City Harvest church founder Kong Hee and 4 others arrested
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Originally posted by dragg:
Ex-CHC members reveal pressure to donate ‘as much as we can’
City Harvest Church (CHC) started off as a modest Bible study group of 20 more than two decades ago.
Organised by a fresh-faced National University of Singapore graduate named Kong Hee in 1989, the church grew rapidly, converting many young and passionate individuals to the Christian faith.
At its peak in 2009, the religious group, which by then had been registered as a charity, could count 33,000 followers.
Many of them would rock the halls of the Singapore Expo where services were held, repeating the shouts of “Hallelujah!� by Kong, a proponent of the charismatic movement in Singapore.
In interviews with Yahoo! Singapore, current and former church members recounted their experiences with CHC, which has now come under the spotlight after Kong and four other key members of the ministry were charged Wednesday over the alleged misuse of church funds to finance Kong’s pop-star wife’s career.
“I think one of the factors that draw people to our church is how the services are conducted,� shared 22-year-old CHC member Michelle Weers. “The praise and worship is vibrant, the gospel is preached creatively.�
Besides holding weekly services in English, Mandarin and dialects, the CHC also caters to Indonesians, Filipinos, children and the intellectually-disabled.
About 46 per cent of the congregation was below the age of 25 years, based on statistics provided by the church in 2010. With an average age of 24, majority of the churchgoers are believed to be young professionals aged 25 to 35.
Most, if not all, of CHC’s followers are also very much attracted to the church’s charismatic founder, a man they said is “talented� and “inspiring� and who always “lives out what he preaches�.
“He’s like our spiritual father,� said James Yeo, an active CHC member for the past eight years. “And as our senior pastor, he really practises what he preaches, and acted like a role model to all of us.�
Echoed a 28-year-old executive who’d be known only as Ms Ong, “I believe it is the doctrines and preaching from Pastor KH that continues to draw the crowd and retain its members despite the upheavals it has been through over the years.�
The ‘prosperity Gospel’ of CHC
Church funds grew with the rise in membership. Net assets in 2009 amounted to an estimated S$103 million.
Members who listened to Kong, 47, would open their pockets wide to contribute to the church.
The pastor would often preach what became known as the “prosperity Gospel� – one reaps what one sows, and up to a hundred-fold returns could be harvested.
In a video of one of his sermons uploaded onto YouTube in 2008, Kong stressed that one’s faith proclamation “must be backed up by our giving� and, if not, was essentially empty.
“What we give every week is the measure of the value that you place on your Lord and your saviour Jesus Christ,� he told the crowd. “We can lift up our hands to worship god, but if the tithes are still in our pockets, then due tribute has not been given. Then our praises are empty. Our words are empty. There is no value to back it up.�
CHC’s online donation page, which allows churchgoers and the public alike to give their offerings via eNets and credit cards, also states that the church believes one’s giving is “a form of worship unto the Lord�.
Not everyone, however, bought into this belief, which gradually turned into a focus of many critics. Some CHC members left as a result.
“I joined the church initially because he (Kong) preached very well and knows how to create a program that appealed to youths,� said 26-year-old Terence Lee, who was a member of the church for seven years until 2010.
Citing “a lack of transparency� in the running of the church as his reason for leaving, the assistant editor shared that he no longer agreed with the doctrine, which he now feels is based on a “shaky Bible interpretation concocted by self-styled Bible gurus�.
A former cell group leader, who declined to be named, also let on that “there was definitely pressure to donate�, especially among younger church members.
“Those who consistently gave more would be applauded; those who didn’t give so much would be ‘strongly encouraged’ every week to ‘give as much as you can’,� he told Yahoo! Singapore. “We were always told that God would make rich those who donated more.�
Marketing executive Mary Lim too, felt the pressure. The 29-year-old eventually chose to leave the religious organisation three years ago when she became depressed that she couldn’t give enough.
“When we signed up, they would give us forms, GIRO forms, encouraging us to donate to CHC via GIRO to make sure our tithes were regular,� she recalled.
Her friends who continue to attend CHC still donate via GIRO, she added. Three other CHC members confirmed this.
Continued support
Over the years, CHC has been hounded by controversy over how it may be using members’ funds.
Nine years after its main church building – a 2,300 seater – was built in Jurong West, CHC announced in early 2010 its big plans to build a double-floor 12,000-seat auditorium in Suntec Singapore for worship services at a whopping S$310 million.
Questions over the church’s ambitious plans began to surface among the public and the press. For one, should religious organisations, registered as charities, be allowed to make investments using what are essentially donor funds?
In March 2010, the Commissioner of Charities (COC) and Commercial Affairs Department came knocking on CHC’s door after receiving complaints alleging the misuse of the church’s funds.
Even then, the megachurch managed to secure S$22.9 million last November in pledges towards a building fund that will pay for the church’s S$310 million investment in Suntec Singapore, said a 2011 Straits Times report.
This, despite a falling membership amid police investigation for possible abuse of funds.
Numbers dwindled to an estimated 23,000 in 2010, down from 33,000 a year before.
A two-year investigation ended last Wednesday with Kong and four other senior CHC members charged for allegedly misappropriating about S$24 million from CHC’s building funds for unauthorised use, among other charges.
Despite the put-downs, many CHC members whom Yahoo! Singapore spoke to continued to show unwavering support for the church and their pastor.
“The church does preach about prosperity, but that is only one aspect of the gospel,� shared Weers, who’s been a member for six years. “Teachings are done on the full gospel.�
The 22-year-old SIM undergraduate also added that “testimonies shared are not always on financial blessings�, contrary to what many have alleged.
Mdm Lim, a 50-year-old homemaker, was another who shared the same sentiment and believed wholeheartedly in “God’s principle of Sowing and Reaping�.
“Whatever seed we sow, we will reap the harvest of its kind – when we sow love, we reap love; when we sow money, we will be blessed financially,� she said.
“But it’s more than that,� Lim was quick to add. “Pastor Kong has preached on love, sacrifice and many areas, it’s not just about money.�
But the churchgoer of two years, who contributes about S$500 to the CHC every month, shared that she understood where detractors were coming from, especially since “money’s a sensitive issue�.
“But my stand is that people give because they want to give to the Lord. And we know that the church will do good works from whatever we’ve contributed.�
While some churchgoers such as Lim acknowledged “the wrong Pastor Kong has done�, many maintained that their leaders are innocent and voiced confidence in their integrity.
Said one from the latter group, James Yeo, “I believe that no individual personally benefited from this, no one pocketed any money, and there was no embezzlement whatsoever.�
Referring to the controversial project at the heart of the probe, the 21-year-old added, “Crossover is not a project of five individuals, it is a project of the whole church. Members gave willingly and with great support as to what Sun (Kong’s wife) is doing.�
from yahoo
The chappie is not stupid . He saw what he could do to harness the young and impressionables . He had a platform to start with - he was a graduate from our UNI to start with. And he must have seen those American styled evangelical stir your spirits type cult leaders, who could move people.. in the direction he wants them to move... Like a MRT people mover - you can swing a mass of loyalists to donate to your course once they get mesmerized by your prosperity gospels and fast beating rock hymns....and of course you got to do some visibily good stuff( charities etc) and promote and publicize what good you do...... then when your insidious intentions to line your pockets and lifestyle seeps in- the congregation actually accepts it as part and parcel of God's blessings for you-their spiritual leader! Amazing grace! -
Originally posted by dragg:
“Whatever seed we sow, we will reap the harvest of its kind – when we sow love, we reap love; when we sow money, we will be blessed financially,” she said.
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cannot believe a christian said this.
so they gave generously hoping to be blessed even more financially? is this really what christianity preaches?
i believe the govt cant do anything about this but surely the bishop can and should right?
Yeah right. We blessed financially? More like the pastor is blessed financially.
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Originally posted by dragg:
“Whatever seed we sow, we will reap the harvest of its kind – when we sow love, we reap love; when we sow money, we will be blessed financially,” she said.
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cannot believe a christian said this.
so they gave generously hoping to be blessed even more financially? is this really what christianity preaches?
i believe the govt cant do anything about this but surely the bishop can and should right?
Not exactly you receive wat u sow... Many times we dun get wat we wished for... For example, Relationships... Boy likes Girl... He gave her everything and all his love, but Girl does not like Boy...
Perhaps after several failed attempts or lucky strike, he gained the love of another Girl. Could we say that Boy has received what he sowed? Both yes and no...
This is akin to selling "Hope"... Ppl like to hear what they want to hear... Which is why I quote the sentence again: "You see that guy with the Mercs over there? He was just like you~ You can do it too~"...
However, there are still sheeps willing to be cheated around...
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Some people just can't get over wanting to be rich ...so they fall for whatever can "purportedly" make them RICH ...good example all these Nigerian scams- my father grand father grand cho kong was a multibillionaire who died in the war between general YOUSOSoSTUPID and General YouSosoDumbo and left a fortune of 500millionUS in TIMBAKTU...give me your account number and you will get 10 percentcommsssion.....etcetcetc
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Quote
"But then, this is Singapore. In other countries, if the argument is good, it will hold. In Singapore no such luck, because the judge has the last word, they will acknowledge your argument, but their view will prevail according the sentiments of the government."
Unquote
Unfortunately for Kong Hee CAD and the police have 2 years worth of evidence.
L'Hotel de Changii has a room reserved for him!
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This was in Strait Times today:-
"An unemployed man was jailed for five years and ordered to be given 12 strokes of the cane on Tuesday for robbing a woman of her handbag in a lift."
Kong Hee has stolen millions from his cult members. He should be in Changii for life.
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Originally posted by Vrc5star:
This was in Strait Times today:-
"An unemployed man was jailed for five years and ordered to be given 12 strokes of the cane on Tuesday for robbing a woman of her handbag in a lift."
Kong Hee has stolen millions from his cult members. He should be in Changii for life.
ask the man to return her handbag with interest. perhap its deems as no crime
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Originally posted by dragg:
“Whatever seed we sow, we will reap the harvest of its kind – when we sow love, we reap love; when we sow money, we will be blessed financially,” she said.
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cannot believe a christian said this.
so they gave generously hoping to be blessed even more financially? is this really what christianity preaches?
i believe the govt cant do anything about this but surely the bishop can and should right?
Based on that christian's logic. The poor are cursed to be forever poor as they have no money to sow. In reality, that's not the case, there are many rags to riches stories.
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Originally posted by Pinknutri:
Based on that christian's logic. The poor are cursed to be forever poor as they have no money to sow. In reality, that's not the case, there are many rags to riches stories.
actually tat teaching is flawed... Are they saying that being poor is wrong? is being poor a sin?
wishing for more and more money... isnt it greed?
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Originally posted by ^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~:
actually tat teaching is flawed... Are they saying that being poor is wrong? is being poor a sin?
wishing for more and more money... isnt it greed?
I fear for our SG younger generations. I'd watched the video on how this guy encourage his church members to donate. There are so many teenagers in CHC, what kind of mentality they have? Sow $ to get more $. $$$$$$ is all they care? I'm following this case to see whether God really exists.
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Originally posted by Pinknutri:
I fear for our SG younger generations. I'd watched the video on how this guy encourage his church members to donate. There are so many teenagers in CHC, what kind of mentality they have? Sow $ to get more $. $$$$$$ is all they care? I'm following this case to see whether God really exists.
Younger generation are more easily influence...
If influenced by proper moral and values, it's a good thing...
but if they are influenced by greed and vainity, then I think it's really jialat...
The worst thing for a young child is a bad teacher...
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Originally posted by Pinknutri:
I fear for our SG younger generations. I'd watched the video on how this guy encourage his church members to donate. There are so many teenagers in CHC, what kind of mentality they have? Sow $ to get more $. $$$$$$ is all they care? I'm following this case to see whether God really exists.
the younger generation does not seem to have the ability to discern b/w truely preaching or propaganda by intent. As such, many fall to prey of kong hee -
Older people too. those who were not raised as Christians and then suddenly "born again". They talk like the church saved them and they owe their lives to the church.
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Originally posted by alize:
Older people too. those who were not raised as Christians and then suddenly "born again". They talk like the church saved them and they owe their lives to the church.
thats true... same as ppl who suffered set back and claim they suddenly see the light. -
Originally posted by Vrc5star:
This was in Strait Times today:-
"An unemployed man was jailed for five years and ordered to be given 12 strokes of the cane on Tuesday for robbing a woman of her handbag in a lift."
Kong Hee has stolen millions from his cult members. He should be in Changii for life.
There is a diffeence in daylight robing you force th ewoman to give up her handbag...in crossover evangelism you preach to get the people to give 'voluntarily" so the penalty in my opinion will not be more than 10years. -
We must all bear in mind this issue at hand is NOT about religion or religious fervour. It is about CBT and falsifying accounts!
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Originally posted by Bikeforceful:
We must all bear in mind this issue at hand is NOT about religion or religious fervour. It is about CBT and falsifying accounts!
I am not against the religion...
More on how they operate and falsify accounts and stuff...
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Originally posted by ^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~:
I am not against the religion...
More on how they operate and falsify accounts and stuff...
The round tripping of the funds via KL and via the Indonesian company are most telling! if all is above board there is absolutely no reason to do that. -
The irritating song is playing over and over in my mind.
Headache.
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Originally posted by charlize:
The irritating song is playing over and over in my mind.
Headache.
KongHee Fatt Choy to your headache! -
Bike , basically "Crossover evangelism" in this case is Con over non evangelism. Sun Ho is not an evangelist's you know what!
Basically funds were stolen out of God's money destined for his work and poured down a bottomless pit aka Sun Ho's Music!
Essentially Knog Hee is a con man and thief!
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losers lah. i don;t see our other sg artistes having to go so low.
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A lot of his videos all removed from youtube already.
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why removed? so shameful meh
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Originally posted by ^Acid^ aka s|aO^eH~:
actually tat teaching is flawed... Are they saying that being poor is wrong? is being poor a sin?
wishing for more and more money... isnt it greed?
Poor is either a state of mind or a social status....
Luke 18:11-14
New International Version (NIV)
11 The Pharisee stood by himself and prayed: ‘God, I thank you that I am not like other people—robbers, evildoers, adulterers—or even like this tax collector. 12 I fast twice a week and give a tenth of all I get.’
13 “But the tax collector stood at a distance. He would not even look up to heaven, but beat his breast and said, ‘God, have mercy on me, a sinner.’
14 “I tell you that this man, rather than the other, went home justified before God. For all those who exalt themselves will be humbled, and those who humble themselves will be exalted.”