Introduction: Yang Guang candidly admits that the thoughts and the emotions of an artist were rather complex. Some artists appear to be calm on the outside but are helpless on the inside. In the dazzling light, they experience lots of temptations.

Dear friends, in the past few months, we have had the opportunity to know quite a few workplace Christians such as businessmen, scientists, entrepreneurs, teachers, and others through articles in Singapore’s ‘Heartbeat’ newsletter. Today, we are introducing an artist, Mr Yang Guang, who is the chairman of Singapore Artists Christian Fellowship. Let’s hear about his journey from walking through the dark valley towards a bright path in life.

Savour the love of the heavenly Father

Those who know Yang Guang feel the vibrancy and enthusiasm that exude from him. They would not have thought that he grew up in a broken family. Since his childhood, he only saw his father once. When he received news about his father again, he realised that his father had already passed on 3 years ago. He didn’t experience his father’s love. Coming from an impoverished family, he hardly felt any sense of kinship.

However, the heavenly Father remembered this ordinary boy. His warm-hearted neighbours brought him to church where the older brothers and sisters cared for him. Each time he returned home, he would have sweets, milk, and other gifts. This brought much happiness to him, for he felt the warmth of love. In the church, he participated in the choir, Bible storytelling competitions, dramas, and other activities. He began to be exposed to artistic influences in his life.

（picture from the Internet）

Yang Guang gradually grew up in the love of the church fellowship. The seed of Christian faith was sown in his life, and it bore fruit in him. At Primary 6, he grasped a greater understanding of the church, his religious beliefs, and the love of God. Once, at a church youth camp, he was deeply moved in his spirit. He was more assured of his faith, and decided to pursue his faith seriously. Although he did not experience his father’s love, he deeply savoured the love of the heavenly Father. This made up for the lack of an earthly father in his life.

Propelled in his career for the first time

On reflection, Yang Guang said with thanksgiving: “I don’t have high educational qualifications and my family is poor. If not for the opportunity given by God, I would not be who I am today.” After his National Service, he had the chance to act in a drama at a media company. He was also a host for some grand events. This led to the discovery of his acting talent again. In the 1990s, he embarked on his career in one of Singapore’s television stations. He was the host for the popular entertainment programme ‘The Perfect Match’.

He said that he went to the television station by chance. At that time, he took a test together with a friend for the sheer fun of it. It was a prerequisite for the actors’ training course. His friend did not clear it, but he passed it, and was recruited.  Just like the Chinese proverb puts it, ‘Unintentional actions may bring unintentional success’, he believed that the Lord had opened a huge door for him. After half a year in the training class and passing his examination, Yang Guang was employed at the television station. It occurred to him that God had provided an opportunity for him to be trained professionally so that he could serve God better in the future.

Soon, he signed a contract with the television station and was propelled to fame. Apart from hosting ‘The Perfect Match’, he was also the emcee for the Chinese New Year celebration event in Singapore. Tens of thousands of people flocked to the ‘Light Up Singapore’ concert. He also performed in a drama series.

In the limelight

As his reputation grew, Yang Guang found out that his life had changed. When he walked on the streets, people recognised him and asked to take photographs with him. His female friends wrote letters to him from near and far. Other than reputation, he indulged in material possessions. He had lavish meals and wore branded clothes that were sponsored. The dazzling light caused him to be dizzy, and all sorts of temptations assailed him one after another. He had opportunities to earn money through hosting, acting, recording, and partnership. His busy work schedules, and his life of entertainment gradually became his excuses for not attending church regularly. His soul had lost the ability to rest.

He started to be involved in the beauty business, and was surrounded by a group of women. The big bosses approached him to open a karaoke KTV. During the opening ceremony, a lot of renowned artists came to support him. He clearly remembered that night when all the lights were switched off and the people had left. As he riveted his eyes on all the red packets on the table, he had lost his joy. He felt a sense of emptiness in his inner being. He was lost, and tears welled up in his eyes. At that moment, he pondered on the heavenly Father’s love and prayed in his heart: Was I wrong?

（picture from the Internet）

However, on the following day, he forgot about his repentance on the night before. He was often overwhelmed with temptations. He continued to slog away at work, hosting and performing. Then, he would go for tours, feasted on good food, and spent as much as he earned.

Soon, he became proud and impetuous. As time passed by, he was pressurised by the tremendous workload, and his expectations of money also increased. After seven years at the television station, he left the job because of dissatisfaction with the salary. He gives thanks that he did not wander too far away in such circumstances, as his church brothers and sisters in Christ continued to pray for him, and he was firmly anchored in the foundation of his faith since his youth in the church.

The Lord made a way

After getting out of the spotlight, he sensed tranquillity in his heart. The Lord did not allow him to be trapped in this world. In his pursuit of fame and fortune, a voice within him probed him, “Are you doing the right thing?”

Yang Guang contacted some of his teachers and friends in the church. They were very concerned about him, so he experienced genuine love again. Once, his friend invited him to a church rehearsal for a large drama event. He was astounded with the superb standards of performance. Then, his pastor said to him, “They are willing to offer themselves to God. What about us?” He prayed quietly in his heart: I am willing.

Not long after this, his friend invited him to Lu Wei Performing Arts Fellowship. He received God’s calling and responded by joining the Christian ministry full-time. He remembered his promise to God that he would return to serve Him after moving on from the television station. He said to himself: I will not leave God again but want to experience Him, allowing Him to reveal to me what true service really means.

Filled with passion, Yang Guang flew to Taiwan at his own expense and watched a professional drama at Ya Tong Theatre Company. He also visited a Good TV television station. Upon his return to Singapore, he started to put together a drama and other performing programmes, and invited artists to share in the event. After he had hosted the last programme and his pastor preached about God’s love, he witnessed his mother coming forward to the stage in response to God’s calling. This was the most memorable moment etched in his mind. He sobbed as his comfort could neither fill the void in his mother’s heart nor heal her wounds. Being filial in material terms could not substitute the love between mother and son. He knew that his mother, who had strived hard all her life, finally found the peace and joy in her spirit. She received eternal life, so it was a load off his mind.

Walking in the valley of shadow of death

It was hard work serving the Lord in the hustle and bustle of life. However, Yang Guang was overjoyed to see more people coming to know God. He felt that his sacrifice was meaningful and worth it. Once, he had a fever and was admitted to the hospital. He faintly remembered the scurry of activity around him as lots of people visited him each day and the doctor constantly conducted medical examinations on him. After his discharge from the hospital, his family members told to him that the doctor suspected he had lung cancer. The doctor said that his lungs were affected as a result of his toil. He had to rest and be on lifelong medication.

When Yang Guang heard the news, he prayed earnestly to God: “Heavenly Father, I don’t wish to take medication all my life. I want to experience you!” He went on to attend a church prayer meeting for healing, and registered for a theology course at the Haggai Institute in Hawaii.

He cherished the memories of that wonderful period of time. Every day, he drew near to God. He found rest for his soul, and his life was structured. Finally, he could rest, thought about his service, and grew in spiritual maturity after his recuperation.

When he saw the doctor again, the doctor exclaimed in surprise: “What did you do? You have recovered completely!” He replied: “I only did one thing. I prayed to God.”

A few years later, Yang Guang succumbed to sickness again. He was running a fever, lost his appetite, had excessive hair loss, and grew thinner. He didn’t have the courage to see his doctor and friends. At that point in time, he discovered that the fear of death gripped him. He pleaded with God, “I once experienced healing from You. I have two more requests. Firstly, I hope to live so that I can continue to serve You. Secondly, if it is your will for me to pass on, may You grant me faith to do so and not be afraid of death as I know that my Christian faith gives me hope in life.”

After four months, he experienced healing from God again and recovered. His hair loss was restored. He shared that God had taught him a lesson on how to confront death bravely.

Taking flight again

Yang Guang candidly confesses that the thoughts and the emotions of an artist are rather complex. Some artists appeared to be calm on the outside but are helpless in their inner beings. In the dazzling light, they experience numerous temptations. Many years later, Yang Guang returned to Singapore Artists Christian Fellowship, a place where the Christian artists interact, communicate, share, and support one another.

Having been born again and having walked through the valley of shadow of death, Yang Guang was determined to look to God for His leading. Soon, he was elected as the chairman of Artists Christian Fellowship. The Lord had placed greater responsibilities on his shoulders.

In response to all of this, Yang Guang concluded with the verse from the Bible, “Teach us to number our days that we may get a heart of wisdom.” He firmly believed that the grace of God is sufficient for us for it is a path full of grace.

 We hope that you received encouragement from today’s testimony.  We invite you to tune in again next time as we continue to explore how to live for Christ on the job in “Workplace Strategy.”