Students attend concerts, festivals, and camps by the millions every year. At the very least, organizers hope for entertainment; at the most, life change. But what if a gathering called students to more than just to change their life - but to change the culture of their family, their school, their city, and their world? Based on Jesus’ life prayer of “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is in heaven,” LexReach seeks to invite students to discover the Kingdom of God all around them, and choosing to follow Jesus by being the change they want to see in the world. As the students leave LexReach and the Ichthus Festival, they are equipped and empowered to be catalysts of change in their cities as they continue to discover the Kingdom in their midst.
A little history for you…
For 40 years now, Christians from all over the United States and abroad have traveled to the beautiful hills of Central Kentucky to enjoy the very best in music, worship, teaching, and entertainment. The Ichthus Festival has the reputation of being one of the most exciting and innovative Christian music festivals in existence. A few years back, Ichthus began partnering with local churches and organizations to provide opportunities for students to arrive three days early to serve the Central Kentucky area through practical, tangible acts of love. This event came to be known as LexReach.
LexReach is all about the collision of faith and action. Students and leaders will come face to face with the homeless and marginalized population of Lexington, particularly in the urban context. These issues will be met with practical service and support through projects that assist, equip, and edify the community with the message of faith, hope, and love. The goal throughout these projects is not simply a “reality check,” but to teach and assist students in becoming agents of change wherever they are - in other words, not just seeing the problem, but being part of the solution.
Along with these projects, the students will experience morning and evening sessions of worship and teaching designed to challenge and equip students to be the hands and feet of Jesus Christ.