Fresh reporting from CHC
http://www.citynews.sg/2012/07/overseas-christian-community-support-chc-leaders-in-court/
Overseas Christian Community Support CHC Leaders In Court
Posted on 25 July 2012
Christian leaders from around the region turn up at the Subordinate Courts on Wednesday morning to stand with CHC.
By The City News Team
July 25, 2012 — City Harvest Church members who showed up at the Court 26 of the Subordinate Courts this morning were not alone. Christian leaders from across the region showed up early at the court to provide moral support to the accused CHC members.
Wayne Chang, pastor of Hsin Tien Covenant Church in Taipei, Taiwan, says, “I feel that this is the time for us from all around the world to stand together; we believe in what Pastor (Kong) is doing, and we believe in his integrity, as well as that of the others being charged.”
The six—senior pastor Kong Hee, deputy senior pastor Tan Ye Peng, Chew Eng Han, John Lam, Sharon Tan and former finance staff, Serina Wee—appeared in Court 26 at 9 a.m. this morning with their lawyers. Wee, a new addition to the case, has been charged with 10 criminal charges.
Kong is represented by Edwin Tong of Allen & Gledhill. Chelva Rajah, senior counsel at Tan Rajah Cheah and N Sreenivasan of Straits Law are representing Tan Ye Peng. Chew Eng Han is represented by Francis Xavier, senior counsel at Rajah & Tann. John Lam is represented by senior counsel Kenneth Tan of Kenneth Tan Partnership and Nicholas Narayanan of Nicholas & Tan. Kannan Ramesh, senior counsel at Tan Kok Quan and Jeffrey Ong of JLC Advisors are representing Sharon Tan, while Serina Wee is represented by Andre Maniam, senior counsel at Wong Partnership.
The six looked calm and rested as they entered the court, which was presided over by district judge Lim Tse Haw. The gallery was filled with over 150 CHC members, with many more waiting outside, who were unable to get in as the gallery was full and standing was not allowed.
The foreign pastors were of one spirit in their support of the accused members and the church.
Dave Thong, 34, and Silvara Junus, 36, pastors of Rhema Church, Sitiawan, Malaysia, came to “give Pastor Kong, his leaders and CHC moral support the best we can. They are our spiritual family and dear friends to us. We will continue to fast and pray for their deliverance. They have our full support.”
Garrick Li, 32, lead pastor of Grace Church in Taiwan, admitted that, “My heart was heavy and solemn seeing Pastor Kong inside the court. I believe in his character, I believe in the team and we are one family with CHC.”
Encouragement for the church came from Franklin Lumoindong, 56, senior pastor of GPdI Elohim, Sidoarjo, Indonesia: “We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, and we are very sure this will work for good for Pastor Kong, Pastor Tan and the church. We know that all the projects that CHC has done are for winning the lost for God, and we believe that through this case, God is preparing bigger things for CHC.”
“I was glad to see that Pastor Kong was calm and collected, that he was still smiling and greeting all the people who were there,” said Jeremy Yeo, 34, the pastor of CHC Brunei.
“I knew God was in control.
“I stand with Pastor Kong and Pastor Tan because I have seen and experienced first-hand how they are when there are no lights, no stage, no cameras. They genuinely love, believe in people and will do all they can to help anyone whom they encounter.”
As they left the court, the individuals were accompanied by church members as they calmly made their way to their respective vehicles.
The pre-trial conference is set for August 30 at Court 17. It will be conducted behind closed doors.
Deputy senior pastor Tan Ye Peng with his lawyers, senior counsel Chelva Rajah and N. Sreenivasan.
Kong Hee leaving the courts with church members and his lawyer Edwin Tong.
