By Gerard Flanagan, news writer/photographer/social media, Office of University Communications
CAMPBELLSVILLE, Ky. — The Beacon Foundation and Campbellsville University present the Ichthus Music Festival, set for Saturday, Sept. 10 at Servant Heart Farm, located at 9533 Harrodsburg Road in Wilmore, Ky.
Many of the Ichthus volunteers are putting their energies to work a month in advance by helping the flood victims of Eastern Kentucky. Ichthus Volunteer Coordinator Sherri Buresh is leading a team to support those in need.
“We have our Disaster Relief Team in Floyd, Knox, Pike and Letcher counties, assisting with cleanup,” Buresh said. “Prayers are also needed for everyone who has been impacted by the continuing flood conditions.”
“This is exactly the calling that we see at the heart of Ichthus,” Jamie Lawrence, executive director for Campbellsville University’s church outreach and director for Ichthus’ concert development.
“Not only do our volunteers want to bring inspirational Christian music to the Commonwealth, they also are willing to roll up their sleeves and go where the help is needed,” he said.
The volunteers are a big reason Ichthus is returning to Servant Heart Farm for the second year. In its earlier years, the festival’s location welcomed up to 20,000 fans.
Joe and Cheryl Lycan are owners of Servant Heart Farm and operate The Beacon Foundation, the 501c3 organization that is producing Ichthus. Cheryl Lycan is the festival director and can be reached at info@ichthusfest.org.
“Ichthus and The Beacon Foundation are very happy and honored to be partnering with Campbellsville University and our wonderful volunteers,” Joe Lycan said. “The university’s leadership mission in Christian education exemplifies leading the lost to Christ, bringing a desire for Christian growth and raising professionals that operate in faith throughout our contemporary world,” he said.
The festival, which will feature a full lineup of contemporary Christian artists and bands, will open its gates at 11 a.m. Music will begin at noon with the final concert to end at approximately 10:30 p.m.
Featured artists included top-billed Sanctus Real, 7eventh Time Down and Devin Williams, along with several other artists throughout the day. The full line up for the day can be found at www.ichthusfest.org.
“Once again, Ichthus is lining up Christian headliners who exhibit the love of Christ, and we are also paying special attention to providing opportunities for up-and-coming bands with evangelical hearts and love for Christ,” Lycan said.
The theme for Ichthus 2022 is “Ichthus back to the cross.”
“Over the years of playing the festival and watching the direction that festivals have gone, the Lord impressed upon us that He wanted His people to return to the first love of Jesus, and sharing Ichthus in music and fellowship,” Lycan said.
“We want this festival to focus on the Great Commission, something that can be overshadowed in the course of developing professional music.”
Mikey Howard, lead vocalist for 7eventh Time Down, said, “Ichthus was a big part of my early Christian music journey. I’m excited to be back at the festival and even more excited for the new vision of heading back to the foot of the cross of Jesus!”
Tickets are available at www.itickets.com. More information on Ichthus 2022 can be found at www.ichthusfest.org.
“Having Ichthus back is awesome,” Darryl Peavler, a long-time attendee of Ichthus and youth leader for Bruner’s Chapel Baptist Church in Mercer County, said. “It’s always such a great time of praise and worship with some of the best names in Christian music! I can’t wait to be back again in 2022.”
Ichthus 2022 is a production of The Beacon Foundation in cooperation with Campbellsville University. The Sept. 10 event will be on Servant Heart Farm (the former Ichthus Farm) in Wilmore, Ky., the traditional home of Ichthus.
Campbellsville University is a widely acclaimed Kentucky-based Christian university that has enrolled up to 12,000 students yearly. The university offers over 100 programs of study including doctoral, masters, bachelors, associate and certification programs. The website for complete information is www.campbellsville.edu.