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Creating a church home
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 CrossRoads Baptist Church is preparing for their first homecoming event and dinner on the grounds Aug. 24.

 From its inception eight years ago, the church now offers two sessions of Sunday school and worship at 9:00 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. The sanctuary and debt-free pavilion sit on 20 acres at 227 County Road 229 in Social Circle. A ball field was recently added in preparation of a recreation ministry.

 At CrossRoads, people have an opportunity to glorify God and develop a deeper relationship with him. Their vision is to make disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ, who makes disciples of others.

"We do that by studying God's word together and challenging and encouraging each other in our walk with God," said the Rev. Brandon Stanley, pastor of CrossRoads Baptist Church. "God continues to give us wonderful, mature, godly people to serve - the most loving, hard working, faithful group of people I have been around. The challenge in helping people is to get them involved in small groups and Bible studies."

 An experienced youth pastor, church planter and associate pastor, Stanley accepted the position as senior pastor of CrossRoads on Dec. 10, 2006. A native of Fayetteville, Stanley was raised in a Christian home and was called to the ministry at a very early age.

 He and his wife Stephenee will celebrate 14 years of marriage this month and have two sons, Stephen and Caleb. A 1991 graduate of Landmark Christian High School, Stanley earned a Bachelor of Science in Biblical studies from Atlanta Christian College in 1995.

 In July 2007, Edward Wilkerson accepted the position as full time minister of students. Committed to youth ministry since the age of 16, he earned a Bachelor of Science in Biblical Studies from Atlanta Christian College in 1999 and was ordained as a Southern Baptist Minister in 2000. Wilkerson is working with CAPOS, Covington Area Pastors of Students, to host events in hopes of reaching students in this community. Approximately 2,500 invitations were sent to middle and high school area students to attend this Friday's lock-in event from 7 p.m. to 7 a.m.

"When we first came, we had about eight solid students who loved the Lord," Wilkerson said. "In the spring, we implemented worship in a Wednesday night program and developed small groups where they could spend more time with adult leaders. The students caught the vision and the fire and we saw a huge amount of growth to having 50 in attendance."

 John Thornton Jr., minister of children of CrossRoads Baptist Church since July 2007, is a 2006 graduate of Georgia State University with a degree in business. Thornton accepted the call to ministry during his sophomore year in college. During the short time he has worked with the children's ministry, 30 children have come to know Christ through the children's program, Disciples Under Construction. Their summer vacation Bible school program was well attended by 138 children.

 Thornton's goal is to encourage children to come every Wednesday night and Sunday morning and to be well-rounded in all aspects of discipleship.

"We were looking for someone who would teach the children in the word," Stanley said. "John challenges these children to know the Lord, walk with God and is teaching them the Bible."

 Boyd Scarbrough has served as minister of worship of CrossRoads Baptist Church since June 2006. According to Scarbrough, music is a powerful tool designed by God to reflect his glory, to express our praise and to inspire his people.

"Boyd's heart is to see people worshipping and communing with God," said the pastor.

 Stanley and his ministry team lead with joy as they encourage the congregation to respond in obedience to the word as they invite newcomers to the church.

"There is urgency in my heart for the people in our community who don't know the Lord to be connected with a local church and to find faith in Christ." Stanley said. "Our vision at CrossRoads is for the people to love the Lord and live with urgency."

 For more information on services or homecoming, contact the church office at (770) 786-2563 or visit www.crossroads-socialcircle.com. For information on the youth lock-in, call (404) 456-9063.