Situation
A dream to create a magnetic place for kids coming to church.
In Chandler, Arizona, Cornerstone Church had a bold dream: to create an immersive, story-driven environment that would ignite kids’ excitement for church and God’s Word. Pastor Linn Winters envisioned something far beyond traditional classrooms, a place that would feel like a destination, where children would beg their parents to return each weekend.
From the very beginning, the dream wasn’t about theming for theming’s sake, it was about story. Cornerstone believed that if they could build a world where kids were part of the narrative, it would foster deeper emotional connection, spiritual engagement, and long-term impact. They approached us with a clear goal: to develop a compelling world that reflected the church’s heart for the next generation and made learning Scripture feel like an epic adventure.
Solution
An Adventure Port of immersive realms, from ancient ruins to outer space.
With the dream clearly defined, PlainJoe brought it to life through a fully immersive kids ministry space called Adventure Port. Framed as an ancient temple-turned-scientific-lab, Adventure Port invites children into a time-traveling narrative where they become “cadets” on a mission to uncover biblical truths.
The creative process began with world-building. Before any visual design was developed, the team defined the tone, themes, and setting of Adventure Port, a mashup of futuristic tech and ancient ruins. This narrative backdrop served as the guiding lens for all decisions across architecture, signage, curriculum, and programming.
Two distinct environments emerged: The Ruins, a jungle adventure zone, and The Lab, a space-age research facility. In these spaces, kids interact with custom-designed characters like the mischievous villain Dr. Sebastian, who tries to disrupt biblical history.
A diverse cast of characters, including robots, professors, and fellow cadets, each serves a distinct purpose in the story, representing values like curiosity, wisdom, and truth. These characters appear not just in the environment but across curriculum, media, and signage, reinforcing story through repetition and engagement.
From the moment kids step into the highly themed lobby and slide down into their age-specific auditoriums, they are immersed in a story that fuels imagination, belonging, and spiritual growth.
Transformation
Kids are now begging their parents to take them to church.
What started as a dream has grown into a vibrant ministry that’s capturing the hearts of kids and families alike.
Thanks to its cohesive story, dynamic characters, and immersive design, Adventure Port has become more than just a space. Kids don’t just attend; they identify with the characters, anticipate the next chapter, and feel like they belong in the story being told.
The result? Parents now find themselves being led to church by their children. Week after week, kids show up excited to “prepare for the jump,” ready to engage with Scripture through a meaningful adventure. And they’re not just entertained; they’re retaining biblical truths through characters, symbols, and experiences designed to stick.
Pastor Linn describes the transformation as “a dream realized, far beyond what we imagined.” For Cornerstone, Adventure Port isn’t just themed design—it’s a powerful tool for evangelism, discipleship, and long-term generational impact.
