1 QUOTE

John, you could be a writer!

- Yung Soon Teter

1 NOTE

When I was 12 years old, my 4th grade field trip was spending a day Universal Studios (I know, this is such an LA-thing to do). I loved learning about films, seeing studio sets where movies were filmed, and I will never forget how scared I was when Jaws jumped out of the water. Universal Studios was hosting a Southern California wide writing contest. At the end of the field trip, every child was given the assignment to write an essay about what they learned.  The winner would receive a year-long pass and a monetary scholarship that would be awarded to their school. I turned in my writing assignment not thinking much of the contest. But two months later at a school assembly it was announced that I won the writing contest! My dear mother, a first-generation Korean immigrant, who taught second-grade in Los Angeles for 45 years, told me I had a gift and encouraged me, “John, you could be a writer!”

Today, writing is a big part of my life. I am a church planting pastor and mission leader based out of West Long Beach and Compton. I have walked the hard and lonely road of authoring books.I write sermons every week.  I write a weekly update for our church, Holy Faith Fellowship. I write every Friday in my weekly Sabbath journal.  I have written a daily journal since I became a Christian 32 years ago. I have a strong writing habit.

But for 2025, and going forward, I have decided to stop writing my daily journal. The Holy Spirit told me that it is time to write about what the Father has taught me to encourage others, especially emerging leaders in their 20s. My plan is to write articles on the Word, discipleship, fellowship, evangelism and life-long leadership development. And once a week, I will pen this newsletter.

1-1-1 is my weekly encouragement to help you finish the race of faith. My mentor, Dr. J. Robert Clinton, wrote a weekly MMM (Monday Morning Memo) that he sent out to his students. This was my second favorite email in my 20s. (My favorite emails were always from my now wife, Becky Sato). While Bobby’s MMMs never made my heart skip a beat, they did chip-away to lay a Kingdom foundation. The impact was great over the course of decades and essential for my development in my 20s. The MMMs helped me as I learned what it meant to finish well. I loved Monday mornings because of Bobby. I hope you will come to look forward to Tuesdays because of the 1-1-1.

1 QUESTION

Do you have a writing habit? How does writing impact your life and ministry today?

Until next Tuesday,

John Teter

Pastor, mission leader, author