https://sg.news.yahoo.com/kong-hee--with-god-s-grace--i-have-no-fear-091341956.html
Kong
Hee: With God's grace, I have no fear
AFP News/Roslan
Rahman - City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee and his pop-singer
wife Ho Yeow Sun leave court in Singapore during his fraud trial on
September 9, 2013
City Harvest Church (CHC)
founder Kong Hee says that while it has been a "difficult time" for
him and his family, he has "no fear" about the days
ahead.
In his first
public statement since his conviction yesterday (21 Oct) on charges
of criminal breach of trust, Kong asked the church in
a Facebook
post to "keep praying for me and those involved in the
trial, for our families, and especially for the congregation of
City Harvest Church, which I love so dearly with all my heart".
He added, "My
family and I are continually assured and strengthened by the love
and support shown to us during this entire time. We thank you for
your prayers and encouragement, as they mean a lot to us."
The long-running
CHC trial came to a close after 140 days, when Kong and five
other church leaders were found guilty of all charges of criminal
breach of trust and falsifying accounts against them.
Kong, deputy
pastor Tan Ye Peng, finance manager Sharon Tan, former finance
manager Serina Wee, and former board members John Lam and Chew Eng
Han had been accused of misusing $24 million of church money to
finance the music career of Ho Yeow Sun, Kong’s wife, in the United
States. Another $26.6 million was also allegedly used to cover
it up through two companies, Xtron and Firna, which are both owned
by CHC supporters.
"The weight of the
evidence suggests they knew that they were acting dishonestly,"
said Judge See Kee Oon in his oral judgement. "They chose to
participate in a conspiracy to misuse CHC funds."
Meanwhile, the
National Council of Churches of Singapore (NCSS) yesterday said
that it was "saddened" by the conviction of the six leaders. In a
joint statement by NCSS president Bishop Dr Wee Boon Hup and
NCCS General Secretary Rev Dr Ngoei Foong Nghian, the Council said,
"It is our hope and prayer that good will come out of this whole
episode, especially as a reminder to pay greater attention on
church governance in the matter of management of funds.
"We ask for the
Christian community to pray for CHC as its members reflect on the
future of their church. We encourage the CHC leadership to continue
in the spiritual upliftment of their members during this difficult
period."
NCSS added that it
will also "guide and advise members of the Christian community to
constantly observe the law of the land".