In addition to the healing ministries, Tong says another element that has helped the church grow is its contemporary Christian music ministry. This is especially important in a church where most of the members are Chinese and 70 percent work in computer-related fields.
“No. 1, we have very lively worship,” Tong says. “I think it’s good for the Chinese community. Chinese churches are usually very conservative. I think the contemporary music reaches out to modern people. A lot of people no longer want to just hear doctrine, but they want to be touched and feel God.”
Another major factor in the church’s growth involves Tong’s highly successful television ministries. He does a 30-minute television program that appears on a Northern California Chinese television station, along with stations in Hong Kong and Taiwan, including GoodTV.tv. He also buys two minutes of commercial time on the local Chinese television station for a special daily outreach and devotional.
“The two minutes costs us $1,000, but it’s worth it,” Tong says. “I talk about the wisdom in every area of life. People love it. A lot of non-Christians have come to our church through it. They said that’s what really touched them and they can really relate to it.”
Pauline Tu, director of the communications division at the church, says Tong’s daily “words of wisdom” have certainly drawn many people to the church. About half the people in the church weren’t Christians before attending.
“I think when Pastor Liu appears on TV, he seems to be pastor to everybody watching the shows,” Tu says. “His words of wisdom help them solve a lot of issues in their lives. So it’s been effective. He talks about how to be a wise man in your life.”
Gerry, now the chairperson of the church’s board of trustees, says Tong’s ministry and Godly wisdom have certainly had a major impact on his family.
“I believe [the church’s growth is attributed to] the Lord’s great vision and [Tong’s] anointed leadership,” Gerry says. “Those are the two key factors.”
RIVER OF LIFE CHRISTIAN CHURCH Santa Clara, Calif.
Senior Pastor: Tong Liu
Twitter: @PastorTong
Website: ROLCC.net
Founded: 1995
Affiliation: Nondenominational
Locations: 1
Attendance: 2,950
Growth in 2012: +400 (16%)
Fastest-Growing: 78
