On 20-March-2011, City Harvest Church held its first worship service in Suntec Convention Center, Singapore. It was a historic moment for the Church. The church had secured the main auditorium for a period of 100 years at an estimated cost of 310 million SGD. Around the same time, the church faced intense scrutiny from the government regarding its Suntec project. The church leadership was fully cooperative, transparently declaring all assets and sources of funding, leaving no stone unturned in their dealings with the authorities As I followed the coverage in the media, I couldn’t help but sense that much of the controversy stemmed from jealousy rather than genuine concern. In spite of all the false rumors and ongoing investigation, each service, had an attendance of approximately 7000 people.
The worship experience at City Harvest Church is exceptional. The lighting, acoustics, and seating are truly world-class. Every service is filled to capacity, and at the close of each one, people respond to the altar call, accepting Jesus as their Saviour, the sick receive the healing and deliverance from the bondages.
Geenu and I left home at 9:05 am and reached City Hall at 9:35. It took approx. 10 minutes’ to reach Suntec Convention Center Hall#601-602. We were at awe to see the massive 10,000 seating capacity auditorium. Every seat was filled. Church leaders from over 19 countries had gathered for the occasion, including representatives from Taiwan, China, the Philippines, India, Indonesia, and Sweden, among others. The service started at sharp 10 am, with praise song. Pastor Kong’s wife, Sun Ho led the praise team, followed by Worship team. A special drum ensemble then inaugurated the service in grand fashion. The offering was led by Pastor John Avanzini. He asked people to give a special offering during this momentous time. Everybody responded to the offering. Later Pastor Kong shared the testimony about his face to face encounter with God. He was standing in the hotel balcony near to Hawai beach when he had an encounter with God. Sun was in the bed room kneeling and worshiping the Glory of God. Pastor Kong felt led by God to read the Commandments “Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ This is the first and greatest commandment. And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbour as yourself.’ All the Law and the Prophets hang on these two commandments.” He read and re-read the scriptures and concluded, we must also love God and we must also love people irrespective of their color or race. It was on this conviction, Pastor Kong started his ministry. For Jesus said, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me”. We will be counted as hypocrites if we despise poor or neglected people of the society. In the parable of Good Samaritan, Jesus gives an example of who is our neighbor.
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God Bless!
