? More and more New Jersey residents worship at mega-churches like Newark?s Metropolitan Baptist.

Churchgoer Dexter Allgood says the reasons why he attends Metropolitan Baptist are clear. Allgood says the church has changed his life for the better. Mega-churches are characterized by their size, attendance and services they provide to parishioners. Metropolitan Baptist has a $10 million sanctuary complete with a nursery, television studio and basketball court. Church leaders say more than 6,000 faithful worship there during three services every Sunday.

Critics of mega-churches say while the message is well-intentioned, the massive buildings take up too much room in neighborhoods.