Radically Embracing the Younger Generation Dem Unknown WarrioZ Takes the Pulpit

Jonathan Landrum Jr., AP/CR : Jan 6, 2007
The Christian Post

"We are born-again, sanctified, delivered in Jesus' name. Some people have a problem with the way we represent [Jesus]. It's time for some ... Christians to stand up and represent [Jesus] in the industry and the media."

They aren't your traditional gospel group, and they don't want to be. Sporting baggy clothes, gold teeth, and a beat that shakes the church foundation Dem Unknown WarrioZ shakes with a street genre often referred to as crunk. They are after souls in a whole new way.

Instead of the usual R-rated lyrics, the audience is screaming "Jesus" along with the group, and dancing to the beat. The urban feel has drawn many, and the group plans to draw many more to come.

"We're fishing," [group leader Bennie "Preacha"] Foster said 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."

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.