Former All Sons & Daughters member David Leonard hit the road in my hometown to headline the Sweatshirt of Hope Festival, which also featured "The Voice" finalist Laura Williams, Grace + Max, and Sean Rodriguez. I had the great opportunity to attend The Hope Festival in Souderton, Pennsylvania, on Saturday, September 20, 2025. The festival founders brought David Leonard in as the headliner. He was the perfect artist for the event.
Sweatshirt of Hope has introduced an easy-to-use program for non-profit organizations, churches, and individuals. It's distributed at homeless shelters, food pantries, individuals in the church, Celebrate Recovery, AA meetings, friends, family, neighbors, or anyone who needs to be reminded that hope exists in the world. Sweatshirt of HOPE provides a warm sweatshirt to persons who feel helpless, hopeless, or homeless. Terry Derstine is the founder, and board member John Yoast, Radio Station Manager of 107.5 Alive FM, was also involved in planning and hosting the event.
The theme of the festival is hope. Hope in God's grace, hope in Jesus, and hope in a revival of faith. In writing about a festival featuring great artists and over thirty songs, I'll focus on how the songs brought out those themes.
Laura Williams' great blend of personal lyrics and catchy music emerged as a focal point of her excellent opening set. The songs all reflected Laura's great ability for framing questions of faith into musical expressions of trust. Her poignant songwriting and singing is coupled with musical excellence as each song urges listeners to better see God. The crowd really enjoyed her covers of "Desperate" by Jamie MacDonald and "The Prodigal" by Josiah Queen, and here's her original song, "Cheap Church Clothes" which Laura describes as "an anthem about overcoming church hurt, finding your identity in Christ & boldly following Jesus despite it."
Taking "center stage" alongside some of Christian music's leading artists, chart-topping singer/songwriter Sean Rodriguez performed his aptly-titled single. As a high-energy pop anthem, "Center Stage" has become a fan favorite in concert. The song proclaims, "Let Your spotlight show/Everywhere I go/Let the way I live/Let the whole world know/You're center stage/Take center stage." If you are doing everything for God's glory, then you are demonstrating the love of Jesus in every encounter you have with people. Most of all, we must remember that God is the source of all hope, and it doesn't come from anything we do. We need to believe. The song is a wonderful reminder for the believer that being a Christian means we walk by faith, not sight.
Sean also sang his songs "House of God," "Honey," "Rise," "Purpose," "Jesus Will," and closed with his song, "It is Finished." He introduced us to his guest artist, Grace + Max, and they joined him for his cover of "Praise" by Elevation Worship, and introduced us to their original song, "More Like You." I'm looking forward to more music from this young married couple.
As a former part of the GRAMMY Award-nominated duo All Sons & Daughters and a touring member of NEEDTOBREATHE, David Leonard brings a wealth of experience and talent to his new music.
His ambient and introspective worship albums have a soothing musical feel. I'm drawn to the sincere lyrics, beautiful musical beds, and profound songwriting. Plans tell David's wrestling story through heartache, depression, confusion, and redemption with his family and God. David opened with his All Sons & Daughters song, "Oh How I Need You," and continued with "Every Hour," "Plans," and "Good Lord," which strikes a chord with me, highlighting Jesus' call for unwavering trust in God, irrespective of our circumstances, personal distractions, or worries. It's not just about agreeing intellectually; God desires to be the focal point of our deepest desires. While our minds may change swiftly, our hearts remain steadfastly devoted.
Following Plans, David released his singles "By His Wounds" and "God of This Place" from his album, Just Jesus. David Leonard sings with a fantastic passion, with unashamed praise and gratitude to our Savior, who is very inspiring and emotionally moving. His songs are poignant and powerful, with earnest, worshipful lyrics. While listening to "God of This Place," you'll feel like you are eavesdropping on David's prayer. Gratefully accept God's love. Something that you freely receive by accepting Him as your savior. This song gives words to express gratitude. It's a reminder to sing to God: "Anywhere, anywhere/Everywhere I go/You are there, you are there/I've never been alone."
David continued by leading us in worship of his songs "Keep the Light On," "We've Got History," "I Believe It (The Life of Jesus)," "Light A Fire," and "Just Jesus" as well as "Goodness of God," and "You're Worthy of it All," before closing with "Great Are You Lord."
God speaks to us in different ways, and I find myself closest to Him in times of prayer and reflection. The song reflects what's on my heart and my greatest desire as a follower of Jesus is to live out the Gospel. Daily, we are presented with the choices of how to use our time, lifestyle choices, pursuit of riches, living for today, not knowing what tomorrow has in store for us, and questioning our loneliness and looking for meaning.
The entire night was filled with songs that blessed and healed me as a listener. Don't miss a chance to hear these anointed artists. You'll be refreshed, nourished, encouraged and turn to God for your strength. Sometimes, people think they worship at an event or church or through music. Worship should be intelligent. Worship is what we put our "worth-ship" in, not something we do by going through the motions or mindlessly. We are called to "love the Lord your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, with all your mind, and with all your strength." You can join in and sing along with your breath, given by God, "I may not know what tomorrow holds/But I know one thing for sure/Good Lord, I got a good Lord/Every day, every step of the way it's You who opened the door/Good Lord, I got a good Lord." Amen to that.
NRT lead contributor Kevin Davis is a passionate enthusiast and dedicated collector of Christian music. He believes that the message of Christian music has helped him gain a deeper understanding of Christ. He lives in Pennsylvania with his wife and three daughters.
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