KUALA LUMPUR and SINGAPORE: The ongoing Singapore City Harvest Church scandal is spreading to Malaysia, with the country's small Christian minority hopeful that they can give moral support to the city-state's Christian population. George Patak, a Kuala Lumpur Christian, told Bikyamasr.com that he and his friends are organizing a troupe to go to Singapore over the weekend to show solidarity for worshipers at the City Harvest Church. “We might not have a lot of people to go with us, but we believe that all good Christians must support one another through this difficult time,” he said. “Faith in Jesus Christ tells us that we must forgive, and the Christians in Singapore need to know that we will be there for them if they need people to lean on,” he added. In Malaysia, the scandal involving the misuse of funds at the Singapore mega-church has largely been a non-issue, but in the Christian community in the capital, they believe the Christians in the region should come together to create a unified stand against corruption, especially when it comes to faith-based operations. “Everyone I talk to within my community says that we should really come together to ensure that this sort of thing never happens again,” Patak continued. “We are Christians and the churches we go to should be serving God not worldly things,” he added. He continued to say that he and a group of around 10 Malaysian Christians will head to Singapore to participate in the second weekend of services at City Harvest, with the aim of delivering moral support to the Christians confused and frustrated over the recent scandal that has seen charges brought against the church. Fear of backlash “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." Controversy continues Last week, as the church was charged with misusing some $50 million of church money, they appointed New Zealand's Reverend Phil Pringle and Reverend A.R. Bernard to function as advisory pastors in order to maintain services for worshipers without break. Pringle is the founder and senior minister of Christian City Church in Sydney, Australia. But now that he is in Singapore, working for a church embattled with corruption charges, he has become targeted by the Christian watchdog organization C3 Church Watch, which tasks itself with overseeing good practices at Christian organizations globally. The group's blog said that it was “designed to watch and monitor C3 Church and its pastors, specifically Phil Pringle." It has raised questions about the New Zealand-born pastor's religious credentials and teachings. It is the latest in a weeklong battle over embezzlement charges and fears that the situation could potentially see the end of City Harvest, which hosted some 14,000 over the weekend in services. Controversy 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.
