building strong relationships and sharing life brings joy, encouragement and growth. Jesus said, I have come that they may have life and have it to the full.
LOCALLY We give ourselves away to our community and country by serving those who have been marginalized by society, have experienced hardships or just need to be reminded that God loves them. We contribute to the ever-increasing needs by partnering with local agencies to best serve those in need.
GLOBALLY We give ourselves away across continents to share the Gospel with the lost and forgotten people in the world. We seek to establish long-term partnerships that uniquely meet the spiritual, leadership and physical needs of the countries we serve.
The Next GENERATION
We are raising adults not children. - Pastor Kevin When we raise adults who understand the love of God, their faith and future can be limitless.
Let our lives speak, a pure reflection of You, King of glory, Shine Your light on us Your people A new song rising, joined by the sound of heaven s praise You re awakening, You awaken me.
A Changed Life CHANGES LIVES
Gideon lived at a difficult time for God s people (Judges 6-8). Like many, he was merely trying to survive. But God had more for Gideon. God wanted him to fight, free his people, and lead the nation. The problem was that Gideon did not know he was a warrior! Through the angel of the Lord, God awakens Gideon to the task before him, represented by the offer of the sword. When Gideon accepts God s calling, he receives God s anointing that pours down like water from heaven and overflows to include other followers of God. They receive an opportunity to serve God in an unusual way. Three hundred people the ones who drink from the water with their hands join Gideon. Together, shouting, A sword for the Lord and for Gideon! they overcome an army of 135,000 warriors because the Lord is with them. This is Gideon s story. This is 12Stone s story. This is your story. God is still reaching out to people and offering them unique opportunities to awaken to his call and fulfill their purpose. God has chosen 12Stone to share the good news of the Gospel, mobilize the current generation and prepare the next one to serve him. We invite you to accept God s offer, take up your sword and join us.
You are a Mighty Warrior REACH THE LOST
When the angel of the Lord appeared to Gideon, he said, The Lord is with you mighty warrior. Judges 6:12
What do you need to do to take action as a mighty warrior reaching the lost? Prayer Dear Lord, by Your Spirit I will awaken to Your call on my life. I will accept with faith that You are with me and that by Your power I am a mighty warrior. I will awaken. I will arise. I will advance the Kingdom for Christ s sake, one soul at a time.
For You and You alone Awake my soul, Awake my soul and sing For the world you love Your will be done, Let Your will be done in me
You are a Good Samaritan SERVE the LEAST
Jesus said, Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind and love your neighbor as yourself. Your neighbor is whoever God puts in front of you at the moment. When God prompts an act of kindness, ACT on it Prayer Dear Lord, Open my eyes to see those around me in need. By your Holy Spirit give me wisdom and insight to address their spiritual, physical or relational needs. Prompt me to serve those around me with the grace, mercy and compassion you have so lovingly lavished on me.
You are a Transformational Leader RAISE UP LEADERS
I want to make a difference DOING something that makes a difference with people who want to make a difference at a time when it makes a difference. - John Maxwell Together, Mobilizing Leaders to Change their World Dear Lord, Add me among your reluctant leaders, those like Moses and Gideon, who were willing to be transformed for Your glory. Transform me into the leader you created me to be. Transform my divine gifting into a calling to transform the lives of others. Show me your divine multiplication with souls and leaders. Guard my heart and my mind. Strengthen my spirit as I follow You and lead others on the journey. May I never under estimate what You are willing to do through me and never over estimate what I can do without You.
Transformational leadership is not human, it s divine. John C. Maxwell
At the age of 17, Pastor Kevin knew of John Maxwell and began to chase what he wrote on leadership. 1991 During a particularly challenging time in ministry, Pastor Kevin prayed, If you want this church to grow, Lord, you need to give me a mentor like John Maxwell. 1997 Pastor Kevin took a group of leaders on a bus trip to a John Maxwell conference in Winston-Salem, NC. After a series of Godordained circumstances, John offered to mentor Kevin. 2009 Pastor Kevin approached John Maxwell regarding the concept of the leadership center and using his name to honor and continue his legacy. John revealed that God had given him a dream about a leadership center while he was a pastor in San Diego. God told John that his dream had not been lost. It had just been transferred from San Diego to Lawrenceville.
Founded by 12Stone Church, the Leadership Center is an umbrella for:
John C. Maxwell s organization, EQUIP will house their headquarters. John C. Maxwell will produce his digital leadership library for business and ministry. 12Stone will develop next generation ministry leaders through the residency program and cultivate future partnerships for residency programs across the country. 12Stone will conduct ministry leadership coaching. 12Stone will partner with Wesley Seminary at Indiana Wesleyan University and with the Wesleyan Denomination for training pastors and leaders. A Masters of Arts in Ministry degree and the 12Stone Biblical Studies Program are already available.
What if each campus plants a campus in the next 5 years?
When a FINISH LINE becomes a STARTING LINE The Lord said to Gideon, With the three hundred men that lapped I will save you and give the Midianites into your hands.
More SEATS More SOULS
God calls you TODAY for what you re becoming SOMEDAY
We are called God is moving So others can be unchained
We exist to inspire life, share life and give life because Jesus said, I have come that they may have life and have it to the full. John 10:10