Pastor Ivan Low was having lunch just before he was to speak at a Youth Lab session at the LoveSingapore Summit 2025 when God gave him a word.

“I don’t know how God speaks to you, but He speaks to me in Singlish. He said, ‘Don’t have doesn’t mean cannot.’

“I believe change is possible. God is going to reconcile all the brokenness that we have to Himself when we talk about the things and ways of Jesus.”

The truth that our lack does not limit God’s work has been borne out over and over again in Ps Ivan’s life and his ministry.

Although he was not particularly academically inclined, nor had he gone to a seminary, God still called him to be a pastor to a primarily Caucasian church in the US for several years. He is now a youth pastor at 3:16 Church.

Ps Ivan (centre) with Senior Pastor of 3:16 Church Ps Norman Ng (left) and the Senior Pastor of Faith Community Baptist Church, Ps Daniel Khong (right).

With that encouragement, Ps Ivan went on to share three ideas for attracting pre-believing youths and Christian youths who have yet to find a faith community in the church.

1. Alpha courses

In his 20s, God led Ps Ivan to the US where he was a pastor in a church in Dallas, Texas. 

There, he discovered Alpha, a course that introduces the basics of the Christian faith through a series of talks and discussions.

He began running Alpha courses to reach out to different sectors of society: High school students, college students, people from the suburbs and those from the community.

“It was just me over there hosting Alpha sessions with about 50 people. And mind you, I am Singaporean, very Singaporean – zero contacts, zero cultural knowledge. All I know about America is from Hollywood.

“But the Lord just sent me into a space because He wanted to change the environment. You may feel that your context is a little foreign. But the Lord has called you and raised you for such a time as this because the people in your community needs you, because you can make a difference.”

Over five years, Ps Ivan conducted about 10 runs of Alpha, reaching some 300 people. Of these, 50 became Christians and he baptised 20.

“When we come into a space that God has called us, when we respond in obedience, God can use us to do great things.”

Ps Ivan (second from left) learnt to run Alpha courses while in the US.

In Singapore, Ps Ivan also ran Alpha courses for youths. Over seven weeks, some 90 guests attended.  

Ps Ivan (front in red) at a Youth Alpha session.

“I believe that Alpha is the best method for evangelism. I have witnessed it in my life for the past five years. It has been the most rewarding thing that I’ve ever done.”

2. Reach out through friendship

Two years after he returned from the US to serve full-time at 3:16 Church, Ps Ivan moved from the Young Adult Ministry into the Youth Ministry.

Ps Ivan at a vision casting session with the youths of 3:16 Church.

“I was 33 back then. I’m not a teacher, my studies is terrible so I cannot give tuition, but (I said), ‘Lord, here I am.’”

God soon brought unlikely co-workers to the ministry.

At a bus stop one day, a youth struck up a conversation with Ps Ivan. As they chatted, Ps Ivan discovered that the youth was not integrated into his home church. They became friends and Ps Ivan encouraged him to return to his church to be discipled.

“After persuading him to go back to his church 10 times, I felt the Holy Spirit say, ‘Take him in.’”

After the youth joined 3:16 Church, he began sharing his faith with his peers. Out of that, another youth became a Christian and brought more people to the church.

“Our church began to grow. Our church began to be populated with pre-believers, with first-time believers.

“And you know what? Faith is contagious. You want to shake up your youth ministry, you preach the Gospel. For the Gospel is the power for salvation for those who believe (Romans 1:16).

“When they see, ‘Man, this youth is on fire about the Father’s business, I also want to be about the Father’s business.’”

Ps Ivan (left in grey) with the youths in his church.

Modelling the strategy of being in spaces where young people are and connecting with them has helped the youths in his church catch the “heart of evangelism”.

3. Be fearless in inviting them

To gather more participants for a youth camp, Ps Ivan once stood in a public place with a banner that publicised the event.

“Jesus said, ‘Invite people to the feast. If they don’t come, go and find other people.’ We were there looking for people to come.”

In the end, five people saw the banner and went to the camp. One received Jesus as His Lord and Saviour.

“It’s not about how many show up. It’s about who showed up. For the one that comes, I invite 50. The hustle is real. Will you hustle for the Kingdom of God?

“Every number represents not just a digit, but a soul.”

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