MOUNT VERNON — Knox County area residents are invited to join as one community to praise God and share His message as Praisestock 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 an event at Owl Creek Baptist Church near Utica. Held on the church lawn with the vision of “What would it look like if all God’s people came together to worship Him?” the community support grew.
The praise and worship eventually moved to the larger Schnormeier Event Center venue.
A volunteer board of directors representing seven sponsoring churches — Covenant Church, Trinity Worship Center, Set Free, Owl Creek Baptist Church, Faith Lutheran Church, The Salvation Army of Mount Vernon, and Apostolic Christian Church — directs the Praisestock collaboration.
Others work with the churches 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. It also supports Food for the Hungry and provides a place and time for interaction with our many essential Christian service ministries.
Sharing common goals
Praisestock is an annual homecoming where gatherers celebrate similarities and common goals and learn how others are fulfilling their mission to serve our Lord.
Food for the Hungry is a beneficiary, fulfilling the Praisestock motto: “Together we can feed the soul and feed the person.”
The event begins at 10 a.m. with a Community Worship Service. A growing list of churches has committed to holding their traditional Sunday services together at Praisestock. All individuals, regardless of denomination or church affiliation, are invited to attend.
Organizers will donate a love offering taken during the service to Food for the Hungry for its 2025 food drive. Contributions will also be accepted to support the ongoing ministry of Praisestock.
From noon to 6 p.m., bands and worship teams will continue the worship event.
This family-friendly event will include children’s activities, offer food from local vendors, and feature more activities and opportunities to learn about Praisestock, sponsoring churches, Food for the Hungry, and some of the programs receiving funding.
The line-up of bands and worship teams that will be at Praisestock is still underway, but some of the best praise and worship teams in Knox County and the surrounding areas are expected.
Volunteers needed
Volunteers are still needed for several areas for the events. The next planning session to coordinate the event will be at 6:30 p.m. at Covenant Christian Church, 13360 New Delaware Road in Mount Vernon, on the following dates: July 8 and Aug. 12.
You may also visit with Praisestock board members at the Mount Vernon First Friday events in July and August.
Praisestock, through its fiscal agent, Covenant Christian Church, is a 501 (c) (3) 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 follow on Facebook @praisestock. Churches and individuals interested in participating should contact Dave Ewart at 740-627-7440 or Ben Staats at 740-501-5480.
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