Celebrating 20 Years!
This year we’re celebrating a big birthday! Our team at Icon was delighted to gather some of our long-time friends and supporters of the ministry in order to mark this milestone together. We enjoyed re-connecting, reminiscing, telling stories of the multiplying impact of relational disciple-making, and casting a vision for the future of Icon. God is doing great things as we make disciples of all nations through love, friendship and hospitality!
Gathering Reflections
Ryan’s Perspective
Imagine this scene with me: During the gathering, I invited attendees to raise their hands if Lewie Clark had discipled them or invested in their lives in a meaningful way. Nearly two-thirds of the 90 guests raised their hands. Then, I prompted those who had been discipled by someone Lewie had discipled (me or others) to raise theirs. Almost every remaining hand shot up. Lastly, I asked those with their hands lifted to raise their other hand if they have taken what they’ve received and intentionally invested it in another. Almost 90 more hands were lifted up. Witnessing the power of multiplication was truly awe-inspiring!
Observing the joy-filled faces of those with hands raised, each a living testament to the profound impact of love and discipleship, I was deeply moved. It struck me: Icon Ministries may seem insignificant in the grand scheme of things, merely a modest tool in God's plan to make disciples of all nations. Yet, the ripple effect of our simple acts of love, when multiplied through the generations, yields a colossal Kingdom impact. Walking away from that evening, I felt humbled and profoundly grateful to God. He is doing great things!
Lewie’s Perspective
The gathering for Icon’s 20th anniversary was a spiritual marker. Recounting the story of the beginning of Icon we felt we were standing together on sacred ground, reminded of God’s guidance in how Icon started and the faithfulness of the Lord to us month after month for 20 years.
It was a family gathering. Represented in the room were spiritual siblings, many of whom had never met, that could trace their lineage for 10 generations. Ryan, Josi, and I were encouraged at the number of changed lives through the gospel and disciple-making. Disciple-making endures over time and multiplies from generation to generation.
Our hearts were overflowing with gratitude to the Lord for his goodness and for one another.
Josi’s Perspective
I wasn't part of Icon from its beginning days back in 2005. I became an addition in 2011. Since then I've been awed by how welcoming the Icon family has been to me. I’ve been engrafted in without hesitation or reserve and with much love and care. I'm so grateful that Lewie's and Ryan's people have become my people. The room definitely had vibes of a family reunion :)
As I sat from the front looking out over those who were gathered, I saw all that God had built (and continues to build) with tiny seeds of love that were sewn two decades ago. To come together to mark 20 years was very meaningful. Icon isn’t just Lewie or Lewie and Ryan. Icon is us. Years of shared history, of mutual support and encouragement, of faithful prayer, of friendship and love.
Lewie and Ryan aren’t the same men they were 20 years ago when Icon was born. Icon, as an organization, has also changed over the years. But what hasn’t changed - Lewie’s and Ryan’s enduring friendship and partnership, love as our guide, an amazing prayer team, and a crew of generous Ministry Partners and donors that empowers our work. It was an honor and joy to be in the room to celebrate this milestones together.
Photo credit: Ray + Kelly Photography
https://rayandkelly.co