I had a lifelong dream come true. I went to my first U2 concert at “Soldier Field” Chicago IL. The experience was surreal, the crowd was electric, the stadium was packed to the brim and U2 was legendary. To think, the band started in 1979, and 30 years later, the band is not just still making music, but the band has transcended time, generations, cultures and trends to become possibly one of the greatest rock band ever. As U2 was playing, I was standing in the stadium dumbstruck as I witnessed teenagers singing old and new U2 songs, the same way 50-year old parents were singing the same songs at the same time. What band can have two generations do that?

I’ve been a fan of U2 since I could remember. What makes me a fan of U2 is not only the caliber of high quality, incredibly catchy pop tunes they can make, nor is it because how much of a “cool factor” their lead singer Bono still has at the age of 50, but because of the passion behind their music. I’m a fan because the music they play is only a platform to spread the message in their hearts.  Behind every song is a message, behind every guitar strum is a purpose, behind these iconic figures is a genuine heart to create change in this world for the glory of God.

I stood their singing with over 100,000 in a stadium on a Sunday night, clapping hands, feeling as if I was in a giant church service as Bono sang the old hymn, “Amazing Grace.” He then gets on his knees as if to pray and asks the crowd to remember those facing injustice in our world today. He then shares about the great needs in Africa today, with millions there who live in abject poverty, children who have no food to eat or water to drink. He breaks down in almost tears over the current state of the AIDS HIV epidemic that has stolen away the lives of millions in Africa. He goes on to share how his humanitarian organization “The ONE Campaign” has to date provided food and water for millions in Africa, put into school 3 million African children and continues to not just talk about change, but is really doing something about it.

U2 is a band that represents more than music. They are not just a “rock band” whos members live it up unto themselves. No, they are true musicians, true artists, who use their gifts, talents and art to advocate, demonstrate and elevate human kind to a more virtuous and sacrificial way of living. They are leaders. They are pioneers. They are examples to those who follow their lives. They are righteous in their own right. They are living out justice and giving humanity a cause to fight for. They are freedom fighters, ones who lyrics, songs and sounds stir in us a passion for true revolution, the kind of revolution that changes the world for real. U2 is just plain cool.

What makes them cool? Because they are being exactly who God created them to be and doing exactly what God created them to do, they are shining His light and releasing His glory through the gifts God has given them, for a purpose as big as God… they are living lives, making music, not for themselves but for the good of others. That is why I am a fan of U2.

For more info on U2 advocacy work on The ONE Campaign check out: www.one.org

For the Chinese version of the article please click here.

EAST WEEK MAGAZINE COVERAGE ON ADDICTION TO PASSION

This past Saturday the glory of God came down at the Noah’s Ark as thousands of youth gathered from all over the city of Hong Kong to experience God’s presence and power. The night was electric, as we held a pop concert with my good friend MC Jin, Van Ness Wu, Sherman Chung, Sean from “JinuSean” and a powerful personal testimony from a young man who was delivered from a life of addiction to drugs. I came on at the end and performed LOVE and preached on being set free from addictions through the power of Jesus Christ! You could feel God’s presence so thick in the place. Every performance was dope, every artists that shared their faith from their heart was real and in the end thousands stood up to receive deliverance and salvation. I was so blessed because hundreds of youth were bused in from the poorest areas in the city who have been struggling with different kinds of addictions. So many received hope, healing and freedom through the power of the Cross and I know this is just the beginning of a love revolution that will sweep across the youth of Hong Kong and all of Asia. I’m looking forward to the next one!

ADDICTION TO PASSION HK

Noah's Ark Exact Size Replica in Hong Kong

For everyone in Hong Kong, make sure you come to our concert & outreach “ADDICTION TO PASSION” on Oct 31st, 2009 at 7PM at the Noah’s Ark on Ma Wan Island. We are expecting nearly 3,000 to come to a sold out show with my friends MC Jin, Van Ness Wu, Sean from “JinuSean” Korea, Sherman Chung, & my boy Siwon Choi from “Super Junior” and myself throwing it down on Halloween for God’s glory…

Recently, in the last years there has been major problems with drug addictions, alcohol, violence and sexual immorality to the point city officials don’t know what to do in Hong Kong. We are holding this event to proclaim a message of freedom in Jesus Christ to set the many youth in Hong Kong free from these destructive addictions. My “Soldiers of Light” Jin, Van Ness, Sean, Sherman, Siwon and others will be not only performing, but sharing personal testimonies of how God has changed their lives for the better. I KNOW this is going to be more than an event, or concert, it’s going to be a straight on ENCOUNTER WITH GOD and HIS ANGELS setting every young person in that place free from darkness by the power of His LIGHT!!!

As of right now, the concert is sold out but call your local ticket holders or go to this link to see if there are any options. Pray for this concert and outreach to rain down God’s glory, set free every prisoner in bondage and release the light of Jesus Christ into Hong Kong for a new revival across this island….GOD KNOWS WE NEED LIGHT IN THESE DAYS…

EAST WEEK ON CITY DE LIGHT & ADDICTION TO PASSION

WWW.FRESH2009.ORG

This Saturday night (10/10/09) I am going to be performing live my new single LOVE at FRESH 2009 opening up for David Crowder Band & my friend Pastor Francis Chan. Although I will be performing at this event, I believe it will be more than a event, it will be an ENCOUNTER with God. I am asking for all of you to pray that the thousands of students who will fill the LA Sports Arena from all over California that night would experience the manifest presence of God. Pray that this night would be a declaration of faith and allegiance to Christ over the universities of Southern California as college students from all over the LA region will gather to WORSHIP ONE GOD. To GIVE HIM GLORY. To UNITE TOGETHER. To STAND UP FOR TRUTH. To LOVE, LIVE and LET GOD be GOD in our generation. I pray that when I come on that stage you won’t see me, you won’t see David Crowder Band, you won’t see a man, but that YOU WILL SEE GOD and ENCOUNTER HIS GLORY…

If you don’t have a ticket yet, get one. If your friend doesn’t know about it, tell them. This gathering will be the beginning of something bigger than just an event, I’m praying the worship, the prayers, the preaching of the Truth would continue after this gathering to every campus, every community, every local church till all over Southern California is covered with His manifest glory! PLEASE THROW UP SOME PRAYERS OF REVIVAL FOR THIS GATHERING ON THE COMMENTS!

More information + tickets:

www.fresh2009.org