Hip-hop worship

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ATLANTA

Heavy bass beats echo through the church as youngsters rush down the sanctuary aisles. Colorful stage lights spin overhead and fans scream, "Jesus, Jesus, Jesus."

Yet when the sextet Dem Unknown WarriorZ appears upfront, the music and the audience go quiet. Group leader Bennie "Da'Preacha" Foster asks the crowd of about 2,000 first to "give God the praise." Then the beat returns even louder than before.

This high-energy act could stand as the headliner at any nightclub, but the group's chosen stage is the pulpit. It's bringing a faith-infused version of hip-hop style called crunk to Atlanta-area churches.

"We're fishing," Mr. Foster says after a performance at Divine Faith Ministries in suburban Jonesboro. "The bait youngsters are eating is hip-hop. So we take that music, dice it up; we put some Jesus flavor to it and save souls in Jesus' name. That's how we do it."

To its fans, crunk music, with its electronic drums and synthesized brass sound, generates excitement akin to a religious experience. It was popularized by Southern-based producer Lil Jon, known for his trademark shouts and hit singles "Get Low" and "Snap Yo Fingers."

However, the genre is most often associated with R-rated chants.

"We switch up the message with the thumping beat they recognize," Mr. Foster says. "We present ourselves in a hip-hop manner, so youths can have something they can relate to."

Dem Unknown WarriorZ came together in 2001 through Mr. Foster's NowFaith International Ministries, taking their name from a fan who called them Christ's warriors. Now they perform at least twice a week at worship services and Bible studies.

The other members are Greg Taylor, 24, who studies religion at Georgia State University; Dice Gamble, 31, who is focusing on her solo gospel-rap career; Tracy Brown, 33, and Anthony Brown, 45, who are pastors; and Talon Stuart, 32, an entrepreneur.