No stranger to the limelight, Liu Geng Hong, or Will Liu, is a popular media personality in the Chinese entertainment industry. He has been appearing on the small screen since he was in high school. The Taiwan audience was introduced to him in his first television series "Jia Jia Fu," and he later went on to act in other series and even guest-starred in the hit movie, "Initial D" with his good friend—singer and producer Jay Chou.

In high school, the sports-lover was getting ready to pick up basketball as his elective until his teacher stepped in and had him take up singing instead. It was a move that stood him in good stead, he acknowledged, even though he never thought he could sing well. He shared, "I feel I have been blessed to have favor with many people, who not only recognized talent I never knew I had, they even helped me to further my potential." He was later appointed the leader of his singing group.

In addition to singing, Will is also an accomplished pianist. Watching him seated at a brilliant white grand piano in his Rainbow Heaven music video, it's almost hard to believe that Will used to find piano lessons a torture in his younger days. Forced to pick it up when he was only 8 years old, he said, "I struggled with this for three years before I finally begged my mother to let me off the hook!" These days, however, he uses the piano in accompaniment to his guitar while he pens down his music.

A GIFTED COMPOSER

His first songwriting attempt appears as the last song on his debut album, "Yi Kao." As it was a worship song, his record company was unable to market it like the other songs on the album. Hence, Will dug into his own pockets and personally arranged for the recording of the song. "Most of the other songs were messages to people that there is hope worth living for, but I included this song to encourage the Christians, to tell them that there is at least one person who wants to make a stand. I want it to be a testimony in Taiwan and even China," affirmed the singer.

His words turned out to be prophetic, and he went on to recount how a friend was at Wenzhou, China on a business trip and actually came across a church that was worshipping with the song, "Yi Kao." Greatly humbled and filled with much joy, this talented songster is even more geared up to be used as an instrument of heaven, where God can use his giftings to make a stronger impact on the churches and society around him. And he says that whatever has taken place in his life so far is something that has exceeded his wildest imaginations.

THE TURNING POINT

Will's acting career soon reached a high point, and he even published a book, which has experienced great success. His schedule soon became so packed that he had to be selective in his appearances, even on the most popular programs. In his own words, "I earned a lot at that time, but I was so busy that I barely had time to spend any of it. I was at my pinnacle, but I suddenly felt very insecure, which came as a great shock to me." The emptiness in his heart made him temperamental, and losing his temper for no reason didn't help the vicious cycle he was in. Just when he had the most assignments to work on, he found himself unmotivated.

Finally, although many tried to talk him out of it, Will decided he needed a break and terminated his contract to travel around with Jay Chou on his concert tour as a guest star. The pair found themselves performing alongside each other in Singapore, Hong Kong, and America.

It seemed an irony that Will's journey to find God began in what is often called the "Sin City"—Las Vegas. While waiting to board his delayed flight at the Las Vegas McCarran International Airport, Will struck up a conversation with an "unusually benevolent-looking" Chinese couple, Xie and Meili.

A MEETING THAT CHANGED HIS LIFE

The couple turned out to be in the event organizing team handling Jay Chou's concert. In the chat that lasted almost two hours, they left a deep impression on Will. When all three returned to Taiwan, Xie and Meili invited Will for dinner. Although he was not fully open to the gospel yet, that first dinner appointment proved to be an experience he now recognizes as God's way of reaching out to him.

With a chuckle, he related how he personally picked the dinner venue, a steamboat restaurant, which turned out to be right next to the couple's church, New Life Church. He said, "Truly, it was God's hand at work. It was easy for them to ask me along to church after that then!" He attended the service and was invited back for the following day's service as well.

The turning point came when the senior pastor of New Life Church, Rev. Abraham Ku, recited from John 4:13: "Jesus answered and said to her, 'Whoever drinks of this water will thirst again, but whoever drinks of the water that I shall give him will never thirst. But the water that I shall give him will become in him a fountain of water springing up into everlasting life.'"

As he listened to (what would thereafter become) his favorite verse being read aloud, Will realized that fame did not and could not satisfy him. Although he had an illustrious music career and was a popular public figure, Will realized that he was on the wrong path. That day, he made a major life decision—one that would require much courage—and he gave his heart to Jesus.

STAYING MOTIVATED WITH A VISION

After his conversion, Will decided to go overseas to study and ended up in Vancouver, Canada. A year later, Will returned to Taiwan with renewed energy and a desire to record a new album. At first he was greeted with much cynicism, even by some of his friends. However, he believed that his impending success would become a shining testimony despite his long break from the music industry.

Unlike reading off a script in acting and hosting, Will craved the freedom to do something within his control and so turned down many acting assignments in order to do more for God. His faith grew and he kept breaking through obstacles as people around him drenched him in prayers. Finally, his debut album was released on December 23, 2005 to resounding success which silenced all his critics.

Will believes that many artistes lose their motivation because they lack a vision. After performing his songs countless times, he knows how easy it is to become numb and indifferent.

But after listening to CHC's worship leader, Teo Poh Heng, sharing about his own experiences in leading worship and how he kept his passion alive despite singing the same songs many times, Will was greatly encouraged.

Drawing a parallel in both these aspects, he replied, "My greatest motivation is not fame, but a passion to serve God wholeheartedly which will, in turn, give me strength to keep on doing what I do. It is the only thing that keeps me from running dry or becoming indifferent or hankering after more material possessions."

SALVATION IS HERE

To Will, one of the best things that has happened since his salvation is seeing his family and loved ones being saved as well. Slowly, he witnessed how his parents, sister, brother-in-law and girlfriend all responded to God.

Referring fondly to his girlfriend, Vivi Wang—who was crowned Miss Taiwan in 1999—Will recounted how she used to be such a "sleepyhead" when she first attended church, but she has since blossomed into a responsible and capable woman of God. Her simple faith and innocence belie the many accomplishments God has done through her. Will likened her attitude to the biblical "childlike faith" and was encouraged to see her grow steadily in the Lord.

Apart from serving God together in their home church, New Life Church, the former beauty queen is also helping to coordinate a beauty pageant, whilst functioning as the General Manager of a fashion label the couple has started in China.

WHAT'S NEXT?

At the top on Will's list of things-to-do is a desire to spruce up the New Life Church basketball team, in order to be ready for another face-off with CHC's basketball team in next year's Emerge (Taiwan).

Meeting the CHC team in action for the first time, Will felt "intimidated" at first and was awed by their unity and organization. He confessed, "It was only Rev. Ku's leadership skills that turned the whole game around, because he helped to organize our players according to our playing strengths and eventually, we won the match!"

Will also sees his favorite sport as a great way to reach out to non-believing friends and hopes to be more involved in marrying the two causes even more effectively in his church outreach efforts.

Currently working on his second album, Will's constant desire is for his work to open up more doors that will allow him greater influence in Taiwan, China and "basically anywhere in Asia where Chinese people are." This talented artiste was also greatly impacted by the City Harvest Church mission team during the Emerge Conference (Taiwan), and he is now determined to include Singapore in his next promotional tour.

So to all the fans in Singapore—stay tuned for Liu Geng Hong's visit! HT