View Finder: Art and Soul Combine at Gospel Jam

They clapped in rhythm to the music, danced through the aisles and sang their hearts out.

Their performances were so powerful that at some points it felt as if they were literally bringing down the house, as the floors vibrated and the building shook when their audience joined in.

This year's youth Gospel Jam brought out talent singers and lyrical dancers from as close by as West Hempstead to as far as George. They all came together under one roof, at Union Baptist Church in Hempstead on July 27, to showcase their gifts in the name of their faith.

The event, sponsored by Greater Hempstead and First Things First, included performing groups from St. John's Baptist Church in West Hempstead, Congregational Church of South Hempstead, Shiloh Baptist Church in Rockville Centre, New Life Christian Center in Hemmpstead and three Uniondale churches - Rush Temple A.M.E. Zion Church, Grace Cathedral International and Faith Baptist Church.

Teen Pure-N-Heart, a group that includes youth from George, North Carolina and South Carolina, had the whole church dancing on their feet. They also brought along with them Catina Rosemond, a gospel recording artist, whose songs are inspired by her recovery from a traumatic car accident.

Voices of Virtue, a choir consisting of Hempstead High School students and alumni, who compete internationally, closed out the show with a powerful rendition of classic Southern spirituals.

Check out the photos in the gallery above and come back tomorrow to see video highlights.