Praisestock celebrates 20 years with local praise bands

Starting as a weekend event on the yard of a country church, Praisestock has evolved into a community-wide praise and worship event for Knox County, showcasing the talents of several local worship teams and local bands. This year, the 20th anniversary Praisestock event returns to Ariel-Foundation Park’s Schnormeier Event Center on Sunday, Aug. 17. The park is located at 10 Pittsburgh Ave., just south of downtown Mount Vernon.

Praisestock 2025 marks the 20th anniversary of Praisestock which started initially as a community event at Owl Creek Baptist Church near Utica and several local musicians and bands performing on a stage set up on the church lawn. With the vision of “What would it look like if all God’s people came together to worship Him?”, community support grew, and the praise and worship eventually moved to the larger venue of the Schnormeier Event Center. 

This year’s schedule has been announced. 

10 a.m.: Welcome and Community Worship Service (message by Captain Christine Moretz, music with Footprints of Jesus) and Communion. A love offering taken during the service will be donated to Food for the Hungry for its 2025 food drive. 

Noon: Footprints of Jesus (Contemporary Christian Music)

12:40 p.m.: Set Free Worship Team (Contemporary Christian Music)

1:30 p.m.: Here By Faith – Faith Lutheran Church (Country and Bluegrass Gospel Music)

2:30 p.m.: Chestnut Ridge (Bluegrass/Christian)

3:30 p.m.: Lakeholm Church of the Nazarene Worship Team (Contemporary Christian Music)

4:15 p.m.: Covenant Christian Church Worship Team (Contemporary Christian Music)

5:15 p.m.: Trinity Worship Team (Contemporary Christian Music)

6 p.m.: Closing Comments and Unity Song (Benediction and Gospel music)

Between performances, various Christian-based organizations in the community will be featured in an interview-style format to relay information and inspiration. These ministries and organizations will have tents and tables loaded with information about their ministries, who they help and how you can help. This provides community members with a one-stop opportunity to see how needs are being met in our community through the work of these organizations.

The Praisestock collaboration is directed by a volunteer board of directors representing six sponsoring churches, Covenant Church, Trinity Worship Center, Set Free, Owl Creek Baptist Church, Faith Lutheran Church and Salvation Army of Mount Vernon and others working together to offer the Greater Knox County community a day of worship, service and gratitude. This cooperation helps the community by demonstrating our common bond in Jesus Christ, supporting Food for the Hungry, and giving a place and time to interact with our many essential Christian service ministries.

Praisestock, through its fiscal agent, Covenant Christian Church, is a 501c3 organization, and accepts tax-deductible contributions that enable Praisestock to continue the mission of praising God and supporting those in need. Visit www.praisestock.org for more information and be certain to follow on Facebook @praisestock.