Singapore (MNN) — Matthew Poh, the founder and owner of The Caffeine Experience in Singapore, isn’t an ordinary coffee entrepreneur. His journey actually began behind prison walls. Yet, Poh has gone on to make a difference in the lives of former inmates just like himself.
Eight years ago, Poh was serving time in prison. He says his life changed when he met Pastor Paul Tan, the Asia Regional Director for Crossroads Prison Ministries.
Matthew Poh, Crossroads graduate and founder of The Caffeine Experience. (Screenshot courtesy of Crossroads Prison Ministries)
“I wanted to take a degree in Bible studies, but it’s too expensive. I [would] have to wait six months or so. Pastor Paul said that if you can complete this entire [Crossroads] course, you can actually reach the stage of a diploma.”
Poh says, “I felt at that point in time it was like a prayer answered because I had not raised the funds and I just couldn’t wait, and then the whole course landed in front of me!”
Poh completed the Crossroads Bible study courses. However, as Poh looked to the future and spoke with fellow inmates, “All of them said, ‘Look, it’s almost close to impossible to get a decent job out there after you leave prison.’
“So I thought about it and said maybe I should start an enterprise because I’ve been a businessman for the last 20 years…. And with that, we thought if you do coffee business, you might have a long runway to help your friends or your brothers train and re-establish and reconnect back into the society.”
After Poh’s release, The Caffeine Experience was born. The cafe’s tagline is Brewing Coffee and Second Chances.
Poh explains, “The original idea of The Caffeine Experience was to provide a place where ex-offenders can restart their life.
“All this was because of the faith-based programming that I’ve encountered in the past with Crossroads Prison Ministries because they provided me a different view of my life.”
For every believer — whether or not prison time is part of their story — Jesus offers grace, love, and second chances by the power of His blood and sacrifice. Praise God for lives changed through Crossroads’ Gospel ministry!
Learn more about Crossroads Prison Ministries here.
Representative header photo, courtesy of Nathan Dumlao/Unsplash.
