“Because Jesus is in the boat with you, you can have hope. There is always hope.”

That was the quote that stood out to me from my time at LoveSingapore Youth Fest 2025, held on a bustling Sunday afternoon that saw big crowds come to celebrate young people.

I was among the crowd, many of whom had bubble teas and acai in one hand and loot in the other from the flea market and these are some highlights from the day!

Discussing depression and finding hope

I was struck by the panel discussion between Dawson and Pin Jia, who shared their experiences with mental health struggles candidly.

Dawson talked about how an argument with his friend led to anxiety, depression and an eventual struggle to even find the purpose to live.

“When I’m in big social groups, I would feel very out of place and feel very nervous and anxious. I was stuck in that place for quite a while,” Dawson shared.

“A lot of it was just one step at a time… a lot of small steps that just kept me going, even though I didn’t see it at that point.”

Pin Jia shared about her longstanding journey with anxiety, depression and self-harm.

“It was so bad that nausea and insomnia became a part of my daily routine, so I did everything humanly possible to try to get better,” said Pin Jia. Though she tried counselling, volunteering an d researching ways to cope with self-harm and meditation, she still felt empty inside.

But then Pin Jia’s colleague invited her to an outreach service where she accepted Christ. Attending church and having a community to pray for her made a real difference for Pin Jia, who realised she had found the peace she had been looking for all her life.

“I always thought that I did a very good job covering up my anxiety and depression,” she revealed. “But it turns out my friends didn’t think so — they just didn’t want to push.

“Suddenly, a colleague came up to me saying, ‘Hey, you look happier recently!’ and that it looked like there was so much joy in my face.”

Dawson encouraged those struggling with mental health to be patient.

“I realised that in my journey, one of the easiest ways to lose hope is when you feel that you’re not progressing quickly enough.

“Freedom doesn’t just come when our storm is over or when circumstances become better. Freedom comes when we don’t let these struggles or pain become everything in our lives — and recognise that God is truly with us.”

A sermon on smiling amidst the storm

“Have we ever been in a situation before, where you, or someone around you, said: ‘Wah, die. Finish already — no hope?’”

“We need to remember this: Yes, the storm is scary, but you need to know that you can look to Jesus, the one who can calm the storm.”

Preaching on Mark 4:35-41, Senior Pastor Daniel Khong (Faith Community Baptist Church) shared how we can have hope amidst storms — by looking to Jesus.

Because Jesus was completely unfazed by the storm, Pastor Khong shared that Jesus is the source of our hope and not the things of this world or our own strength.

“It was Jesus’ idea for all of them to get in the boat. Jesus knew exactly what was going on, and He knew exactly what He was doing,” affirmed Pastor Khong.

“God doesn’t put us through a storm for nothing. He isn’t someone who is sadistic and just wants to watch us suffer or go through a tough time for his own entertainment.

“It is because he wants to bring us someplace new. He wants to bring us to some place to experience His goodness and His grace.”

Never too young for God to use

Since “Winning the Youth” is a strategic focus of LoveSingapore, Youth Fest 2025 also served as a great opportunity for youths to invite their pre-believing friends to come hear the Gospel.

Before the day ended, I went around to ask attendees what they thought of evangelism and the faith. Here’s what some of them had to say!

“Youth are the ones to really help take the world for Christ, and I think it’s important to not only reach out to them but also equip them and then also help them to reach out to their friends,” said Denver, a 25-year-old from Faith Community Baptist Church.

“Firstly, it starts with a personal revelation of God in their lives. Youths are at the age where they have their whole lives ahead of them, and that’s a key, malleable age in which we can inculcate the right values and right practices. This is something that will carry them through their whole life.”

“I also think a key way that youth can serve youths is, ‘Hey, let’s just be friends.’ They’re looking for friends, for community, for acceptance of who they are.

“If we can form strong communities that build up Christlike love for one another, I think that’s where we can win youths.”

If you missed out on this event, don’t worry because there will be more opportunities to come. Follow LoveSingapore on Instagram for the latest, and join the 40.Day Prayer Season from now till National Day as we intercede for Singapore.