SINGAPORE: The stream of worshipers meandered through the small garden before heading inside. At one of Singapore's smaller churches, the group of around 50 faithful were solemn as they listened to the pastor deliver his sermon on Sunday evening. For them, the ongoing controversy with the City Harvest Church in the city has begun to take its toll on the congregation. “It's almost everyday and someone asks me about the case because they know I am Christian,” said convert Yussif Anwar, who originally from Georgetown in Malaysia, adding that “this is just not good for Christians in the country.” He, and other worshipers at this small First Presbyterian Church in Singapore, are fearful of the growing tension in the country over the City Harvest scandal. “It is there, in public and Christians are the ones who suffer, which makes it even that more disappointing,” he added. “It's hard for us to understand what is happening, but the City Harvest Church should do more for the community,” he continued. Under attack for corruption and misuse of funds, City Harvest Church held its first service on Saturday since charges were officially filed against the mega-church last week. The church's founder Kong Hee was quick to acknowledge why some 8,000 people had packed into the church on Saturday for his sermon. “I also know that you are all here tonight to hear something from me. “As you know, the past few days have been very challenging for me, my family and my team, and many allegations have been made in the media. “Obviously, as this is an ongoing case, I cannot comment on the details, but please know that there are always two sides to every story. I look forward to the day when I can tell you my side of the story in court," he said. Seven minutes into his sermon about a woman who had worshiped Jesus humbly, Kong stopped and told his congregation, “Yes, I do maintain my integrity." But it comes on the back of much controversy and uncertainty regarding the church's future. Singapore's City Harvest Church Executive Pastor Aries Zulkarnain said on Thursday evening that he and his Church stand by members accused of embezzling and misusing funds. He said the Church will maintain support for the accused throughout the court proceedings. Another pastor from the Church, Bobby Chaw, added that City Harvest has “actively worked to ensure good governance and have complied with codes set by the Ministry of Community Development, Youth and Sports." Five members of City Harvest Church were charged by a court on Wednesday of corruption, misuse of funds and embezzlement, Channel NewsAsia reported. The report said the court charged City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee with three charges, while senior pastor Tan Ye Peng faces 10 charges. Finance manager Tan Shao Yuen faces seven charges. Senior member Chew Eng Han also faces 10 charges and former secretary of the church's management board Lam Leng Hung faces three charges. The five allegedly diverted some S$23 million (RM57 million) of the church's money to fund Ho Yeow Sun's music career in the United States. Ho is Kong Hee's wife. CNA said they were charged for another S$26.6 million (RM66 million) of misappropriated funds, used to redeem “sham bonds" to cover their tracks. The case was adjourned and the next session will take place in July. The Straits Times had reported that Kong, Tan Ye Peng and three other church leaders were detained by police at their homes early on Tuesday morning and taken in for questioning over the alleged misuse of church funds as well as alleged “breaches under charity laws." This latest development comes two years after the Commercial Affairs Department started a probe into the alleged misuse of church funds in May 2010.
