CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. – Campbellsville University is joining The Beacon Foundation and Servant Heart Farm to bring Ichthus, the leading Christian music festival, back to the outdoor stage for its second annual relaunch event.
Ichthus, well known to the thousands of fans who have come to Servant Heart Farm in Wilmore, Ky., is set for Saturday, Sept. 10.
“This is an exciting time for Christian music,” said Campbellsville University’s president Dr. Joe Hopkins. “What better way to enjoy God’s gift of music than to gather in the Bluegrass of Kentucky as one family to worship and celebrate.”
This is the second year the festival has returned to Servant Heart Farm, the location from 1999 through 2012 and a venue that has been attended by up to 20,000 fans in the past.
“We are pleased to partner with Campbellsville University,” Cheryl Lycan of The Beacon Foundation said. “The Christian mission of the university reflects that of Beacon in many ways, reaching out to share the message of Christ.”
“Contemporary Christian music has become the heartbeat for today’s generation,” Jamie Lawrence, Campbellsville University’s executive director of ministry and church outreach, said. “We have been speaking to many church and youth leaders who want to have Ichthus on their schedule for good, wholesome family entertainment with a young twist to it.”
Lawrence, who is orchestrating the event, will be releasing a full lineup of artists once a final program has been fully developed.
Musical artists will come from those who perform on popular radio stations and music streaming services.
“We want a day of music that young people will remember and make their parents recall their own days of Ichthus,” Lawrence said.
Dr. Bill Budai, professor of piano and associate dean of the Campbellsville University School of Music, said, “This festival is a great event for our students, the university and the community at large. I’m excited Campbellsville University is partnering with The Beacon Foundation to make this event happen!”
Ichthus will have a full day of live music from morning through the evening.
“I am so excited about the return of Ichthus,” Denise Gilliland, a longtime Ichthus festivalgoer, said. “For many years, we chose to spend family vacations together as volunteers. My favorite memory is worshiping and partaking communion with 20,000+ Christians.”
More than 12 bands will perform starting at noon.
Will Whitt, a sophomore from Eminence, Ky. who plans to attend Ichthus this year said, “I’m excited to see all of the great bands coming to Ichthus this year. There have been so many iconic bands through the years, and I know this year will not disappoint!”
As with past festivals, music lovers are welcome to take snacks to the festival. Food trucks will be on-site. No alcoholic beverages are permitted on the grounds. (A full list of permitted items is on the website in the FAQ section.)
The Beacon Foundation Inc. is a 501c3 nonprofit dedicated to serving and partnering with others in service with goals to promote Culture, Arts, Recreation, Education and Service (CARES) and ultimately improve quality of life for people.
Servant Heart Farm is a 109 acre property in Wilmore dedicated to the ministry of Jesus Christ. It was formerly known as the Ichthus Festival grounds and since 2013 has been under the ownership of Servant Heart Holding Company (SHHC) to implement ministry opportunities.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that has enrolled up to 12,000 students yearly. The university offers over 100 programs of study including doctoral, masters, bachelors, associate and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.