CHICAGO -- It is not unusual to hear freestyle lyrics on the streets of Chicago but Julian DeShazier prefers to preach his raps from the pulpit.

The 29-year-old Chicago native is the head of University Church on the University of Chicago's campus.

He said a big challenge for pastors is getting through to a younger audience.

"You know we don't throw away the old classic message of gospel or of love or peace and courage. Because those are words the church needs to continue to own. But we do have to repackage them," said DeShazier. "I don't think I rap religion though. I think that I rap about life. I rap about the narrative of all our experiences. The same thing that sermons are about."

He has been preaching for ten years and rapping professionally for about five years.