Jesus commissioned his disciples to go into the world and make disciples, not plant churches. Therefore, our approach is to first make disciples of Jesus who multiply themselves which then forms a healthy church.
Jesus devoted a lot of time to being relationally close to a small group of people. He gave them access to his life. Day in and day out he showed his disciples what it meant to love and serve one another. He didn't just tell his disciples what to do, he demonstrated it within the context of relationship and love. As followers of Jesus, we follow his pattern.
Talk about multiplication...
This relational approach has allowed us an impact in urban areas and with unreached people groups.
We initiate love, self-sacrifice, friendship, belonging, hospitality and empowerment that leads to a multiplication of disciples of Jesus. Disciple-making is not curriculum driven or a certification program.
Disciple-making is relationship. We enter into relationships with people, including those from different cultures and worldviews. We open our schedules and our homes to invest in both individual and group relationships.
We spend time together throughout the week - sharing meals, praying, studying the Bible, taking the Lord's Supper, playing together, and meeting each others' needs.
Executive Director
Lewie was born and raised in Northwest Indiana. In college he met Taylor Gardner and his life was never the same. Since he experienced the love of God, friendship, hospitality, belonging, and empowerment through Taylor and his wife, he has given his life to learning to love others well and passing on this spiritual legacy of love. He has pastoral experience in large churches, small churches, church planting, and even a stint in higher education. Lewie is a disciple-maker whose heart is to see the next generation follow Jesus.
Associate director (Ryan), Communication & Administration Coordinator (Josi)
Ryan hails from Des Moines, IA. He's spent many of his adult days being a youth pastor, seminary student and missionary. Ryan joins our team after working at a refugee resettlement agency in Chicago for three years. Now, he spends his time giving vision to Icon, and traveling, speaking, and inspiring people everywhere to love like Jesus. He's most happy at Wrigley field, eating Chicago-style pizza, listening to oldies and being wild with his muppets (i.e., kids). He also takes himself very seriously. Josi grew up on a farm in rural Nebraska. She received a Masters in Biblical and Intercultural Studies in Chicago. Shortly thereafter, Josi and her husband moved to West Africa to start a business and make disciples. Once they returned to Chicago, Josi joined Icon to help run day-to-day operations, develop new and old relationships with donors and tell stories of those impacted by the ministry of Icon. She is enthused about having people around her table, finding ordinary adventures with her husband and two young kiddos and uniquely living out Jesus' commission to make disciples of all nations.
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