Kong Hee, disgraced pastor of Singapore's City Harvest Church, filed appeals with five other former church leaders against their convictions today.
Kong and his co-defendants were found guilty last month of siphoning off church funds to promote the music career of his wife Sun Ho. Kong was sentenced to eight years in prison, the longest of the six, whose sentences ranged upwards from 21 months.
However, last Friday the prosecution in the case also filed appeals against the sentences, arguing that that they were "manifestly inadequate". The prosecution had earlier asked for much harsher sentences ranging from five to 12 years.
Kong said in a Facebook post: "After the sentencing last Friday, I have had a week to carefully consider the sentence and have also studied the Court's grounds of conviction together with my lawyers. Whilst I respect the Court's decision, there are points which appear to be erroneous and warrant appeal."
He said that his lawyers would "address the prosecution's appeal at the appropriate time", concluding: "I sincerely need your prayers during this process for a favorable outcome. The road ahead is long and arduous, but God's grace is sufficient for me. I love and appreciate you so much. Thank you for loving me and my family."
He attached a statement reflecting on the theological grounds for an appeal and comparing himself to the Apostle Paul: "Paul appealed not because he was defiant toward the ruling authority. He appealed because (a) the weight of the evidence was in his favour, (b) he had a clear mission from the Lord Jesus that he still needed to fulfill, and (c) he was exercising his legal rights as a Roman citizen, a privilege that God had blessed him with."
City Harvest Church leaders, including Sun Ho, thanked the congregation for "demonstrating strength and unity" over the past few years.
"We ask you to remember and hold close to your heart the call of God upon City Harvest Church," they wrote. "We have learned lately what it means to have faith, trust and rest in God—let us put what we have learned to practice. Let's band together to fulfill the heavenly calling for us through CHC 2.0."
