The mega churches of Lagos: huge hangars hold hundreds of thousands – in pictures

Here is a kaleidoscope of worship in the Pentecostal 'Mega' churches which increasingly play a prominent role in the lives of the members, in Nigeria.
The Guardian reports the electric atmosphere during these church services and the tremendous size of these crowds:
'congregations sometimes reaching 200,000, Nigeria’s Pentecostal churches use vast hangar-like structures to cram in worshipers.'

In his project 'God is Alive', Andrew Esiebo takes the reader on a journey, observing worship in some churches, via a photo-documentary
 
All photo: Andrew Esiebo/Guardian
Worshipers gather during a prayer service in the 1km sq auditorium of the Redeemed Christian Church of God. Founded in Nigeria in 1952, it’s one of the fastest growing Pentecostal churches in the world.

 
All photo: Andrew Esiebo/Guardian
A man shouts as he worships during the annual ‘Holy Ghost Crusade’ organized by a German evangelist in Nigeria
 
 All photo: Andrew Esiebo/Guardian
As congregations are so large, mass is often held in a series of buildings, some resembling hangars, and are markedly different to the cathedrals built by traditional Christians.
 
All photo: Andrew Esiebo/Guardian
Pentecostalism traces its contemporary roots to early 20th-century America. It places special emphasis on the direct experience of God
 
All photo: Andrew Esiebo/Guardian
Point of sale machines are used for collections during a service
 
 

All photo: Andrew Esiebo/Guardian
A woman falls on the floor after a spiritual experience

 
 

All photo: Andrew Esiebo/Guardian
During the monthly prayer service of Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries, pastors kneel down to seek forgiveness and prayers from their leader after they controversially left the church

 
 All photo: Andrew Esiebo/Guardian
The wife of the leader of the Mountain of Fire and Miracle Ministries leads the Sunday service in Lagos. She is shown on screens across the auditorium
 
All photo: Andrew Esiebo/Guardian

Worshipers trade gospel leaflets made to look like dollar bills
 
 All photo: Andrew Esiebo/Guardian
A man yells in response to the words delivered by the leader of the Redeemed Christian Church of God
 
All photo: Andrew Esiebo/Guardian
The leader of the Redeemed Christian Church of God instructs members to raise their hands in the direction of the altar to connect to God
 
All photo: Andrew Esiebo/Guardian
Worshipers congregate at the mega church
 
 

All photo: Andrew Esiebo/Guardian
Members of the congregation pray during a service

All photos: Andrew Esiebo/Guardian