ELLEN MORTENSEN

Lake Helen, located on Lake Avenue, will be rocking for Jesus this Saturday, as thousands of visitors converge on Gothenburg for the 10th annual Livin’ Out Loud outdoor concert. Featured artists this year include Ben Fuller, Jonathan Traylor, Apollo LTD, Anne Wilson and Zach Williams. Before headliner Zach Williams takes the stage Saturday night, a special message will be presented by Lincoln Murdoch.

Then on Sunday morning, Aug. 21, everyone is invited back to the park at Lake Helen for a community worship service, led by Jonathan Traylor with a message from Lincoln Murdoch. Bring your lawn chair and cash for the vendors - there will be plenty of food selections to choose from!

Parking will be available at the rodeo grounds and on the side streets around the park. The concert will get underway at 4:45 p.m. on Saturday so bring the family and plan to spend the day.

Livin’ Out Loud was created out of a vision from Gothenburg community members who asked “why not?”. If folks can close off streets for a block party, why can’t we close off streets to glorify Christ?

In 2012, the first community-wide event took place in downtown Gothenburg with over 450 attendees. From there the vision grew to include worship bands and speakers, all in the name of Jesus. In August 2013, Livin’ Out Loud put on the first community- wide outdoor free concert featuring Tenth Avenue North with more than 3,500 attendees. In 2014, Gothenburg was blessed to welcome For King & Country, Love & The Outcome and Building 429, with guest speaker Heath Kramer from MyBridge Radio.

The following year, 2015, was another exciting year with Matt Maher, Francesca Battistelli, Unspoken and Veridia. In 2016, the board was thrilled to feature The Newsboys with Meredith Andrews, Digital Age, Stars Go Dim, 7th Time Down and emcee Keith Becker. Tenth Avenue North returned in 2017, along with Danny Gokey and the Sidewalk Prophets. The 2018 lineup featured Matthew West, Britt Nicole, Colton Dixon, Zach Williams & I Am They.

In 2019, featured performers were For King & Country, Sidewalk Prophets, Todd Dulaney, Lovecollide and The Lasting Hope. Of course everyone stayed home during 2020, but the event was back strong as ever in 2021 with Skillet, Cain, Anne Wilson, All The Noise and Britt Nicole.

The Livin’ Out Loud board says their focus is to help unify the body of Christ in praise and outreach to those who have not heard the Gospel. This event is put on by the community of Christ followers, for the community.

“If you like what we are doing and want to get involved, we would love to have you join us in the mission field of our own backyard.”

For more information visit livinoutloud.org.

Anne Wilson was a huge hit with the crowd at the 2021 Livin’ Out Loud concert, and will return to Lake Helen in Gothenburg this Saturday, Aug. 20.