This year was our family’s first year participating in ICC. We found out about the RI H.O.P.E. Chapter from RIGHT’s newsletter and after checking it out online, called Cindy to find out more. While I haven’t shared this with Cindy, one of the most encouraging moments came when Cindy and I first spoke and were about to end the call and Cindy suggested we pray together about our family’s decision to commit to ICC for the following school year.
We were welcomed into the community through various events throughout the summer before chapter meetings began in the fall. My husband Ryan and I were initially struck by the young adults we met who could confidently extend their hand, look you in the eye, introduce themselves, and initiate a meaningful conversation.
As chapter meetings began, I was surprised to see that the older students ran the meeting for the younger. This included email communication before and after the meetings to ensure that the younger students were prepared. It has been a joy to watch the older students get to know the younger ones and share in their proud moments, and encourage and build them up through those times of frustration and even fear.
My husband is in business and repeatedly points out the invaluable and frequently lacking communications lessons taught that go far beyond the “give a speech” realm. ICC students are mentored in professionalism in communication as they organize events at platforms, set up conference calls, or simply let everyone know about a snow day. Whether initial email or phone contact, confirmation of details, appropriate dress, respect of platform, to the final thank you note, ICC students are taught how to establish a reputation and conduct themselves “in a manner worthy of the Gospel.”
How young people are to conduct themselves was the focus of the conference held in New Jersey this year. All ICC students were invited to attend the day and a half event that focused on I Timothy 4:12. “Don’t let anyone look down on you because you are young, but set an example for the believers in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, and in purity.” How many inappropriate interactions that so frequently make headlines, would never happen if our young men and women established reputations that God could bless with his protection?
But the most surprising thing about joining ICC has been the benefit to me. I am a homeschooling mom who is absolutely and completely terrified of public speaking
and often shies away from social conversation. I was never prepared for this. I have always known that about myself and I thought that committing to ICC would simply avoid that problem for my children. I felt public speaking was a basic life skill, but I have realized that it is so much more. If we are made in God’s image, as we are, then we are made to communicate, as we are, and be useful to God to share His Word with confidence and conviction. I have been so encouraged, convicted, and persuaded both in the chapter group and through an online ICC coaching class by God fearing parents honoring the sacred mission entrusted to each of us by God to “train” our children, but also to be “transformed” ourselves by the power of His Word in our lives.
I hope you will prayerfully consider joining us as we commit ourselves to serving these young men and women by preparing and equipping them NOT “(to be) disregarded because of their youth” and enjoying the blessings of being part of their journey.