Youth Concert Starting at 5 p.m.

This year we are excited to introduce a youth concert to Praise Fest! Starting at 5 p.m., the concert will feature the DJ talents of Kenny Boyd of Salt & Light Sound, who will DJ between events and also for the youth concert. Kenny provides a sound that provides professional excellence with a Kingdom purpose.

Featured Christian artists:

Fight The Dark Ministries and

national Christian recording artist Matt Sussano.

Fight The Dark Ministries

Aaron and Amanda Rule are Fight The Dark Ministries. They have personally experienced the challenges of life’s darkest moments and found victory through the redeeming grace of Jesus Christ. Both Aaron and Amanda overcame bullying in high school. Aaron was assaulted and abused and recovered from several resulting injuries.Amanda’s bullying led her down a dark path of self-mutilation and struggles with eating disorders. As a young adult she suffered severe injuries from falling down basement steps. The impact left her in a three-month coma with only a 10% chance of waking up. Miraculously, she did, She was on a ventilator three times and had three craniotomies. She died three times, twice during emergency surgery, once being dead for five minutes. She asks “how many days was Jesus dead?” “Three.” Through it all, both Aaron and Amanda give credit to the saving grace and healing power of Jesus Christ to allow them to tell their story to others today. Amanda will also be using her gifts to perform at Praise Fest.

Matt Sussano

Matt Sassano is redefining rock for “The Defiant”—those who refuse to let challenges or labels define them. Born with Cerebral Palsy and Dyscalculia and raised in Canisteo, New York, Sassano transformed personal struggles into fuel for high-energy performances and raw, relatable lyrics. His move to Knoxville, Tennessee, marked a turning point that launched his rise in the rock scene.

 In 2021, Sassano released his In Defiance EP, featuring the breakout anthem “Not My Name,” a bold statement about identity that spent 16 weeks at #1 on the Christian Rock charts. The project was produced by Grammy-nominated Josiah Prince of Disciple, with whom Sassano has continued crafting a string of impactful singles, including the emotionally charged “Dear God,” the anthemic “Happy Family,” and the hard-hitting “Fuel”—each earning its place atop the Christian Rock charts.

 He’s toured coast-to-coast with bands like Petra and Seventh Day Slumber, performing in festivals, music venues, maximum security prisons, drug recovery groups, and churches—building real connection in places most artists never go.

 With his latest single, “My Armor,” and recent releases like “Violated,” Sassano leads “The Defiant,” a growing movement of fighters turning pain into purpose—because their challenges are Not Their Name.

 For fans of Linkin Park, Skillet, RED, or Breaking Benjamin—Sassano brings a voice of resilience to the edge of modern rock.