On Sunday, August 31st, Nelson Park in Sioux Falls, South Dakota was alive in light, not just from the stage strobes and sunset sky, but from thousands of faces lifted in song and worship. At the annual Christian music festival, better known as LifeLight, people were transformed into a collective heartbeat where music pulsed, hope was spoken, laughter echoed, and strangers became friends in the shared space of faith and festivity.
Each year, Lifelight gathers a large number of people together to worship God in song with artists they usually only sing with on their car radios. This year, Lifelight saw one of its biggest crowds yet, bringing in over 30,000 people. Singers such as Hulvey, Tenth Avenue North, and Anne Wilson shared their faith on stage through the powerful voice of music, bringing together people of all ages. One NWC student, sophomore Kalley Vitek, shared her experience and its impact it had on not only her, but also the people around her.
“It was so impactful to see how many people came to the festival,” Vitek said, “Even though it was free, the gospel was shared so vividly on stage and it was fun to see other people worship with me.”
Vitek also shared how the festival was about more than just worshiping in song, but also how people shared the gospel through their own testimonies.
“Between each artist, someone would go up to share their testimony with the crowd,” she said, “I remember one high school boy walked on stage and shared his story about being adopted into a Christian family and how it had impacted his life. It was amazing to hear what God has done in people’s lives.”
Many others shared their stories about their walk with Christ and how it has changed them. Vitek also spoke of a woman who shared her journey through trafficking and what it was like to live a Christian life after such hardships.
“She shared how her life changed after going through a recovery program,” Vitek said when speaking about the woman’s story, “It was great to hear what Christ had done for her.”
All in all, Lifelight had and is expected to continue to have a large impact on the people who attend it each year. From life-giving music to heartwarming stories, the festival provides a great place to create a community founded in the warmth of God’s love.
