A church with its own Starbucks

Metro Atlanta

The new building for 12Stone Church on Buford Drive doesn't have a sanctuary. It has a worship experience center. And what an experience it will be for the thousands of people expected to attend the Lawrenceville church, which had its grand opening Sunday. A congregation of the Wesleyan church, 12Stone was formerly called Crossroads Community Church.

12Stone Church in Lawrenceville holds services in the 2,500-seat worship experience center, where video screens reinforce the message and a $250,000 acoustical system controls how the message is heard. A cafe, "living rooms," an auditorium and film studios add to the vibe.

The $30 million, high-tech facility held its grand opening Sunday. "We worked hard to make sure our different environments help make the Bible more relevant," said CFO Norwood Davis.

Norwood Davis (left), CFO at 12Stone, and Dave Ronne, pastor of redemptive arts, tour a set to be used for the religious studies programs for children in kindergarten through fifth grade.

Children's pastor Eric Echols will be part of the fun in "12Stone Village," decorated for preschoolers with buildings such as the "Shake Shack" classroom.

Creative producer Mike Martin works in the video control room. Services are filmed and shared with a related campus

A computerized check-in/check-out system, demonstrated by Eric Echols, will be used to keep track of children who participate in programs while their parents attend adult programs or worship services.

A brightly-colored tree frog welcomes small children (babies to young toddlers) to the "Amazon Crossing" childcare area.

A sample set of identifier stickers is shown by Eric Echols, children's pastor, as he demonstrates a computerized check-in/check-out system that will be used to keep track of children. The computer program, which is called "Lambs List, " issues a dual set of stickers, one to be placed on the child with his or her name on it and with identifiying information and one for the parent or guardian to keep to be used as an indentifier when they pick up the child from the program.

View of the soaring two-story lobby / entry area at the new 12 Stone Church.

A board holds sketches and notes in the video production area at the new church facility.

Children's pastor Eric Echols ) on the stage at one of the "studios" that will be used for children's religious studies programs.

A 'green room' lounge area for performers and staff

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12Stone Church in Lawrenceville holds services in the 2,500-seat worship experience center, where video screens reinforce the message and a $250,000 acoustical system controls how the message is heard. A cafe, "living rooms," an auditorium and film studios add to the vibe.

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