Labor Day weekend means different things to different people. For some, it’s a three day weekend spent camping. For others, it’s a chance to sleep in, relax, or squeeze in one last summer adventure before fall officially arrives. But for thousands of people in Sioux Falls, Labor Day weekend has another meaning: LifeLight.
For decades, the LifeLight Festival has brought a free, all day Christian festival experience to the Sioux Falls community, creating a space where people can enjoy music, food, activities, fellowship, preaching, and, most importantly, hear the message of Jesus. This year’s festival continued that tradition, although Mother Nature seemed determined to make sure everyone remembered that worship doesn’t always happen under perfect circumstances.
From the opening notes to the final song, LifeLight 2026 was a day filled with music, testimony, unexpected moments, rain, and ultimately, people publicly proclaiming their faith in Christ.
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Starting the Day With Z8 Worship
The day began with the Z8 Worship team warming up the crowd and setting the tone for the day to come.
Z8 is LifeLight’s youth ministry, focused on bringing Jesus to Generation Z. Seeing so many young people in the band on stage was one of the most encouraging ways the festival could have started.
There were young singers, musicians, and worship leaders standing in front of the crowd, not simply performing songs but proclaiming the name of Jesus. It was a reminder that the next generation isn’t something the church should simply prepare for someday. They are already here, already serving, and already capable of boldly proclaiming the Gospel.
Watching them kick off the festival was an encouraging glimpse at what the future of worship and ministry can look like.
StuntDudes Keep the Festival Moving
The music wasn’t the only source of energy at LifeLight.
StuntDudes, a traveling team of professional action-sports athletes, brought bikes, boards and a fearless sense of community to the festival grounds. The group performs almost anywhere—from school assemblies and festivals to indoor venues, outdoor events and even correctional facilities—using action sports as a way to connect with people and share their faith.
That mission made them a natural fit for LifeLight.
Their founder was unable to perform after breaking his arm before the festival, but the rest of the team stepped in and kept the show moving. They launched into trick after trick, combining technical skill with the kind of welcoming attitude that invited people into the experience whether they came for the faith, the sport or both.
They continued until the weather finally made the decision for them. The downpour cut the performance short, but it didn’t send the team running. Even after the show ended, the athletes stayed behind to talk with anyone who had waited to meet them.
The rain stopped the tricks. It never cooled the atmosphere they created.
Jesse Labelle is A Testimony Written in Bullet Casings
Next to the stage was Jesse Labelle, and his set quickly became one of the most memorable musical journeys of the day for me.
Labelle was previously a country music star opening for artists including Garth Brooks. Five years ago, however, his life took a dramatic turn toward Christ following a series of incredible incidents, including being shot.
That testimony was woven throughout his country rooted set, giving the music a deeper meaning than simply hearing another collection of songs.
One of the biggest highlights was hearing “You Have My Attention,” a song that speaks to that journey and his eventual realization of who God is. But the moment that really stuck with me came when Labelle revealed the story behind the cross hanging around his neck.
The cross was made from bullet casings that had been lodged in his car after a road rage incident almost took his life.
That visual alone was powerful, but Labelle summed up the testimony behind it with a line that I don’t think I’ll ever forget, “What was meant to take my life is now in the shape of what saved it.”
That is such a powerful picture of redemption. God can take the things that were meant for destruction and use them as reminders of His grace.
Jesse Labelle was an incredible ride from beginning to end, and I’m grateful I had the opportunity to witness it.
Worshiping in the Rain with Movement Worship
Then came Movement Worship, and this set turned into something many expected, but hoped to avoid.
First, the set was delayed because of weather moving through the area. Eventually, the band was able to take the stage and begin worshiping. Three songs in, however, the rain arrived.
And it didn’t just sprinkle. It rained.
But the worship continued.
There’s something genuinely incredible about looking across the crowd and seeing people pulling out ponchos and umbrellas, while others simply accepted that they were going to get completely drenched. People could’ve left. They could’ve headed for shelter.
Instead, they stayed. They worshiped.
There was something beautiful about watching an entire crowd continue singing while standing in the middle of a storm. It wasn’t a polished concert environment anymore. It wasn’t about perfect conditions or an impressive production. It was simply people worshiping God in the rain.
Movement Worship may have become one of my favorite sets of the entire festival because of that genuine experience. The weather interruption didn’t ruin the worship. In some ways, it made the worship mean even more.
Emerson Day Brings the Music Back After the Storm
After Movement Worship, LifeLight founder Alan Greene took the stage for a brief sermon. The rain continued to make its presence known, but eventually it was time to get the music moving again.
Unfortunately, the weather delays meant Emerson Day’s set was cut a little short, which was especially disappointing because she was one of the artists I was most excited to see.
Even with the abbreviated set, she made an impact.
“Get Behind Me” was one of the highlights, along with one of her newer songs, “No Smoke,” a song referencing the story of the firey furnace. Day has an incredibly powerful voice, and the back and forth energy between her and the rest of the band created a fun dynamic on stage.
Considering everything the festival had already dealt with weather wise, Emerson’s set provided a strong way to move the day forward and get everyone back into the music.
Rhett Walker Brings the Southern Rock
Next up was Rhett Walker, a familiar face at LifeLight.
Walker brought his southern rock sound back to the festival, and his set delivered exactly the kind of energy fans have come to expect from him.
His traditional cover of Creed’s “Higher” remains a fan favorite and once again got the crowd involved.
But one of my favorite moments came when Walker brought the Z8 Worship drummer back onto the stage. She joined the band for part of a song before the crowd and band sang “Happy Birthday” to her.
It was a small moment, but it was another example of the community feeling that makes LifeLight unique.
Walker closed his set with “Man on the Middle Cross,” which is always an important reminder of why a festival like this exists in the first place.
Jesus came for sinners. Jesus went to the cross for us.
And that message was ultimately at the heart of everything happening throughout the day.
Rhett Walker is always a welcome addition to LifeLight, and I wouldn’t be surprised if we see him back again in the future.
Behind the Coverage: Interviews, Rain and Family Reality
Our interview team had been looking forward to speaking with several of the artists throughout the day. We completed conversations with Jesse Labelle and Rhett Walker, but the storm eventually changed our plans just as it changed so much of the festival.
The day also offered a small glimpse of the challenge Josh Brewer had discussed during our earlier interview: when an event depends on a large volunteer team, keeping everyone on the same page can be difficult.
When we arrived for our press passes, we had been instructed to tell the volunteers that Jill had approved us. Neither person working the area knew who Jill was, so we eventually pulled up the approval message to confirm the arrangement. We were then told that every artist interview would take place in the meet-and-greet area.
Jesse Labelle’s interview, however, was being handled at his merchandise tent.
That created a crowded situation, with fans naturally trying to speak with him and get his attention. Labelle handled it graciously. He later made a point of stopping by so we could sit down and conduct a focused interview without pulling him away from the people gathered around his table. That extra effort said a great deal about how seriously he took the conversation—and the people waiting to meet him.
Our children, meanwhile, were experiencing LifeLight in their own way. They loved the bounce houses and children’s activities. Our oldest daughter also decided that dancing in the rain sounded much better than wearing her poncho.
It was joyful for a while. Then came the predictable ending: several extremely cold children who needed to leave and warm up. That meant heading home before we could complete the remaining interviews we had planned.
We also encountered one small issue that could be easily improved at future festivals. When the kids became hungry, one of the first vendors we reached and close to the kids area offered brats—usually reliable territory for children. Only after buying them did we discover how heavily spiced they were. Most of the brats went uneaten.
At an event built in large part around families, a simple notice identifying spicy food would help parents know what they are purchasing before feeding several hungry children. It was a minor frustration in an otherwise strong children’s area, but precisely the kind of small adjustment that could make the family experience better next year.
Festival coverage rarely happens from a comfortable distance. Sometimes it means interviewing artists beside merchandise tables, producing approval messages at check-in and trying to keep children warm after they have danced through a downpour.
That messy, human side of the day belonged to LifeLight too.
Cochren & Co Finally Takes the Stage
After several sets and plenty of time spent on my feet, I finally took a little break to eat and sit down.
Then it was time for Cochren & Co.
I was especially excited for this set because I had recently missed the opportunity to see him at another Christian festival, Bash at the Lake, after getting too sick to travel the 3 hours to it.
Thankfully, LifeLight gave me another chance.
And he didn’t disappoint.
Cochren & Co brought incredible energy to the stage, backed by powerful vocals and an obvious love for performing. He was also hilarious throughout the set, including plenty of jokes about merchandise helping him pay for diapers.
But underneath the humor was a set full of songs that carried meaningful messages.
Getting to hear “Somebody Prayed” (which he co-wrote with Crowder) and “What Grace Can Do” live was a true treat.
After finally seeing Cochren & Co in person, I can confidently say that I hope this isn’t the last time.
KB Brings the Energy
If Cochren & Co had high energy, KB had what I can only describe as space energy.
This man is alive on stage.
As the only hip hop act on the main bill, KB had a unique opportunity to bring something different to the festival, and he absolutely took advantage of it.
KB previously appeared at LifeLight in 2024, so getting to see him return this year was a welcome surprise. It was also a great opportunity to capture him behind the lens for the first time.
By this point in the day, the crowd was as full as it had been all day, and KB certainly seemed to be one of the biggest crowd favorites.
“100” was an especially intense display of crowd energy, with KB’s traditional hoodie slam signaling that it was time for everyone to lose their minds.
Then came “Church Clap,” where KB brought audience members onto the stage to dance along. Watching the crowd participate while KB stood off to the side watching them was one of those moments that simply made you smile.
Another highlight for me was one from the archives in “No Chains.”
I can’t say enough good things about KB’s live performance. The energy is undeniable, but what makes it even better is that all of that energy ultimately points people back toward Jesus.
Willie Robertson Points the Crowd Back to the Gospel
Before the musical headliner took the stage, LifeLight welcomed a special guest speaker to the stage. Willie Robertson from Duck Dynasty.
Robertson naturally talked a little about Duck Dynasty and the origins of the show, but the focus of his message was much bigger than television.
He spoke about Acts 2 in light of the Great Commission in Matthew 28, emphasizing our calling to proclaim the Gospel, make disciples, and baptize believers.
Then he shared a story that perfectly illustrated why LifeLight exists.
The day before the festival, Robertson met a man at his hotel. They talked, and Robertson shared the Gospel with him and encouraged him to come to LifeLight.
The man actually showed up.
But he didn’t just show up to enjoy the festival.
He showed up to proclaim his newfound faith by being baptized.
Sometimes conversions take years. Sometimes they happen in a single night.
Both are celebrated in heaven.
That message set up what would become one of the most meaningful parts of the entire festival.
The Real Reason LifeLight Exists
After Robertson finished, Josh Brewer came to the stage to make a donation appeal. LifeLight had received a pledge for a matching donation of up to $95,000 to help LifeLight continue into the future.
But more importantly, Brewer preached an altar call and a reminder that the baptism tanks were located at the prayer tent.
So I walked over.
And what I saw put the entire day into perspective.
Several people were being baptized. Including children.
After spending hours photographing bands, watching performances, listening to sermons, eating food, and experiencing everything else the festival had to offer, I was standing next to a baptism tank watching people publicly proclaim their faith in Jesus.
That was the moment that mattered most.
Whether you loved the music or didn’t care for it, whether you enjoyed the food and vendors, whether you spent the day in the sports area or standing in front of the main stage, this was what LifeLight was ultimately about.
Not the food. Not the vendors.
Not the sports. Not even the music.
Jesus.
People hearing the Gospel. People responding to the Gospel. People publicly proclaiming their faith through baptism.
That is the kind of moment that makes everything else worth it.
Danny Gokey Brings the Day Home
And then there was the headliner.
Danny Gokey, the American Idol Season 8 third place finalist, took the stage ready to close out the festival.
The entire band seemed completely invested in the performance. There was dancing, movement, and energy everywhere. Nobody appeared content to simply stand in one spot and play through the set.
But as impressive as the big production moments were, my favorite part of the night came when Gokey and supporting vocalist Vanessa stripped things back.
The first intimate acoustic moment featured “We All Need Jesus” with only a saxophone accompanying them.
Then came “Tell Your Heart to Beat Again,” performed with just the keys.
That was the standout moment of the night for me.
There’s something special about hearing an artist step away from the lights, production, and full band arrangement and simply let the song speak for itself. Those acoustic moments were the perfect contrast to the larger production throughout Gokey’s set.
They also provided a fitting way to bring an incredibly long day to a close.
Afterglow
Overall, LifeLight 2026 was another incredible showing of the Sioux Falls community coming together to proclaim Jesus.
From food vendors and activities to sermons, worship, country music, rock, hip hop, and contemporary Christian music, there was something for just about everyone.
And yes, there was rain.
A lot of it.
But in a strange way, the rain became part of what made this year’s festival memorable.
People worshiped through it.
Artists performed through it.
The festival continued through it.
And ultimately, people still walked to the prayer tent and publicly proclaimed their faith through baptism.
That’s what I’ll remember most.
I love that my town has something like LifeLight. In a world where it can sometimes feel like Christian events are becoming harder to find, having a free festival in my own community where thousands of people can gather to hear about Jesus is something worth celebrating.
LifeLight isn’t perfect. No festival is.
But when you can stand next to a baptism tank and watch people publicly proclaim that Jesus has changed their lives, it becomes pretty easy to understand why this festival has continued for decades.
I can’t wait to see what LifeLight brings to Sioux Falls next year.
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