The 10 Largest Baptist Churches and What Sets Them Apart From Rest

Baptist churches tend to have large devoted followings and there are a number of Baptist churches in the South that qualify as large houses of worship. In order to draw congregations this massive, each church has something that's sets it apart from others.

Here are the 10 largest Baptist churches and what sets them apart:

1. Second Baptist Church in Houston is considered a "megachurch" and the second-largest of that type in the United States. Second Baptist has five campuses that are spread out with and annual budget of $53 million, according to Forbes. The church appeals to youth with concerts and beach retreats.

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2. Fellowship Church, affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention, is an offshoot of the First Baptist Church of Irving, Texas. The church tries to make those uncomfortable with the Southern Baptist Church label feel more at home.

3. The Woodlands Church in Woodlands, Texas sees more than 17,000 in attendance at sermon. The church also offers an "online" option for worshipers.

4. NewSpring Church in Anderson, S.C. is a Southern Baptist congregation that has blossomed from 15 members just 13 years ago to more than 27,000 people attending weekly worship in eight locations. NewSpring is considered the second-fastest growing church in the United States, according to the Baptist Press.

5. Saddleback Church in Lake Forest, Calif., has a weekly worship attendance of slightly more than 22,000 people. Rick Warren, who is now a prominent author, founded the church in 1980.

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6. Prestonwood Baptist in Plano, Texas was founded in 1977 and has grown tremendously since. Located just north of Dallas, Prestonwood now operates three campuses serving more than 40,000 members. Members also minister across the globe, from the Amazon to Romania and Africa.

7. Thomas Road Baptist in Lynchburg, Va., became one of the fastest-growing churches in the United States in the 1970s. Today, the church continues to minister across the globe, offering worldwide missions, as well as a number of community-related activities.

8. Lakewood Church of Houston led by Pastor Joel Osteen, regularly sees more than 40,000 worshipers and is considered another "megachurch." Although Lakewood is considered to be non-denominational, Osteen is a Southern Baptist minister.

9. Hopewell Missionary Baptist, located in Georgia, has more than 50 ministries, offering everything from musical worship to outreach, care and education.

10. New Birth Missionary Baptist, near Atlanta utilizes media and social networks to get the word of God out and even offers daily prayer calls.

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