Plan to join us in 2024
June 24–28, 2024
For over 25 years, the Institute for Cultural Communicators has been helping students and leaders around the globe get ready to speak. Get inspired to empower nextgen leaders at iCON!
At our annual international convention, engage with real-world issues affecting your children today.
Join fellow Jesus-followers – parents and students, teachers and learners – as we dive deep into interactive, high-energy, engaging peer-led
learning environments.
Why Attend iCON 2023
iCON 2023 is for you if you:
- Want to nurture your students to make a difference for Christ
- Strive to coach public speaking well
- Need life-giving community for you and your kids
- Desire inspiration from expert and experienced educators, parents, and leaders
- Have kids who need a highly-fun week of mentoring and engagement
- Are eager to know what’s most important for today’s students
The inspiration, innovation, and influence of iCON is something your whole family will enjoy! Check out our tracks available for both students and adults.
Our Sponsors - coming soon
Join us for our 25th anniversary
at Lipscomb University!
July 4 - 7, 2022
Latest Updates
Gather Me Now by Ted Loder
O God, gather me now to be with you as you are with...
Read MoreGuest Speakers
Jamie Rogers
We’re thrilled to have Jamie Rogers, the Executive Director of the Columbia Metro Baptist Association, join us in worship at iCON. Jamie oversees the fellowship of about 100 churches in three local counties. He also has served as the Columbia Baptist Collegiate Ministry Director at the University of South Carolina – where the ministry almost tripled in student participation during his time there. He planted churches in New York from 2014 to 2018, and now lives locally in SC with his wife and four children.
Trevor Castor
Trevor, his wife Katie, and their three children live in Columbia, South Carolina where he serves as the Managing Director of the Zwemer Center for Muslim Studies. He is also a professor of Muslim Studies and Intercultural Studies at Columbia International University. He and his wife served as missionaries in South Asia among a 100% Muslim population. After returning from the field, Trevor completed a Master’s Degree from CIU in Muslim Studies. He also has a Ph.D. in Muslim Christian Relations from the Australian College of Theology.
Brandon Denning
Chaplain (Major) Brandon Denning, current chaplain for the U.S. Army, joins us this year at iCON! An instructor of homiletics in the U.S. Institute for Religious Leadership in Fort Jackson, Major Denning is a Masters of Divinity graduate and the 453rd guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. He’s the only person in U.S. history to serve as tomb guard and chaplain. He deployed to Afghanistan in 2009-2010 with the 82nd Airborne. He also holds a Master’s in Bible Exposition from Southwestern Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and is a former pastor of First Baptist Church of Ridgeway.
Karl Hoeke
We welcome back Karl Hoeke, an ICC alum who has been using his voice to make a big difference! Karl advocated for the ABLE Act – signed into law in 2014 – in Washington D.C. as a spokesperson for the National Down Syndrome Society. He also spoke before the South Carolina legislation to rectify word usage referring to those with intellectual disabilities – changes which were adopted in 2011. He continues his advocacy and support of ABLE South Carolina to promote the rights of those with special needs. Karl enjoys working at Riverbanks Zoo, volunteering in the children’s library, and making connections with people to share the love of Christ.
Pastor Abou Camara
Pastor Abou Camara is a connector of people, visionary, and shepherd. Abou, born a muslim of The Fulani clan of West Africa, he met Jesus through a Korean missionary in 1991. He went on to seminary in the Philippines (B Th and M Div ) and Nigeria (ThM). As a radio host, he has created 36+ church plants in 7 countries. He also started a ministry to rescue girls who were being sold as child brides for food. Abou started taking them in and educating them with the help of some friends. Abou now owns 2 houses and rents 6 homes to house these 250 girls.
He depends on the Lord to feed, educate, and help them gain skills for independence.
Dr. Michelle Raven
A retired US Air Force Lieutenant Colonel (JAG Corp), Dr. Michelle L. K. Raven is currently an Associate Pastor of Evangelism and Outreach, an Adjunct Professor at CIU, and an internationally-recognized speaker. She served as a missionary with Christar International for five years and has ministered in over 15 countries. To this day, she passionately trains and leads teams in outreach efforts around the world. Dr. Raven has developed training and course curriculum on inclusion/reconciliation, missions/outreach, and biblical entrepreneurship and leadership. Her passions include her two children, unity among believers, community development, and helping others see the possibility in themselves and in others.