I began a new quarterly series in 2026 to interview disciples of Christ who serve God outside the church walls. I interviewed lay Christians in 2024 and pastors of various churches in Singapore in 2025.
Third in this series is Jaris Koh, the founder of The Now Testament.
Related Posts:
- Interviews: Lay Christians in 2024
- Interviews: Pastors of Singapore Churches in 2025
- Interviews: Kingdom Workers in 2026
- All interviews
Who is Jaris Koh?
Jaris Koh (@jariskoh) is the founder of The Now Testament, serving as its executive producer and creative director while leading a volunteer team in producing films and podcasts that capture stories of God at work today. He also works at a mission organisation and Beacon Media Solutions.
After graduating from the Yong Siew Toh Conservatory of Music, NUS, with Honours in Audio Arts and Science and a minor in Sociology, Jaris has worked across roles from audio‑visual engineer to assistant producer, building a multidisciplinary foundation for his filmmaking journey.
He now worships at World Revival Prayer Fellowship, where he is supported by a community of like‑minded individuals who also serve in various para‑organisations engaged in mission work.
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About The Now Testament
Can you tell us more about The Now Testament?
The Now Testament (“TNT”) (@thenow.sg) is a Singapore-based Christian media ministry dedicated to documenting what God is doing in our generation. Through documentaries, testimonies, videos and podcasts, we create content that builds faith, reaches the lost and captures real stories of transformation across nations. Our vision is to evangelise, disciple digitally, and mobilise witnesses and storytellers for the nations.
Currently, the ministry is run by a dedicated team of 20 volunteers. If you’re interested in volunteering with us, whether as a filmmaker, editor, producer, or other creative, we’d love to hear from you.
The Past
Looking back…
How did you come to accept Christ?
I’m a second-generation Christian, but for most of my life, going to church was more of a family routine than a personal conviction. I started to drift away from church at 17, drawn to worldly pleasures, believing my falling away was predestined and that I simply wasn’t one of the elect.
I turned to alcohol, drugs, and nightlife to cope with an existential crisis. I even played dark music in a rock band. Once, I found myself unable to explain why suffering exists during a university class, despite growing up as a Christian. A friend then challenged me to examine my faith more critically and introduced me to books, including Friedrich Nietzsche’s writings on nihilism. I embraced that worldview, but it only made life feel heavier.
I later dated a Catholic girlfriend and subconsciously hoped that she would lead me back to God. Instead, she broke up with me after a few months because she realised I wasn’t really a Christian but someone filled with skepticism and pride. I was heartbroken. Everything spiralled downward. I got depressed and hated God. I became an arrogant, nihilistic person who preached against Christianity. I would tell people around me that Christianity was all just about therapy.
Workplace stress and anxiety piled on top of that. One day, I couldn’t take it anymore and wanted to end my life. Thank God, my friends answered my call of distress and met up with me. I told them I’d tried everything to have peace, but nothing worked. When they didn’t know what to say anymore, my friend’s girlfriend asked, “Have you tried going back to church?”
I froze at the question. “Sure, whatever,” I muttered what they wanted to hear so they could let me go out of their sight and head home.
But the next day, I was still heavy with anxiety. I sat in my room drunk, crying and thinking about the pointlessness of my life. Then a phone notification sounded, and it was from the Bible app, which by grace was still not uninstalled despite my misgivings. The verse of the day popped up, it’s Proverbs 3:5-6 (NIV): “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him, and he will make your paths straight”.
I knew instantly what it meant.
I knelt and prayed for the first time in years: “God, are You speaking to me right now? If You are loving, forgiving, the giver of joy and peace, please take this sorrow from me.”
I woke up the next morning with a peace I couldn’t explain. Strangely, I didn’t think of any sad thoughts that day. Also that same day, a new colleague showed me unexpected kindness, giving me a glimpse of unconditional love. Soon after, I asked my friend if I could visit his church that Sunday.
You can watch my full video testimony: I Told God I’ll See Him in Hell Then THIS Happened (Testimony)
How were you called to start The Now Testament (“TNT”)?
God equipped me before He called me to start TNT.
Music has always been part of my life. I earned a diploma in music before my degree, played in the NS military band, and even formed a rock band. But the turning point came in 2020, when I took a module about audio in university. One of our projects required us to form a team and run a livestream.
For the first time, I saw what happened behind the scenes of video production, and I loved it. I picked things up quickly too. Soon, I found myself interning at Mediacorp and helping out at live concerts in performing arts schools. And when I graduated in 2024, I landed my dream job at Channel NewsAsia (“CNA”) shooting documentaries. I had always enjoyed watching documentaries. So it seemed to be a place where I could pursue my passion while building my portfolio of industry experience.
But during my three-month probation at CNA, God knocked on my heart harder than ever and revealed more of His plan. I learned that sometimes He gives us what we think we want, in my case the CNA job, only for us to realise it isn’t what our heart truly desires. It became a season of pruning and decluttering, where my calling grew clearer and more real.
After quitting, I applied to companies that produced more heartfelt or Christian content, like Our Grandfather Story. I went for interviews, but companies were not getting back to me. Those two months were quiet.
During that free time, I began filming and uploading videos on YouTube, setting up a para‑church channel called The Now Testament. This name had been on my heart for some time, because it shows how God works not only in the Old and New Testaments, but also in the now. I started with filming testimonies because when I returned to Christ, I could watch testimonies for hours every night, sometimes four hours straight.
Then my friend invited me on a one‑month mission trip. I immediately remembered how wasted it felt not bringing my camera on my previous mission trip before CNA. I heard so many powerful testimonies and witnessed incredible work in the field, yet captured none of it. So for this trip, I pitched the idea of filming a documentary to my friend.
During the trip, I met many pastors and missionaries who helped me discern my calling and cleared up the clutter in my heart. One American missionary family proposed three paths for me to consider:
- Go back to life as usual.
- Give YWAM Nepal DTS a try first before venturing out.
- Give myself six months to build TNT and think of it as an invitation from God rather than a burden. If it’s from God, things will happen.
Also on this trip, a pastor asked me a rhetorical question: Why are people not responding to the call? That’s because people have not seen the suffering, and thus their hearts are not moved.
This verse also came to me:
Then He said to His disciples, “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”
Matthew 9:37-38 (NKJV)
So I accepted the invitation (option 3) and asked God to show me three signs to confirm that I was on the right path: money, people, and partnerships with churches and the Body of Christ. I didn’t want to be a lone ranger chasing a delusional vision.
The first five months were extremely difficult, and I cried so many times. I faced spiritual attacks almost every month, and felt persecuted by my friends and family. They told me not to be this radical and thought that this calling was impractical. By the end of the fifth month, I was ready to look for a full‑time job when the time was up.
But in the sixth month, things started changing. Mission agencies and churches began approaching me with finances and opportunities to film.
From the testimonies and documentaries, what inspired the expansion into podcasts and street interviews?
As more volunteers joined the ministry, TNT was able to scale up its operations. We truly saw the Holy Spirit inspiring the team with ideas and creating a synergy among the members.
There’s a process flow for what we are doing. It begins with street interviews, where we speak with backslidden Christians and pre‑believers, with them as the target audience of these videos as well. At the end of each interview, we give interviewees a card linking to our videos. From there, we hope they will eventually discover our podcasts, where we talk about church hurt, doctrines, and questions pre‑believers often have.
As they encounter truth, accept and grow in their faith, our documentaries serve to move mature believers to take part in missions. And finally, the testimonies record stories of those who have stepped out in faith and to encourage others to do the same. Or testimonies of lives changed to reach out to those struggling the same but yet to know of God’s grace.
What are the most memorable lessons or insights you had serving in this ministry?
One of the most memorable lessons I’ve learned is that God is faithful in every season. Even when I couldn’t see anything happening, He was working in the background.
I also realised that God’s calling is rarely easy. It doesn’t mean the journey will be all smooth sailing. Ministry itself becomes a test, revealing whether we are truly committed to the work He has entrusted to us.
My faith has deepened so much through this journey. Friends even told me that surviving those first six months was a testimony in itself.
If given a chance to return in time, is there anything you would do differently?
If I could go back in time, I wouldn’t panic so much. I often wondered why I was worrying so much. I would tell the me from last year, “Don’t worry, God is watching over you.”
Anything to make you say “God works all things good”?
Every valley I walked through shaped me emotionally and spiritually, preparing me for the work I’m doing today. Beyond the hard skills I picked up even before starting TNT, my season of depression also “trained” me. I learned to guard my heart and anchor my faith in Him rather than in people. For example, volunteers come and go because they may not be as committed to staying at TNT as me, so learning to lean on God as my constant companion instead of on people is important.
Looking back, all my experiences had a purpose and make me say that God truly works all things for good.
The Present
Looking at now…
What is your “job scope” now?
Besides being the director and executive producer at TNT, I oversee and schedule our team of volunteers. I’m involved in fundraising as well, and I attend Christian conferences and events to share about TNT’s work and build new partnerships.
The donations we receive are solely for TNT. Since the funds are not enough to sustain me personally, I support myself through other work — handling communications at a mission organisation and overseeing digital and social media campaigns at Beacon Media Solutions.
How have churches supported this ministry?
When I first started, I hoped my home church would endorse TNT so the ministry could gain credibility and have spiritual covering. But the church had its own ministry projects, and the leaders weren’t confident about mentoring me because it was a niche area they had little experience in. So I prayed for almost a year, asking God to move and plant me in the right church and provide the support I needed.
I had been visiting different churches when I had to return a camera to a TNT volunteer, who then invited me to his church to pass the camera back to him. There, I met peers who were serving in para‑church organisations, advocating for missions, or were missionaries themselves. They understood my ministry, and after a few more visits, I planted myself in that church.
Moreover, in recent months, more churches have invited TNT to collaborate, which gave the ministry credibility. Pastors I partnered with have also said, ‘Come by for coffee if you need advice.’ On top of that, I’ve received support from people in other mission organisations.
Through all this, God has shown me that He’s building a wider community and providing support for this work in ways different from what I first expected or thought I needed.
How do you deal with difficult people or people who don’t like you?
Every volunteer comes with their own expectations and working style, so conflicts are bound to happen. I prefer to talk things through, because avoiding issues only allows seeds of bitterness to grow. And if I’m in the wrong, I’ll humble myself and apologise.
Even when we disagree, I make it a point to tell them, “I believe you’re a blessing in my life.” No matter how short their time with us has been, their willingness to serve is still an offering of love to the ministry. But if the disagreements continue in a way that affects the ministry or relationships, then we may need to part ways so the friendship can stay intact. I honour the friendships and want to protect them.
What are the joys of doing what you are doing?
The joy comes from seeing lives transformed, especially when someone encounters God or reconnects with Him.
For example, a boy shared that he watched a testimony video about how Seth was hooked on dating apps until Jesus showed up. At that time, the boy himself was also addicted to dating apps, so the video spoke to him, and it led him back to church.
In this season, what is God speaking to you about or teaching you?
The ministry is at its peak now. I have become so busy with the projects. But God has been speaking to me that with every mountain, there will be a valley. I’m reminded not to become complacent or arrogant. Life is a journey, and there will be new challenges ahead. I need to guard my heart, stay humble, and remain vigilant against the prowling enemy.
What fruit of the Spirit do you think God is growing in you?
Through the first six months of persecution till now, I feel that God has been growing patience in me. The patience to endure trials and to wait for the fruit of the ministry, which takes time to grow.
What is your bible verse of the season?
Trust in the Lord with all your heart,
And lean not on your own understanding;In all your ways acknowledge Him,
Proverbs 3:5-6 (NKJV)
And He shall direct your paths.
The Future
Look forward...
What’s one piece of advice for people starting their own ministry outside of the church?
When I first started TNT, I naturally became less involved in my church. I used to be there three to four days a week for classes or serving, but doing both TNT and church at the same time would have burnt me out. Yet stepping away made me feel a little distanced from the community. If you’re starting your own ministry outside the church, you might come to the same crossroads. But from my own journey, I’ve learned that God will lead you to a place where you can be planted, supported, and ministered to as well. Keep praying and let Him guide you.
Another piece of advice would be to see ministry not just as a “calling” but as an “invitation”. This removes a lot of pressure. It becomes less about striving to fulfil a calling but more about partnering with God in what He is doing.
Where do you think God is leading you next?
When we had around ten volunteers in the past, I could journey closely with each person. But now that we have about twenty, I’m learning to restructure our workflow into three or four core teams and manage things at a more macro level.
Beyond the structural changes, I’m excited about the upcoming projects. With more partners and volunteers, TNT is now able to mobilise people through mission trips, you can now sign up on our website.
Even though we’re pausing the podcast series for now, two new video series are on the way. Look out for our card‑game series:
- Cards Against Christianity — a space for pre‑believers and hurt Christians to ask honest questions.
- Inter‑denominational card‑game conversations — where Christians from different denominations come together, play, and ask questions with one another.
There are also other creative video projects in the works, including collaborations involving fashion and coding. Not forgetting more documentaries coming up too!
Fun question: What would you be doing if you did not choose this path?
I will likely still be in video production, probably at CNA!
Editor’s Note
We thank Jaris Koh for sharing his journey and the insights he has gained from capturing stories and sharing them digitally. As I interview him, I can sense his heart to share stories to evangelise to pre-believers, reach out to backslidden Christians, and move hearts of Christians into missions. I pray that as he takes each step in faith, creative juices will continue to flow to form a new wineskin to reach out to the next generation. If this post speaks to you, feel free to leave a comment or send us a message to encourage Jaris.
If you liked this, you may enjoy reading other interviews too: darkslategray-chicken-145979.hostingersite.com/blog/category/interviews
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