Every month, The First Church of North Miami throws a concert that showcases local contemporary Christian music.
They call it “The Dynamic Praise Experience” and it’s one way the church is trying to lure young people to the pews.
Soibi Oruwari, 17, said she’s been trying to convince her friends to join her at the Friday night Christian party, but they’re not convinced.
“They all look at me like, ‘Mmmmm. I don’t think I want to go,’ but I still try to push to get them to give it a try at least,” she said.
The monthly event is in response to a trend happening nationwide and across denominations. Fewer young people are going to church.
At the most recent Dynamic Praise Experience, Gospel hip-hop group Jusss Love gets the crowd hyped in the sanctuary.
About 40 people waved their hands in the air and swayed side to side. A toddler is practicing her break dance moves in the aisles.
Chris Palmer, one half of Jusss Love, screamed into the mic, “Let me hear you say, My God is amazing!”
Pastor Harvey Lockhart took in the performance for a pew. He said churches like his have to get innovative and think of unconventional ways to engage.
“We realize as our congregation is getting older young people are not replacing those older members, so we have to make the shift deliberately to attract more young people to be a part of worship,” said Lockhart.
Yvenson Philocin, 17, is an active youth in the church and an ambassador of sorts who posts about the event on social media.
“The Dynamic Praise Experience gives you that vibe. It lets you open up your heart to music as a way to encounter with God,” he said.
But Yvenson also hasn’t had much luck in drawing in his peers
“I post it on Facebook, but they’re the type of friends that say they’ll show up and don’t,” Yvenson said.
Liz Lauren, a 23-year-old, gospel singer, held the crowd captive as she soulfully belted out, “We worship you Jehovah. We invite you in God.”
Her pink ponytail fell over her face as she sang with her arms outstretched
For the artists who perform at these concerts each month, the First Church of North Miami is one of the few venues that cater to Christian talent.
Liz Lauren said that before she became a gospel singer she performed secular music, and hundreds of people would show up.
“Now that I’m doing gospel it’s not the same,” she said. "But it’s a better feeling when I go home because I know I’m fulfilling my purpose.”
Palmer, one half of Jusss Love, the Christian hip-hop duo that opened the show, said he understands the perception people have of any type of church music because he once felt the same way.
“If you said Christian music to me I’d probably run away, not want to listen. If it accidently went on that channel, I’d probably change it,” he said.
As a Christian artist, he said it’s not about how many people show up.
“God is alive. He’s in the building,” said Palmer. “You just feel it; it’s more than music.”
It’s not yet clear if the Dynamic Praise Experience will mean new long-term younger parishioners. But for those who do go, it’s a free concert.
And after the show, it’s an after party in the church’s courtyard.
If You Go
What: Dynamic Praise Experience
When:7 p.m. July 15
Where: First Church of North Miami, 1200 NE 135th St
For more information visit www.firstchurchofnmucc.org
The next Dynamic Praise Experience will be at