So, what happened to the CAD's investigation on City Harvest?
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Haagen Diaz
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City Harvest Under Investigation - Pleading for Grace
(Zec 4:6 NKJV) So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.
(Zec 4:7 NKJV) 'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of "Grace, grace to it!"' "
With the news of the City Harvest being under investigation getting stale and over reported without new leads, coupled by the “no show” of Pastor Kong Hee on Sunday service apparently recuperating from assisting the investigation, their fellow mega church New Creation showed itself to be openly proactive and transparent by explaining the companies linked to them. “Be nice”, Pastor Joseph Prince said in relation to City Harvest Church especially if you were a blogger. NCC hidden message was that they were transparent without needing to be investigated.
Being one of the riches mega church (in terms of revenue), the New Creation Church has a reason to be concerned, yet always they were at rest, resting in God’s grace. In contrast to City Harvest, they seemingly does nothing much, laid back, and almost complacent as compared to the City Harvest Church full of high pressure building funds (round after rounds), seminars, and events where cell groups members are strongly encouraged to attend and taken to task if they fail to attend any services or seminars. Yet, at the end, the funds came in also for NCC.
In contrast to CHC where there is a regular emphasis for tithing and gifts to the church, with strong messages invoking the name of God, and dire responsibility of each member to tithe and give to “build God’s house”, there was little of such affirmative action in NCC. In CHC, a friend of mine did not tithe regularly (the CG leaders monitors all the tithing and gifts) and was told in no uncertain term that he was stealing from God. God the CG leader said will demand 4 fold repayment if he did not repent.
In NCC, it is with God’s amazing grace that they received so much money even without asking. There was no work involving, no sweating, just trusting and believing. There was no need for strong messages, or strong encouragement of members to give (or else), but the freedom to give as the Lord leads and as you are able.
There is a rule in the bible of being judged the same way as you have judged others, ie the same measurement of rule of law will be made, in particular context to the religious Pharisees who demanded that others follow the law strictly. In NCC, where the grace of God is preached, grace is received. When we sow grace, we receive grace. As the money is freely given, in the millions, not solicited in any manner, there is much less demand for the money to be used correctly and strictly.
Whereas in CHC, where the money is demanded as a matter of religious law, there is the same demand for the money to the used with absolute transparency and morality strictly accordance to the law, both written and in the spirit. There is little spiritual and moral demand for NCC to be judged by the law. Instead, for CHC who lived under the Law, they will be judged by the Law. We who are under Grace, will receive grace.
Some years ago whilst in was CHC, I was sick and had to pay expensive medical bills. Yet for this period, the CG leaders demanded that I must continue to tithe. When I got well, I left the church. I felt they cheated me, for I have given much. It was God’s grace that released me from bitterness, when I chose to forgive. Some years later, I went back to CHC at Jurong, and donated money to them and in that moment of grace, I was released of any resentment. When we are sinned against, we can give back an eye for an eye according to the law, or we can chose the bless them. This is grace and it is completely opposite to the law.
We should not be praying only that truth will come out, but for God’s grace and mercy. Both Pastor Kong, and Pastor Tan has done so much for the growth of Christianity in Singapore. We can pray for the truth, but do we really want the truth for every single transgression to be revealed under the Law. For the bible, says that the law is a good school master able to convict and judge us that we are sinners requiring God’s grace of redemption.
In Ming Yi’s case (a financial fraud case involving a famous monk), during the investigation, everything was revealed even unrelated facts that he owned a horse, gambled, stayed in condominiums, had expensive luxury cars and a “toy boy”. All was revealed and his case involved not only defending the financial fraud, but his credibility and claims of innocence all but destroyed by his extravagant lifestyle for a charity head using public funds. Pastor Kong Hee of City Harvest Church now faces the same credibility challenge, perhaps much greater for he had much more in wealth on account of public charity funds.
We need to pray for Pastor Kong for he was not only the Senior Pastor of CHC, for he represents the public face of Christianity that he will received God’s amazing grace and will be “let off” even if he was guilty. Saul became Paul in the road to Damascus, likewise may Pastor Kong sees the light that God’s grace and mercy matters much more than the Law of God. Sure, the Law of God will never pass away because justice is demanded for the wrongs we did to the weak and the outcasts, but God’s Grace and mercy came through Jesus Christ Our Lord and Saviour. By the Law, we deserved to be punished even death, yet Jesus even though innocent took our place and bore our sins and burdens. This is God’s Amazing Grace.
(Zec 4:6 NKJV) So he answered and said to me: "This is the word of the LORD to Zerubbabel: 'Not by might nor by power, but by My Spirit,' Says the LORD of hosts.
(Zec 4:7 NKJV) 'Who are you, O great mountain? Before Zerubbabel you shall become a plain! And he shall bring forth the capstone With shouts of "Grace, grace to it!"' "
With the news of the City Harvest being under investigation getting stale and over reported without new leads, coupled by the “no show” of Pastor Kong Hee on Sunday service apparently recuperating from assisting the investigation, their fellow mega church New Creation showed itself to be openly proactive and transparent by explaining the companies linked to them. “Be nice”, Pastor Joseph Prince said in relation to City Harvest Church especially if you were a blogger. NCC hidden message was that they were transparent without needing to be investigated.
Being one of the riches mega church (in terms of revenue), the New Creation Church has a reason to be concerned, yet always they were at rest, resting in God’s grace. In contrast to City Harvest, they seemingly does nothing much, laid back, and almost complacent as compared to the City Harvest Church full of high pressure building funds (round after rounds), seminars, and events where cell groups members are strongly encouraged to attend and taken to task if they fail to attend any services or seminars. Yet, at the end, the funds came in also for NCC.
In contrast to CHC where there is a regular emphasis for tithing and gifts to the church, with strong messages invoking the name of God, and dire responsibility of each member to tithe and give to “build God’s house”, there was little of such affirmative action in NCC. In CHC, a friend of mine did not tithe regularly (the CG leaders monitors all the tithing and gifts) and was told in no uncertain term that he was stealing from God. God the CG leader said will demand 4 fold repayment if he did not repent.
In NCC, it is with God’s amazing grace that they received so much money even without asking. There was no work involving, no sweating, just trusting and believing. There was no need for strong messages, or strong encouragement of members to give (or else), but the freedom to give as the Lord leads and as you are able.
There is a rule in the bible of being judged the same way as you have judged others, ie the same measurement of rule of law will be made, in particular context to the religious Pharisees who demanded that others follow the law strictly. In NCC, where the grace of God is preached, grace is received. When we sow grace, we receive grace. As the money is freely given, in the millions, not solicited in any manner, there is much less demand for the money to be used correctly and strictly.
Whereas in CHC, where the money is demanded as a matter of religious law, there is the same demand for the money to the used with absolute transparency and morality strictly accordance to the law, both written and in the spirit. There is little spiritual and moral demand for NCC to be judged by the law. Instead, for CHC who lived under the Law, they will be judged by the Law. We who are under Grace, will receive grace.
Some years ago whilst in was CHC, I was sick and had to pay expensive medical bills. Yet for this period, the CG leaders demanded that I must continue to tithe. When I got well, I left the church. I felt they cheated me, for I have given much. It was God’s grace that released me from bitterness, when I chose to forgive. Some years later, I went back to CHC at Jurong, and donated money to them and in that moment of grace, I was released of any resentment. When we are sinned against, we can give back an eye for an eye according to the law, or we can chose the bless them. This is grace and it is completely opposite to the law.
We should not be praying only that truth will come out, but for God’s grace and mercy. Both Pastor Kong, and Pastor Tan has done so much for the growth of Christianity in Singapore. We can pray for the truth, but do we really want the truth for every single transgression to be revealed under the Law. For the bible, says that the law is a good school master able to convict and judge us that we are sinners requiring God’s grace of redemption.
In Ming Yi’s case (a financial fraud case involving a famous monk), during the investigation, everything was revealed even unrelated facts that he owned a horse, gambled, stayed in condominiums, had expensive luxury cars and a “toy boy”. All was revealed and his case involved not only defending the financial fraud, but his credibility and claims of innocence all but destroyed by his extravagant lifestyle for a charity head using public funds. Pastor Kong Hee of City Harvest Church now faces the same credibility challenge, perhaps much greater for he had much more in wealth on account of public charity funds.
We need to pray for Pastor Kong for he was not only the Senior Pastor of CHC, for he represents the public face of Christianity that he will received God’s amazing grace and will be “let off” even if he was guilty. Saul became Paul in the road to Damascus, likewise may Pastor Kong sees the light that God’s grace and mercy matters much more than the Law of God. Sure, the Law of God will never pass away because justice is demanded for the wrongs we did to the weak and the outcasts, but God’s Grace and mercy came through Jesus Christ Our Lord and Saviour. By the Law, we deserved to be punished even death, yet Jesus even though innocent took our place and bore our sins and burdens. This is God’s Amazing Grace.
Haagen Diaz
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Real Members Speak (CHC): Do I believe in City Harvest Church leaders & Pastor Kong?
Do I believe in City Harvest Church leaders & Pastor Kong?
Do I believe in City Harvest Church leaders & Pastor Kong?
City Harvest Church has gone through a stormy 2½ years, since the news of its being investigated for alleged mismanagement of church funds broke in 31st May 2010. Much has been said and maligned of the church and its key leaders, in the wake of this saga, and it has become an opportune time for detractors to slam the church and its leaders during this crisis period.
As a very long time member of this church, let me give my take on the Church’s key leaders and what I have observed of them in the last 20 years. (And let me state I am not a staff of CHC, nor was I ever one.)
City Harvest Church has always been a modern, cutting-edge, progressive, responsible, and relevant church that moves with the times. Not that it was ever a perfect church, but it is one that sees itself as never having arrived, and is in need to constantly strive to become better than it was or is at present. The remarkable thing about this church is that it is a very giving church, one that gives back to society, as shown in its large scale outreach programs and humanitarian works in Singapore and throughout the world, as much as it gives a lot back to its members with its other outreach and care programs, and also by teaching and empowering them how to become better people, better leaders, and better citizens of the world.
In its impact to society, it has possibly the largest outreach program to the intellectually disabled people (its JAMS outreach) in Singapore that touches more than 400 such people each week, and many are ‘Down Syndrome’ children.
The church reaches out very regularly to delinquent kids and youths at risks, drug addicts, prisoners, the marginalized such as the homosexuals, and even AIDS victims.
The Church even organized its first ever large scale job fair for its members and the public during the worst economic period in 2008, to spur job creation for those who needed employment – then quite a feat for a local church to initiate a job fair of that scale.
CHC was the first mission team to send a humanitarian team to rescue the wounded in Aceh when the deadly 2004 Tsunami hit the Indian Ocean and its region on Dec 26th that year, even ahead of the international rescue teams such as the Red Cross or Mercy Relief.
It was once again one of the first to send teams for rescue missions at the Sichuan Earthquake, and even as far as the Haiti Earthquake.
Nobody external asks City Harvest Church to do all of the above. City Harvest has always taken the initiative to give back to its members and the society through its public spirited work in and outside Singapore, wherever the need may be.
The initiative of it all has always been emanating from its senior leadership, led by Pastor Kong, his wife Sun Ho, and Pastor Tan Ye Peng. The Church’s Crossover Project which epitomizes the Cultural Mandate message is a key mission thrust of its international outreach to bring humanitarian assistance and the key message of love, hope, and better live transformation to those who has a need and a hurt.
Many people have watched these few church leaders named above from a distance and had little clue about who they are really like. They make judgment of them based a lot on hearsay but with very little insight. Many criticizers and scoffers online, in Facebook, in blogs, and news forums, are just naysayers who love to jump into the bandwagon of gossip and slander.
For someone who has been around a long time and know them not just from a distance but personally and in regular contact with them, I know probably more about them than an average member.
Let me bring this closer to home. Let me first talk about Pastor Kong Hee.
Will the real Pastor Kong please stand up?
Pastor Kong’s integrity as a person is hard to beat. That does not mean he is perfect or he never makes any mistake. He would be first to admit he has lots of mistakes in life, probably too many to count. But in his most conscious self, I can vouch this man always set a high standard for himself so that he could be beyond reproach as much as possible.
One example – you can tell a man if he is given to greed by the little things. There is a Christian saying which comes from the Bible, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” (Luke 16:10)
When Kong Hee was a younger pastor, he started off with not much money and his then new church was small and very poor, with its office in an old run-down, rat-infested shophouse down at McKenzie Road. So poor was the church that its carpet even looks old, and the church office was cramped. In those days, Microsoft was not king yet and WordPerfect was the king of computer document writing. Piracy of computer software was common and rampant and being a poor church, one of the easiest ways to save the church money would be to use pirated software in all its church computer systems. There were some people who advised the church and Pastor Kong to do so. Pastor Kong, then a younger man, was so adamant in keeping his integrity that he would be sternly instructing all his staff to never ever bring counterfeit or pirated software to the church. So strong and strict was his ethics on this that it became a reputation. Such was the result of legacy culture of trust and integrity in Church office built over the years. Pastor Kong would rather be poor than to save his church thousands of dollars (at that time it was big money!) by taking on pirated computer software, and nobody would have known it had he done it anyway! But he chose not to. You might think this is a small thing? But not by God’s observation, ‘cause it was the foundation for his work ethics in years to come.
Another example – this I found out for myself only few months ago by chance. I was having a dinner with someone who is working for the church. At that time the saga of Pastor Kong and his leaders being charged by the Prosecution has just happened.
Over dinner, this humble and soft-spoken church worker said this, “You know, people said Pastor Kong has integrity issue to face, but it’s honestly very hard for me to believe. Because I tell you what, I have seen how when people go to his house, sometimes these well-meaning people who are there to visit him tell him they have movies to lend Pastor Kong to watch (as Pastor Kong has not much time to watch nice movies and it’s not easy for him to go to a public cinema to watch as you can imagine..) as they had it downloaded fresh from the Internet, and just wanted to ‘bless’ him with latest nice movies to enjoy. Pastor Kong would kind of’ freaked out and quickly tell them please don’t bring any such movie into his house, as he knows he is a servant of God and would not want to run afoul of the law.” Pastor Kong was reputed to be one who only watches ‘original movies’. This church worker ended saying in his Singlish style, “Even a counterfeit movie he also did not want to be near it, this is how strict he is with himself when comes to integrity matters.., so it is hard for me to believe he would steal church money for his own benefit.”
On hearing this, it gave me even a greater reason to respect Pastor Kong.
Some people think Pastor Kong has tons of money stashed some way in some safe haven, even the Prosecution thinks so, but unfortunately they have nothing to prove of this sort to-date.
Pastor Tan, Chew Eng Han, John Lam, Serina Wee, and Sharon Tan – who are they really?
Pastor Tan is a simple man of simple tastes in life. He lives a simple life. He is one who knows how to abase and abound in life, whether in much or in lack, he is one simple man who doesn’t get moved very much by the pleasures of life. For people who really know him, Pastor Tan is a man though very moved by God’s Word, as evident throughout the Church. This man is totally down-to-earth and un-showy, one who has one core purpose in life i.e. to serve God and to serve mankind and teaching the Word of God. I have known him for years, and he never says no to a man or woman in need of his help or prayer when it’s in his capacity to help. He is the architect of the Church’s many new initiatives e.g. the Crossover project, the Church Building, City Care, and the City News. He is a humble man who would faithfully serve the Man of God and the House of God, like Elisha would to Elijah. This man is so willing to serve God and people that he is willing to do it for free without a salary (and he has done so for several months when COC unjustly froze his and few others’ salaries!) I have known this Pastor Tan for almost 17 years, even before he was an ordained ‘Pastor’. I know this man is one who is pure hearted and does not seek selfish gains.
Chew Eng Han has been a man who is of unusual faith. Some people mistake him for being too bold a person to undertake too many faith projects for the church. It is precisely he has such faith that not many men could do what he could do. I have known Chew Eng Han for more than a decade. This man is one selfless man who would lay down his life for the love of the Church and people. Even under severe stress of the current trial to come, he still regularly goes to humanitarian mission trips, and constantly goes about praying for people in need, in distress, and in need of physical healing, putting put others first above himself. He is one real servant of a man. Do not be deceived by his ‘poker face’ exterior, behind that little expression he shows, he is actually a very faith-filled, faithful, and compassionate man. Only detractors and gossipers who knew little about him slammed him that hard, simply because he is the chief guy who does investments for the Church. How wrong many of these detractors are! (I’ll talk about the Church investments in my next article.). Just because some people feel they have the right to know every investment of the church does not mean they are right about their reasons and all the accusations against Eng Han and the Church for their investment choices made. In fact, all the investments of the church has been approved constitutionally under the Church Constitution (and many of those investments he has done for the Church in years past have brought good gain) and seriously there is very little basis for these detractors to cry foul about. (We will deal with this later)
John Lam is one of the pioneers of City Harvest Church; one whom I can say is dependable in good times or in bad times. He is a very level headed and calm man, one who loves God and Church a lot, a lot. John is man who is very loyal, and one who stays true and loyal to good old friendships. As a financial accountant for almost all his professional life, he has always kept integrity close to his heart. John is one guy you can be sure is very unassuming, and carries no air about him. He is not one who seeks attention, but all he does is to do his part for God, for his family, and for his career faithfully and excellently. That’s why John has been regarded as an elder of the Church for all these years. I have known John for more than a decade.
Serina Wee & Sharon Tan – if I may describe them together ‘coz they are two timid yet strong ladies! (I’ll explain that in s second). I have known both ladies as church friends for a decade. Both Serina and Sharon are old time members of the Church. All they ever wanted to do is to serve God in this House. My spouse who knows both of them more than I do has this to say about Serina, “Serina is so timid a person by nature like a mouse, that do you think she ever will even dare do such a thing as to do fraud for someone’s personal gain? Impossible! She wouldn’t even dare.”
As for Sharon, I have seen her in financial crisis before and she had always been faithful in the little things, and never wavered in money matters. Today she is that graceful woman who has stood the test of faithfulness in handling church accounts despite all the sagas surrounding the church and her. To Sharon I say, “Well done!” You have served well and can be fully trusted.”
So what are all these detractors, hurt gossip-mongers doing? Sowing discord, spreading gossip, and poisoning young minds are all they do.
It is my prayer and hope that more who read this may be encouraged that all those who have read and heard much gossip and doubtful comments about the Church and its leaders know that more than half the truth is not even told.
I do not seek to convince all, as it is virtually impossible, even Jesus, or apostle Paul, or apostle Peter, or Mother Theresa, have their detractors and these respected figures too could not convinced all the detractors in their times. I just hope to convince those who believe and still have a pure heart.
I like what Dr. A.R. Bernard has said. “No point explaining to those who are fully committed to misunderstanding you.” There will always be those who would oppose you and misunderstand and distort you no matter what you say or write. So I do not aim to convince the toxic minds bent on hate, revenge, and self-righteousness as though they are some zealots for God.
I’ll part with a verse, “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.” (Titus 1:15)
(Hopefully I would be able to write on more topics around Church investments, & who are some of the detractors and what are they really saying.)
The writer has not given his name but has identified himself as a church member for 20 years.
Do I believe in City Harvest Church leaders & Pastor Kong?
Do I believe in City Harvest Church leaders & Pastor Kong?
City Harvest Church has gone through a stormy 2½ years, since the news of its being investigated for alleged mismanagement of church funds broke in 31st May 2010. Much has been said and maligned of the church and its key leaders, in the wake of this saga, and it has become an opportune time for detractors to slam the church and its leaders during this crisis period.
As a very long time member of this church, let me give my take on the Church’s key leaders and what I have observed of them in the last 20 years. (And let me state I am not a staff of CHC, nor was I ever one.)
City Harvest Church has always been a modern, cutting-edge, progressive, responsible, and relevant church that moves with the times. Not that it was ever a perfect church, but it is one that sees itself as never having arrived, and is in need to constantly strive to become better than it was or is at present. The remarkable thing about this church is that it is a very giving church, one that gives back to society, as shown in its large scale outreach programs and humanitarian works in Singapore and throughout the world, as much as it gives a lot back to its members with its other outreach and care programs, and also by teaching and empowering them how to become better people, better leaders, and better citizens of the world.
In its impact to society, it has possibly the largest outreach program to the intellectually disabled people (its JAMS outreach) in Singapore that touches more than 400 such people each week, and many are ‘Down Syndrome’ children.
The church reaches out very regularly to delinquent kids and youths at risks, drug addicts, prisoners, the marginalized such as the homosexuals, and even AIDS victims.
The Church even organized its first ever large scale job fair for its members and the public during the worst economic period in 2008, to spur job creation for those who needed employment – then quite a feat for a local church to initiate a job fair of that scale.
CHC was the first mission team to send a humanitarian team to rescue the wounded in Aceh when the deadly 2004 Tsunami hit the Indian Ocean and its region on Dec 26th that year, even ahead of the international rescue teams such as the Red Cross or Mercy Relief.
It was once again one of the first to send teams for rescue missions at the Sichuan Earthquake, and even as far as the Haiti Earthquake.
Nobody external asks City Harvest Church to do all of the above. City Harvest has always taken the initiative to give back to its members and the society through its public spirited work in and outside Singapore, wherever the need may be.
The initiative of it all has always been emanating from its senior leadership, led by Pastor Kong, his wife Sun Ho, and Pastor Tan Ye Peng. The Church’s Crossover Project which epitomizes the Cultural Mandate message is a key mission thrust of its international outreach to bring humanitarian assistance and the key message of love, hope, and better live transformation to those who has a need and a hurt.
Many people have watched these few church leaders named above from a distance and had little clue about who they are really like. They make judgment of them based a lot on hearsay but with very little insight. Many criticizers and scoffers online, in Facebook, in blogs, and news forums, are just naysayers who love to jump into the bandwagon of gossip and slander.
For someone who has been around a long time and know them not just from a distance but personally and in regular contact with them, I know probably more about them than an average member.
Let me bring this closer to home. Let me first talk about Pastor Kong Hee.
Will the real Pastor Kong please stand up?
Pastor Kong’s integrity as a person is hard to beat. That does not mean he is perfect or he never makes any mistake. He would be first to admit he has lots of mistakes in life, probably too many to count. But in his most conscious self, I can vouch this man always set a high standard for himself so that he could be beyond reproach as much as possible.
One example – you can tell a man if he is given to greed by the little things. There is a Christian saying which comes from the Bible, “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.” (Luke 16:10)
When Kong Hee was a younger pastor, he started off with not much money and his then new church was small and very poor, with its office in an old run-down, rat-infested shophouse down at McKenzie Road. So poor was the church that its carpet even looks old, and the church office was cramped. In those days, Microsoft was not king yet and WordPerfect was the king of computer document writing. Piracy of computer software was common and rampant and being a poor church, one of the easiest ways to save the church money would be to use pirated software in all its church computer systems. There were some people who advised the church and Pastor Kong to do so. Pastor Kong, then a younger man, was so adamant in keeping his integrity that he would be sternly instructing all his staff to never ever bring counterfeit or pirated software to the church. So strong and strict was his ethics on this that it became a reputation. Such was the result of legacy culture of trust and integrity in Church office built over the years. Pastor Kong would rather be poor than to save his church thousands of dollars (at that time it was big money!) by taking on pirated computer software, and nobody would have known it had he done it anyway! But he chose not to. You might think this is a small thing? But not by God’s observation, ‘cause it was the foundation for his work ethics in years to come.
Another example – this I found out for myself only few months ago by chance. I was having a dinner with someone who is working for the church. At that time the saga of Pastor Kong and his leaders being charged by the Prosecution has just happened.
Over dinner, this humble and soft-spoken church worker said this, “You know, people said Pastor Kong has integrity issue to face, but it’s honestly very hard for me to believe. Because I tell you what, I have seen how when people go to his house, sometimes these well-meaning people who are there to visit him tell him they have movies to lend Pastor Kong to watch (as Pastor Kong has not much time to watch nice movies and it’s not easy for him to go to a public cinema to watch as you can imagine..) as they had it downloaded fresh from the Internet, and just wanted to ‘bless’ him with latest nice movies to enjoy. Pastor Kong would kind of’ freaked out and quickly tell them please don’t bring any such movie into his house, as he knows he is a servant of God and would not want to run afoul of the law.” Pastor Kong was reputed to be one who only watches ‘original movies’. This church worker ended saying in his Singlish style, “Even a counterfeit movie he also did not want to be near it, this is how strict he is with himself when comes to integrity matters.., so it is hard for me to believe he would steal church money for his own benefit.”
On hearing this, it gave me even a greater reason to respect Pastor Kong.
Some people think Pastor Kong has tons of money stashed some way in some safe haven, even the Prosecution thinks so, but unfortunately they have nothing to prove of this sort to-date.
Pastor Tan, Chew Eng Han, John Lam, Serina Wee, and Sharon Tan – who are they really?
Pastor Tan is a simple man of simple tastes in life. He lives a simple life. He is one who knows how to abase and abound in life, whether in much or in lack, he is one simple man who doesn’t get moved very much by the pleasures of life. For people who really know him, Pastor Tan is a man though very moved by God’s Word, as evident throughout the Church. This man is totally down-to-earth and un-showy, one who has one core purpose in life i.e. to serve God and to serve mankind and teaching the Word of God. I have known him for years, and he never says no to a man or woman in need of his help or prayer when it’s in his capacity to help. He is the architect of the Church’s many new initiatives e.g. the Crossover project, the Church Building, City Care, and the City News. He is a humble man who would faithfully serve the Man of God and the House of God, like Elisha would to Elijah. This man is so willing to serve God and people that he is willing to do it for free without a salary (and he has done so for several months when COC unjustly froze his and few others’ salaries!) I have known this Pastor Tan for almost 17 years, even before he was an ordained ‘Pastor’. I know this man is one who is pure hearted and does not seek selfish gains.
Chew Eng Han has been a man who is of unusual faith. Some people mistake him for being too bold a person to undertake too many faith projects for the church. It is precisely he has such faith that not many men could do what he could do. I have known Chew Eng Han for more than a decade. This man is one selfless man who would lay down his life for the love of the Church and people. Even under severe stress of the current trial to come, he still regularly goes to humanitarian mission trips, and constantly goes about praying for people in need, in distress, and in need of physical healing, putting put others first above himself. He is one real servant of a man. Do not be deceived by his ‘poker face’ exterior, behind that little expression he shows, he is actually a very faith-filled, faithful, and compassionate man. Only detractors and gossipers who knew little about him slammed him that hard, simply because he is the chief guy who does investments for the Church. How wrong many of these detractors are! (I’ll talk about the Church investments in my next article.). Just because some people feel they have the right to know every investment of the church does not mean they are right about their reasons and all the accusations against Eng Han and the Church for their investment choices made. In fact, all the investments of the church has been approved constitutionally under the Church Constitution (and many of those investments he has done for the Church in years past have brought good gain) and seriously there is very little basis for these detractors to cry foul about. (We will deal with this later)
John Lam is one of the pioneers of City Harvest Church; one whom I can say is dependable in good times or in bad times. He is a very level headed and calm man, one who loves God and Church a lot, a lot. John is man who is very loyal, and one who stays true and loyal to good old friendships. As a financial accountant for almost all his professional life, he has always kept integrity close to his heart. John is one guy you can be sure is very unassuming, and carries no air about him. He is not one who seeks attention, but all he does is to do his part for God, for his family, and for his career faithfully and excellently. That’s why John has been regarded as an elder of the Church for all these years. I have known John for more than a decade.
Serina Wee & Sharon Tan – if I may describe them together ‘coz they are two timid yet strong ladies! (I’ll explain that in s second). I have known both ladies as church friends for a decade. Both Serina and Sharon are old time members of the Church. All they ever wanted to do is to serve God in this House. My spouse who knows both of them more than I do has this to say about Serina, “Serina is so timid a person by nature like a mouse, that do you think she ever will even dare do such a thing as to do fraud for someone’s personal gain? Impossible! She wouldn’t even dare.”
As for Sharon, I have seen her in financial crisis before and she had always been faithful in the little things, and never wavered in money matters. Today she is that graceful woman who has stood the test of faithfulness in handling church accounts despite all the sagas surrounding the church and her. To Sharon I say, “Well done!” You have served well and can be fully trusted.”
So what are all these detractors, hurt gossip-mongers doing? Sowing discord, spreading gossip, and poisoning young minds are all they do.
It is my prayer and hope that more who read this may be encouraged that all those who have read and heard much gossip and doubtful comments about the Church and its leaders know that more than half the truth is not even told.
I do not seek to convince all, as it is virtually impossible, even Jesus, or apostle Paul, or apostle Peter, or Mother Theresa, have their detractors and these respected figures too could not convinced all the detractors in their times. I just hope to convince those who believe and still have a pure heart.
I like what Dr. A.R. Bernard has said. “No point explaining to those who are fully committed to misunderstanding you.” There will always be those who would oppose you and misunderstand and distort you no matter what you say or write. So I do not aim to convince the toxic minds bent on hate, revenge, and self-righteousness as though they are some zealots for God.
I’ll part with a verse, “To the pure, all things are pure, but to those who are defiled and unbelieving, nothing is pure; but even their mind and conscience are defiled.” (Titus 1:15)
(Hopefully I would be able to write on more topics around Church investments, & who are some of the detractors and what are they really saying.)
The writer has not given his name but has identified himself as a church member for 20 years.
Haagen Diaz
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CHC founding pastor reassures churchgoers - World Updates | The Star Online
CITY Harvest Church (CHC) founding pastor Kong Hee rallied his congregation during the weekend’s church services, telling them that by next year, “everything should be all over.”
This was the first time that he had spoken to churchgoers since the Commissioner of Charities (COC) said that it is acting to remove him and seven church leaders from office over multimillion-dollar corruption allegations.
Its bid to oust them is the latest setback that CHC – with over 19,800 followers – has suffered since Kong was among around a dozen of leaders questioned after complaints about church finances in 2010.
He assured his congregation: “You’ve been holding on for three years. One more year. One more year and it will be all over.”
Addressing parishioners during the two services over the weekend, Kong, 47, said he is preparing representations.
“And yes, I do maintain my integrity,” he added, as the crowd roared in approval. As he went on stage to deliver his sermon, churchgoers also gave Kong a standing ovation.
Also present at the services was his wife Ho Yeow Sun, 42.
Many young churchgoers were spotted displaying banners declaring their trust in the church’s leaders during the services.
Kong and his seven colleagues were suspended by the COC last year following an inquiry that revealed mismanagement of funds at the church – in particular at least S$23mil (RM56.57mil), allegedly used to fund Ho’s music career.
The eight are: board member Kong, board chairman and trustee Lam Leng Hung, vice-chairman and trustee Tan Ye Peng, executive director of the church’s administration division Kelvin Teo Meng How, and executive members Sharon Tan Shao Yuen, Chew Eng Han, Jacqueline Tan Su Pheng and Serina Wee Gek Yin.
Once removed, four of them – because they are governing board members, trustees or key officers –will be banned from holding office in the church or any other charity for life. At the same time, six of them –Kong, Lam, Tan Ye Peng, Sharon Tan, Chew and Wee – were charged with embezzling over S$50mil (RM122mil) from their parish. Their trial starts on May 15. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network
CITY Harvest Church (CHC) founding pastor Kong Hee rallied his congregation during the weekend’s church services, telling them that by next year, “everything should be all over.”
This was the first time that he had spoken to churchgoers since the Commissioner of Charities (COC) said that it is acting to remove him and seven church leaders from office over multimillion-dollar corruption allegations.
Its bid to oust them is the latest setback that CHC – with over 19,800 followers – has suffered since Kong was among around a dozen of leaders questioned after complaints about church finances in 2010.
He assured his congregation: “You’ve been holding on for three years. One more year. One more year and it will be all over.”
Addressing parishioners during the two services over the weekend, Kong, 47, said he is preparing representations.
“And yes, I do maintain my integrity,” he added, as the crowd roared in approval. As he went on stage to deliver his sermon, churchgoers also gave Kong a standing ovation.
Also present at the services was his wife Ho Yeow Sun, 42.
Many young churchgoers were spotted displaying banners declaring their trust in the church’s leaders during the services.
Kong and his seven colleagues were suspended by the COC last year following an inquiry that revealed mismanagement of funds at the church – in particular at least S$23mil (RM56.57mil), allegedly used to fund Ho’s music career.
The eight are: board member Kong, board chairman and trustee Lam Leng Hung, vice-chairman and trustee Tan Ye Peng, executive director of the church’s administration division Kelvin Teo Meng How, and executive members Sharon Tan Shao Yuen, Chew Eng Han, Jacqueline Tan Su Pheng and Serina Wee Gek Yin.
Once removed, four of them – because they are governing board members, trustees or key officers –will be banned from holding office in the church or any other charity for life. At the same time, six of them –Kong, Lam, Tan Ye Peng, Sharon Tan, Chew and Wee – were charged with embezzling over S$50mil (RM122mil) from their parish. Their trial starts on May 15. — The Straits Times / Asia News Network
Haagen Diaz
Member
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- Jun 30, 2012
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City News » CHC Unites In Time Of Threat; Kong Preaches Strength In Weakness
The weekend after City Harvest Church’s senior pastor Kong Hee receives notice of the Commissioner of Charities’ intention to remove him and seven others from their positions in the church, Kong teaches congregation to love God wholeheartedly in the midst of trials.
CN PHOTOS: Daniel Poh, Henzy David, Marissa Tan and Michael Chan.
“When the people have prayed, the place where the people were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they began to speak the Word of God with great boldness. And the multitudes of those who believe were of one heart, one soul, and neither did anyone said that anything that they possess was his own.”
This was the verse Aries Zulkarnain, the executive pastor of City Harvest Church, quoted as he prayed for the unity of the church during worship. And such was the atmosphere in the church’s first worship service, on Apr 13, after the Commissioner of Charities announced his intention to proceed with the removal of eight leaders from their positions in the church. The service was filled with the spirit of unity as the members gathered to worship God.
Support for the church leaders did not end with its congregation. Last weekend, Phil Pringle, advisory pastor of CHC, had brought a video with encouragements from pastors around the world. The video was replayed this week, providing timely encouragement to the congregation.
“THIS IS THE KIND OF LEADERS WE HAVE”
Two couples took the stage to share their testimonies of how the leaders of the church have helped them through difficult times. Roy Lim and his wife Chiam Ling Siang shared how their lives and marriage were turned around through the support of their leaders.
One instance was when Ho counseled them when they were going through difficult times in their relationship. Ho, having gone through depression herself, was also a constant support to Chiam when she faced depression and suicidal thoughts.
“Sun encouraged me that no matter how much the devil may drive me towards suicide, I must decide that I will never ever do it,” Chiam recalled. “I found strength and hope in God because of Sun’s words, knowing that she was sharing as a person who has walked through depression and understood what it meant and had overcome.”
After Lim and Chiam got married, they had difficulty trying to conceive–the constant prayers of the church leaders gave them hope. “Pastor Ming prophesied over us that God will give us the desire of our hearts,” shared Chiam. Roy’s secret desire was always to have a pair of twins and true to the word in December that year we were pregnant with a pair of twin girls.”
Lim also shared how God healed his mother in law in one of the Christmas services after Sun prayed for her. She had received Christ and is now attending CHC’s Chinese Church.
Then there are those who have worked with the leaders of CHC who know their hearts. Ed Ong shared his experience of being personal assistant to Kong Hee, senior pastor of CHC, how Kong lived (and continues to live) his life on a schedule that is others-centered, how on mission, he would spend every waking moment tending to the needs and hurts of those he visits—even during meal times he would be counselling and praying with other pastors.
Ong also saw how dedicated Ho was to her craft as a singer. The car ride from home to office was a time where Ho would be warming her voice even on a normal weekday where she did not need to lead worship. “I believe it is her dedication and hard work that caused God to use her to crossover to Taiwan and United States,” he commented.
Ong suffered a serious case of dengue haemorrhagic fever in November 2010, a few months after the case broke, and was admitted to Intensive Care Unit. Even though Kong and Sun were overseas at that time, their support was still tangible. Ong’s wife, Teo Hsin Yi recalled, “Sun called and pray with me on the phone and I still remember she prayed that what the devil meant for evil, God will turn around for good. That prayer became a comfort to me. Even when they were going through a tough crisis, they were there for us.”
Teo went on to share how Kong went to the hospital at 6am one morning to visit them before rushing off for a mission trip. John Lam, their cell group leader, even offered to let them use his credit card to pay the hospital bill.
Ong, who is a member of the church’s Drama Ministry most recently saw Ho helping out at Easter drama rehearsals near midnight. Sharon Tan, one of the six involved in the court case, was with Ho—she had been helping with the drama costumes.
“These are the kind of people we have. When they are going through the toughest time of their life, they show up to help. When they are going through the toughest time of their life, each one stands strong, still an example of the life and ministry of Jesus, showing us how to live a life of faith, hope and love. These are the individuals we can trust to continue to hold office in City Harvest,” Ong said in conclusion.
“Therefore, Hsin Yi and I will be submitting our letter of representation to COC to express our opinion of how we cannot agree to COC’s decision to remove our leaders from their office.”
As they ended their testimonies, the congregation stood in agreement to his call to support the church leaders. Many also waved specially-made banners to show their support to the church and their leaders.
HAVING GRACE, LOVING GOD
Visibly touched by the testimonies, Kong took the stage.
“I bring you both good and bad news,” he said referring to the fact that COC has at this moment taken the view that there is insufficient evidence against Ho and hence she has not been notified of her removal. The COC will proceed with the removal proceedings of eight other leaders in the church.
“I am currently preparing representations in response to his actions,” said Kong. “This process will take some time and I hope that all of you will continue to keep our families and the eight of us in your prayers. And yes, I do maintain my integrity.”
Starting with the testimony of a woman who despaired at the immoral conduct of her daughter, Kong preached a message on grace that produces total surrender to God. The woman testified of how when she changed the way she saw her daughter as a child of God, visualizing her daughter having a righteous life, God turned the situation around for her.
“The Kingdom of God is built on the positive,” Kong said. “Even when our situations look bleak and dark, our faith will attract God’s light.” The proof of this is, even in the midst of the trial, City Harvest Church saw 5,889 people receiving salvation on its Christmas and Easter services in the last five months.
The sermons that Kong has been preaching since the start of the year have focused on the love, grace and righteousness Christians have in Christ. But Kong emphasized that did not mean that he had stopped believing in repentance.
“We must have balance (between grace and repentance),” Kong reminded the congregation. Reading from Jude 3-4, he said that in one generation after the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, the Gospel of grace was distorted into something terrible and immoral. Many had diluted the grace of God to accommodate their lifestyle.
“God loves us, forgives us, gives us His righteousness in the hope that we will be wholehearted in our commitment to Jesus, and that we will live in a real love relationship with Him, fully submitted to His Word and lordship,” Kong emphasized.
He went on to explain that humans exist on three planes—the body, soul and spirit—and how salvation and grace relates differently to each part of the being.
1. Justification relates to our Legal Position (the spirit)
Reading from Ephesians 2:8, which says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith”, Kong taught that when Christians first believe in Jesus, they receive the fullness of grace into their spirit.
Justification thus deals with the penalty of sin. “The moment we put our trust in Jesus Christ, we will never be penalized for our sins ever again.”
2. Sanctification relates to our Living Condition (the soul)
When Christians believe in Jesus, they receive the gift of Righteousness. In their Legal Position, they cannot ask for more grace. In their living condition, however, grace is still working daily so that Christians can become more like Jesus.
James 4:6 says, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” This grace is given for Christians to be changed and renewed in their mind and emotion to live out a pure and holy life.
Sanctification, therefore, deals with the power of sin. Apostle Paul had a thorn in the flesh, he said in 2 Corinthians 8:10 that he “pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Kong taught that Paul needed more grace from God in the midst of a painful, stressful situation—Paul needed “more grace” from Jesus. Similarly, for Christians to be better people, and to be able to trust God more, they need to find strength in the midst of weakness.
3. Glorification relates to our Eternal Exaltation (the body)
1 John 3:2 says that one day when Christians see Jesus face-to-face, they shall be like Him and there is no more dwelling in sinful flesh.
Glorification, therefore, deals with the presence of sin. This happens in the future at the resurrection of the dead, at the second coming of Christ.
“Right now, we need God’s transforming grace for our daily living and we need to learn from the best teacher on grace: Jesus Christ,” Kong said.
Jesus taught in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:6 that “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
“If we love God, we should press in to God for a greater release of righteousness–hunger for righteousness positions us to receive more of the outworking of righteousness, the way we relate to others,” Kong said. “Some people are not hungry for righteousness, they want to know how far they can go before their action is considered sin.”
The gospel of grace should not be focused on the bare minimum; it must lead Christians to a wholehearted surrender to Jesus Christ.
“In the next six months we must be bold, no matter what condemnation we hear, we must know that we have the righteousness for God,” Kong urged the congregation. “And we must have total surrender to Christ, loving Him wholeheartedly. Let’s keep our composure, stay together in love and unity, praying the prayer of faith.”
In closing, Kong prayed for the church, that God will give grace as the people humble themselves before Him. “Tonight I just prayed for the special grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, to come upon this church, come upon my flock, my congregation. Lord, we pray You help us to stay faithful to You, help us to stay in love with You, to stay loving one another. That we are patient in tribulation, that Lord we are always praying, always rejoicing, for the joy of the Lord will be our strength.
“We say when we are weak, we are strong. we say when we are poor we shall be rich, we say we can do things through Christ who strengthen us.”
Church Members Take Up COC’s Invitation To Submit Representations
Last Tuesday, April 9, 2013, the Commissioner of Charities notified eight of the nine suspended members of City Harvest Church—six of whom are involved in an upcoming trial starting May 15—that he intends to remove them from their office(s) and employment following their suspension since June 2012.
These eight are Kong Hee, Tan Ye Peng, Teo Meng How, John Lam, Chew Eng Han, Sharon Tan, Serina Wee and Jacqueline Tan. Sun Ho, wife of Kong, who has also been under suspension, was not served the notice of intended removal.
In December 2012, the COC had written to the nine to ask them to voluntarily consent to the extension of their suspension till six months after the conclusion of the criminal proceedings. Eight out of the nine agreed to give voluntary consent.
The COC wrote again to the eight to ask them to confirm their consent a second time. Five out of the eight complied.
The COC then issued his notice of his intention to remove the eight based on grounds that only five had confirmed their consent the second time round.
The eight have up to May 13, 2013 to make their representation to the COC to reconsider removal.
The COC has also invited the public to make representation for four of the eight: Kong, Tan, Lam and Teo.
On top of that, the COC has also offered to make available his 227-page inquiry report into CHC, to “any person with specific information that can affect the findings in the Annex…he should write in to the COC, providing his full reasons for the request.”
Those wishing to write representations for Kong, Tan, Lam and Teo must email the COC at mccy_charities@mccy.gov.sg or send their representation by post to Office of the Commissioner of Charities, 140 Hill Street, #02-00, Old Hill Street Police Station, Singapore 179369.
All representations must be signed off with the writer’s full name, NRIC number and contact details.
The deadline for submission is May 13, 2013.
The weekend after City Harvest Church’s senior pastor Kong Hee receives notice of the Commissioner of Charities’ intention to remove him and seven others from their positions in the church, Kong teaches congregation to love God wholeheartedly in the midst of trials.
CN PHOTOS: Daniel Poh, Henzy David, Marissa Tan and Michael Chan.
“When the people have prayed, the place where the people were assembled together was shaken, and they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and they began to speak the Word of God with great boldness. And the multitudes of those who believe were of one heart, one soul, and neither did anyone said that anything that they possess was his own.”
This was the verse Aries Zulkarnain, the executive pastor of City Harvest Church, quoted as he prayed for the unity of the church during worship. And such was the atmosphere in the church’s first worship service, on Apr 13, after the Commissioner of Charities announced his intention to proceed with the removal of eight leaders from their positions in the church. The service was filled with the spirit of unity as the members gathered to worship God.
Support for the church leaders did not end with its congregation. Last weekend, Phil Pringle, advisory pastor of CHC, had brought a video with encouragements from pastors around the world. The video was replayed this week, providing timely encouragement to the congregation.
“THIS IS THE KIND OF LEADERS WE HAVE”
Two couples took the stage to share their testimonies of how the leaders of the church have helped them through difficult times. Roy Lim and his wife Chiam Ling Siang shared how their lives and marriage were turned around through the support of their leaders.
One instance was when Ho counseled them when they were going through difficult times in their relationship. Ho, having gone through depression herself, was also a constant support to Chiam when she faced depression and suicidal thoughts.
“Sun encouraged me that no matter how much the devil may drive me towards suicide, I must decide that I will never ever do it,” Chiam recalled. “I found strength and hope in God because of Sun’s words, knowing that she was sharing as a person who has walked through depression and understood what it meant and had overcome.”
After Lim and Chiam got married, they had difficulty trying to conceive–the constant prayers of the church leaders gave them hope. “Pastor Ming prophesied over us that God will give us the desire of our hearts,” shared Chiam. Roy’s secret desire was always to have a pair of twins and true to the word in December that year we were pregnant with a pair of twin girls.”
Lim also shared how God healed his mother in law in one of the Christmas services after Sun prayed for her. She had received Christ and is now attending CHC’s Chinese Church.
Then there are those who have worked with the leaders of CHC who know their hearts. Ed Ong shared his experience of being personal assistant to Kong Hee, senior pastor of CHC, how Kong lived (and continues to live) his life on a schedule that is others-centered, how on mission, he would spend every waking moment tending to the needs and hurts of those he visits—even during meal times he would be counselling and praying with other pastors.
Ong also saw how dedicated Ho was to her craft as a singer. The car ride from home to office was a time where Ho would be warming her voice even on a normal weekday where she did not need to lead worship. “I believe it is her dedication and hard work that caused God to use her to crossover to Taiwan and United States,” he commented.
Ong suffered a serious case of dengue haemorrhagic fever in November 2010, a few months after the case broke, and was admitted to Intensive Care Unit. Even though Kong and Sun were overseas at that time, their support was still tangible. Ong’s wife, Teo Hsin Yi recalled, “Sun called and pray with me on the phone and I still remember she prayed that what the devil meant for evil, God will turn around for good. That prayer became a comfort to me. Even when they were going through a tough crisis, they were there for us.”
Teo went on to share how Kong went to the hospital at 6am one morning to visit them before rushing off for a mission trip. John Lam, their cell group leader, even offered to let them use his credit card to pay the hospital bill.
Ong, who is a member of the church’s Drama Ministry most recently saw Ho helping out at Easter drama rehearsals near midnight. Sharon Tan, one of the six involved in the court case, was with Ho—she had been helping with the drama costumes.
“These are the kind of people we have. When they are going through the toughest time of their life, they show up to help. When they are going through the toughest time of their life, each one stands strong, still an example of the life and ministry of Jesus, showing us how to live a life of faith, hope and love. These are the individuals we can trust to continue to hold office in City Harvest,” Ong said in conclusion.
“Therefore, Hsin Yi and I will be submitting our letter of representation to COC to express our opinion of how we cannot agree to COC’s decision to remove our leaders from their office.”
As they ended their testimonies, the congregation stood in agreement to his call to support the church leaders. Many also waved specially-made banners to show their support to the church and their leaders.
HAVING GRACE, LOVING GOD
Visibly touched by the testimonies, Kong took the stage.
“I bring you both good and bad news,” he said referring to the fact that COC has at this moment taken the view that there is insufficient evidence against Ho and hence she has not been notified of her removal. The COC will proceed with the removal proceedings of eight other leaders in the church.
“I am currently preparing representations in response to his actions,” said Kong. “This process will take some time and I hope that all of you will continue to keep our families and the eight of us in your prayers. And yes, I do maintain my integrity.”
Starting with the testimony of a woman who despaired at the immoral conduct of her daughter, Kong preached a message on grace that produces total surrender to God. The woman testified of how when she changed the way she saw her daughter as a child of God, visualizing her daughter having a righteous life, God turned the situation around for her.
“The Kingdom of God is built on the positive,” Kong said. “Even when our situations look bleak and dark, our faith will attract God’s light.” The proof of this is, even in the midst of the trial, City Harvest Church saw 5,889 people receiving salvation on its Christmas and Easter services in the last five months.
The sermons that Kong has been preaching since the start of the year have focused on the love, grace and righteousness Christians have in Christ. But Kong emphasized that did not mean that he had stopped believing in repentance.
“We must have balance (between grace and repentance),” Kong reminded the congregation. Reading from Jude 3-4, he said that in one generation after the death, burial and resurrection of Christ, the Gospel of grace was distorted into something terrible and immoral. Many had diluted the grace of God to accommodate their lifestyle.
“God loves us, forgives us, gives us His righteousness in the hope that we will be wholehearted in our commitment to Jesus, and that we will live in a real love relationship with Him, fully submitted to His Word and lordship,” Kong emphasized.
He went on to explain that humans exist on three planes—the body, soul and spirit—and how salvation and grace relates differently to each part of the being.
1. Justification relates to our Legal Position (the spirit)
Reading from Ephesians 2:8, which says, “For by grace you have been saved through faith”, Kong taught that when Christians first believe in Jesus, they receive the fullness of grace into their spirit.
Justification thus deals with the penalty of sin. “The moment we put our trust in Jesus Christ, we will never be penalized for our sins ever again.”
2. Sanctification relates to our Living Condition (the soul)
When Christians believe in Jesus, they receive the gift of Righteousness. In their Legal Position, they cannot ask for more grace. In their living condition, however, grace is still working daily so that Christians can become more like Jesus.
James 4:6 says, “But He gives more grace. Therefore He says: ‘God resists the proud, but gives grace to the humble.’” This grace is given for Christians to be changed and renewed in their mind and emotion to live out a pure and holy life.
Sanctification, therefore, deals with the power of sin. Apostle Paul had a thorn in the flesh, he said in 2 Corinthians 8:10 that he “pleaded with the Lord three times that it might depart from me. And He said to me, ‘My grace is sufficient for you, for My strength is made perfect in weakness.’ Therefore most gladly I will rather boast in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me. Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in needs, in persecutions, in distresses, for Christ’s sake. For when I am weak, then I am strong.”
Kong taught that Paul needed more grace from God in the midst of a painful, stressful situation—Paul needed “more grace” from Jesus. Similarly, for Christians to be better people, and to be able to trust God more, they need to find strength in the midst of weakness.
3. Glorification relates to our Eternal Exaltation (the body)
1 John 3:2 says that one day when Christians see Jesus face-to-face, they shall be like Him and there is no more dwelling in sinful flesh.
Glorification, therefore, deals with the presence of sin. This happens in the future at the resurrection of the dead, at the second coming of Christ.
“Right now, we need God’s transforming grace for our daily living and we need to learn from the best teacher on grace: Jesus Christ,” Kong said.
Jesus taught in the Beatitudes in Matthew 5:6 that “Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled.”
“If we love God, we should press in to God for a greater release of righteousness–hunger for righteousness positions us to receive more of the outworking of righteousness, the way we relate to others,” Kong said. “Some people are not hungry for righteousness, they want to know how far they can go before their action is considered sin.”
The gospel of grace should not be focused on the bare minimum; it must lead Christians to a wholehearted surrender to Jesus Christ.
“In the next six months we must be bold, no matter what condemnation we hear, we must know that we have the righteousness for God,” Kong urged the congregation. “And we must have total surrender to Christ, loving Him wholeheartedly. Let’s keep our composure, stay together in love and unity, praying the prayer of faith.”
In closing, Kong prayed for the church, that God will give grace as the people humble themselves before Him. “Tonight I just prayed for the special grace of the Lord Jesus Christ, to come upon this church, come upon my flock, my congregation. Lord, we pray You help us to stay faithful to You, help us to stay in love with You, to stay loving one another. That we are patient in tribulation, that Lord we are always praying, always rejoicing, for the joy of the Lord will be our strength.
“We say when we are weak, we are strong. we say when we are poor we shall be rich, we say we can do things through Christ who strengthen us.”
Church Members Take Up COC’s Invitation To Submit Representations
Last Tuesday, April 9, 2013, the Commissioner of Charities notified eight of the nine suspended members of City Harvest Church—six of whom are involved in an upcoming trial starting May 15—that he intends to remove them from their office(s) and employment following their suspension since June 2012.
These eight are Kong Hee, Tan Ye Peng, Teo Meng How, John Lam, Chew Eng Han, Sharon Tan, Serina Wee and Jacqueline Tan. Sun Ho, wife of Kong, who has also been under suspension, was not served the notice of intended removal.
In December 2012, the COC had written to the nine to ask them to voluntarily consent to the extension of their suspension till six months after the conclusion of the criminal proceedings. Eight out of the nine agreed to give voluntary consent.
The COC wrote again to the eight to ask them to confirm their consent a second time. Five out of the eight complied.
The COC then issued his notice of his intention to remove the eight based on grounds that only five had confirmed their consent the second time round.
The eight have up to May 13, 2013 to make their representation to the COC to reconsider removal.
The COC has also invited the public to make representation for four of the eight: Kong, Tan, Lam and Teo.
On top of that, the COC has also offered to make available his 227-page inquiry report into CHC, to “any person with specific information that can affect the findings in the Annex…he should write in to the COC, providing his full reasons for the request.”
Those wishing to write representations for Kong, Tan, Lam and Teo must email the COC at mccy_charities@mccy.gov.sg or send their representation by post to Office of the Commissioner of Charities, 140 Hill Street, #02-00, Old Hill Street Police Station, Singapore 179369.
All representations must be signed off with the writer’s full name, NRIC number and contact details.
The deadline for submission is May 13, 2013.
Haagen Diaz
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US engineer death. It is suspected of conspiracy murder. Scary.
It happened in Singapore. Alarming!
10 Days left to go.....to the trial of KH.
back to one big case this month. kh and gang.
the engineer's parents toned down or kept quiet liao. they were used by politicians to push cispa which failed at senate level. sg kena caught in their agenda. doubt this case will go anywhere liao. the parents hv to accept the original narrative.
Haagen Diaz
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back to one big case this month. kh and gang.
the engineer's parents toned down or kept quiet liao. they were used by politicians to push cispa which failed at senate level. sg kena caught in their agenda. doubt this case will go anywhere liao. the parents hv to accept the original narrative.
Parents of American Found Dead in Singapore Say He Was Murdered - ABC News
Singapore inquiry into U.S. engineer's death to start in May | Reuters
Singapore Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam, who was in Washington earlier this month, has promised that the inquiry will be "public and transparent." The inquiry will be on May 13.
Interesting....
What do you think of Kong hee and his gang's fate?
Singapore Foreign Minister K. Shanmugam, who was in Washington earlier this month, has promised that the inquiry will be "public and transparent." The inquiry will be on May 13.
Interesting....
What do you think of Kong hee and his gang's fate?
if sg 'dares' to do a public inquiry over foreign relations issues, don't expect anything much. chenghu got certain pattern wan.
really can't tell without knowing wat amount to the allegations they r accused of. cpib hasn't been dat satki recently and has shown dat their cases r fallible. as for cad, hasn't been tested yet. even if convicted, it won't be dat heavy.
I still would prefer jail time for these people.
please do not attempt to distort the truth
To all CHC supporters, please do not attempt to distort the truth.
Let the court decide on the case.
What is black will always be black.
A wolf will always be a wolf.
Even when the wolf hold the shephard staff.
To all CHC supporters, please do not attempt to distort the truth.
Let the court decide on the case.
What is black will always be black.
A wolf will always be a wolf.
Even when the wolf hold the shephard staff.
Haagen Diaz
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I heard that Kong Hee is believed to be innocent because he is often out of countries. Let's wait and hear Kong Hee's story.
Tomorrow is the trial day of Kong Hee and his staff.
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Haagen Diaz
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Pastor Kong Hee's Suspension Delayed; Wife Sun Ho Can Resume Executive Duties
Singapore's Commissioner of Charities(COC) has given City Harvest Church Pastor Kong Hee and seven of his staff more time to submit official protests against a proposal to have them permanently removed from the ministry's board. The COC has also lifted its suspension of Kong's wife, Sun Ho, allowing her to resume her executive duties at the church. The news comes just two days before Kong heads to court to fight charges related to the mishandling of church funds.
In a statement shared with supporters on City Harvest Church's Facebook page and website Monday, Executive Pastor Aries Zulkarnain revealed, "This morning, Sun, wife of our senior pastor Kong Hee received a letter from the Commissioner of Charities. In the letter, COC informed Sun that the suspension of her status as an Executive member of City Harvest Church has been lifted. The suspension of her executive powers has also been lifted.
"Both suspensions have been lifted with immediate effect. Sun is once again able to exercise her executive powers for City Harvest Church. She is once again an Executive member of the church she co-founded."
Sun Ho addressed the City Harvest Church community: "I am very thankful to Jesus that I can resume my executive duties at such a crucial time for City Harvest Church. I am truly glad that I have been fully vindicated. God's grace abounds and His faithfulness truly never ends! I want to thank the members of CHC for always standing with our church and our leaders. Your unceasing prayers are moving mountains and are so important to us in the days to come."
The statement also revealed that Pastor Kong and seven other City Harvest staff members had been granted a two-month extension to submit representations to the Commissioner of Charities, as the original deadline was Monday, May 13, 2013.
After the deadline for written statements of support from the public was closed last month, the COC revealed Monday that it was giving the following individuals, also members of City Harvest Church, until July 13, 2013, to make their submissions challenging their removal from the ministry board:
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Kong Hee (as executive member)
Lam Leng Hung (as chairman and trustee)
Tan Ye Peng (as vice-chairman and trustee)
Kelvin Teo Meng How (agent, employee and executive member)
Tan Shao Yuen Sharon (as executive and employee)
Serina Wee Gek Yin (as employee; former finance manager)
Tan Su Pheng Jacqueline (as employee and executive member)
Chew Eng Han (as agent and executive member)
Calling its decision to extend the deadline a "goodwill gesture," the COC added that it will consider all representations received by the deadline "fully and fairly" before deciding on whether to pursue the affected individuals' removal.
Pastor Kong, 48, and the other seven members of City Harvest Church were initially requested to temporarily remove themselves from the ministry's board and employ after a two-year investigation led to allegations of mismanagement of funds meant for the megachurch, which functions as a charity. Kong's wife, Sun Ho, was not among those charged, although she was also suspended.
In a report of its findings, the Commissioner of Charities alleged that $18 million ($23 SGD) collected by City Harvest Church was used "with the purported intention of financing (Sun) Ho's secular music career to connect with people" and that board members were complicit in funneling church funds, meant for a new building project, for this purpose.
The case, made public last summer, has its first court date on Wednesday, May 15 and will reportedly run through May 23, with prosecutors expected to lay out their arguments first. Pastor Kong has said that he is confident he will be cleared of any wrongdoing.
"This is a very challenging time for our eight Church leaders and members, their families, and our Church. Please continue to pray ceaselessly for them and for the Church," CHC Executive Pastor Aries Zulkarnain said in a previous statement.
Pastor Kong and his wife gained notoriety in Singapore after they founded City Harvest Church in 1989, an evangelical nondenominational congregation of 30,000. The ministry, which celebrated its 24th anniversary last week, recently launched its first U.S. campus, City Harvest Church USA in Irvine, Calif.
Read more at Pastor Kong Hee's Suspension Delayed; Wife Sun Ho Can Resume Executive Duties
Singapore's Commissioner of Charities(COC) has given City Harvest Church Pastor Kong Hee and seven of his staff more time to submit official protests against a proposal to have them permanently removed from the ministry's board. The COC has also lifted its suspension of Kong's wife, Sun Ho, allowing her to resume her executive duties at the church. The news comes just two days before Kong heads to court to fight charges related to the mishandling of church funds.
In a statement shared with supporters on City Harvest Church's Facebook page and website Monday, Executive Pastor Aries Zulkarnain revealed, "This morning, Sun, wife of our senior pastor Kong Hee received a letter from the Commissioner of Charities. In the letter, COC informed Sun that the suspension of her status as an Executive member of City Harvest Church has been lifted. The suspension of her executive powers has also been lifted.
"Both suspensions have been lifted with immediate effect. Sun is once again able to exercise her executive powers for City Harvest Church. She is once again an Executive member of the church she co-founded."
Sun Ho addressed the City Harvest Church community: "I am very thankful to Jesus that I can resume my executive duties at such a crucial time for City Harvest Church. I am truly glad that I have been fully vindicated. God's grace abounds and His faithfulness truly never ends! I want to thank the members of CHC for always standing with our church and our leaders. Your unceasing prayers are moving mountains and are so important to us in the days to come."
The statement also revealed that Pastor Kong and seven other City Harvest staff members had been granted a two-month extension to submit representations to the Commissioner of Charities, as the original deadline was Monday, May 13, 2013.
After the deadline for written statements of support from the public was closed last month, the COC revealed Monday that it was giving the following individuals, also members of City Harvest Church, until July 13, 2013, to make their submissions challenging their removal from the ministry board:
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Kong Hee (as executive member)
Lam Leng Hung (as chairman and trustee)
Tan Ye Peng (as vice-chairman and trustee)
Kelvin Teo Meng How (agent, employee and executive member)
Tan Shao Yuen Sharon (as executive and employee)
Serina Wee Gek Yin (as employee; former finance manager)
Tan Su Pheng Jacqueline (as employee and executive member)
Chew Eng Han (as agent and executive member)
Calling its decision to extend the deadline a "goodwill gesture," the COC added that it will consider all representations received by the deadline "fully and fairly" before deciding on whether to pursue the affected individuals' removal.
Pastor Kong, 48, and the other seven members of City Harvest Church were initially requested to temporarily remove themselves from the ministry's board and employ after a two-year investigation led to allegations of mismanagement of funds meant for the megachurch, which functions as a charity. Kong's wife, Sun Ho, was not among those charged, although she was also suspended.
In a report of its findings, the Commissioner of Charities alleged that $18 million ($23 SGD) collected by City Harvest Church was used "with the purported intention of financing (Sun) Ho's secular music career to connect with people" and that board members were complicit in funneling church funds, meant for a new building project, for this purpose.
The case, made public last summer, has its first court date on Wednesday, May 15 and will reportedly run through May 23, with prosecutors expected to lay out their arguments first. Pastor Kong has said that he is confident he will be cleared of any wrongdoing.
"This is a very challenging time for our eight Church leaders and members, their families, and our Church. Please continue to pray ceaselessly for them and for the Church," CHC Executive Pastor Aries Zulkarnain said in a previous statement.
Pastor Kong and his wife gained notoriety in Singapore after they founded City Harvest Church in 1989, an evangelical nondenominational congregation of 30,000. The ministry, which celebrated its 24th anniversary last week, recently launched its first U.S. campus, City Harvest Church USA in Irvine, Calif.
Read more at Pastor Kong Hee's Suspension Delayed; Wife Sun Ho Can Resume Executive Duties
Haagen Diaz
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Singapore Law Watch - Sun Ho not in prosecution witness list for first tranche of City Harvest members
SINGAPORE — Singer Sun Ho is not on the prosecution’s witness list for next week’s trial involving six leaders of the City Harvest Church, confirmed the prosecution today (May 10) after it met defence lawyers in court to sort out the logistics. Her husband, Kong Hee, is one of the six leaders involved in the trial.
On Tuesday, Channel NewsAsia reported that the first tranche of the trial will see not more than three key prosecution witnesses, and the prosecution confirmed today that they are Ms Lai Bao Ting, former accounts staff of the church, Ms Angie Koh, employee of an accounting firm hired by the church and Director of Xtron Productions, Koh Siow Ngea.
The six leaders, who are battling criminal breach of trust accusations, are president of the church’s management board Kong Hee, vice-president Tan Ye Peng, board member John Lam Leng Hung, investment manager Chew Eng Han and finance managers Sharon Tan Shao Yuen and Serina Wee Gek Yin.
Kong Hee, John Lam Lee Hung, Chew Eng Han, Tan Ye Peng and Serina Wee Gek Yin allegedly misused church buildings funds amounting to S$24 million by channelling the money into two companies, Xtron Productions and PT The First National Glassware (Firna), as bond investments.
This allegedly took place between January 2007 and October 2008.
Chew Eng Han, Tan Ye Peng, Serina Wee Gek Yin and Sharon Tan Shao Yuen are said to have channelled some S$26 million to cover up the first sum, and the same four church leaders also face four counts of conspiring to falsify accounts, said to have happened between April and October 2009.
The funds were allegedly used to boost Sun Ho’s music career.
The first tranche of the trial will be from May 15 to 23, 2013.
The court will vacate on May 17, 2013 as it is the annual Malaysia versus Singapore Bench and Bar Games, where lawyers from both countries compete in sports including basketball and tennis.
The second tranche of the trial is set from Aug 26 to Sept 20, 2013.
SINGAPORE — Singer Sun Ho is not on the prosecution’s witness list for next week’s trial involving six leaders of the City Harvest Church, confirmed the prosecution today (May 10) after it met defence lawyers in court to sort out the logistics. Her husband, Kong Hee, is one of the six leaders involved in the trial.
On Tuesday, Channel NewsAsia reported that the first tranche of the trial will see not more than three key prosecution witnesses, and the prosecution confirmed today that they are Ms Lai Bao Ting, former accounts staff of the church, Ms Angie Koh, employee of an accounting firm hired by the church and Director of Xtron Productions, Koh Siow Ngea.
The six leaders, who are battling criminal breach of trust accusations, are president of the church’s management board Kong Hee, vice-president Tan Ye Peng, board member John Lam Leng Hung, investment manager Chew Eng Han and finance managers Sharon Tan Shao Yuen and Serina Wee Gek Yin.
Kong Hee, John Lam Lee Hung, Chew Eng Han, Tan Ye Peng and Serina Wee Gek Yin allegedly misused church buildings funds amounting to S$24 million by channelling the money into two companies, Xtron Productions and PT The First National Glassware (Firna), as bond investments.
This allegedly took place between January 2007 and October 2008.
Chew Eng Han, Tan Ye Peng, Serina Wee Gek Yin and Sharon Tan Shao Yuen are said to have channelled some S$26 million to cover up the first sum, and the same four church leaders also face four counts of conspiring to falsify accounts, said to have happened between April and October 2009.
The funds were allegedly used to boost Sun Ho’s music career.
The first tranche of the trial will be from May 15 to 23, 2013.
The court will vacate on May 17, 2013 as it is the annual Malaysia versus Singapore Bench and Bar Games, where lawyers from both countries compete in sports including basketball and tennis.
The second tranche of the trial is set from Aug 26 to Sept 20, 2013.
Haagen Diaz
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State of play of upcoming City Harvest Church members' trial - xinmsn News
SINGAPORE: On 15 May, all eyes will be on one of the country's most-anticipated trials involving six key members of City Harvest Church.
The six, including founder Kong Hee, are accused of misappropriating millions of dollars to fund the music career of his wife, Sun Ho.
In May 2010, the Commercial Affairs Department launched investigations into certain financial transactions of City Harvest Church.
In June 2012, five of its church leaders were charged in court.
They were - president of the church's management board Kong Hee, vice-president Tan Ye Peng, board member John Lam Leng Hung, investment manager Chew Eng Han and finance manager Sharon Tan Shao Yuen.
In July 2012, finance manager Serina Wee Gek Yin became the sixth member to be charged.
The six leaders are accused of committing criminal breach of trust.
Kong Hee, John Lam, Chew Eng Han, Tan Ye Peng and Serina Wee allegedly misused church buildings funds amounting to S$24 million by channelling the money into two companies, Xtron Productions and PT The First National Glassware (Firna), as bond investments.
The misappropriation allegedly took place between January 2007 and October 2008.
Chew Eng Han, Tan Ye Peng, Serina Wee and Sharon Tan are said to have misappropriated some S$26 million to cover up the first sum.
The same four church leaders also face four counts of conspiring to falsify accounts, said to have happened between April and October 2009.
The funds were allegedly used to boost the music career of Kong's wife, Sun Ho.
Leading the prosecution is Mavis Chionh, who will be assisted by five others. They are Mr Tan Kiat Pheng, Mr Christopher Ong Siu Jin, Ms Grace Goh, Mr Joel Chen and Mr Jeremy Yeo.
As for the defence team, five of the six accused persons are represented by senior counsel.
Tan is represented by Senior Counsel Chelva Rajah and N Sreenivasan, Lam by Senior Counsel Kenneth Tan and Mr Nicholas Narayanan, Chew by Senior Counsel Michael Khoo, Sharon Tan by Senior Counsel Kannan Ramesh and Mr Jeffrey Ong, and Wee by Senior Counsel Andre Maniam.
Kong is the only exception and he is represented by Mr Edwin Tong.
Channel NewsAsia understands the prosecution will be calling about 10 critical witnesses, while the others have yet to be confirmed as of 6 May.
Details are not known, but accountants and individuals from Xtron and Firna are expected to take the stand, with at most three witnesses slated to appear in the first tranche of the trial. - CNA/xq
SINGAPORE: On 15 May, all eyes will be on one of the country's most-anticipated trials involving six key members of City Harvest Church.
The six, including founder Kong Hee, are accused of misappropriating millions of dollars to fund the music career of his wife, Sun Ho.
In May 2010, the Commercial Affairs Department launched investigations into certain financial transactions of City Harvest Church.
In June 2012, five of its church leaders were charged in court.
They were - president of the church's management board Kong Hee, vice-president Tan Ye Peng, board member John Lam Leng Hung, investment manager Chew Eng Han and finance manager Sharon Tan Shao Yuen.
In July 2012, finance manager Serina Wee Gek Yin became the sixth member to be charged.
The six leaders are accused of committing criminal breach of trust.
Kong Hee, John Lam, Chew Eng Han, Tan Ye Peng and Serina Wee allegedly misused church buildings funds amounting to S$24 million by channelling the money into two companies, Xtron Productions and PT The First National Glassware (Firna), as bond investments.
The misappropriation allegedly took place between January 2007 and October 2008.
Chew Eng Han, Tan Ye Peng, Serina Wee and Sharon Tan are said to have misappropriated some S$26 million to cover up the first sum.
The same four church leaders also face four counts of conspiring to falsify accounts, said to have happened between April and October 2009.
The funds were allegedly used to boost the music career of Kong's wife, Sun Ho.
Leading the prosecution is Mavis Chionh, who will be assisted by five others. They are Mr Tan Kiat Pheng, Mr Christopher Ong Siu Jin, Ms Grace Goh, Mr Joel Chen and Mr Jeremy Yeo.
As for the defence team, five of the six accused persons are represented by senior counsel.
Tan is represented by Senior Counsel Chelva Rajah and N Sreenivasan, Lam by Senior Counsel Kenneth Tan and Mr Nicholas Narayanan, Chew by Senior Counsel Michael Khoo, Sharon Tan by Senior Counsel Kannan Ramesh and Mr Jeffrey Ong, and Wee by Senior Counsel Andre Maniam.
Kong is the only exception and he is represented by Mr Edwin Tong.
Channel NewsAsia understands the prosecution will be calling about 10 critical witnesses, while the others have yet to be confirmed as of 6 May.
Details are not known, but accountants and individuals from Xtron and Firna are expected to take the stand, with at most three witnesses slated to appear in the first tranche of the trial. - CNA/xq
Haagen Diaz
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Singapore Law Watch - Judge meets defence lawyers ahead of May trial: City Harvest case
SENIOR District Judge See Kee Oon, who will be presiding over the trial of the six City Harvest Church leaders accused of embezzling more than $50 million, met their defence lawyers yesterday.
This was the first meeting between him and the defence team after several pre-trial conferences, which were heard by other judges.
The highly anticipated trial is set to begin on May 15.
The six leaders are alleged to have funnelled $24 million of church money into sham bond investments to further the career of Ms Ho Yeow Sun, founding pastor Kong Hee's pop singer wife. They are also said to have misappropriated another $26.6 million to cover up the first sum.
At the last pre-trial conference earlier this month, the six accused made a request to push back the start of their trial, which was denied.
This request was not re-visited yesterday. Instead, the parties busied themselves with sorting out administrative and logistic matters.
Several of the six leaders have at least two lawyers with them, so seating arrangements in court also needed to be worked out in the light of space constraints.
All are represented by senior counsel except Kong, who has engaged lawyer Edwin Tong.
Of the six leaders, only Chew Eng Han was in court yesterday. He wanted to apply for permission to go overseas for a few weeks for a business trip.
The 52-year-old, who is the church's former investment manager, said he would be back in time for the trial.
During church services earlier this month, Kong rallied his congregation, telling them that by next year, "everything should be all over".
SENIOR District Judge See Kee Oon, who will be presiding over the trial of the six City Harvest Church leaders accused of embezzling more than $50 million, met their defence lawyers yesterday.
This was the first meeting between him and the defence team after several pre-trial conferences, which were heard by other judges.
The highly anticipated trial is set to begin on May 15.
The six leaders are alleged to have funnelled $24 million of church money into sham bond investments to further the career of Ms Ho Yeow Sun, founding pastor Kong Hee's pop singer wife. They are also said to have misappropriated another $26.6 million to cover up the first sum.
At the last pre-trial conference earlier this month, the six accused made a request to push back the start of their trial, which was denied.
This request was not re-visited yesterday. Instead, the parties busied themselves with sorting out administrative and logistic matters.
Several of the six leaders have at least two lawyers with them, so seating arrangements in court also needed to be worked out in the light of space constraints.
All are represented by senior counsel except Kong, who has engaged lawyer Edwin Tong.
Of the six leaders, only Chew Eng Han was in court yesterday. He wanted to apply for permission to go overseas for a few weeks for a business trip.
The 52-year-old, who is the church's former investment manager, said he would be back in time for the trial.
During church services earlier this month, Kong rallied his congregation, telling them that by next year, "everything should be all over".
Haagen Diaz
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Individuals can ask for access to City Harvest inquiry report - Channel NewsAsia
SINGAPORE: Individuals who wish to be granted access to the authorities' inquiry report on the alleged misconduct of City Harvest Church may write to the Commissioner of Charities (COC) office to make a request.
Approval will be given at the discretion of the COC, based on whether there are good and sufficient reasons, for example.
COC's office said in a statement it is seeking representations from all affected individuals and members of the public on the proposal to remove four of the church's senior members.
They are Kong Hee, Lam Leng Hung, Tan Ye Peng and Kelvin Teo Meng How, who served as governing board member, trustee and key officer.
"The COC's invitation for representations is to allow members of the public to provide representations on the COC's proposal to remove - on matters such as whether the COC should proceed to remove, the timing of such removal, and the impact of the proposed removal on the Charity and/or any persons - and to allow persons with additional or specific information which may affect the findings... to provide such information," the COC said.
COC's office said the removal proceedings are part of a regulatory process under the Charities Act which follows the inquiry's findings.
The inquiry, which began on 31 May 2010, had found misconduct and mismanagement in the administration of the church.
The COC's office noted that the COC is not prejudging the case in doing so, adding that the objectives of the criminal trial are distinct and separate from the objectives of the COC's actions.
The COC's office added those individuals who have been removed from their positions may continue with their religious duties as pastors of the church.
It said these are separate from the holding of any governance or management positions in the charity.
Channel NewsAsia understands that Pastor Kong has yet to submit his own representation to the COC.
SINGAPORE: Individuals who wish to be granted access to the authorities' inquiry report on the alleged misconduct of City Harvest Church may write to the Commissioner of Charities (COC) office to make a request.
Approval will be given at the discretion of the COC, based on whether there are good and sufficient reasons, for example.
COC's office said in a statement it is seeking representations from all affected individuals and members of the public on the proposal to remove four of the church's senior members.
They are Kong Hee, Lam Leng Hung, Tan Ye Peng and Kelvin Teo Meng How, who served as governing board member, trustee and key officer.
"The COC's invitation for representations is to allow members of the public to provide representations on the COC's proposal to remove - on matters such as whether the COC should proceed to remove, the timing of such removal, and the impact of the proposed removal on the Charity and/or any persons - and to allow persons with additional or specific information which may affect the findings... to provide such information," the COC said.
COC's office said the removal proceedings are part of a regulatory process under the Charities Act which follows the inquiry's findings.
The inquiry, which began on 31 May 2010, had found misconduct and mismanagement in the administration of the church.
The COC's office noted that the COC is not prejudging the case in doing so, adding that the objectives of the criminal trial are distinct and separate from the objectives of the COC's actions.
The COC's office added those individuals who have been removed from their positions may continue with their religious duties as pastors of the church.
It said these are separate from the holding of any governance or management positions in the charity.
Channel NewsAsia understands that Pastor Kong has yet to submit his own representation to the COC.
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