“Therefore, go make disciples of all nations, baptising them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit” (Matthew 28:19).
Singapore is a young nation that is made up of 4 main races: Chinese, Malay, Indian and Eurasians. Main religions are Buddhism, Islam, Christianity, Taoism and Hinduism, of which Buddhism makes up the greatest proportion. Singapore’s legal system can give a restraining order against a person in any religious group or institution if found to have committed or is attempting to commit any of the following acts: causing feelings of enmity, hatred, ill-will or hostility between different religious groups; or promoting a political cause, carrying out subversive activities, or exciting disaffection against the president or the government under the guise of propagating or practicing a religious belief.
The youths today are mostly made of people from the y generation. The y generation are known as the millennial generation (1980s to 2000s). They are shaped by the technological revolution that occurred throughout their youth, resulting them to be online and connected 24/7. They believe in the need for a work-life balance.
We currently live in an age of post-modernism whereby radical changes has made institutions and social structures weaker, the religious message is no longer effective and family no longer a datum point. Social and cultural authorities collapse and individualism rises like never before. We have come to a point whereby everything is relative and everyone is perceived on the base of the context in which operates: physical aspect, emotions and desires are not priorities.
With Singapore facing such changes amongst the youths living in this multi-religious and mutli-racial society today, it calls for a change in methods in reaching out to the lost while remain rooted to the Word of God.
A study was done to examine key issues facing Singapore youth and whether social class status affected their perceptions of problems. The major problems reported include being pressured to keep up with schoolwork, worrying about the future, and needing help with schoolwork.
A considerable degree of congruence was found in terms of how lower- and middle-class youths ranked their problems. The path for Singapore youth growing into adulthood is one that reflects the stress and pressure of a dynamic, modern society with changing social and cultural values.
One effective way to address this issue would be by making use of education as a means to spread the Word to them. Another method would be to set up a Christian-based tuition centre that will provide extra help for those who come from low income families and cannot afford tuition fees. Fees will be 50% that of the average rate market place. Teachers will be church volunteers who are willing to encourage and teach youths who need direction and support. This will not only enable students to gain extra help academically, but it will also be a source of spiritual encouragement to those who feel left behind in this highly competitive system we live in.
However the limitations would be that many may not come due to the lack of experience since the teachers are volunteers that could just be graduates after A or O levels. The ability to reach out is also dependent on the willingness of the parents to allow students to come to a tuition centre that is Christian based.
Another method we can use to fulfil the great commission is through the use of social media. Social media can be a double edged sword that must be used carefully to bring people to Christ rather than to stumble them. Quoting Kuik Shiao Lin, co-founder of Food for thought and nominated Member of Parliament (MP), “Business Entrepreneurship is the way to go in reaching out to others.” With Singapore expanding the arts scene, by making use of mass media, we can reach out to the youths by setting up a business that deals with promotes the talents and gifts that youths from the girls and boys home have.
Girls’ and Boys’ homes are places whereby juveniles are rehabilitated through casework and therapy, education and personal mastery. This business will deal more with the personal mastery aspect whereby sound habits, attitudes and values are built. All proceeds will go to supporting the Singapore Girls’ and Boys’ homes under MSF (Ministry of Social and Family development). In this way, it not only gives hope to these youths, but also a sense of ownership and desire to use their gifts for God’s glory.
Through raising awareness of their talents to people online, it’ll be easier for them to integrate back into society once they come out of the homes. Talents could range from baking, singing, dancing, writing, drawing, playing an instrument etc. However the limitations are that these youths from girls’ and boys’ homes may not have the confidence to show their gifts/talents, or they could be unaware of their gifts. In this case, it may be unsustainable as well.
In order to counter this, churches could send volunteers to organise classes that will not only be able to better identify and discover their gifts, but to also to teach them new skills that they can take ownership of.
In conclusion, with the youth being the future of the nation, we should do whatever we can to reach out to them, to show them that “(God) has a plan for (them), declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give (them) a future and a hope.” Jeremiah 29:11 (ESV).
Tiffany Toh
STEP 2015
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