By Yong Soo Li
One of our concerns is “How can we build lifelong evangelists who remain outreach-focused when they enter the workforce, parenthood and even retirement?” National Director, Richard Tan, puts it this way, “How can we build lasting, impactful leadership for relevant youth evangelism in the generations ahead?”
The Executive Leadership Team (ELT) comprising Richard, Laurent Tan, Eric Teo, James Lee and Wang Qiu Yue discerned that navigating youth evangelism would only become more uncertain in a rapidly evolving world. They recognised that if fragmented thinking were to creep in, it would hinder their ability to provide clear direction and make sound decisions. Out of this shared conviction, the Built to Last 6Cs Model (or BTL6 for short. Diagram inside) was formed to serve as a holistic framework for gospel strategy and leadership.
Through a book reading fellowship time with SYFC board members, the ELT read Craig Hamilton’s book, Wisdom in Leadership. Laurent was particularly inspired by the chapter on recruitment principles. He thought the ideas could be built upon to develop enduring leaders for evangelism and apply into a young person’s context. He began to put together a few core areas SYFC should focus on and shared with fellow ELT members.
In early 2025, the ELT identified and concluded six key elements. They put in more thought like, “Which C can we drop? Which C can stand the test of time and trials?” and came up with a draft.
In July, former national director, Lim Chien Chong, passed to Eric a material by LeaderSource, an organization committed to building healthy Christian leaders all over the world. As the ELT engaged with the content, Laurent found most of the Cs he came up with matches the same 5Cs of LeaderSource. As Laurent and Eric engaged more with LeaderSource, what they learnt complemented and reaffirmed the foundational 6Cs they established earlier in the year. The ELT tested their 6Cs and found that most, if not all, situations a leader gets into fits into one of the Cs. Laurent even applied the 6Cs into his personal situations.
In October, the ELT facilitated the “Built To Last” Leaders Retreat based on the 6Cs. By God’s grace, the effort proved both meaningful and effective. Internal ministry leaders, other organisational leaders and a local pastor contributed to the content and meaning of the 6Cs for our context of youth evangelism. Younger leaders creatively coined the name, “BTL6 Model (Built to Last 6Cs).”
As Richard aptly comments, “These 6Cs are not new, but they frame us to think about building lifelong evangelists who will in turn train others to reach out. Our ultimate goal is that more youth hear the gospel.” For Laurent, “they are goals to grow towards, to nurture the heart and capabilities of every leader.” BTL6 Model (Built to Last 6Cs) is a guide for SYFC to think holistically, stay God-focused and cultivate Christ-centred leadership.
Putting our Lord Jesus Christ at the centre of everything we do will influence the other 5Cs. To grow in our 6Cs will require us to put in 4 steps in the process (Spiritual, Scriptural, Relational and Experiential). Ministry leaders need to develop and actualise these how-tos wisely and diligently.
In 2026, we will apply these 6Cs and 4 steps into the running of key events. For a start, Project Serve (January to March 2026) kicked off with a camp where daily time is spent learning God’s Word, reinforced through group devotion and solo time. Keeping the centrality of Christ, fostering Clarity in thinking and living out Scripture is the spiritual task before each project servant. They will enjoy the YFC Community of staff and volunteers of diverse ages. Through interaction, activities and reflection, we will nurture Character, Capacity and Competency.
As young people encounter overwhelming pressures and distractions, and increasingly experience despair, loneliness, apathy and purposelessness, as workers in the Lord’s harvest, we can only advance the gospel as we are led by God, able to lead ourselves and lead our young people.
