From its humble beginnings in 1989 City Harvest Church has grown remarkably. Initially a small group of twenty young people met at the Peace Centre. Kong Hee and Sun Ho founded the church. Their vision was to create a dynamic church impacting Asia.
City Harvest Church’s rapid growth is quite remarkable. By 2009 it boasted a congregation of 32000. An average of 400 people accepted Christ weekly. City Harvest Community Services Association helped over 14000 people annually. The church established 80 affiliated churches. It sent numerous teams for church planting or disaster relief. In 2012 it was recognised as one of the ten largest churches globally. It also had a presence on Christian television in Asia reaching millions.
The church emphasized the Cultural Mandate. Members were challenged to engage culture meaningfully. They were encouraged to serve society as Christlike citizens. The Crossover Project was a significant initiative. Sun Ho Kong’s wife engaged the pop music industry. The aim was to spread the Gospel to a wider audience. The project’s success led many to Christ.
However the church faced significant challenges. In 2010 investigations began concerning its leadership. Subsequently Kong Hee and other senior leaders were convicted of criminal breach of trust. Millions of dollars in church funds were misused. The money was channeled into sham bonds. This funded Sun Ho’s music career. The court proceedings were lengthy and highly publicized.
Despite the legal battles and setbacks City Harvest Church persevered. The church’s leaders appealed the verdict. Their sentences were reduced. The court acknowledged their intentions were not personally motivated. All misappropriated funds were returned with interest.
The church continued its ministry. It adapted to changing circumstances. It continued serving its diverse congregation. This included English Mandarin and dialect speakers. It also ministered to Indonesians Filipinos Japanese and people with intellectual disabilities. The City Harvest Community Services Association continued providing assistance to the elderly youth and needy families.
Today City Harvest Church remains a significant presence in Singapore. It has redefined its mission emphasizing encounter with God purpose family and making a difference. The church has weathered storms and emerged stronger. It continues to adapt and serve while upholding its core values. Its story is a testament to resilience faith and commitment to its mission.