Members of the Messiah Miracle Worship Center, a small church in Senoia, Georgia, perform music together. Photographer Ben Helton is from Senoia and was drawn to the sounds coming from behind the church's walls. He was welcomed in by the congregation, and he visited 19 times over several months.
Members of the Messiah Miracle Worship Center, a small church in Senoia, Georgia, perform music together. Photographer Ben Helton is from Senoia and was drawn to the sounds coming from behind the church's walls. He was welcomed in by the congregation, and he visited 19 times over several months.
Ben Helton
An evangelist jumps for joy during a service. Helton shot photos with a handheld flash, creating images full of hard light, shadows and layers.
An evangelist jumps for joy during a service. Helton shot photos with a handheld flash, creating images full of hard light, shadows and layers.
Ben Helton
Helton found a strong family dynamic in the church, which he said isn't much larger than a two-car garage.
Helton found a strong family dynamic in the church, which he said isn't much larger than a two-car garage.
Ben Helton
A long-exposure photograph of one of the church members singing.
A long-exposure photograph of one of the church members singing.
Ben Helton
A man named Willie prays.
A man named Willie prays.
Ben Helton
Old and young worship together. Helton was initially unsure how members of this close-knit African-American church would react to a stranger, who isn't religious, taking photos of them. But he was invited back, and he said he formed close ties to members of the congregation.
Old and young worship together. Helton was initially unsure how members of this close-knit African-American church would react to a stranger, who isn't religious, taking photos of them. But he was invited back, and he said he formed close ties to members of the congregation.
Ben Helton
A visiting pastor blesses a church member during a passionate sermon.
A visiting pastor blesses a church member during a passionate sermon.
Ben Helton
Children attend Sunday school.
Children attend Sunday school.
Ben Helton
Pastor Roger Foster, the founder of the church, plays a keyboard while Willie helps his young son keep his timing on the drums.
Pastor Roger Foster, the founder of the church, plays a keyboard while Willie helps his young son keep his timing on the drums.
Ben Helton
"They were giving me so much," Helton said. "I can't imagine another church that would let me come in and do that."
"They were giving me so much," Helton said. "I can't imagine another church that would let me come in and do that."
Ben Helton
Foster's brother feels the spirit as he kneels.
Foster's brother feels the spirit as he kneels.
Ben Helton
A church member collapsed to the floor during a praise break, Helton said. She was helped up.
A church member collapsed to the floor during a praise break, Helton said. She was helped up.
Ben Helton
A boy sleeps at the close of a service.
A boy sleeps at the close of a service.
Ben Helton