From left: Patrick Boea, Jr., Greg Biggs, Anthony Fellis, Joel Parlour and Anthony Franklin

“Then I heard a loud voice in heaven say: ‘Now have come the salvation and the power and the kingdom of our God, and the authority of his Christ. For the accuser of our brothers, who accuses them before our God day and night, has been hurled down. They overcame him by the blood of the lamb and by the word of their testimony…’” Revelation 12:10-11

One of the exciting things about being a disciple of Christ is that God has given all of His followers a testimony, and when we share our stories we can see Satan hurled to the ground before our eyes. I thank God that I can even write and share my story. If it wasn’t for His power and beautiful grace, I wouldn’t even have the opportunity to share what God has done in my life. If it wasn’t for God, I would be dead, or worse yet, separated from Him for eternity. I thank God that I even have a testimony. Being a kingdom kid, I grew up around the Bible and saw the International Church of Christ (ICOC) in its prime. I went to science class and heard the teacher trying to denounce God. This provided me with enough evidence to know that there is a God and that the Bible is His word. At a young age I learned right from wrong according to God’s word and because I was aware of God’s standards, I would walk around knowing I was going to hell. I had no hope at all. I remember even trying to make a deal with Satan, asking him to take it easy on me when I got there. I remember that sin had completely taken over my life. I became more sexually active, more violent, and at the age of sixteen I began to dream of becoming a con artist or someone who scammed people for their money. I wanted to live dangerously because I didn’t care about my life and sadly enough, I didn’t care about God.

I’ll never forget August 25, 2004: the day God MADE me surrender. I was at a “drop point” for $20,000 worth of dirty money. I was arrested, beaten, and mocked. I cried as they told me that I had committed a class D felony and that it was worth six years in prison. I had no way out, at least that’s what I thought at the time. But then I considered God as my way out. I prayed that night like I’d never done before”¦and hoped for a miracle.

Initially I was told that I would be in jail for six months, but the very next day I was summoned to go to court. I was appointed a lawyer who fought very hard for me. I asked him, “How did I get you?” and he told me that something had happened to his client the night before. I looked at him in shock. To this day I still get goose bumps when I think about it. It actually turned out that the same night I had prayed, his client had gotten into a car accident and didn’t need his services that day! There is a God and He is truly amazing!

As my situation unfolded, this lawyer helped me to work out a deal with the D.A. that had only been offered to two people over the last thirty years. I was set free with no record and no time served. On October 24, 2004 I gave my heart, mind, body and soul to God and I was baptized. I studied the Bible with my closest friends Greg Biggs, Ronniel Herron, Andrew Smellie (Central New York Church of Christ Evangelist), Chris Broom (Chicago International Christian Church Evangelist), and Joel Parlour (my best friend since age 7).

To this very day whenever I can feel a cold breeze, I remember the cell that Satan and my sin had led me to. Therefore I’m glad to fight for my Lord who set me free. I love Him with all of my heart and I always will!

Patrick Boea Jr.

Categories: Campus Ministry, Testimonials