Over 3,000 were attracted to a gathering with the Chinese American tennis star Michael Chang in Hong Kong, unlike other fans club activities, people come to church to listen to his testimony of Christian faith.

Co-sponsored by the Hong Kong-based Goodnews Communication International (GNCI) and the Prince of Peace Charity Foundation, the evangelistic gathering was held at the Kowloon City Baptist Church in the evening of Jan. 9. Michael Chang flied from the United States and shared his Christian faith with Christians in Hong Kong.

Even though the hall of the Church has already been fully packed, some several hundreds waited outside trying to get in, according to GNCI.

The theme of the gathering was "My Calling" and the title – "To Grasp the Right of Service of Your Life" – in Chinese, played on tennis-related words to highlight the providence of God in one's life. The subtitle quoted one of Chang's favorite Bible verses, "...being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus," from Philippians 1:6.

While Chang spoke in English during the gathering, the Rev. Chan Young Man from the Abundant Life Christian Church translated his speech into Cantonese simultaneously.

Chang has spoken of his real life experience and his faith through these many years in Christ, the message was very powerful and lively. Rev Chan also shared a short message afterwards to introduce about the basis of Christian faith, followed by an invitation to the audience to accept Christ Jesus as their personal savior.

The gathering has been very fruitful as a few hundreds participants dedicated their lives to Christ, GNCI reported.

Despite his outstanding international achievement on the tennis court, as a devout Christian, Chang firmly believes that the victory he has gained is in Christ and is a testimony for God.

Born as a Chinese American and growing up in a God-centered family, Chang said in an interview with Christianity Today in July/August 1998 that he realized later in life that God made him Chinese for a reason.

"In my position, I can influence tremendously the Asian-Pacific region, to bring the gospel to them," he said.

Indeed, the popularity of Chang is much greater in Asia than in the United States, as it has been proved at the evangelistic gathering in Hong Kong this time.

Since Chang's retirement in 2003, he has been spending more time on Christian ministries. Chang's pastor, Wayne Ogimachi of Lighthouse Christian Church in Seattle, told the Christian Reader that Chang has guided several people to becoming Christians.

Ogimachi said Chang "has become a role model for many young people, and has helped them to see that you can be a Christian and a sports champion."

Further updates on the evangelistic gathering will follow.