A powerful movement appears to be taking root within the local church community: A move towards heart-to-heart connection in fathering.

Spearheaded by Elijah7000, a Christian fathers movement, a new wave of Pastors and leaders are seeking to deepen the impact of fatherhood both within the family and the broader community.

Building on the legacy of Dads for Life, which has reached hundreds of thousands of fathers since 2009, this initiative focuses on the belief that when fathers arise, families flourish and the Church stands strong.

ICAN for Pastors: From awareness to activation

On March 2, a sense of expectation filled the room as 22 Pastors and ministry leaders gathered at Father’s House. They represented 13 churches from diverse backgrounds, including Methodist, Presbyterian, Baptist, Assemblies of God, Independent, and para-church streams.

The centerpiece of the gathering was ICAN, a signature workshop by the Centre for Fathering (CFF). Led by CFF co-founder and master trainer Edwin Choy, the workshop provides fathers with a “dashboard” of focus areas for their journey:

• I for Involvement: Engaging in meaningful activities together with your children 
• C for Consistency: Being reliable and fulfilling commitments made to your children 
• A for Awareness: Keeping up to date on what is happening in your children’s life 
• N for Nurturance: Expressing love through actions and words, providing security and confidence 

Master trainer Edwin Choy teaching the ICAN workshop.

However, the event quickly moved beyond technical frameworks. 

“Something far more significant happened,” said the event organisers. “Walls came down. Stories were shared. And a collective realisation emerged: Fathering is not just a personal responsibility – it is a spiritual mandate”.

Reflections from spiritual leaders

The workshop turned into a “holy moment” for the leaders present, who found themselves pondering a critical question: “How can we help fathers grow to reflect the Fatherhood of God at home?”

Several participants shared how the experience shifted their perspectives.

A Pastor from Faith Sanctuary said: “I need to go beyond being physically present to being emotionally present … listening to understand, having fun, and holding back judgment. My deepest desire is to empower fathers and see a movement spill into the community”.

A Pastor from Bukit Batok Presbyterian Church shared: “I’m encouraged by fathers trying their best to be good fathers – it makes me want to be a better father too. I hope more from my church will attend.”

A ministry leader from Pentecost Methodist Church commented: “I’ve learned to listen with curiosity … and community sharing helped me realised my struggles are not unique. This is a safe space for fathers to be vulnerable without judgment.”

Pastors and ministry leaders from 13 churches and parachurch organisations were keen to introduce the ICAN programme to fathers in their churches.

One ministry leader from Every Nation Church expressed: “My best hope is that fathers will arise and take charge to lead their families. Discipleship must happen at home – not be sublet to the church”.

One Pastor from St James Church noted: “If fathers step up, the church will move forward in raising the next generation. I hope we can run ICAN in our church for all the fathers”.

Others took note of the importance of community and consistency. A ministry leader from Glad Tidings Church noted that “time investment is the most important factor in building a lasting and trusting relationship with our children”. 

A growing movement

The impact of this first run of ICAN for Pastors was immediate: 90% of participants expressed strong interest in the Train-the-Trainer programme, which has the potential to positively impact churches and their flocks all across Singapore.

“ICAN is not just a training, it is a catalyst,” the organisers explained. “It is a reawakening of identity: Fathers rediscovering their role as spiritual leaders at home; leaders recognising that strong families are the foundation of a strong church and communities beginning to envision a movement of transformed fatherhood.

Founder of Dads for Life and Elijah7000, Jason Wong addressing the leaders on the second wave of fatherhood.

“Because when fathers rise as priests, protectors, and nurturers, the next generation doesn’t just survive – it thrives.

“At the core of this mission is a simple but powerful belief: If we can equip every Christian father with even one practical tool, we can change families, strengthen churches, and impact the nation.”

To support this, Elijah7000 offers a suite of free, transformative programmes to support this vision, including the signature ICAN Fathering Workshop, father-child bonding experiential sessions, and parenting talks such as “The Fathering Difference” and “Navigating the Teen Years”.

The ultimate goal is to raise a generation of fathers who love intentionally and lead spiritually according to God’s design.

Join the movement

Pastors, ministry leaders, and fathers are invited to attend the next ICAN Fathering Workshop to learn about a child’s inner and outer worlds and pick up practical tools for emotional nurturance.

Date: Saturday, 9 May 2026

Time: 9:00 am to 4:00 pm

Location: Father’s House, 173A Geylang Rd, S389245

Fee: $20 (Includes lunch and refreshments)

For more information or to partner with the movement, contact [email protected] or visit their Instagram at @elijah7000.movement

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