Going to church is changing here in the Central Valley. People are flocking to churches embracing a less traditional approach to worship.
Non-denominational churches are appealing to new members and attracting a younger generation.
It's not what you might think church should look or sound like...
But, for many people, this is a typical Sunday morning at Celebration Church in Clovis.
The pastor here, Lance Heredia, is just 28-years-old.
"So much of what we do as a ministry is geared to attract a younger generation," said Heredia. "Music is a big part of the service here," he said.
"We're not afraid to take a mainstream song like a Katy Perry roar and tweak it a little bit and bring it into a church service and they hear it and say, this is happening in church? What is going on?" said Heredia.
While the unconventional approach may take a bit of getting used to deviating from the norm is exactly what it seems some people want.
"People always ask, where's your cross? We don't have a cross anywhere on this building or in this building. We want to create an environment that's not only welcoming and friendly we want to accept anybody who walks through these doors," said Heredia.
More than 4,000 people attend church at one of Celebration's two locations. A number that's grown every year since the church started back in 1992.
Kenneth Williams has been coming here for more than a decade. "I've never seen so many young people full of joy and when I came here that's what attracted me," said Williams.
While the energy might be a big draw, so is the way these pastors speak to their congregation.
"I feel like people are looking for something real and the more real we can be with people the more attractive it is," said Heredia.
"The very first time I came I was amazed about how friendly everyone was, just the energy and genuineness of the people," said Priscilla Muro who attends Celebration Church.
Just a few miles away at Northside Church, hundreds more people are sitting in on the late Sunday morning service.
Pastor Dave Rutherford's sermons are a draw, he speaks they listen, "If you're keeping it real I think a lot of people will be attracted."
"No matter how many we have we always want one more," said Rutherford.
The challenge of continuing to grow the church is one Northside's staff said is one of their main goals.
Right now, roughly 3,000 people call it their home.
There's a lot of people who really care about you and without them i don't know where i'd be," said Kris Hughes, who attends Northside Church.
Pastor Rutherford said the most important thing they have to offer is their message, but keeping the seats filled all comes down to how that message is delivered.
Things like updated music, arena like seating, even a casual dress code.
"I just love that we're a church that kinda allows that we want to change with the times a little bit," said Jeremy Vanderlinden a Northside Pastor.
And embracing technology isn't an option, its a must, that ranges from an increased presence on social media, to live streaming services.
"Some weekends there's 200 to 250 people live streaming our service and that is amazing to me," said Rutherford.
But, at the end of the day, both churches say its not about competition, their goal is the same, to help bring religion into people's lives.
"We don't want a church to just be about a building and about singing a couple songs and listening to a message. Its about a lifestyle for someone to live out and just be a christian to this community," said Heredia.
Non-denominational churches are appealing to new members and attracting a younger generation.
It's not what you might think church should look or sound like...
But, for many people, this is a typical Sunday morning at Celebration Church in Clovis.
The pastor here, Lance Heredia, is just 28-years-old.
"So much of what we do as a ministry is geared to attract a younger generation," said Heredia. "Music is a big part of the service here," he said.
"We're not afraid to take a mainstream song like a Katy Perry roar and tweak it a little bit and bring it into a church service and they hear it and say, this is happening in church? What is going on?" said Heredia.
While the unconventional approach may take a bit of getting used to deviating from the norm is exactly what it seems some people want.
"People always ask, where's your cross? We don't have a cross anywhere on this building or in this building. We want to create an environment that's not only welcoming and friendly we want to accept anybody who walks through these doors," said Heredia.
More than 4,000 people attend church at one of Celebration's two locations. A number that's grown every year since the church started back in 1992.
Kenneth Williams has been coming here for more than a decade. "I've never seen so many young people full of joy and when I came here that's what attracted me," said Williams.
While the energy might be a big draw, so is the way these pastors speak to their congregation.
"I feel like people are looking for something real and the more real we can be with people the more attractive it is," said Heredia.
"The very first time I came I was amazed about how friendly everyone was, just the energy and genuineness of the people," said Priscilla Muro who attends Celebration Church.
Just a few miles away at Northside Church, hundreds more people are sitting in on the late Sunday morning service.
Pastor Dave Rutherford's sermons are a draw, he speaks they listen, "If you're keeping it real I think a lot of people will be attracted."
"No matter how many we have we always want one more," said Rutherford.
The challenge of continuing to grow the church is one Northside's staff said is one of their main goals.
Right now, roughly 3,000 people call it their home.
There's a lot of people who really care about you and without them i don't know where i'd be," said Kris Hughes, who attends Northside Church.
Pastor Rutherford said the most important thing they have to offer is their message, but keeping the seats filled all comes down to how that message is delivered.
Things like updated music, arena like seating, even a casual dress code.
"I just love that we're a church that kinda allows that we want to change with the times a little bit," said Jeremy Vanderlinden a Northside Pastor.
And embracing technology isn't an option, its a must, that ranges from an increased presence on social media, to live streaming services.
"Some weekends there's 200 to 250 people live streaming our service and that is amazing to me," said Rutherford.
But, at the end of the day, both churches say its not about competition, their goal is the same, to help bring religion into people's lives.
"We don't want a church to just be about a building and about singing a couple songs and listening to a message. Its about a lifestyle for someone to live out and just be a christian to this community," said Heredia.