19m in 24 hours

I like to refer everyone to this article that came out in the local press.

$19 million in less than 24 hours

The congregation at New Creation Church raised a whopping $19 million for the construction of its new premises at Buona Vista. -myp

Tue, Mar 10, 2009
my paper

THE congregation at New Creation Church raised a whopping $19 million for the construction of its new premises at Buona Vista - in less than 24 hours.

In a show of support, a record number of 22,000 people turned up for services at the Rock Auditorium at Suntec City Mall three weeks ago.

The donations were collected over four services on Feb 15.

In comparison, a month-long charity drive by NTUC Income, Project Love, raised about $375,000.

Following the success of its fund-raiser, the New Creation Church announced the amount it raised to its members on Feb 22. However, when contacted, the church declined to comment.

New Creation Church-goer Angelique Lee, 26, a full-time student, said her donation was a form of thanksgiving and appreciation "for all that God has blessed me with".

'Attending church has helped to transform my life and make me a better person over time,' she explained.

Graduate student Huang Wei Hsuan, 26, who is not a member of the church, felt that part of the funds could be used to "help those who are really in need, instead of being fully used to construct a new building".


'Is it really a good idea to build a new building now? Should the church members be advised to keep more for rainy days?' he asked. But many others who are not from the church were heartened by the congregation's generosity.

'I feel it's incredible that such kindness, empathy and generosity can be shown in such bad economic times,' said Mr Shawn Chin, 24, a civil servant.


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Kindness? Empathy?! I really do not know what the heck Mr Shawn Chin is smoking. Does he even have the slightest idea how bad the economic conditions are now? And the church can even have the cheek to channel really valuable money into building a mega-plex complete with gourmet supermarkets and beauty outlets?

And to do it all in the name of God?! I know a lot more ways 500m could be put to better use. Ok, maybe the megaplex is actually Keynesian stimulus in disguise.

Well at least someone spoke up.

Church funds could go towards helping the poor
A reader is urging New Creation to donate the money raised to charity instead of spending millions on an Integrated Hub. -myp

Thu, Mar 12, 2009
my paper

I REFER to the report, "$19million in the kitty in less than 24 hours" (my paper, March 10).

Some people may have forgotten that a church is meant to be a centre of spiritual teaching and worship. It is a place where one can seek calmness and spiritual guidance.

The plan by New Creation Church to build an Integrated Hub with a "gourmet supermarket, restaurants, fashion and beauty outlets" and a 5,000-seat auditorium with "world-class acoustics" appears contrary to the principles of faith preached by churches.

Instead of spending millions of dollars on the complex, how about building a church with an attached world-class library that houses Christian writings, which can be used to spread the word of God?

Alternatively, New Creation could have chosen to build a clinic and offer free consultations to the needy. After all, Christianity is fundamentally about helping the needy. Such a clinic could help hundreds, if not thousands, of needy Singaporeans.

Of what use to Singaporeans, Christian and non-Christian alike, would a new shopping centre be in an already-saturated retail scene?

In the same report, it was stated that NTUC Income's charity drive, Project Love, raised only $375,000, compared to New Creation's $19 million.

I urge New Creation to reconsider its plans and to perhaps donate the money raised for the hub to charity.

Alternatively, the church could use part of the funds to send its members on a religious pilgrimage. They could use this chance to learn more about the religion, bond with each other and perhaps use their new knowledge to help others who are in need of spiritual guidance.

Mr Ong Yong Shun