From Humble Seeds to a Global Harvest: Jesus Youth Singapore Celebrates 25 Years of Grace and Mission

Introduction

What began in 2001 as an unassuming encounter between two young men at Khatib MRT station has grown into a vibrant, multi-generational lay community woven deep into the fabric of the Archdiocese of Singapore. Over the past two and a half decades, Jesus Youth Singapore has journeyed quietly yet purposefully—nurturing faith in living rooms, campus corridors, hospitals, and corporate workplaces. In October 2026, this 25-year pilgrimage of grace culminated in GRACIA, a milestone jubilee conference that brought together hundreds of delegates, clergy, and international guests to celebrate God’s enduring faithfulness and to re-ignite the missionary call for the generations ahead.

GRACIA Jubilee Conference Marks 25 Years of Grace and Mission for Jesus Youth Singapore

SINGAPORE — Over 300 delegates, clergy, religious, and international guests gathered at Caritas Agape Village in Toa Payoh on 10 and 11 October 2026 for GRACIA, a two-day jubilee conference celebrating 25 years of the Jesus Youth movement in Singapore.

Held under the theme “Faithful Witness, Joyful Missionary,” the conference at Agape Village and the adjacent Good Shepherd Place marked a major milestone for Jesus Youth Singapore, bringing together members across generations to give thanks for two and a half decades of grace while renewing its commitment to formation, mission, and evangelisation across Southeast Asia.

Origins and Mission in Singapore

Jesus Youth is an international Catholic lay movement that originated in Kerala, India, in 1985 and received formal canonical recognition from the Holy See in 2016 as an International Private Association of the Lay Faithful. Centred on helping young people encounter Jesus Christ and live out the Gospel in daily life, its lifestyle is supported by six core spiritual habits known as the “Six Pillars”: Prayer, Word of God, Sacraments, Fellowship, Evangelisation, and Option for the Poor.

In Singapore, the movement’s origins trace back to 2001 through a humble seed planted by the Holy Spirit through Dexon John Netto, who had previously completed a one-year full-timership commitment in India before relocating to Singapore for work. Reaching out to Andrew Mendez, who had also been active in the movement back home, their simple first meeting at Khatib MRT station served as the humble seed from which Jesus Youth Singapore was born. What began as a small home prayer group nurtured by love and care, growing organically—person by person, one heart at a time—has since blossomed into an islandwide network serving students, nurses, working adults, professionals, teens, and families in full communion with the Archdiocese.

A Year of Prayer and Jubilee Highlights

The GRACIA conference encapsulated a year-long journey of thanksgiving launched in October 2025 at St Francis Xavier Retreat Centre in Punggol. Key initiatives included the commissioning of a custom designed Jubilee Cross, which was handed over from house to house across Singapore over the course of the year for daily family prayer. The jubilee year was also marked by 100 continuous days of Eucharistic Adoration before the Blessed Sacrament.

The two-day conference brought together 330 delegates across 13 nationalities. Day one featured keynotes by JY Southeast Asia Mission Coordinator Nobin Jose and conference coordinator Alex George Koppara, alongside practical formation sessions on integrating faith into daily life led by Linus Koh (Country Lead for Chosen Singapore), Manoj Sunny (Jesus Youth International Formation Director), and George Devassy (Jesus Youth International Mission Team). During Mass, Spiritual Director Rev. Fr. Frederick Quek encouraged members to cultivate quiet interior prayer and face life’s crosses courageously.

The evening Jubilee Rally featured a panel on faith journeys, a symbolic handing of a lit Jubilee Candle to children to signify passing the torch of faith, a poignant theatrical drama titled “Vocatus: The One Who Heard” by the Theatre Ministry, and an extended time of Eucharistic Adoration. The evening culminated in a powerful altar call, where many young people moved forward to surrender their lives anew and respond to the call of mission 

Day two focused on perseverance and mission, featuring a session on youth mental health by Clarity Singapore (“HOPE — Hold On, Pain Ends”) and an inspiring panel where members shared missionary outreach experiences across Cambodia, Vietnam, Japan, Malaysia, and Thailand. Throughout the conference, delegates were drawn to the IMAGO Pro-Life Exhibition, which invited participants to appreciate the sacred value of human life and deepen their understanding of Catholic moral teachings. A heart-touching skit performed by the Pro-Life Team moved many delegates to tears, leaving a lasting impression on the dignity of every human life. 

Cardinal Goh Celebrates Solemn Thanksgiving Mass

The conference culminated in a Solemn Thanksgiving Mass celebrated by His Eminence William Cardinal Goh, Archbishop of Singapore, who served as one of the early spiritual directors of Jesus Youth during its formative years. During the Mass, participants received a Partial Indulgence granted by the Vatican for the Jubilee Thanksgiving Mass.

In his homily, Cardinal William Goh commended Jesus Youth for growing “from strength to strength” over 25 years, praising its strong model of mentorship and leadership continuity. Reminding members that their primary identity is rooted in their Baptism rather than career status or professional titles, he reminded Jesus Youth to remain as an outward-looking “potent evangelical force”. He called delegates to “go back to Galilee”—returning to their first personal encounter with Christ—and treat their daily workplaces and schools as places of mission and stewardship.

Following Mass, the jubilee celebrations reached a joyful crescendo with the vibrant GRACIA Musical Concert. Led by the Jesus Youth Music Ministry, the atmosphere was electric as delegates lifted their voices in singing songs of praise. The high-energy concert brought generations together in joyous celebration, culminating in a powerful rendition of the jubilee theme song “Humble Seeds” and the beloved Jesus Youth action song classic, “Yes Lord”.

Reflecting on the milestone, Jesus Youth Singapore Coordinator Albin Sojan shared: “25 years guided by the Spirit is no small milestone. GRACIA was a thanksgiving celebration for this grace-filled journey, and at the same time, a new beginning with a deeper zeal to live out our calling to be faithful witnesses and joyful missionaries for Christ.”

Ultimately, GRACIA concluded with a renewed desire among delegates to live out the call—”Every Jesus Youth is a missionary”—in every aspect of daily life. Jesus Youth is a lifestyle and the lifestyle is for lifelong

Quotes 

Member Quote:

“Gathering with delegates from across Southeast Asia gave me fresh hope for our mission to strengthen vocations and pastoral ministry. The Thanksgiving Mass with Cardinal William Goh and Eucharistic Adoration brought deep peace to my heart—I felt so close to Jesus throughout.”

Mr. Koh Tien Loong Nicholas

“GRACIA was an unforgettable journey of faith, sacrifice, and fellowship, where months of preparing and serving together brought us closer as one family in Christ. Even through the challenges, I witnessed God’s faithfulness firsthand and was reminded that when we trust Him and give our best, He makes everything beautiful for His glory.” 

Mr. Jibin Shaji

Priest Quote:

“It is my first time in Singapore for GRACIA, a wonderful experience to see how a small seed is reaching out to so many people in the world. The panel sharing was so inspiring, seeing how God works in wonderful ways.”

Fr. Saji Steven

https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1u2ENcYr_vZEgR56tYf3wExx79PRIIt-p?usp=drive_link

☝️☝️☝️☝️ Singapore Jubilee photos