Thanksgiving in London's African church

Church leader Baba Aladura (center) sits in a chair before the start of the annual Thanksgiving service at the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church in the Elephant And Castle area of south London, England, July 28, 2013.

The indigenous African-initiated Christian church was founded in Nigeria in 1925 and has an estimated 5 million members that worship in around 1,500 houses of prayer worldwide.

Attendees from across the world including Nigeria, the U.S. and Germany came to celebrate the 28th annual Thanksgiving service.

Members of the Eternal Sacred Order of the Cherubim and Seraphim Church choir march through Walworth, London as part of their annual Thanksgiving service, July 28, 2013.

Members of the congregation listen during the annual Thanksgiving service, July 28, 2013.

Church members march through Walworth as part of their annual Thanksgiving service, July 28, 2013.

A boy salutes as a cross is carried into church for the start of the Thanksgiving service, July 28, 2013.

Church elders, including Baba Aladura (C), sit during the Thanksgiving service, July 28, 2013.

Choir members shout "hallelujah" seven times during the service, July 28, 2013.

A member of the choir films on an iPad during the Thanksgiving service, July 28, 2013.

Baba Aladura arrives before the start of the annual Thanksgiving service, July 28, 2013.

Members of the congregation throw their hands in the air as they shout "hallelujah" during the service, July 28, 2013.

Church members pray during the annual Thanksgiving service, July 28, 2013.

A boy's mother puts the finishing touches to his uniform before the start Thanksgiving service, July 28, 2013.

Members of the church march through Walworth as part of their annual Thanksgiving service, July 28, 2013.

Church members pray during the Thanksgiving service, July 28, 2013.

A boy's mother helps him get dressed before the start of the annual Thanksgiving service, July 28, 2013.

A church elder performs a blessing for female members of the congregation after the annual Thanksgiving service, July 28, 2013.

The church choir marches through Walworth as part of their annual Thanksgiving service, July 28, 2013.

Young church members await the arrival of church leader Baba Aladura before the start of the annual Thanksgiving service, July 28, 2013.

Church members march through Walworth as part of their annual Thanksgiving service, July 28, 2013.