As someone who has worked in youth ministry and played in a contemporary band, I am here to tell you you will not reach the youth with traditional Christian hymns. Set the hook first, then reel them in.
I think that's the mentality my pastor and music director have bought into, so we sing too many of those mediocre, overly repetitive "praise songs" every Sunday, even though the youth make up maybe 5-10% of the congregation.
BTW, I'm in my 20's and far prefer singing hymns in church instead of music that makes me feel like I'm listening to the local Christian radio station.
Evangelism is not about tricking people. If you can't get people to come with the message, you are just frankly, a bad evangelist.
Unfortunately, as a college student myself, I am aware of just how out of touch many older Christian ministers can be. When I first came to Christ, I came not becuase of fancy music. I came because I realized I was a sinner, that God chose me to be saved, that his grace was in Christ Jesus...and I needed to place my trust in him.
Rock music didn't help me at all....in fact, it HINDERED when I would go to a church in which it was clear they were trying desperately to be seeker-friendly.
It turned me off. And I have talked to a lot of others....you would be surprised just how many feel the same.
They do not like being pandered to.
BTW, I suggest you talk to the people who make Indelible Grace...they take old hymns and put new tunes to them.
They say it is incredible how much young people long for deeper music than contemporary music/praise songs etc. offer.
www.igracemusic.com