Kong Hee Ministers in Taiwan Despite Legal Woes, Says Largest End-Time Revival Will Take Place Among Chinese

Mar 24, 2016 05:55 PM EDT

Kong Hee, the embattled pastor of City Harvest Church, recently visited Taiwan in his tour of Southeast Asia, where a number of salvation decisions prompted him to state that there is "no doubt that the largest revival in the End-Times will be a move of God in the Chinese-speaking world."

In a Facebook message shared earlier this week, the 51-year-old pastor revealed that he first heard God speak to him about evangelizing in Taiwan back when he visited the country in 1999.

"Evangelize the young people of Taiwan, and out of this, the gospel will touch Chinese-speaking youths all around the world," he recalled God telling him. The pastor revealed that he started doing missions work the predominantly Buddhist country in 2002.

"Over a 10-year period, Christianity has grown from less than 3 percent to almost 10 percent, by some missiological estimates. Campus ministries have sprouted in most local colleges and universities today," Kong said about Taiwan.

"Many pop celebrities have received Christ and are boldly proclaiming their faith on traditional and new media. I have no doubt that the largest revival in the End-Times will be a move of God in the Chinese-speaking world."

Over a 72-hour period, the pastor preached a total of seven times in Taipei, Kaohsiung and Pingtung, and shared a brief video of some of the services. The footage showed church attendees worshiping, making "salvation decisions," praying for one another, and fellowshipping.

"I am so grateful to the Lord Jesus for allowing me a front row seat to witness a mighty outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Taiwan, over the last 17 years," Kong said, explaining that the country feels like a "home away from home," since he and his wife, Sun Ho, lived in Taipei for a full year in 2006.

He concluded: "Taiwan, thank you for loving us!"

Kong is currently embroiled in a legal battle and facing an eight-year prison sentence after he and five other CHC members were found guilty for the misuse of close to $35 million in church donations, which allegedly went into the popstar career of Sun Ho.

Before sentencing, state prosecutors said it was "the largest amount of charity funds ever misappropriated in Singapore's legal history".

For the past five years, Kong and the others accused denied any wrongdoing and dismissed reports that they controlled management company Xtron, which was handling Ho's career.

Although the megachurch maintained that Ho's pop music was intended as a form of outreach to non-Christians, Kong was sentenced to eight years in prison, the longest of the six, whose sentences ranged upwards from 21 months. In December, the six accused individuals had also filed their notices of appeal against both conviction and sentences, indicating to the court that they intend to appeal.

Despite his uncertain future, Kong has maintained a positive appearance, regularly taking to social media to share photos of his family and congregation.

On Wednesday, the pastor revealed that the church's CityWorship team worked with Fukuoka Harvest Church to produce a new praise & worship album in Japanese, which will be released next week in Japan.

He wrote: "They really worked very well and flowed very well together! Dear Jesus, send a mighty revival to the Land of the Rising Sun ... God bless Japan!"