Testimonies > > John Teo
Leaders & Staff TestimoniesI started neglecting my
studies at 13 and got into bad company. I learnt to play truant, smoke and
fight, and joined a secret society. I was sent to the Boys’ Home soon after I quit
school. Instead of changing for the better, things got worse for me. After I
was released from the home I tattooed my body and engaged in extortion. Later I
was sent to Reformation Training Centre. I was imprisoned 8 times in total but
that did not change my life.
In 2003, I was nabbed again for ICE consumption,
but I jumped bail during parole and escaped to Bangkok. There, I spent all my
money on drugs, and when I ran out of money I resorted to robbery. I was
successful at first but was finally arrested. The Thai court handed me a jail
sentence of 10 years and 8 months. Thanks to God I joined a Christian
fellowship in the Thai prison and learnt to pray and study the Bible. One day I
was surprised by a visit from a missionary couple from Holland. Although I did
not know them they treated me like their spiritual son. They visited me and encouraged
me with God’s word and sent me clothing and some living allowance. I really
felt the great love and surpassing grace of the Heavenly Father through people
like this couple who genuinely cared for me.
I was later granted the Thai king’s
pardon and my sentence was reduced by 6 years. When I returned to Singapore in
2008 I was sentenced to 15 months’ jail for jumping bail. During my
imprisonment, I continued my daily routine of prayer and Bible-reading. I also
participated in the Christian worship services. I was grateful to the staff
from Breakthrough Missions who counselled me. I saw how their lives had been transformed,
which ignited in me the desire to be changed as well, and I cried to Jesus for
help and guidance.
Thank God for hearing my prayers. “So
if the Son makes you free, you will be free indeed.” After my release on 22
October 2008, I opted to join Breakthrough Missions for discipleship training.
I have been a full-time staff at Breakthrough for more than 10 years now. I also
work as a volunteer prison counsellor, preaching the Gospel and bringing
comfort and encouragement to the inmates. This is to put into action what the
Scripture teaches, “…when you have turned again, strengthen your brethren.”
(Luke 22:32)
I thank God for His grace! I have
been serving in Queenstown Methodist Church and participating actively in its
ministries, including joining a mission trip to Indonesia to teach children
reading and Bible stories and to help spruce up the homes of the poor. I have been
sharing my testimonies and preaching the Gospel to people in countries like
Cambodia, the Philippines, Indonesia, Malaysia and Hong Kong. “Fight the
good fight of the faith; take hold of the eternal life to which you were called
when you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses.” It is
all God’s grace. May all glory, power and praise be given to our Abba Father
God! Amen!