City Harvest sees fewer followers but remains among top 10 richest charities

At its peak, it had 33,000 members but numbers fell to 16,000 last year; it had $132m in reserves in 2018

City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee speaking to the congregation yesterday, in his first service at the church since his release from jail on Thursday.
City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee speaking to the congregation yesterday, in his first service at the church since his release from jail on Thursday. PHOTO: CITY HARVEST CHURCH
Chew Eng Han, who is still serving his extended jail sentence, is no longer with the church.
Ms Serina Wee (above) and Mr Tan Ye Peng, Mr John Lam and Ms Sharon Tan, who have served their time, still worship at the church. ST FILE PHOTO
Ms Serina Wee and Mr Tan Ye Peng (above), Mr John Lam and Ms Sharon Tan, who have served their time, still worship at the church. ST FILE PHOTO
Ms Serina Wee and Mr Tan Ye Peng, Mr John Lam (above) and Ms Sharon Tan, who have served their time, still worship at the church. ST FILE PHOTO
Ms Serina Wee and Mr Tan Ye Peng, Mr John Lam and Ms Sharon Tan (above), who have served their time, still worship at the church. ST FILE PHOTO
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Updated
Aug 25, 2019, 08:13 AM
Published
Aug 25, 2019, 05:00 AM
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Two days after his release from Changi Prison, City Harvest Church founder Kong Hee was back at the church he founded, where he remains their spiritual leader.

As the 55-year-old walked up the auditorium at Suntec Singapore Convention and Exhibition Centre yesterday to speak to the congregation, the crowd cheered.

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A version of this article appeared in the print edition of The Sunday Times on August 25, 2019, with the headline City Harvest sees fewer followers but remains among top 10 richest charities. Subscribe

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