Review: Immersion (2025) – A Festival of Memories
By Stephanie Jordan, Heaven’s Metal Magazine –
August 9, 2025, was just a normal day for most of Ohio, but Circleville was prepping for a non-stop, all day music festival that would be memory making for me for sure! Ben Schlichter, the founder of Mission: Youth Ohio and Immersion Fest, told me that memories are what he hopes to create for all who attend. Well, Ben, you did it!
Three stages full of incredible acts, a merch section that was inviting and a party itself with a video game tournament, an escape room, and delicious food trucks with plenty of shade were keeping everyone fully entertained. I asked Ben what prompted him to launch this festival, and he said that he had experienced one similarly when he was younger in the early 2000s. He made wonderful memories there, but as time went on and the festival closed, he realized his children weren’t going to have the same kinds of experiences. This prompted him to start the journey into investigating and creating one himself. Emerge Mission: Youth Ohio’s Immersion Fest 2025.
The lineup for each stage was jam packed with talent in the Christian music scene. The Cypher Circle stage hosted acts Rizzy Rob, Trustie, Justin Wallace, DrayDay, and headliners 1K Phew. Showing that Christian hip hop has glory to shout loud and encouragement to break out of unhealthy lifestyles without losing who you are seems to be the resounding message.
The Main Stage started out the day with Hello Luna and Safekept. Mudhouse, Trulah, and Stephen Stanley were sharing the word in all styles of music. My personal favs, Matt and Kristan, are a husband and wife duo. They have such a powerful story to share of redemption and grace. Social Club Misfits brought so much fun energy as the headliners and closers of the evening.
The Throwdown Stage was aptly named, and the line up I looked forward to the most. Contexts kicked off the day and Dreaded Dale, Voluntary Mortification, and Cleansing of the Temple kept the energy hyped. Heal the Hurt never disappoints with Trevor’s endless energy and passion, but what a treat it was to hear their song Stained Glass being performed with Tommy Green of HolyName. Then Tommy brought the Easter egg, you know that little surprise that no one expects but hopes for, when he did Fall on Your Knees acapella. It was a holy moment. I couldn’t even film it because I knew it was holy, and onto my knees I went before my Holy God. In a moment of dust, black clothed metalheads and Holy Spirit, there was beauty, submission, passion, and grace. Memory making, indeed, for everyone in that present moment.
No Treaty is always a fired up band with passion oozing out of their pores. Danny, the lead singer, shared a raw, real, and humbling personal testimony about his life taking a horrible turn due to a porn addiction and how God redeemed what seemed impossible to repair. Convictions rounded out the night headlining, keeping the energy in that tent redlined til the very end.
I, admittedly, didn’t get to see many of the bands play because I was vending at a table representing my author journey and The Garbage Can Ohio, my ministry. My good friend Paul Lattimer, who founded ChristCore Brethren Church in Columbus, OH, and I shared a merch table to share about our ministries. We had a blast meeting so many of the bands and the fellow music lovers. But you better believe I made it to see all the bands I had circled on my set list! I also appreciate that there are speakers sprinkled throughout the festival sets. As a speaker myself, I love that the spoken word is as important as the sung one.
My perspective of the heart I experienced at Immersion Fest was serving. I have been to many festivals and each have their own imprint, the feeling that is left behind when you walk away. I felt served at Immersion in such a kind and compassionate way. From the invite to vend, the kind man who greeted me when I pulled in, Paul helping me get my stuff unloaded, the kind people who walked by and talked and blessed us with stories, Matt helping me not to have to use a porta-potty (shout out to you Matt from Matt and Kristan!!), to the entire atmosphere of kind people, I felt like I was being served all day long. To top it off with unreal service…it was all FREE!! This festival was free! Ben definitely succeeded in making memories for himself, his family, and everyone else who experienced Immersion Fest. Also, thank you Ben for serving. In a world of “take what you can”, striving, and clawing our way to the top, it is rare to leave a place feeling served. Ben has such an incredible heart to serve others, that he is working on creating a formula for festivals so that others can host them without having to go through a ton of headaches to know the ropes and what it takes to make it happen.
Memories, holy moments, and serving will be my story of Immersion Fest 2025. Next year, I hope that you can plan to join too. I have a feeling Ben has a lot up his sleeve for the future! You won’t want to miss it!
Voluntary Mortification at Immersion (2025). Photos by Caylie Businger:
Cleansing of the Temple at Immersion (2025). Photos by Caylie Businger:
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