Youths who kept faith despite severe illness among winners of 2025 Thir.st Youth Inspiration Award

We worship no one but Jesus. But the Bible tells us to outdo one another in honour. (Romans 12:10) Since 2016, Salt&Light and the other websites on the Thirst Collective have published thousands of stories of believers whose obedience to God has seen lives, communities, and even nations, transformed. This year, to recognise these heroes of faith […] The post Youths who kept faith despite severe illness among winners of 2025 Thir.st Youth Inspiration Award appeared first on Salt&Light.

Religion Oct 6, 2025 0 3 Add to Reading List

Youths who kept faith despite severe illness among winners of 2025 Thir.st Youth Inspiration Award

We worship no one but Jesus. But the Bible tells us to outdo one another in honour. (Romans 12:10)

Since 2016, Salt&Light and the other websites on the Thirst Collective have published thousands of stories of believers whose obedience to God has seen lives, communities, and even nations, transformed.

This year, to recognise these heroes of faith who labour in love for God and community, and to invite support for their ministries, we are pleased to announce the inaugural 2025 Salt&Light Inspiration Awards.

The seven categories in the 2025 Salt&Light Inspiration Awards are:

Creation Care Award
Stories of Hope and hhm.sg Evangelism Award
Missions Impact Award
Marketplace Impact Award
Caleb Award (Age 65 and above)
Thir.st Youth Inspiration Award (Age 21 and below)
2025 Salt&Light Inspiration Award

The winners of the 2025 Thir.st Youth Inspiration Award (Age 21 and below) demonstrate godly conviction and commitment to making a positive impact on their community.

The 2025 Thir.st Youth Inspiration Award winners are: Ashley Chean, Jaryl Wee, Ryan Lim and Tammie Ong.

(Catch the winners of the other categories on Salt&Light all this week.)

ASHLEY CHEAN, YWAM, Chapel of the Holy Spirit

When Ashley’s father, the late Joseph Chean, Director of YWAM Singapore, passed away suddenly in a car accident, Ashley gave this eulogy: “Moses’ time is over; it is time for the Joshuas to rise up.” That eulogy clocked 39,000 views on YouTube.

As part of YWAM’s Discipleship Training School leadership team, she collaborated in dynamic, cross-cultural environments to mentor and develop young leaders, and led a multi-generational outreach team overseas.

How did you get started?

“I was born into a family that knew who Love was. I grew up getting to know Him through conversations around the dinner table, nightly family devotions and the delight of knowing that He would provide for our every need.

“My parents showed me that loving others was only an extension of who Love is.”

How was God present in your journey?

“I never felt Love as close as the night my father died. Love was enough. The news flipped a switch in all of us – but especially my family. My dad understood that Jesus didn’t just love him, He loved the nations.

“So I spent the next two years in the nations, seeing how Love transcended borders, languages and cultures. Love walked the war-torn streets, stood among the rich and poor, and sat in the homes of prostitutes. He did not shy away from the dirty, proud, sick, or bitter. I saw how gently Love loved, restoring lives from cities to slums.

“Love longs to make Himself known through you.”

JARYL WEE, Praying Schools, Poly Revival

In 2019, Jaryl co-pioneered the Poly Revival ministry and the youth-initiated campus prayer networks of Praying Schools.

He trusted the Lord’s call not to give up in building a space where prayer group leaders gather to pray, fellowship and encourage one another to win their schools for Jesus. His heart is to see his generation embrace the Father’s love for them.

How did you get started?

“In secondary school, I felt a call to lead my peers into deeper prayer and worship. As I obeyed, God surrounded me with incredible friends and mentors who would champion me and correct me. This desire to see my generation passionate for Revival and the Gospel followed me through my poly days. Now, in Praying Schools and Poly Revival, I journey with and mentor many youths who shared the same zeal as me for God to have his way in our schools!

“I believe God has a heart for the lost and He calls us (even as youths) to be His hands and His feet.”

How have you seen God in your journey?

“I have seen God show up in cafes, parks, school corridors and canteens, in streets – wherever youths operating under the power and leading of the Holy Spirit reach the lost.

“I pray that we will abide in the Father’s House and mature as Sons and Daughters to bring an orphaned generation back to Him.”

RYAN LIM, Covenant Evangelical Free Church

Ryan was diagnosed with autoimmune hepatitis when he was five, then pancreatitis at 13, and eventually primary sclerosing cholangitis – a rare disease attacking the bile ducts – which eventually led to liver failure.

Living with pain and an enlarged liver while waiting for a transplant did not dim Ryan’s love for God. The teenager continued serving on the AV team of his church.

Ryan now has a new liver and new level of faith.

How did you get started?

“From the age of five, my life was filled with doctor visits, blood tests and medications. While other kids were at playgrounds, I was in hospitals. I remember feeling weak and different. I didn’t really see God as my God. I thought of Him as my family’s God. Deep down, I doubted He would heal me.

“Over time, I realised He had a plan, even if I couldn’t see it.

How have you seen God in your journey?

“My biggest turning point came with my transplant. Before that, God didn’t feel personal. But after, I encountered Him as Healer, Saviour and Comforter.

“One thing I learned along the way is that a church is more than a building. It’s family. A family that cares, listens and encourages. Serving in church showed me that God gives each of us talents, and we’re meant to use them for Him.

“This journey has strengthened my faith, taught me patience and shown me to trust God’s timing.”

TAMMIE ONG, Hearts Alive Church

During her first semester in poly, Tammie was diagnosed with gastrointestinal dysmotility and dysautonomia, leaving her reliant on a gastrostomy tube for nutrition and causing constant fatigue and pain.

She used her TikTok and Instagram platforms to be a chronic illness advocate, delivering a TED talk in 2023, and raising S$23,000 for charities like Make-a-Wish Singapore and the Rare Disorder Society.

In the midst of her challenges, Tammie was baptised, and shares her testimony publicly.

How did you get started?

“When my illness began in 2021, my health deteriorated quickly, and stripped of everything I once loved, there were moments when all I could do was pray.

“What felt like loss became the very thing that drew me closer to Him. God’s greatest gift to me during this journey was the community at Hearts Alive, whose love and care helped me understand what it means to walk with Him.”

How do you see God is your journey?

“God can use even my brokenness – it is a reflection of the hope He brings in the midst of trials. Even in the deepest suffering, God’s goodness never fades. Life on earth is short and full of trials, but His plans are always greater than ours.

“My hope for this ministry is simply to give others that same hope, to remind them that no matter how dark things may seem, even at death’s door, God’s light still shines through, and His love is enough to carry us through.”