Christian Pastor Arrested in Singapore for Allegedly Using $18 Million in Church Funds to Help Wife’s Pop Music Career
- Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:36am by
Billy Hallowell
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Pastor Kong Hee (Image Credit: KongHee.com)
SINGAPORE (The Blaze/AP) — Authorities have arrested the founder of one of Singapore’s largest evangelical churches and alleged millions of dollars in church money was used to aid the career of his pop singer wife.
The Singapore Police Force said it plans to charge City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee on Wednesday with conspiracy to commit criminal breach of trust. The police statement Tuesday said four other church leaders would be charged with breach of trust and conspiracy to commit falsification of accounts.
The Straits Times has more about the allegations and the impending charges:
City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee and four others, including former board members, were arrested on Tuesday morning following a probe into financial irregularities of the church by both the police and the Commissioner of Charities (CoC).
Among other things, the CoC found financial irregularities of at least $23 million from the church funds. Its spokesman said the funds were used with the purported intention to finance the wife of pastor Kong, Ms Ho Yeow Sun’s secular music career to connect with people.
‘There was a concerted effort to conceal this movement of funds from its stakeholders,’ said the CoC spokesman.
In a statement, the police named the five: church founder Kong Hee, his deputy, Mr Tan Ye Peng, former board member, John Lam Leng Hung, church investment manager Chew Eng Han, and church finance manager Sharon Tan Shao Yuen.
The church also addressed the issue on its web site, asking parishioners to pray for those involved and reiterating the fact that no legal complaint has been brought against City Harvest as a congregation:
The Charities Commissioner said at least $23 million Singapore dollars (US$18 million) of church money instead financed the music career of Kong’s wife. Ho Yeow Sun has put out a few Mandarin pop albums.
The charities statement did not give details. City Harvest says up to 23,000 people attend its services.
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Comments (65)
Bill923
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 6:14amI’ve read some of the other comments. Their seems to be an acute discontent with Christianity not calling evil deeds evil within it’s own. Not on this post. If you wanted a No Spin Zone on the Christian faith from a christian then buckle up butter cup.
Probably one of the most horrific and evil deeds that can be done is taking advantage of a child. Wheather it be physical, emotional, verbal etc. They all share a commmon thread of violating the trust of the innocent.
We can reach well into our ninties or even break the century mark and God will still refer to us as children. That means that when shiesters fund their own desires and ambitions with money collected from God’s faithful children, that God’s anger is greatly kindled. Elisha cursed his own servant with leprosy when he sought reward from Namman the Syrian after his healing. It was supposed to be a free undeserved gift of grace to a gentile in the OT that mirrors the Grace of Jesus Christ and his servant attached a price tag to it. For this, the leprosy of Namman clung to the servant.
Preachers in America get caught doing this all the time and nothing happens. Imagine if this man is found guilty in the same country where Michael Faye was caned for “vandalizing a car”
Report Post »Magyar
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:04pmNot a CHRISTIAN
Report Post »ModerationIsBest
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:33pmEasy to say after the fact. Up until then everyone was looking at him saying, “this guy is truly preaching the word of God.”
Laughable.
Report Post »jwt
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:06pmwhat does the goverment have to do the the church? he can spend the money any way he wishes, If the Lord is upset, He will take care of it. The Lord is more than able to insure his pastors do what they should. Jonah rebelled against GOD and maybe learned a lesson
Report Post »jwt
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:12pmwhat does the goverment have to do with the church and what it is doing. the Lord is able to take care of his children. If they rebel as Jonah, they will learn a lesson (maybe0
Report Post »rickc34
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 6:17pmJesus did not even have a home. Bishop Jake one of Obamas supporters suit would be more than most people make in a week, you need to be careful of what they are teaching also, are they using the bible or is it their own ideas, when they start talking about money watch it, I am a Christian but you must use wisdom and know your Bible to watch for those that would use Gods word for their own profit. Creflo Dollar is another Obama supporter that lives like a king. so be careful who you give to .
Report Post »Grace1798
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 7:14pmI have a trained vocal talent ……but IF you’re any good in a small town, they’ll shun you or lie about your good character, or whatever it takes to get rid of you! This article is so true about what goes on in most churches sad to say but it is a fact indeed. We’ve seen it over and over …….so many want to be the BIG FISH in the small pond. Users, takers, liars, backstabbers and gossipers. So very insecure/competitive, fish wife kind of mentality. We became very sick of it all and refuse to enter another church like this ever again. We still read the Word and we still fellowship with those who are not interested in being a STAR instead of a grateful servant of the LORD.
Report Post »TEARS FOR AMERICA
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 5:55pmSad to say there are many so-called “pastors” who are lavishly living it up on the gifts of members-many of these mega-churches are a prime example. Although I do know a mega-church who does have over 20,000 members but the pastor lives humbly, most do not. God will judge those men (and women) who call themselves shepherds and are liars and thieves.
Report Post »snooop1e
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:35pm@ TEARS FOR AMERICA, just curious which Mega Church Pastor are you referring to?
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:13pmAnd God Bless him and his family. I went to a church where the pastor always mentioned that God wanted him to have the best. A real estate agent told me she was showing them homes and he said those weren’t nice enough. God expects them to have the best. Other comments like that and several incidents that were wrong (to me) and I quit that church pronto.
Report Post »Maybe they get a bundle of money at large churches, but there’s also humility and acting humble before the Lord and church members. One poor homeless guy was shown the door and told he had communion, now leave. I was totally blown away. The nerve and disrespect of what I witnessed. He could have been an angel, unaware. Can’t get it out of my mind and wish I had done more myself.
bunnylefluf
Posted on July 3, 2012 at 3:31amyou are so right on that!
Report Post »Verceofreason
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 5:08pmChristians = corruption.
In That Day
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 4:35pmBeautiful Bank Robbers
By Robert Winkler Burke
Book #3 of In That Day Teachings
1/8/09 http://www.inthatdayteachings.com
Beautiful bank robbers,
They stole from you and me,
Beautiful bank robbers,
With mansions by the sea.
Beautiful bank robber couples,
So fabulously in love,
We admire their plastic features,
And how their doctors dug.
Beautiful bank robbers,
Say, You can be like me,
And have other people admire,
Your mansion by the sea.
Beautiful bank robbers,
Each must have their jet,
They have their lovely ways,
Of getting what they get.
Nothing is too good,
For bank robbers by the sea,
Better than good is perfect,
To sell greed so lustily.
Beautiful bank robbers,
Report Post »How they will rot in hell,
For being so beautiful,
And lying perfect well.
HoneyBager7x7
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 4:08pmMONEY MONEY MONEY MONEY!!!!!
LOL, this is hilarious. 23 Million dorrerrs! like that. I’m in the wrong business. Easy Money man.
Report Post »mcsledge
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 2:49pm19 Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; 20 And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone; (Ephesians 2)
11 And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; 12 For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: 13 Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: (Ephesians 4)
Paul provided the way to know whether it was Christ’s Church or something made and led by man.
Report Post »snooop1e
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:40pm@MCSLEDGE – Just curious, what do you think Paul was saying when he said “Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ”?
Report Post »IMCHRISTIAN
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 2:19pmThis is shameful if true. God will hold those responsible that steal in anyway from others .
Report Post »Hollywood
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 2:41pm“CHRISTIAN”? Pastor. I think not. Another in a long list of satans disciples. He will soon get his REWARD, as did Tammy and Jimmy Baker, Jimmy Swaggert,Robert Schuler etc.
Report Post »Daveed
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:54amNot a lot comments as nothing to say, until more information comes out. Especially this is in another country. What percentage of articles are factual or have half truths. Christianity has been under attack ever since Lucifer was kicked out of heaven.
Report Post »Goldline_scam
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 1:31pmChristianity: Stealing your money to bring hope to the gullible and deluded for over 2,000 years!
Report Post »ModerationIsBest
Posted on June 27, 2012 at 1:42amOf course Christians aren’t going to come here and post on here.
What are they going to say, the typical, “Not a Christian” mantra?
Report Post »Joe Bonham
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:39amIf this article was about a Muslim, an Atheist, or a Jew, this thread would have 500+ comments in it, all ranting about how evil non-Christians are.
Report Post »Shifty6
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:50amAnd if this article was about a Muslim, an Atheist, or a gay, this article wouldn’t even exist.
Report Post »BenKatz
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 1:44pmActually shifty if there is even a remotely negative story about a muslim, atheist, or a gay the blaze is the first place to have an article up about it.
Report Post »Link8on
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:23pmActually Buddhism is the biggest faith segment Singapore at 33%.
Maybe not quite big enough for that faith to get a bad behavior pass.
The PM’s there seem to mostly be agnostic, and the current one uses the courts quite often to silence bad press. He won the 2011 election in spite of, no faith alignment, prior health issues, and allegations of nepotism.
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:29am…And Rev.Write has a large retirement-home in an ALL WHITE RICH GATED COMMUNITY!!…payed-for by his POOR BLACK PARISONERS! See, I can screem just like he does in his recorded sermons, and for 20yrs like O’Present was there but never listened-to.
Report Post »Goldline_scam
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 1:30pmReverend who?
Report Post »Dismayed Veteran
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:28amNow if this was a Catholic priest, there would be 200+ comments instead of 21 as 0928 CDST.
Report Post »djmaine
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:45amGet ready for some serious cane action.
Report Post »Cavallo
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:45amFrom what I have seen (and this is merely an impression of my several brief experiences with Singapore) the Asian theater seems to have a culture that when they adopt foreign religions, concepts, pop culture, a subset takes it to extremes. This might be why Jehovah Witnesses are banned in Singapore. Jim Baker in Singapore becomes Jim Baker on steroids. Hip Hop becomes a cartoon caricature of itself, etc.
Report Post »by faith
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:36amFaith alone saves you. (Spending $18M would be works) – works don’t matter.
Sound pretty stupid now doesn’t it?
Report Post »trolltrainer
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:19amShow me where works save you!
Report Post »by faith
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:33amI see your reading skills have not improved
Report Post »The Catholic Church has never taught such a doctrine and, in fact, has constantly condemned the notion that men can earn or merit salvation. Catholic soteriology (salvation theology) is rooted in apostolic Tradition and Scripture and says that it is only by God’s grace–completely unmerited by works–that one is saved.
The Church teaches that it‘s God’s grace from beginning to end which justifies, sanctifies, and saves us. As Paul explains in Philippians 2:13, “God is the one, who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work.”
Notice that Paul’s words presuppose that the faithful Christian is not just desiring to be righteous, but is actively working toward it. This is the second half of the justification equation, and Protestants either miss or ignore it.
James 2:17 reminds us that “faith of itself, if it does not have work, is dead.” In verse 24 James says, “See how a person is justified by works and not by faith alone.” And later: “For just as a body without a spirit is dead, so also faith without works is dead” (2:26).
The Council of Trent harmonizes the necessity of grace and works: “If anyone says that man can be justified before God by his own works, whether done by his own natural powers or by the teaching of the Law, without divine grace through Jesus Christ, let him be anathema” (Session 6; can. 1).
trolltrainer
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 12:00pm“As Paul explains in Philippians 2:13, “God is the one, who, for his good purpose, works in you both to desire and to work.”
Notice that Paul’s words presuppose that the faithful Christian is not just desiring to be righteous, but is actively working toward it. This is the second half of the justification equation, and Protestants either miss or ignore it.”
——————————————————————————-
How do you figure that? I am a Baptist and have no argument with anything you wrote in this particular post.
Why the hatred of Protestants? It is almost like it is a personal thing with you. I understand your anger at the Catholic haters, but really…they are very few. I disagree with much of your church tradition but that is not going to keep you (or me) from eternal life.
I just wonder, why the arrogance all the time?
Report Post »by faith
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:34amGood thing he wasn’t a Ctholic Priest, or else this would be big news
Far you Catholic haters, does this prove all evangelical’s are in a false religion
fools
Report Post »jman-6
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:54amWhile I dont hate catholics I am an evangelical n serve the One True Living God!!
Report Post »Bluebonnet
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:11amWhat a shame so many get caught up in the love of money, rather than the Love of God. So many pastors have fallen by the way side when they take on the role of the little god and think the world is their oyster. We’ve all seen it and how it destroys their lives, hopefully, they turn back to God.
Report Post »I see some of this in local ministries and just can’t attend their churches. Satan is watching closely to deceive all he can. Really saddens me. Keep prayed up (I’m trying, but I’m a sinner too)
by faith
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:13amJ-Man
Report Post »I am glad to hear you serve the one true living God. God gave man free will, you are free to choose to believe whatever and however you want. I will not judge your faith.
God bless you and Keep you all the days of your life
ModerationIsBest
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:36pmAll religions are following a delusion.
Report Post »RioSasanto
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:30amThe full investigation by Singapore Government here:
Report Post »https://www.facebook.com/notes/mcys-singapore/inquiry-found-misconduct-and-mismanagement-in-the-city-harvest-church/433242763375514
joekoets
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:28amThe Apostle Paul had to deal with that on his missionary trips around Asia Minor too. Human nature hasn’t changed in 10,000 years.
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:33am…in 10,000,000years! World was just fine, until humans came to [save-the{put in yo' own-animal name}]!
Report Post »TROLLMONGER
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:02amTypical evangelical…LOL!
Report Post »4truth2all
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:50amTypical dumb comment
Report Post »Link8on
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:52pmA friend emailed me a Youtube of this pastor with a message that you can be Christian without giving up your ancestrial Chinese roots .
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oH3rtPH6AcY&feature=related
Report Post »TROLLMONGER
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:02amTypical money and power hungry right wing extremist.
Report Post »snupedoug
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:45am‘Toolmonger’… Yeah, you certainly don’t see any corruption, lying, cheating, stealing from a ‘typical left wing extremist’ now do we???!!! LOLOLOLOL!!!! (sarcasm on in case you missed it) Until we all stop being total ‘TOOLS’ and get beyond the ‘it’s ok if my guy does it but it‘s illegal if your guy does it mentality’ and realize we’re all being used, we’re
Report Post »done for…just stick the fork in us.
Gonzo
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 11:03amYou should post that comment on the Gay Activist Icon Pedophile story. But you won’t, because you know he is one of yours.
Report Post »scrudge
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:54amAh Yes…. one hung low…. plenty boom boom for 18M
Report Post »contkmi
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:48amOne cannot serve two masters. Unfortunately, this man got bit by it.
Report Post »lqtm
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:44amLOL I thought Christians were moral people? Well us atheists don‘t think that’s very moral. Either way I would not like to be caught committing fraud in Singapore, their legal system is very, very unforgiving.
Report Post »nzkiwi
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:49amThat’s a bit unfair.
Report Post »PingPongPing
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:07amthe bible says: For all have sinned fallen short of the glory of God…”
that sir, includes you….
Report Post »suzannegentle
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:13amLQTM…. Christians are still sinners after they are saved…..we just don’t swim in sin and deny our sin…..REPENT AND BELIEVE……
Report Post »hi
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:53amActually he is an atheist posing as a Christian to steal money since atheists have no morals.
Report Post »snupedoug
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 9:59amYou need to understand that standing in a church makes you no more a christian than you living in your mom’s garage makes you a car. Jesus said ‘you’ll know a tree by it‘s fruit’.
Report Post »G-WHIZ
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:39amThey ACTUALLY INFORCE ALL THEIR LAWS!! How-’bout WE import this pollicy of inforcing all OUR laws!!
Report Post »ModerationIsBest
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:39pm@SUZANNEGENTLE
You accept that a human sacrifice was necessary to save your “soul.” If that’s not “sin(even though no such thing as sin exists)” I don’t know what would be.
Report Post »Link8on
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:43pmAny church will operate on market principals since nobody is required to give.
The money apprarently misspent in this case can be counted in the poor stewardship category. It is highly unlikely that you or I, any taxpayer, will be forced to bail out this church.
The congregation members are like customers, who can choose to stay, join another church, or lose thier faith and totally quit Christianity. If it got really crazy, some donor(s) may even sue to get their donations back. Church staffers under contract would be the only ones forced to stay.
Compare the donors of any church and their budget directors to your local, state or federal government, where citizens are forced to pay taxes and usually have little to no immediate recourse short of switching allegience / citizenship, like Eduardo Saverin, of Facebook.
Report Post »USPATRIOT101
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 8:44amYoko Ono got married again?!?!?!
Report Post »snupedoug
Posted on June 26, 2012 at 10:07amYou think that’s big news, I hear Kim Kardashian’s butt may be getting bigger…=) Just wait ’til the MSM gets a hold of that one!!!
Report Post »