Everything Beautiful in Huang Kuo Lun’s Life Began with the Words: “I’m Willing”
Renowned across Asia as a singer-songwriter and pop musician, Huang Kuo Lun (黃國倫) has composed hundreds of hit songs for top-tier artists, including the iconic ballad “I’m Willing” for Faye Wong (王菲)—a timeless classic that has remained beloved in the Chinese music world for over thirty years.
Yet behind the glamour and success lies a journey marked by hardship and thorns. It was God’s unfailing love that lifted him back up and became the central theme he and his wife—Nancy Kou （寇乃馨）, a celebrated host and powerhouse speaker in Asia—shared at a recent Evangelistic Rally hosted by the Chinese Christian Herald Crusade (CCHC).
Through Huang Kuo Lun’s deeply moving personal testimony, we see that the most beautiful moments in his life all began with one simple yet profound response to God: “I’m willing.”
After graduation, I served in the military. Heartbroken from a failed relationship, I was in deep pain—until my mother led me to faith in Jesus. After completing my service, I considered giving up my musical dreams. I thought, Let the passions of youth stay in the past. Making music isn’t exactly practical—it’s better to find a stable job and move on.
Yet after coming to faith, I couldn’t shake the longing in my heart. So I prayed: “God, if You allow me to keep chasing this dream, please lead me. I’m willing to step out in courage with You.” Later, I felt a stirring in my spirit—as if God had given me His blessing. So I made a bold decision: I resigned from a well-paying job and told my parents I was going to pursue music. Seeing my determination, they didn’t stand in the way. I gave myself four years. If I hadn’t made a breakthrough by then, I promised I’d return to a regular job and settle down.
By the third year, I watched my classmates—recently returned from military service—buy homes, invest in stocks, and profit, while I was still riding a worn-out scooter. I felt like a fool. As the fourth year approached—the deadline I had set for myself—I kept asking, Why does no one want my songs? I was so broke I could barely afford three meals a day.
Yet during those four years, I found myself pursuing God more fervently than ever. I attended all kinds of gatherings, Bible seminars, spiritual retreats, and worship training sessions.
One day before a meeting, two pastors I didn’t know stopped me. They said God had moved them to speak to me: “Brother, do you feel that making pop music is painful and a struggle?” Their words struck me. I replied honestly, “Yes—it’s painful and a struggle.” They continued, “Then stop writing songs. Wait until the Holy Spirit fills you.”
I thought, But this is my job—my career! Lord, are You really asking me to give up even the last bit of music I have left?
Suddenly, I felt the Holy Spirit strongly prompting me to kneel and pray: “God, I offer You my life, my talents, my music. Unless the Holy Spirit moves me, I will no longer write songs.”
From that day on, I truly stopped writing—for six months.
So I prayed the most important prayer of my life: “God, I’ve gained nothing over these past four years. But if I can still create pop music, I ask You to give me inspiration. Let this song glorify Your name. I dedicate it to You—may people hear Your goodness through it…”
Immediately, a clear melody came to me: “Willing for you, I’m willing for you, I’m for you…” I quickly wrote it down and recorded a demo to send to the label.
To me, I wasn’t writing for anyone else—I was composing a worship song for Jesus. I sang: “Jesus, I’m willing. I’m willing to give everything.”
Unexpectedly, that song became a massive hit for Faye Wong, selling over a million copies within just a few months. With tears in my eyes, I thanked the Lord. And it was as if He gently said to me: “My child, ‘I’m Willing’ is actually My song to you. Because while you were still a sinner, I died for you—on the cross. This is how My love is revealed.”
Married couple
Huang Kuo Lun and Nancy
From that day on, the door to my music career swung wide open, and I went on to write a string of chart-topping songs. That’s why I often say: Everything beautiful in my life began with “I’m willing.”
The song “I’m Willing”（我願意） was written 31 years ago, yet it remains deeply loved to this day. Just this past Lunar New Year, it was featured in a domestic iPhone 16 commercial. In fact, back in 2003, an online global survey of 200,000 people named “I’m Willing” the most beloved Chinese song. All of this is nothing short of God’s grace and glory.
Since completing “I’m Willing” in 1994, I’ve been traveling and sharing the gospel through evangelistic events—and I continue to do so today. My hope is that the fame and influence God has given us in the entertainment world can be used to lead more people to know Jesus.
During this recent sharing in the United States, our theme was “Incomparable Love （無比的愛）.” I believe the world is constantly searching for love, yet often ends up disappointed—even in despair. That’s why I want to use my personal journey to testify to this love beyond measure, and to tell story after story of God’s “impossible” miracles.
Just last month, the two of us participated in an evangelistic rally hosted by the CCHC in the U.S.—another divine appointment. What made it especially remarkable was that we had already planned a trip to New York. On the very evening CCHC extended their invitation, Nancy and I were doing our regular Bible reading—ten chapters a day, aiming to finish the entire Bible in four months. That night, God led Nancy to Nehemiah 4:20: “Wherever you hear the sound of the trumpet, join us there. Our God will fight for us.”
We had read that verse at least fifteen times before, but never noticed it. This time, the words “sound of the trumpet” (角聲) leapt off the page. In that moment, we knew God was calling us to New York—and we were certain it was His confirmation.
Twenty-five years ago, I held a concert at New York’s largest music hall—the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts—becoming the first Chinese artist to perform on that stage. This time, Nancy and I stepped onto a gospel platform at the invitation of the CCHC. On September 26 and 27, we completed a music evangelism night and a gospel banquet. Through this gospel celebration, our hope is that many more will experience the fullness that comes from above.
Helena
