The muffled beat of a djembe drum spills out of the basement of Hackney residence hall on Barton College's campus. It's the djembe played by Lucas Osbeck that's a key part of the distinct sound of the praise band that Osbeck and fellow Barton freshmen Chris Ruggero, Alex Minton and Natalie Mattox formed at the start of this academic year.

Some Tuesday afternoons, people passing by stop for a few minutes to listen to the music.

Osbeck, Ruggero, Minton and Mattox are finding fulfillment in using their talent and love of music to spread the word of God.

"This is our calling," Mattox said.

All four teenagers have backgrounds in music but not all of their experience has been gained playing religious music. Mattox, for example, sings in the praise band at her home church in Newport News, Va., but she also sings with a country band. This is the first time she's been so involved in vocals, however, because she is accustomed to singing back-up.

Mattox said she's finding her participation in the Barton Praise Band more fulfilling than playing country or rock music, especially since their music is helping lead people to Christ.

"We know He can do things through us," Mattox said. "Why else would we have randomly met. We get along so well. We know there is a reason and a plan for it."

The group indeed formed in a random way. First, Osbeck, 18, who hails from Smithfield and Ruggero, 19, of Raleigh met and started playing in Ruggero's dorm room. Students would gather in the room and hallway to listen to the music. Then Minton, 18, of Burlington met the guys and started hanging out with them. Minton, who describes herself as "new to singing" had to be convinced she could sing.

"She wouldn't sing at first," Ruggero said.

Attendance at their dorm sessions grew and Barton chaplain Hollie Woodruff learned of the group. Woodruff gave Osbeck, Ruggero and Minton their first chance to perform publicly during chapel. A week later, Minton met Mattox and Mattox joined the group.

Since then, the band has performed during several campus events, including the Thanksgiving service and the annual scholarship luncheon. The teenagers praise Woodruff for her support and the support other Barton faculty members have expressed.

"The president (Barton President Norval Kneten) loves us," Osbeck said. "That's a good thing."

Thursday, they will open for the group, StedFast, during a free outdoor concert on Barton's campus.

Minton likes that they are able to worship God through music and that they can show other students on campus it's OK to sing and praise God.

"It's cool us four have decided to come together and do that," Minton said.

The group practices at least once per week, sometimes twice, if their schedules permit. Mattox said this spring semester has been tough. But they all try to be flexible. Ruggero is double majoring in business management and audio recording while Mattox is double majoring in nursing and gerontology. Osbeck is pursuing a degree in photography while Minton is majoring in elementary education with a minor in special education.

Right now, the teenagers are content with the size and sound of their band. They think the acoustic guitar and djembe give them an edge in terms of having a different sound than other praise bands performing in the area. In addition to playing popular hits heard on Christian radio stations, the band also performs several original songs written by Ruggero. Minton is also trying her hand at writing some lyrics.

Ruggero said he wants to try to get his writing going and is interested in getting the band into the recording studio maybe next academic year.

The group is interested in playing in area churches for worship services, youth groups or other community events.